Day 31 - Basaga Kuching - Hangover, Injuries and Alcohol

No prizes for guessing how I felt when I woke up! Horrific, bruised and battered. There was a large bruise on my shin I imagine from falling on the car, various pole bruises and serious muscle ache. The others didn't fare much better to be honest. We had Richard pick us up at nine so I did a quick pack of clothes and off we went. We arrived at Basaga shortly after where we all proceeded to sit on our phones and laptops getting as much wifi as possible. I skyped Georgie so we could talk about her meeting me in a month, and then I called the parents. It was so good to speak with them.

All this internet had worn me out so while the girls headed to town I went and had a nice long nap. After my nap we had dinner then I Facetimed Beau to give him all the jungle gossip post TSL and to see how he was adjusting to life in the real world. Then me and Mel ordered a drink while we waited for the others.

At about 9.30 we headed to Monkee Bar. It is owned by the project and a portion of the profits go back into it. It was really busy and the beer was cheap, plus there where quite a few westerners which was nice. I was still feeling delicate so I just got tipsy and headed back about midnight. Air con on full I drifted off to sleep.

Day 30 - Matang Borneo - Gibbon Enrichment, Rice Whiskey and Pole Dancing

I felt less emotional this morning when I woke up, more reflective today. I was back on quarantine and thankfully there was no projectile shit! All of them were calm today with no grabbing, so I swiftly finished with all the cages. I set to making gibbon enrichment. Now these little fellows are not very clever so it was time to think like a gibbon. I got some big water bottles and chopped off the tops, I filled them with raisins, dried fruit and nuts. I did two for each gibbon and popped a boiled egg in one. I made some holes in the top and looped string through then hung them in their cages and filled with water. 

It was fascinating to watch them. Rosey went straight for the egg. Crazy and Physco (the other two girls) didn't like getting their fingers wet and didn't spot the eggs. The boys tipped up the beakers to get the water out then ate the nuts etc.. Each have their own personalities and it's when you give them stuff like this you can see them shine through. 

I opted for the farm this afternoon. It really is amazing to see how we have turned an empty field into what now resembles a small farm. The hut has also been built, so there is now somewhere to shield from the Borneo sun. We carried on with trenches and paths and then popped to the other farm which is a new purchase by the centre. There is a lot of work to do on that one too.

When I got home Birgit informed me that her and Edie had put the Orang hammocks up and Edie tested them out by climbing in (I will upload the photos at some point) then it was time to get ready for the party at Richards longhouse.

It was about 30mins walk from ours so off we went beers in hand. His wife had set out a banquet and it included a beef stew. Hallelujah! Meat! It was delicious! Then the rice whiskey came out, followed by the karaoke. I then I discovered a pole outside! I realised how much I have missed my classes. So I climbed up the 20ft and busted a few moves. I did fall on a car at one point but I was too drunk to care.

Mel and I headed back about midnight where I preceded to throw up and pass out on the balcony. I blame Richards wife who was feeding me shots. 
                               

                         

Day 29 - Matang Borneo - The reason why we are here...

Today tested my emotions, it got teary. I was meant to be on the farm today and Mel had swapped with Kate so we could work together, but upon getting to work we were told Christy had to go into town to get a visa so we would be working with Dom who has just returned from Ketapang. He tasked us with building Orang hammocks.

Basically this a a huge blue water barrel cut in half. You then drill holes in the sides and attach wooden supports to sturdy it. Bolt it all in place and add a few chains to hang from the ceiling. It was great fun and we got into a little factory like production line. You have to make sure they are Orang proof though which means a lot of bolts and tightening. 

Mid was through the morning, Richard came frantically running in saying that the Semi Wild Orang, Ganti, and her baby were in the enclosure. Cameras to the ready we ran down to the Orang enclosure to find that Ganti had somehow scaled the wall and was now trapped in the outdoor enclosure. How she managed it is beyond me but apparently she will often come back to brake the others out with logs she's throws in for them. 

