The next part of the intrepid trip included a jungle and homestay. We spent the afternoon cruising down the Kinabatang river where we saw lots of monkeys, lizards, hornbills and a crocodile. Unfortunately Aaron didn't get to see any rhinos or elephants. Later on we had to set up camp for our stay in the jungle. I don't what Aaron learnt in Scouts as it didn't help him when trying to set up the hammocks of which I had to take charge. At this point I wasn't too sure about the jungle stay as there was an awful lot of insects and very little protection but at least it wasn't raining when we were setting up so the leaches didn't come and join in. Before bed we set of for a night trek, we didn't see anything very exciting at first but the highlight was deffinately the scorpion that was very large and looked vicious. We didn't get too close especially as our guide had just prodded it with a stick to get it to come out the hole of which meant it was not very happy. The hammock actually turned out to be comfier than I thought even though it was slightly claustrophobicwith the mossie net stuck to your face but it did the job. It even held against the torrential rain that started at 3.00 in the morning and instantly everybodies lights were flashing from all directions as everyone was reaching for their blankets due to the sudden drop in temperature.

The next day we returned to Sungai Kinabatang where we did some Malaysain cooking. Aaron ended up making some a sweet potato recipie. I don't think he enjoyed the job of peeling the potatoes something he has always avoided at home. The food all ended up being pretty tastey which just resulted in us all feeling very stuffed again. In the evening we were taken to our homestays. This was not what we expected as our host turned out to be a 16 year old girl and her brother as her mum was out in the jungle doing some army training. It was very hard at first iniitating conversation but we taught them a few card games and they played there guitar a lot and sang. They played a lot of Malaysian rock which is very soft and every song without doubt has the word love in it but her voice was so good you couldn't help but hum a long.

After two days of river bucket showers it was eventually time to relax. So we headed for Turtle island and it did not dissapoint. It is a beautiful tiny island in the middle of the ocean surrounded by clear turquoise sea. Snorkelling was great we saw loads of different fish and coral. Rob one of the guys we were with even saw a shark, I was glad to be on dry land at this point. In the evening we got to see the baby turtle hatchlings being released. They looked too young to fend for themselves, some of them were asleep as the waves picked them up and carried them away. Much later on we saw a turtle lay her eggs it was well worth the long wait. The effort they go to to find the right spot and the time it takes them to dig the hole is pretty amazing. She laid 97 eggs and it was the first time she had come back to the island to lay her eggs so it was an even better excperience. The next morning we went down to take a photo of her footprints in the sand as it shows her struggle.

The final part of our trip was Sepilok Orangatan reserve which is just in the middle of the jungle. They have all been released but some still come back for feeding time. We were lucky enough to see loads swinging through the trees, one even came down to check out the crowd taking a few swings for those he decided he didn't like. I love the fact they really have four hands which helps to show off their acrobatic skills.

I went to see proboscis monkeys while Keeley stayed with the Orangatans. The monkeys are very strange looking with huge noses. There was an otter there and it started a fight with one of the monkeys and the otter came out on top do not mess with otters. I also got to see Hornbills up close again nearly as close as at KL bird park but I could not entice one to land on me.

The next we went back to Kota Kinabalu and to a hotel on beach with swimming pool, tennis court and a huge TV and DVD collection time to relax. In the morning we got up early to go diving and snorkeling but the weather was bad so we went back to bed. Of course the weather got better perfect snorkeling weather. The day was not wasted however as we did lounge around the pool even managed a couple of sets of tennis.

Today we had to catch a flight back to KL got to airport in plenty of time unfornunatley without the passports as they were back in the safe at the hotel. I explained to taxi driver who proceeded to drive at breakneck speed running a few lights and almost killing a couple of pedesterians. Made it back in six minutes before last check in and we are now in KL.