Finding Nemo

That was some weird cloud formation...

I'm still living my new life of luxury, but have managed to squeeze some excitement into it.

I have shaved and I am wearing clean clothes...

Yesterday we went to the Tunku Abdul Raham National Park, which is only 20 minutes away from Kota Kinabulu, the capital of Sabah, Malaysian Borneo. We visited Mamutik Island, a tiny islet, covered by forest and little else. I spent hours snorkelling, as the fish were great, though the coral has been damaged by bleaching. I managed to see lots of beautiful, colourful fish, though I only remember the name of the Clown Anemona Fish, aka Nemo.

And today we went to the bottom of the highest mountain in South East Asia, Mount Kinabalu, 4093 meters all told. We planned this badly, so weren't able to trek to the top, but just the view from the beginning of the trek alone was awesome.

We also visited another National Park, called Hot Springs, a very strange place, a sort of mixture of Jungle and Spa, where people go to 'take the waters' or basically a jungle canopy walk. It was an odd experience, as I am terrified by heights, but I managed it.

We didn't get to see many animals though as the place was full of tourists, mostly Chinese, screaming.

One of our group had to stop at one point in the morning for a break. Turned out she had just given birth and was in some difficulties. The guide was horrified with the thought that the baby might be in her handbag and wanted to know where was the child. Then everything was thankfully, or not, explained.

The mother had simply popped, then left the resulting newborn in Singapore and headed off with her husband on their already booked holiday.

Even I was shocked by the lack of parental love they had.

Taken the waters, but waiting for the mini pool to fill up...

Tomorrow we are back in Brunei. It is a strange country, deeply religious. The Sultan has prohibited the teaching of music following some of the most strict rules of Islam, but he had the Pussy Cat Girls or Dolls or whatever they are called over for his birthday celebrations...

On the positive side though, because they're so rich, they haven't needed to chop down their forests, so we'll be going jungle trekking when we get there.