Day 177 Brunei in a Day 31 July 2012

Today we spent exploring the capitol of Brunei, Bandar Seri Begawan (or BSB). After a leasurely breakfast we headed for the Omar Ali Saifuddien Mosque (Brunei’s version of Fata Morgana of the Efteling). Unfortunately it was closed for non Muslims since it is Ramadan. The outside however was a sight of its own.

We continued with a visit to the Royal Regalia Museum, where the sultan displays all the gifts other heads of state have given him. We had to take off our shoes but luckily were provided with slippers. Sorry, no photographs allowed inside, but imagine a lot of silver, gold and daggers.

Someone however gave him a small replica of this piece of art.

After some Pizzahut and Coffee Bean we walked some more, looking all over town for a souvenir (besides the stamp in our passports).

We came across a ceremony to bring down the flag that was up for a month to celebrate the sultan’s birthday.

We also saw a huge lizard and the poster from the Bollywood movie we saw in India!

At night, the mosque was even prettier.

Day 176 Travel day to Brunei 30 July 2012

After repacking our freshly laundered travel clothes we hung out at the guesthouse and waited for our taxi to take us to the bus station. Here we caught a bus to Brunei. The bus dropped us off literally in front of the hotel, where we had a dinner with Brunei treats. This time the green treat was tasty- like a cold crepe/pancake stuffed with coconut.

Day 175 Resting day 29 July 2012

Another well deserved Rest Day.

Day 174 Resting day 28 July 2012

Today we did nothing but staying at our Ecolodge and enjoying the environment and homemade cooking.

Day 173 Last day at Gunung Mulu 27 July 2012

After breakfast we took the largest canopy walk in the world, it was 20 to 25 meters (60-70 feet) up above the jungle grounds and 480 meters (1500 feet) long, and very very wobbly.

 

 

 

 

In the afternoon we took the flight back to Miri. Upon arriving the airport security guy allowed Ana to go to the Coffee Bean in the departure hall after she explained that yes they do have a Starbucks in the Arrival Hall but it is not a Coffee Bean. Not many places where that would be allowed! But he understood and Ana was very happy with her Ice Blended Chocolate Drink! Martijn just thought she was crazy to go through all that trouble, but did not miss the opportunity to grab a coffee.

Day 172 One Day Four Caves 26 July 2012

Today we put us in for two cave tours, the main attraction of Gunung Mulu National Park. We started by taking the boat to the cave of Winds, called like that because the difference in air pressure makes it seem like the cave is breathing.

Here is a formation that looks like a camel.

Notice the eagle at Martijn’s foot.

More spectacular was the Clearwater cave, the biggest cave of the park and perhaps of the world.  The water inside the cave was indeed very clear and very cold.

We saw a hairy caterpillar and a pygmy squirrel along the way.

After lunch we walked for about an hour to Lang cave, a cave with some beautiful stalactite and stalagmite formations.

 

The most impressive cave was Deer cave, with the biggest cave passage in the word. It was just amazing to see the huge inside showers in a colossal space.

It also contained a profile of Abraham Lincoln.

Besides Lincoln and the snake the cave has five million other famous inhabitants: bats. We retreated to witness a spectacle of nature with the bats as we saw them all leave the cave, while taking on a spiraling formation, similar to the movements of a snake.

A hawk also found this sight appealing and snatched his dinner.

Day 171 Gunung Mulu Day 1 25 July 2012

After taking a short flight from Miri to Mulu we arrived at the airport of the National Park.

After checking in at the park headquarters we decided on our program. Today we would take a hike to the Paku Waterfall on our own.

After finishing the walk we stumbled on a 2 hours Botanical Heritage Trail, that gave a lot of information about the rainforest in general. This flower (Amorphophallus), almost as tall as Ana, smells like rotten meat.

In the afternoon we rested a bit in the hostel and experienced a huge thunderstorm. There was one thunderclap that made Ana jump across the room to Martijn who offered protection and a good laugh afterwards.

After the excitement and dinner we were ready for the last walk of the day, a guided night walk, where we saw many crawlers and our first ever fireflies. We saw stick bugs, and bugs that the locals call white bugs ( these are hundreds of them together), and this little frog that made a noise like a dog yapping.