Last day at sea. Bali tomorrow. Epic 2 days into jungle to see wild primates.

Proboscus monkey with baby in tops of trees at sunset

More news from Bali.  Leave early tomorrow.

Amazing trip.  Enjoy photos

TTFN

Orphan Orangutan at care center. Parents and siblings were killed by loggers

wild orangutan at Camp Leakey

Rare Proboscus Monkey - He was in the top of a tree way above me

I made a lot of new friends at Camp Leakey

CROSSING THE LINE

Today we just crossed the line.  No wild parties though, just an announcement from the captain before lunch.

Two Hikes in the Jungle

I am in recovery today.  Yesterday there were two hikes in the Borneo jungle - the second, in the afternoon lasted about three hours. It was billed as “only for the very fit”.  20 passengers of the 100 on board signed up. It was hot, humid and included more than 250 steps up ladders.

Monkeys, Pigs, and a Viper

The upside? Amazing views of the South China Sea and at the end a long walk along a beach where we found macaque monkeys on the ground and giant ginger Proboscis monkeys with long white tails in the trees.  There were also wild pigs and a bright green venomous pit viper lying in wait on a log. The water in the sea must have been at least 90.

Ladders, Boardwalks and a plant that catches rats

On the trail there were ladders to help us scale some very steep slopes. Most of them were in good shape, and 80% of the rungs intact. The morning hike was more difficult than antisciiapted because a forest fire had burned much of the wooden infrastructure.  For both hikes we were warned to keep to the paths as leaches lurked in the undergrowth - everyone followed this advice. Boardwalks were to avoid snakes. Along the trail the most interesting plants for me were the pitcher plants.  A large cousin of the venus fly trap, which catches flies, these are so large they catch rats. I took photographs -  did not have time to look inside them.

Time for champers

Humid, humid, humid. Water underfoot, dripping from trees and temps in the 90’s. I carried three bottles of water in my Yosemite backpack.  Great experience - good to be back to air con.  I celebrated with a glass of champers.

TTFN

Pulau Lintaang - Somewhere in the South China Sea

First snorkeling day. P L is one of the thousands of islands making up the archipelago, South China Sea Islands. There are hundreds of them. Most are uninhabited and various countries lay claim to them. Countries which border the SCS include China, Taiwan, Philippines, Malaysia, Brunei, Indonesia, Singapore and Vietnam.

We went over on zodiacs. Beautiful pristine beach - spotted some bright blue fish and some yellow ones. Found some amazing clams and lots of flying fish behind a rock. After lunch - a gorgeous BBQ on beach I tried out kayaking. Not a bad beginning try - will try again.

Great and friendly group on ship. 50% Aussies who I love traveling with, friendly, funny and easy going. To night is Captains cocktail party and I will sit with the expedition leader Tom. Off to have tea then take some photos when the sun becomes let intense.

So happy about the Scottish vote. Was awake in the night worrying. In my heart I felt that it would not pass but it was so close. The ramifications would have been horrendous. I ran into this young woman at Jogia airport in Java. She had no idea what the sweater meant - just thught it cool.  It was an omen for me.

More later TTFN