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I had a great time, on balance in Malaysia, but found the jungle a little disappointing. Perhaps I was expecting too much, thought I would be awe struck but was only quite interested. The "treks" were little strolls so that meant we didn't get out for long enough to have much chance of seeing more than leeches.
Kuching the main city of Sarawak is beautiful, buildings in a wide range of styles. The Chinese influence is really colourful. There is quite a relaxed and friendly atmosphere, seemed safe to walk around and many interesting little alleys and waterfront.
We lived in a mock longhouse in the jungle. While staying here contact with the local community was a little disappointing. They have been 'tainted" by the west and their own govt. I expected some insight into traditional culture, but these are the people who were forcibly moved to a reserve when the Hydro scheme flooded large sections of Batan Ai. We had local men to guide our group through the jungle on "treklets" and take us on any boat journeys. The local women were very patient trying to teach us to weave. I may have to join the WI. Perhaps language limitations were the main problem.
This family only returned to the jungle a few years ago so it isn't surprising that there is no sense of history. Their link with WOX seems good, it gives reasonable income and also allows other local communities to see that they earn this revenue through protection of orang utans. Wox strategy is to work with a particular community bringing in volunteers (and the income they provide) and train them to become self sufficient in running small scale tourist activities or people who want to see orangutans. In the long term this benefits the Iban communities so they are less likely to sell out to logging companies and involves larger areas of jungle that can be protected.
I am enjoying a couple of days in Singapore on route to Thailand. It is as clean as it's reputed to be. The underground (MRT) is also impressive. I went to the zoo Ysday which involves a train then a bus journey. On the way back i jumped on this bus with everyone else, only to find it heading in the wrong direction!! fortunately saw a MRT station next to a bus stop and got home unscathed.
The zoo was very impressive, especially in contrast to zoo Negara where i worked, Really big pens imaginatively laid out and alot of information explaining that owning of exotic pets, traditional Asian medicine, Palm oil plantations and logging are causing rapid decline in Nos of many species.
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