My Final Blog From Borneo

June 24, 2010

After visiting the Sepilok Orang Utan Rehabilitation Center and the Rainforest Discovery Center, Sophie, Memrie, and I traveled by plane to Kota Kinabalu, situated on the tropical island of Borneo. This modern city faces the South China Sea and is the state capital of the Malaysian state of Sabah. After landing, we were escorted to Sutera Harbour Marina, where we boarded a boat and set off for the Marine Eco Research Center at Gayana Eco Resort on Gaya Island. We learned so much about the revival of giant clams and the importance of restoring natural coral reefs. We even got to propagate our own pieces of coral. Then it was back in the boat for a lovely sunset cruise returning to Kota Kinabalu, where we had dinner hosted by Datuk Masidi Manjun - Minister of Tourism, Culture, and Environment Sabah.

: This is the food and handicraft center across from our hotel. Some of the stalls where still open, so we went for a brief stroll.

: A vendor selling limes, chilies, and ginger root

: Vegetable vendors

: This fruit stand looked great!

: Later, we had dinner at Ocean Seafood Restaurant. We were greeted by this friendly group, dressed in traditional Bornean tribal costumes.

: They played music on wonderful sounding traditional instruments.

: Once again, there were many tanks filled with fresh seafood!

: We contemplated this ornate rock lobster.

: We were served rice wine in bamboo ‘glasses’ – it was quite potent!

: During dinner, the staff performed traditional song and dance.

: Our traveling companions – Zak and Jori

: Crunchy shrimp chips

: Nicely seasoned red and white rice

: Here I am with Datuk Masidi Manjun – Minister of Tourism, Culture, and Environment Sabah.

: An aromatic fish stew

: And delicious scallops

: Sea cucumbers are marine animals that have a leathery skin and an elongated body.

: They can weigh more than 440-pounds (200 kilograms) and can measure as much as 4-feet across (1.2 meters.)

: Giant clams, the largest living bivalve mollusks, are crucial marine filters.

: Growing coral

: Growing baby giant clams – they have an average lifespan in the wild of 100 years or more.

: Such as this star fish and sea cucumber (upper right corner)

: Sophie and her coral

: Our names and our coral numbers

: We took a tour of one of the tropical villas. How luxurious!

: And a peaceful terrace on the water

: Beautiful vaulted ceilings

: And prepared food – that okra looked very good!

: Stacks of fresh eggs

: A medicine woman presented us with lovely bracelets.

: Shortly after arriving in Kota Kinabalu and dropping our bags at Le Meridan Hotel, we set off by boat for Gayana Eco Resort on Gaya Island. Here is a view of, Sutera Harbour Marina, where we left from.

: Memrie with Elise Adrianarivelo, Azlina Abd Aziz, Elisa Gagliardi, Lady Lynn Jones Parry, and Amy Hamidon

: Here I am with Sir Emyr Jones Parry, a retired British diplomat.

: Dato Seri Tengku Zainal Adlin – Chairman of Sabah Tourism Board

: Our pleasant captain – The trip was about 20 minutes each way.

: The skyline of Kota Kinabalu – situated on the tropical island of Borneo, it is the state capital of the Malaysian state Sabah.

: The beautiful Kota Kinabalu City Mosque juxtaposed with modern construction

: While we were approaching, ominous looking clouds were forming.

: Some people from a fishing village located on Gaya Island waved to us.

: Approaching the landing dock of Gayana Eco Resort – This is the headquarters of the Marine Ecology Research Center (MERC), where they work passionately propagating endangered Giant Clams and restoring natural coral reefs.

: Construction of new lodges is underway – The over water villas are architecturally designed to enhance the sounds of the surf below.

: We were welcomed by a staff member playing this traditional Malaysian instrument called a canang.

: First on the agenda was a visit to the lovely auditorium for a wonderful presentation on the revival of giant clams. Here I am with Memrie drinking refreshing lemon-grass infused tea.

: The presentation was incredibly informative.

: The depletion of the coral reefs has had a devastating effect on marine life.

: One way to form a new reef is by erecting metal frames. Subtle electric charges are emitted, attracting particles of coral.

: This wonderful ‘Touch Tank’ is home to an assortment of aquatic creatures.

: Following the presentation, we visited the MERC display room.

: Here they had examples of some varieties of giant clams, successfully raised at MERC.

: We got to plant broken pieces of coral. The pieces are secured in a small cement base and then able to survive once more in the wild.

: Sir Emyr Jones Parry by the ‘Touch Tank’

: There are 2,000 living species of starfish that occur in all the world’s oceans.

: Each piece of coral is labeled and progress is regularly logged. We will receive emails updates every few months about how our coral is growing.

: Amy Hamidon planting her coral with the help of Sarah from MERC

: Just before leaving the island, the skies opened and torrential rain came down for a few minutes. Just as suddenly, it was over and we were treated to a vibrant rainbow.

: Adlin was happy to take the helm for the ride back.

: Following the rainbow, the sunset was soothing.

: Another shot of the sunset

: The evening skyline of Kota Kinabalu – The building on the left is the Tun Mustapha Tower. This magnificent building is the tallest in Borneo and is a 72-sided polygon.