These fish aggregating devices (FADs) are big, ugly and a menace to
navigation. The fishermen install them in the open ocean throughout
east Malaysia, the Philippines and Indonesia. 
High speed ferries run all over Borneo. These, at Kapit, in Saba are
typical. People alight from one and walk right across the others to
disembark. 
The local markets often have some fairly exotic fare. Here is Maurice getting ready to eat a bamboo grub (he chickened out). 
Split bamboo serves as water pipe to carry water from this spring at Kuilu, near Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysian Borneo. 
Cattle keep the grass at this grave yard neat...and fertilized. 
Here is AKAMA all dressed up and in the 5-star Kota Kinabalu Marina.
This marina has two 5-star hotels on the same site as the marina, true
luxury and at affordable prices. 
This jellyfish at the Kota Kinabalu Marina had to be at least a foot
across the top, probably bigger. The water in the marina basin was very
clear and we spotted many fish in addition to lots of jellyfish. 
We just could not believe our eyes when we say this anchor sitting at the KK Marina alongside a local boat. 
This traditional Chinese cannon is located behind the museum at Kuching. 
Fishermen go out to sea in these little boats, fish overnight and
return in the morning. Note the coal oil lantern and the bed-sheet
sail. 
We were given a guided tour of this ship while we were anchored
together at Labuan. It is mostly used to service off shore drilling
rigs. 
The wet markets in SE Asia have an astounding variety of fresh
vegetables, fruit and meats. At this Sarawak market we encountered "the
chicken man" selling live chickens, which he wrapped in newspaper and
bound in twine, for easy transport to the stew pot.
Note that the sea here is turquoise and brown, with the transition
between the two sharp enough to cut your finger. We have seen this
several times, but never so distinct as here. The phenomenon is caused
by rising tides merging gently with out flowing water from rivers. |
Some of the indigenous people in Borneo still live in communal
long-houses. This one is of concrete construction, while others are made
from all natural materials such as bamboo, wood and thatch. They are
sort of like a motel with a very big communal verandah. 
Niah is a world heritage site, famous for its enormous cave. This
picture shows only one small part of it. Thousands of bats and small
birds make their home here, the smell is unbelievable. 
This is a typical Malaysian fishing boat. 
In Malaysia there are many of these floating re-fueling stations. 
This penthouse is typical of SE Asia. Once a building is erected,
nobody maintains or even paints it. Singapore is the exception, where
they have a law requiring the buildings to be repainted periodically. 
Louise-Ann gets a lesson in how to use a blowpipe, at the Cultural
Village at Santubong, near Kuching, Sarawak, Malaysian Borneo. 
This small bridge near the Santubong cultural village is typical of many found in the jungle. 
This waterfall near Santubong has several drops and pools. We swam for hours in this one and one above it. 
The locals told us that the mountain at Santubong is what is left of a
sleeping lady from long ago. We had to squint hard to see it. 
We were going up the Rajang River and saw nothing but jungle and
logging camps for many miles into the interior of Malaysian Borneo.
Then, around a bend in the river we could not believe our eyes as a
fairly large city emerged. 
We were a bit worried when this bunch of soldiers arrived in their
RIB and demanded to see the boat. How do you refuse someone who is
carrying a machine gun? They were merely curious and departed without
incident. 
As is our custom, we gather around us other errant souls at
Christmas. Here we are in AKAMA's pilothouse with a bunch of Aussie
friends with whom we cruised for many miles. |
