KALIMANTAN (BORNEO)

The orangutan rehabilitation centre at Camp Leakey in the jungle of Borneo has been one of the highlights of the trip. We went up the River Seiconyer in a klotok (river boat). We spent 2 nights on the boat sleeping on deck under mosquito nets. The orangutans are living wild but their food is supplemented by the rangers. We also saw proboscus monkeys with their long noses, macaque monkeys, wild pigs, fire ants, hornbills and kingfishers. The sound of the jungle at night reflects the night wildlife. Chainsaw beetles live up to their reputation. Beware of tarantulas and bird eating spiders.
The Java Sea and South China Sea have presented some of the most challenging navigation so far with fishing boats, nets and tugs with tows which are not lit at night. We managed to ram a tow one night but fortunately no damage was sustained.
We are now in Nongsa Point and leave for Singapore tomorrow. This involves crossing the Singapore Strait, one of the busiest shipping lanes in the world.