Travel - Uncle Tan Wildlife Adventures Camp

Not a typical holiday.

Uncle Tan Wildlife Adventures Campsite is located along Kinabatangan River, Sabah. It is a wildlife camp with basic facilities but loads of wildlife. Always a person who loves nature and "camping", I booked a 3D2N package directly with them. 

Back then when I went, there wasn't a direct flight to Sandakan but Airasia flies to Sandakan directly now! =)

Upon arrival at Sandakan airport in the morning, we will need to travel to Uncle Tan Wildlife Adventures Operation Base. From there on, all the expenses were included in the 3D2N package. It was RM 380 (~S$167) then, now it is RM 420.

We were briefed at the ops base and left behind any "unnecessary" luggage there. Then we set off to the Camp site in the afternoon.

Briefing given.

It was a long journey to the campsite. First the ride to the jetty then the boat ride along the river to the site. But I enjoyed the boat ride. 

Arrival at the campsite~

The dining area and gathering point.

By the time we reached, it was close to evening. We were then brought to our humble house. A house raised above the swamps. How cool is that!

A view from our "room"

Each house sleeps 6. Simple mattress.

The most important place - shower area and toilet!! When you are in the wild, you do what you need to do like you are in the wild! duh!~

The water was just filtered river water, it was basically brownish in color. -.- It was my first time using river water to bath though. haha. Good experience! =P

After settling down, we had a night safari along the river where we spotted owls and crocodiles .:$  hahahaha. After the night safari, we had shower in near-dark environment and the lights were out by 11pm. It was pitch darkness from then.

As early as 6am, staff on duty did morning call by shouting "Morning safari! Morning Safari!" LOL! We had our breakfast and went for the morning safari!

6plus in the morning.

The animals were out as early as we do! To be able to spot the wildlife, you need a bit of luck and good eye sight.

Woohoo! We managed to have a close up with the WILD Orang Utan!! Imagine I was using a point and shoot camera then. Heh.

Monitor Lizard.

After the morning safari, we headed back to the campsite where we rested. In the afternoon, we can choose to do an afternoon trek or just laze around the campsite playing football, table tennis etc etc.

We chose to trek.

We left on the boat and went along the river bank, then we stopped along the river. I was the NEXT person after the EXPERIENCED guide who stepped on the muddy mud. Not a good move. My first foot sank right into the mud and I could not pull it out in time when my next foot was lifted and...... there I go.....

The kind hearted guide then came back and "created" steps for the rest to climb up after seeing what happened to me. kwangx3...

On this mud we stood.

Since it was afternoon, we would not be able to see the wildlife because they would be resting deep inside the woods. However we still enjoyed the trek and saw some interesting plants, insects etc etc. =))

After the afternoon trek, we had an evening boat ride, it was during the last hour before dark where loads of wildlife can be spotted and we saw many many probosis monkeys!!! =))

As the sky darkens, we could see bats flying above us as well.

Nightfall.

I can't believe the 2 days just ended like that. During this trip I learned alot - Kinabatangan River is the river where many wildlife depended on but because of palm plantations, many lands were cleared up, shrinking the areas where these wildlife lived. Once upon the time when the camp first started at their orignal campsite, they even spotted elephants crossing the rivers. How nice is that! Just felt that it should be where they belong, the wild. =)

Anyway, Uncle Tan campsite has shifted again and they mentioned that it is alil more remote and wildlife is present in abundance. =)

I love this sight. Hee.

If you love nature and are looking for an unique experience, do check this out and please share with me if really there are more wildlife spotted!

The website: http://www.uncletan.com/index.html

Purposeful Traveller - Not a typical holiday!

Travel - To the Peak of Mt Kinabalu

I have forgotten why I wanted to climb Mount Kinabalu but the sunrise I saw on the mountain top was a view I would never forget. =)

Wanna know how much it takes to see this sunrise? Read on.....

We call this "Killer Steps" and there were many out there. Endless. :$

Just when you were dying from the endless climb, you see locals carrying this bulk of things (and I wasn't even carrying my own bag) walking up and down in their fake crocs shoes/slippers (and I wore mountain climbing shoes), you have no idea how it feels. >.< Don't know should I feel shy or motivated~ LOL!

Told you its endless.

Finally after hours of climb, I saw glimpse of HOPE! Hope of reaching our Resthouse soon and so I climbed and climbed and climbed.

Indeed we reached our guesthouse where we will rest for the night! But before that, ANOTHER FLIGHT OF STAIRS! >.<|||

Yeah! Our dormitory! After placing our bags, we headed for dinner (stairs again!) then went to the toilet wanting to wash up, only to find out.....

NO WATER!!! NO WATER!!! NO WATER TO SHOWER!!! T.T Anyway the water temperature was like 10 Degrees Celsius. 不是臭死，就是冷死咯。(Either stink to death or freeze to death) hahaha. 

And so we wiped ourselves and went back to our dormitory. Watching sunset from my bed was another memorable experience for me. =))

And before I  could fall asleep, it was time to wake up for the summit climb =.= And it was cold, my nose leaked like nobody's business and my body ached because of the coldness. :$

Wondering what is this picture?

My friend tried to take a picture of the moon in the near dark environment and she slipped (didn't fall la) and ta-dah! this picture! Thought it was pretty cool. haha. 

After that, no more photo taking because we were all concentrating on the climb. All I had in my mind was - 5 steps at a time and I said it in my mind for 321789123704320975 times before I saw a glimpse of the sun.

Quick!

Another magnificent view. The shadow of the mountain cast on the clouds!

And so, we finally reached the peak of Mount Kinabalu (almost die-d) and I saw that sunrise that was worth it all. My friend once described the experience in very simple words - It was the moment when you are surrounded by the Sun, the Moon and the Stars. =))

When we begin our walk down, I was shock by what I saw. Did I really come up by this way?!!!! OH MEN!!! It would be MUCH faster if I could just ROLL down.... *faint*

The highest toilet. =.=

Walking down the face of the mountain.

Then we reached our resthouse, had our breakfast, packed our bags and begun our journey down. On our way down, I didn't really THINK alot. It was body over mind, I just let my feet take the lead. (On the way up, it was the other way round.) hee.

Oh, I think I did mention something on my way down. That is to take MOUNTAIN CLIMBING out of my HOBBIES!! hahahaha. (Say only la)

I learned a lot about perseverance during this trip and I also experienced something for myself - I may not be fast but I am STILL a finisher of this race/climb. =))

Purposeful Traveller - Be a finisher!