hello from Sepilok!! Arrived here (sandakan) on wednesday afternoon. Guest House is different from Rasa Ria (LOL) but excellent, more realistic rather than 5*. Sat here with gheckos crawling around the room and still very hot.

Yesterday (Thursday) we had a tour by John, one of the people 'looking after us' out here, of Sandakan. We went to a Crocodile farm which we were prewarned was not up to our environment standards for the crocodiles. A few of our group chose not to go in, but i went just to see what it was like. It was a shock as very small cages - they were all being farmed to eventually be killed for meat, handbags etc. There was one which had been taken in as it had eaten 4 humans! It was HUGE!! There were also monkeys and fish there. The monkeys were most shocking for me as they were in very unstimulating cages and looked hugnry. We could feed them bananas and they were putting their arms through the cages. One baby escaped and came and sat on the railing in fron of us!!

After that we went to A Chinese Temple, which had gorgeous aerial view of Sandakan, then a Water Village (with a mad cat house at the end with loadsof cats!!) and Agnes Keith Museum (an American author who wrote about her time at N Borneo. Then we had a well deserved cocktail hehe!

Today we have had training at Sepilok Centre (the orangutan rehabilitation centre). Firstwe watched a video, and it made me feel so priveleged to be able to help theseanimals! I was SOOOO excited! We went to the outdoor nursery where I will be starting on monday first. Though it was pouring with rain (though still very hot) so the pathway had flooded above the knee deep!! So we waded through - I saw a snake and screamed! haha. I admit it was rather small but I was just letting everyone know! haha. We were also worried about leeches - Sylvia(the Manager of Sepilok) had told us that they like warm places...and girls be particularly careful (you can see where this is going!!!) so we were worried about that haha. But eventually got there to two orangutansabsolutely gorgeous! we fed them some bananas.

We then had lunch, and in the afternoon split into groups. I helped with the feedingplatform at tourist area (arfter adeath walk onplanks over a yuckylooking river!!) and then cleaned the clinic with the babys. I will set the scene - you enter and have about 10 big brown eyes looking at you and swinging around in their cages. they stick their hands out to hold hands with you and like to suck your fingers. Absolutely gorgeous. I was in complete heaven, and then had to take the orangs from the outdoorplay pen to the cages, yes that meant cuddles and carrying them there. the one I was holding (Im ashamed to say I cant rememebr his name!!) was just so content clinging around my waist! I am LOVING every minute.

We went back to check we had no leeches in unwanted places (!!!) and some have gone to buy us tights to wear to keep them out!!!!! Better hot than leeches on you!

Tomorrow we're working with the orangs again, and sunday have a day off. we are thinking we'll go to another monkey conservation centre.

lotsof love xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

p.s.

Sandy - havent seen many birds yet! Will take photos when I can

Georgina - stilllooking out for orang like you.....possibly the one with one arm!!! :P