Borneo: Sabah and Current Mental State

 

Borneo: Sabah

After our 6 days in the jungle, we got another crazy hair up our butts and decided to go to ANOTHER rainforest/jungle area (Sabah) to see orangutans, sun bears, and monkeys, oh my. 

The itinerary was another jam packed one: a flight and sleepover back to the big city in Borneo (Kota Kinabalu), a flight to Sandakan (the biggish city in Sabah) and two nights in the area of Sepilok to visit the Rainforest Discovery Center (ironic, I know), the Orangutan Center, and the Sun Bear Center. 

After those two days, we then decided to book a three-day, two-night river adventure package (on the Kinabatangan River) for the chance to see some of these animals in the wild. Was cruising the river much like south Florida? Yup, yup it was. Was it still cool? Yes(ish). We did have to work hard to appreciate it, though. We saw monkeys, crocodiles, and a few birds. If someone were to do this, I would recommend maybe only one night, especially if you're from Florida. 

Our Current Mental State

Many people we ask along the way ask how this type of travel is and what do we miss. Our answer? It's hard, and every few weeks we are having to learn a new language, figuring out where to get food (or if street food is a viable option), figuring out how to get around, and then settling in for a few adventures or none at all (which is our current state because we've been in the jungle adventuring for so long). And what do we miss? Publix. Drawers. America (the good and the bad). Our beds. Our home. Exercising and being active. And the list goes on. 

And what about Sila? Hmm, well he pretty much breaks down each and every time we move and often hates every part of the trip other than when we are doing something epic like seeing Orangutans. It is definitely not easy, but we are hoping in hindsight he'll appreciate it. Probably not, though, which is why this type of travel should be done for only yourself, or take kids when they're young because they live more in the moment!

We truly loved being our in nature and away from everything, but what it did do is make us forget that we're in another country and culture. Culture shock hit big when we exited the jungle and made our way back to the city. We had to go to a grocery store (a HUGE shock because it was jam packed with fully-covered women, had no fresh fruit and vegetables, and we couldn't find milk) and then process that we still have two months left. We bought some essentials (because we can't stomach--figuratively and literally-going out right now), are settling into the massage chair our place has, and are enjoying our few days before we move again. Oh, and Conan had a bad fall as we were leaving the jungle because in many countries they like to spray the bathroom floors with water and there is no mat or anything to prevent one from slipping. Thankfully he didn't end up in the hospital, but he did cut his back and slam his shins. Eek!

So there you go. I've included a few pictures (including some solos of us that highlight our enthusiasm!) to help illustrate what I've written above. Much love to you all.