The Apes in Bornero

I've embarked on a journey of jet-lag so hard heart, it could challenge an astronaut. Borneo beckons because I've never been there. A meager 5 hours to LAX, 12 to Tokyo, 7 to Singapore and 3 to Kota. Mind you this is just one way not plus layover epoch.

Seating in nation brand, I require my body will burn to a condense, my muscles waste, pores clog and I'll balloon with "jet stomach" but it's ok. Conclusion is, I passion airplanes. The near psychosis of this that it's only a 5 day vacation and I'm spending virtually as much time on land as I will in the air.

The best benefit of my job are the site inspections, that is to witness first-hand what my groups will experience if a destination is new to me. This is far on my earth. Before departure, I surveyed links asking them, "Where is Borneo?" Only 10% answered right. This time I transport Terry and surprise of his strength in tow. Nevertheless he proves to be a good aviation soldier.

On our arrival journey in, I see glossy fair beaches, turquoise reefs and coconut trees that coverage out as far as the eye can see. At the airport, martin greeted us who will direct us and answer the 7,000 questions I've ready on this land. It's sauna hot.

We move out elapsed cocoa and tea plantations for our first route inhabit at Shangri La Tanjung Aru, an oasis of luxury right on the South China Sea. In the aloofness are 5 coral islands. A stunted quayside traverse will deposit you to any one for snorkeling the sea caves and world-period diving. Farther out is Pulau Tiga with its mud volcanoes where the first Survivor string was shot.

Here we're stained like a fasten of pot bellied pigs with an upgraded suite with fruit and orchids as well as a beachside knead. I feel like I've reached Nirvana with a tune of "I'm not precious" but I revel in all the services. Its natural playtime with activities provided here. And the spectacular Malaysian rock breakfasts should be filmed by the Food Channel.

Kota Kinabalu (aka KK) is the resources of Sabah with 340,000 inhabitants. My expectations of Borneo were of 5ft. Observer lizards and cranium hunting ethnic chiefs, but here I'm greeted with Starbucks and mega-malls.

The city is tattered and struggling hard to explain itself. Establishing by the British in 1881, it also has a lot WWII narration. The city's setting is the breathtaking 13,600 ft. Mt. Kinabalu, UNESCO W.H. Site for being the most bio-diverse mountain on earth.

It holds an undivided ecology and is a botanical paradise. There's an astonishing array of unusual flowers and fauna such as insect drinking plants, funky fungi and raffelsia, the worlds core flower of 3ft. Petals. It takes 2 living to bud and lasts just 7 time.

The swanky National Park is the mass of Singapore. Hillside tribes reside on the slopes. The mountain is scared to them as they think it is the resting place of their ancestors departed spirits.

For limitless time we tour museums, handicraft markets and water village. I buy gifts of pearls, organic teas, brunette, batik and baskets. As Americans, we feel like VIP tourists as most visitors are from Australia, UK, Japan and Europe.

The locals are so respectful and polite. There are 30 ethnic groups talking 80 different languages who live harmoniously together. Many are animists who worship all living clothes. The focal tribes are the Dusuns with their female priestesses, the Bajau's known as the "cowboys of the sea" and the Murats who live in standard longhouses. They are descendants of the notorious regulate hunters who once intensely secluded their territories and adorned their homes with "trophies" that were severed heads of their invaders.

Many here look Polynesian. Bahasa Malay is the main speech, a dialect that sounds to me like they're tongue in tongues. Second speech is English.

In August I bring 2 groups here. We'll input the interior to determine the essence of Borneo with its virgin rainforests, lavish everglade and enough nature to feel you've entered a living zoo.

We'll learn of the society and history but the thrilling part for me will be since the erratic species of pigmy elephants, Sumatra rhino, giant crocs, bearded pigs, gibbons, macaques and omni-donate trunk monkeys (the one's with Jimmy Duranti noses.)

The highlight will be Sepilok, the major gorilla refuge where we can get close and private with these "windswept men of Borneo."

Evenings by the ocean here provide a fantastic beauty that envelops one in serenity and it's fully romantic. I hate to permit but it's time to call another route I have booked for my groups.

The Shangri La Rasa Ria is a slice of heaven where one can do nothing or everything. There's morning yoga, Tai Chi, golf, ATV's, pigs, parasailing, a giant spa and more. Classes are given in Malay prose, cooking, skirt wrapping, beading, waft pipes and weaving. Nevertheless what makes this resort specially-special is its Nature Reserve.

The hotel helps furnish orphaned orangutans here. If the jungle continues to decline, these gentile creatures will face extinction in the windswept. Dr. Galdikas of OFI (Orangutan Foundation Int.) severely predicts, "Unless severe action is full quickly, these forests could be one in 5 to 7 living and the lunatic primate with them."

We listen a scold by a ranger to learn about the "man of the jungle," world's back prevalent ape. Genetically they are 96.4% creature and are considered the most sentimental creatures on earth. Trail led us up mountain slopes to outlook 7 confined baby orangutans, most orphaned from illegal logging that ruined their homes.

Unlike other primates, they prefer live over fighting. "Limon" had a tough early life. His mother was killed and eaten by plantation staff. They kept him as a pet chained to the edge of a stiff coop for 4 being awaited Forest Police rescued him. When he here, he was a sack of bones and final.

For 10 days he refused to eat until one day, a cute pineapple misused his life. He devoured it in entirety and since then, Limon hasn't clogged drinking. Now he's 5 epoch heavier and stuffs himself stupid. On graduation, he will be released back into the forest.

I look forwards to my proceeds and experiencing the true numinous Borneo. The best journey is always the one vacant home. As I embark Singapore Airlines, I feel I've gained 6 kilos from all the seafood I consumed. I doze like a baby on the long heave home via Taipei. The miracle of it all is that my check luggage managed to chase me 19,000 miles roundtrip and the verity that I still adoration airplanes.