Thanks, great report. I visited Kuching in December 2001, and we were able to see several orangutans at the rehabilitation center near Kuching, but it was not nearly as thrilling as your trip. I'm going to google BRL -- it sounds very interesting.

Kathie:
We are just back from a short Las Vegas romp and reading your very informative report...ok you almost had me on a trip to the BRL until the leech on the penis thing. Kind of deflated the enthusiasm :). Seriously though it sounds like you had a fabulous trip. Linda and I would love to "follow your footsteps" into Borneo and are elevating it up on our list of places to see. Welcome home!
Aloha!

Great report.....Ah....a real adventure! Reminds me of the last two years going to Ghana...or treking with Kiwi friends through freezing cold South Island New Zealand. Makes me long for another real adventure! Well, I guess running around Bangkok looking for condos will be an adventure, huh, Kathie? Just no leeches. Smiles. Oh, did you ever find out the name of that building on the river? If I have time, I'll try to find out where it is. Happy Travels!

Hello, HT. It really was an amazing trip. I think you and Linda would like it.

Guenmai, I don't have my notes here, but the name was something like "Baan Chao Praya." I saw two huge signs for it in different parts of the city. Good luck on condo hunting!

Oh, yes. I know what building you're talking about. I've ssen it. I think it was the one somewhere between the Pen and the Shearton, but on the Pen side of the river. I'll try to check it out when I get there. Happy Travels!

baan chao payra is a largeish complex just across from river city....it is not new, although they may have some new buildings...it is to the right of the new hilton (never finished sofitel) when you face across the river from river city....

they have a small boat that comes to the pier between the sheraton and RC....

Interesting, these were new ads up around Bangkok. I wonder whether they have just converted to Condos or if they are building a new building... Well, do let me know if you find out anything.

Photos are now online at www.marlandc.com

There is a separate section for Borneo 2005.

Warning: this section contains photos of leeches!

Loved the pictures! Cheryl is quite the photographer. I assume Enzee is Hornbill? I had to laugh at the Jefferson Airplane reference. You didn't try and eat that mushroom, did you? ;-)

Yes, Enszee is Hornbill.

Thanks, I will convey your compliments to Cheryl.

hi kathie

loved the leech pics in particular. and the rothschild orchid in kk. i dont thik i hve seen a real one before. its gorgeous!!

what can i say----THE PICS ARE SOME OF THE BEST I HAVE EVER SEEN!!!!! the flowers in particular are fabulous...

boy do i need camera lessons!!!

tell cheryl thank you very much...

bob

Kathie, I've just got around to reading your trip report. It's vivid and exhilarating! We went to Malaysian Borneo in 1992. My son was in grade school at the time and still treasures longhouse photos of him and the locals. The Mulu caves were an astonishing experience.

After reading your report I think it's time for us to revisit Borneo! BTW, Redmond O'Hanlon was the reason that we went the first time.

Question though, I'm somewhat arthritic and although I can walk a mile or two, climbing up and down is problematic. Do you think the treks from the Borneo Rainforest Lodge would be doable?

Marmot, there are many types of trails from the Borneo Rainforest Lodge. I wouldn't recommend the Coffin Trail for you (that horrendously steep climb to the spectacular viewpoint and the old gravesites), but many others would be very do-able. You would be fine for the canopy walk (quite flat) or the Segama trail along the river, or the closeby nature trails. One of the things that suprised me was how often we saw wildlife very close to the lodge. Also, there are quite a few trails (we certainly didn't see all of them) and your guide can help you figure out which ones will work best for you.

By the way, the trails are well-maintained. A guide walks the each trail at least once a week. There are a number of suspension bridges as wel as the canopy walk where you can just stand and watch for animals.

The BRL was really an incredible experience.

Oh, and thanks Enszee and Bob. I will pass your comments on to Cheryl who originally thought she didn't get many good photos this time!

Topping for colandsi

Hi Kathie! I'm finally getting around to posting on your wonderful Borneo report! I love the way you describe everything with detail so one can decide if it's "for them". You sound like you had a great experience. I wanna go! As I posted on your Bangkok thread I'm heading for Europe in May so I've been haunting that forum :) However, I hope to get back to Asia with my daughter in a couple of years when she's 11 and really focus on nature and animals (while keeping the budget in mind). I'll be asking for more advice again...

I'm glad you enjoyed my report, virgo. We did have a wonderful time.

Enjoy your trip to Europe!

Your report is a real treat and your photos are wonderful. I particularly liked the fungus shots. I ended up having a look at some of your other albums too and I think I will probably be going back to look at some more when I have time.

Leeches - hmmm. We had an initiation in Sri Lanka where we were really badly leeched. You didn't miss anything in managing to keep them off! We didn't even know we had them, then noticed blood coming through my trouser legs. It was like a blood bath in the shower and then there was a power cut in the hotel so there we were with torches - trying to make sure we had found them all. What a carry on. The worst bit is that you keep bleeding for some time after they have dropped off and then to top it I reacted to the sites and they were itchy like the worst mosquito bites. I still have a small lump on my foot as a souvenir of the worst one.

Your leech socks looked the business!

It sounds like you had a real adventure and I'm really pleased to have caught up with it. Thanks

OMG, the pictures and stories are marvelous. You gals are mighty adventureous. I won't NEVER, EVER go into a jungle with leeches and what nots unless someone is chasing after me with a machete. :-)

Can you ask Cheryl what type/brand of camera she used? She took some amazing pictures, from close-up shots of flowers to panaromic views of cities.