A bit of yesterday and more Hammy Hamster adventures

We are staying in an eco lodge so the showering heater is set up to save electricity. I figured out how to get the water flowing from the shower and was given instructions to turn on the 2 switches to get the hot water working. I turned on the only switches I could find and still had a painfully cold shower. The instructions should have mentioned the 2 switches next to the sink on the wall. Anyway, in the heat and humidity that is happening, it may have been a good thing.

Next morning (if you are unaware of Hammy Hamster Tales of the Riverbank, then shame on you, unless you are too young or were not a television-addicted child in the 70's) up early for another animal spotting experience. The temperature was so much cooler.

Lots of monkeys and birds and a massive crocodile having a feed were spotted. We are taking lots of pics but most of those coming into our gallery from the WhatsApp group are better. The first one below is a woodpecker. 

We were out there around 2 and a half hours and then had the first of our compulsory 3 pig outs for the day.

It was then onto the bus for an hours journey to the cave. We were supplied with helmets, face masks and plastic gloves, which at first seemed like overkill.

It was a big open cave with thousands of birds nests and bats above. There was a mostly (80%) safe boardwalk with railings. Both were covered with crap from up high. Both were thick. It was not a good smell. Cockroaches were everywhere underfoot and poisonous centipedes were on the walls. It was a bit like an Indiana Jones movie. All the protective equipment was needed.

Those going in without PPE were asking for trouble.  

Meal 2 then rest, a 15 minute core class in an attempt to make me feel not as fat, and then back on the jetty to wait for boat ride 3. That is when the heavens opened. After 15 minutes we decided to bail while several others braved the weather. Not much else happened. 

Last day

We were supposed to wake up at 4am, because our Timeshifter app told us to, but 5am was a compromise that I hope buys us some energy late in the day.

We are highly caffeinated and currently on the train from Bordeaux to Paris, having won the battle of lugging our luggage up the station stairs and then up the train stairs before lifting them onto the luggage racks.

Luckily Emma does her own timeshifter routine and woke up just after us, so we got to see her absolutely demolish her milk at breakfast for one last time.

We got in the car and headed straight to a boulangerie, for what I somehow doubt will be the last visit of the holiday. It was closed. Damn the train departure, we will find another. Armed with a bag of buttery goodies, we made our way to the platform.

What we have planned after our midday arrival is storing our bags, finding lunch, seeing a movie, buying dinner and getting to the airport for our 10:35pm departure.

We are allowed one hour of sleep when we get on the flight and then none till we depart Singapore. That sounds like mission impossible but Singapore Air does promise Live World Cup action. 

If all goes to plan that is the holiday done.

What actually happened ...

If the plan was walking through Paris in 36 degrees, going to a movie to get some air conditioning only to find the one theatre in 25 without it was ours, spending 50 minutes crammed so tight in a 45 degree carriage to the airport and searching for extra, extra clothes because you are drenched, then mission accomplished.

At least dinner at the chosen restaurant was sensational. 

Thanks to the young Swedish ladies for fanning me when it looked like I may melt entirely.

Thanks to the Editor, for without her I would probably still be standing at Holsworthy Station trying to figure out where we were going. However without me she would be walking in and out the same shop over and over again due to her sense of direction misgivings.

Thanks for reading, next chapter is Borneo.

My apologies

With the running festival being sponsored by our current hotel and this morning being the start of races outside the front door, it was a bit noisy. Even though the start line was where our bus was supposed to be, the WhatsApp message said to go to the front of KFC a block away and all would be good. It was. 

Adam our bus driver did some great reverse parking where we picked up some of our group from a memorial service and then sped off for the Proboscis monkey feeding at 9:30. We were running a bit late so it was delayed for us. This was a real hit. Monkeys everywhere. Proboscis monkey eating

Then the other monkeys turned up (help needed here for a name, Editor (Silvered leaf monkeys)). There were bird sightings and it was a perfect start to the day.

We followed with a 3 hour drive to our forest lodge by the river, stopping 30 minutes before arrival for petrol and the demolition of the service station's chips, confectionery and ice cream stocks. I have never seen this much junk food purchased by a tour group. Another buffet lunch of rice, vegetables, fish and chicken was followed by a brief rest before hitting the river to see what we could see. 

For 50 Malaysian ringget extra, we were advised that a longer trip may mean elephants. I think it was a good way to get our cash, but there were indeed elephants, as well as crocodiles, many monkeys and birds to see. 

Returning as darkness came, a lightning storm threatened. Of course I stopped filming and then the lightning bolt lit up the sky. It was big. Luckily we beat the storm, ate a buffet dinner and slept after managing just 4,000 steps in the day.

I do apologise. The crocodile pic was from today as was the kingfisher. 

Hills and valleys

The highs and lows of the day started at the buffet breakfast. Hot noodles, a make your own soup section, baked beans and sausages etc etc. So much food. My pet hate is people not eating everything they take. They should be sent home immediately.  

Onto the bus and to the orangutan sanctuary we went.

The 9:30 feeding in the nursery had one orangutan that ate some food and then was out of there.

The 10am feeding was worse. No primates showed. Then we went back to the nursery and there had been a crowd but they disappeared as we appeared. A low for sure.

Across the road we walked to the Sun bear sanctuary. Much more luck here and even a t shirt purchase for the Editor. 

Another high.

The highs continued with a buffet lunch, followed by a forest walk, where we were advised to keep our expectations low. However we saw mum and baby orangutan in a tree, climbed a high metal lookout with thunderstorms looming, nearly got hit with lightning at the next tower (lucky I was wearing my brown undies) and then saw what the tour guide said was a "once in a lifetime experience". 

The oncoming storm and winds coupled with leaves of a tree being ready to fall made this amazing scene. It's hard to describe but hopefully the editor can do some YouTube link thingy. Flying leaves

The rain then set in and we made shelter for the worst of it. 'We' was actually me, as Annette, although in front of me when the lightning struck, somehow ended up behind me on a seemingly one way path. Was a Delorean somehow involved with the storm?

From here, to finish off the day on a sombre note, was a visit to the Sandakan Death March memorial, which is highly recommended. 

Back to our hotel The Elopura and then to Momo for a Thai dinner. For those planning a visit, this was the most expensive meal so far at 52 Malaysian ringgit for 2, or about $17 Aud.

We headed back and the Ghostbusters pictures that I had been eyeing off since arrival became mine. The girl in the shop was so excited to sell them -  "finally" she said. They had been there for some time. 

Oh I forgot to mention, and I can't say a little about it, but Annette managed to slip and fall off the steps of the bus yesterday. Our lawyer is on the case.

There is significant bruising and our second lawyer has advised to not use a balm.