Saturday, June 28, 2014

The land of monkeys: Borneo

Last August I made a trip down to Malaysia to check out the island of Borneo. Arriving there, I was taken aback by all that the place had to offer. Culture, food, nature, adventure and don't forget friendly people, are all offered in Borneo. I made my first stop in Kuching, the Capitol of Sarawak. This place is surrounded by many places to see and do. 
The New Sarawak State Legislature Assembly Building peaks out from above the Hong San temple in Kuching. Below a view of the New Sarawak State Legislature Assembly Building.

 One of the best Destinations around Kuching is definitely Bako National Park. The park is a sanctuary for a variety of wildlife, most in-particular the proboscis monkey, a native to Borneo. I actually got a chance to get closer to one and snap some photos.
At the beach near the entrance to Bako, you are greeted by a rock which looks like a monkey. A coincidence for a place full of them. 

The proboscis monkey is a very friendly animal, but a peculiar one.


Another place to catch the wildlife is Semenggoh Nature reserve. There resides a great number of orangutans who are preserved in the facility. It is easily accessible from Kuching, but you cannot always count on seeing an orangutan.

Enjoying an afternoon fruit.
 Next I was off to Sabah, to hang out in Kota Kinabalu area. We took a day trip to explore the areas around Mt. Kinabalu. The area is filled with rare flora and fauna.
Mt. Kinabalu is a destination for hikers and it is the tallest mountain in the Malay Archipelago.

Tarap is a delicious almost custard textured fruit. I almost consumed a whole one on my own. Don't let the skin scare you, it literally peals right off.

A rare pitcher plant

A huge water Monitor on Sapi Island



For great food check out the Filipino market, but do some bartering or else they will quote you a high price.

This is a butter shrimp, which was very good.

Our chef



Tuesday, June 10, 2014

Aboriginal hunter in Qingquan 清泉, Taiwan

A day in the Mountains near Zhudong (竹東)there are many beautiful places. The mountains are also home to the aboriginals of  Taiwan and the Ayatal (泰雅)tribe. Here an aboriginal hunter shows his handmade rifle, which is used for shooting mountain pigs (山豬)making for a great feast.