August 7,

Our alarms were set but we were both already awake and had been since around ‘fourish.’ I don’t know if it was from excitement of yesterday or anticipation for day two of our tour. It definitely was not from the beds… the twin beds were fantastic! Actually the whole bungalow was very nice, we just won’t be in here very long! Around 0520 we got around and readied. We have a six am excursion. I went out on our balcony. It is very foggy, misty, and I took pictures. Hummm, (thinking emoji) hope this won’t hinder our views of wildlife, but we did see a bunch yesterday. By 0540, we went down to the main building. I had a weak Nescafe coffee.😝 I had lots of sugar and milk to make it palatable.

Anyway at 0600, we were set up in the same group and sent to the boat. We had Linda as our guide again! Yahoo!! There was a different driver though – a young ‘twentyish’ year old kid. We set out by 0610 going the other way on the Kinabatangan River. The sun was rising and thankfully, started burning off the fog. Some of our group went on the Jungle Trek last night. It and another night river boat excursion were offered at extra charge after supper. One of the single guys said it was okay. I’ve been there, done that and have found I am not a night jungle girl! No one on our boat did the night boat ride… maybe because it cost more? I did not ask.

Right off we all saw a big group of Macaque Monkeys. They were mostly in the grass on the river bank. Linda said they were foraging for breakfast. We saw quite a few more groups throughout the ride. Next we saw “Snake Birds” in a tree. That is the common name – they are an Oriental Darter, similar to the Anhinga or Cormorant. Then we saw many Kingfishers: Stork-billed Kingfishers, which are the largest ones here Linda said; and Blue ear Kingfishers, this is very flashy with a deep blue, but when it flies it flashes a lighter, brilliant shade of blue. We tried to get pictures but they were blurry. Kingfishers don’t like us too close and fly away.(I did get one picture and was able to enhance it, will include it.)

Following this we saw big (nesting?) group of Egrets. We moved on and Linda pointed out a Saltwater Crocodile. It was a baby! He fled into the water when we tried to get closer. Then the Italian lady pointed at something. Our driver flipped a U and it was Proboscis monkeys. We stopped here quite a while and just watched them as they watched us. Linda asked if we were done and we moved on. This is nice of her, she’s a good guide. Next we saw a group of boats. We raced up and they were trolling after a big swimming Crocodile. Linda said they can swim almost 30 kmph! We trolled along with it and other boats a bit. The Croc was not deterred by the four or so boats and kept his own pace. Next we watched an Eagle, a Kite and some more Oriental Pied Hornbills, and an Asian Hornbill. Moving on, Linda saw a “teen-aged” size Crocodile in the water’s edge. He had his mouth opened as if threatening us! But he zoomed in the water shortly and we moved on.

We sped on to a group of boats. The guide was there with a laser pointer, and we saw them, a family of River Otters! They were a ways up on the bank in the trees. They were scurrying about, looking at all the boats and trying to find a place to get in the water. Every once in a while one would stand on its hind legs, as if trying to see us better as well. One started to come down to the water, but turned back. What a blessing…Otters are always so fun to watch! Jeff and I love seeing them.

Now we turned back and zoomed to the resort, returning at 0710. We were the first ones back for breakfast. We had medium spicy noodles, chicken sausage, baked beans, watermelon, and two traditional sweet bits. Both with coconut, but that’s where the similarities ended – one was gelatinous and the other was hard. Also had an omelet station and toast with traditional coconut jam, traditional chocolate, and PB to put on it. Great way to end our Adventure!

Finished, we went back to our room, packed and checked out by 0815. Then we were loaded on a bus and headed back to Sandakan by 0833! We’ve already had a day’s worth of activity!! Same bus ride back. We arrived back at our place at 1130. Quickly rushed up to our room and did a video call with Jeff’s sister and her husband. We had PB with an apple and crackers for lunch. I set about blogging – so far behind. Jeff did some planning and went to the grocery store. Then we tried to rearrange our bed situation… still not ideal but better. Then we tried to do laundry but the washing machine was not connected. Jeff texted our host and he gave us access to another apartment of his. So Jeff went to do that and I blogged more. I got caught up and Jeff came back with stories. The water in that place was off and then there was a leak… sounds like a lot of drama! But he started it. We finished some blogs and then got the laundry. Supper was pasta with a curry mushroom sauce and broccoli. Turned in by 2200.