The keepers erected a rope and we watched her climb out, they then gave her some milk and off she went on her way. We watched her for a good hour, and it came to me. There were more people standing watching her than there are Orangs in this centre. I got a bit emotional, knowing she is the only Semi wild one in this forest, but it is the aim of the centre to have more. What's more could you ask for on a morning here than to see her where she is meant to be. 

Just as we were about to leave the babies were being lead out to the jungle for school. This view will never get boring, and that was it, flowing tears! We headed back and then the tiny baby was out playing. I had to walk away this was just too much for my emotions.

We went back to work and I stained all the wood for our hammocks, perfect time to relax and reflect on the mornings experience. As we had a talk by Leo later I prepared dinner at lunch so didn't have time for my afternoon nap. 

In the afternoon we finished our six hammocks, built a jungle proof cage for a Tasia so it can be released and watched the snakes feeding on a live chicken. I would like to add the chicken was on its way out so we thought it would a be a nicer end for it than a slow enevitable death. I never released how quick pythons were it was frightening.

We returned home and had dinner which I poured curry sauce over, them headed to Tasha and Leos house for a talk by Leo. He was talking to us about ethical tourism and it was fascinating. He is such an inspirational man and so passionate about the work he does. He doesn't hide behind the truth of the awful things us as the human race do to animals across the globe but he is realistic about why the tourist industry uses animals to make money. I spent the two hours in tears especially when they showed pictures of some of the Orangs at Matang before they came. Performing, chain smoking, it was disgusting. I was so angry, how can people pay to watch this cruelty. It really makes you think.

Today has furthered my thoughts on why this project is so important. It makes me emotional writing this. I am so privileged to have been given the chance to make a small difference and the permanent volunteers here are truly selfless people. I would give up everything in the UK  to come out here to join them! Maybe one day I can make that a reality.

Day 28 - Matang Borneo - Jungle gymnastics and Roti

Back to bears today! I was on peanut butter and honey duty. I started, as I always do with smearing it with a stick. By the end I had sticky honey and peanut butter fingers! Then I set to work on some enrichment. I collected various leaves from the jungle, smeared them in treats, added dog biscuits (their favourite) and stuffed it all into cardboard boxes. They would then rummage through them in the afternoon.

The afternoon was spent at the civet cage that is being redecorated. We had to scrub the bars and then paint. We erected some scaffolding and they sent me up. I was struggling to climb so I gymnastically jumped up like you would on parallel bars. Bron was so worried her face said it all. Sorry Bron :) by the end I was covered in black enamel paint. 

I went to see Rosey but before I needed to wash of the paint. Easier said than done. I basically had a turps shower in the yard. I stunk, but Rosey didn't seem to mind. She was in a much better mood today thank goodness. Mel arrived back from the farm shortly afterwards to we walked home together to catch up on the days events. 

This evening we needed to go shopping so the volunteers took us into Kuching. It was nice to have a bit of civilisation and we nailed the shopping as we had already written a list. Afterwards we popped to the Roti shop and all ordered a takeaway. However, there was no sign of Christy, Kerry or Bron so we ate them out of our takeaway bags. They are so delicious. I then decided we should take the left over curry sauce home so we could add it to a stir fry.

It was pretty late when we got home and we were all stuffed from dinner so we had a beer and went to bed.

Day 27 - Matang Borneo - Food Throwing, Dairy and Deaths

Back to work today. After yesterday's relaxing my body has recovered enough. Orangs was my job today, I was working with Edie. With her broken toe she was in charge of the hose meaning I had six cages to clean, but we still worked well together and got it done in no time at all. I managed to shuffle off to have Rosey time. 

She was in a foul mood, I think not seeing her at the weekends makes her angry with me. At least it wasn't poo today that she was throwing just a sweet potato, I gave it back to her and she threw it on the ground, returned it to her again and she threw it inside her cage and glared at me. I had noticed before that she was dehydrated, and today Kerry noticed again. I went round to the hose and let her drink from it. If I get a chance to add photos and videos at some point I have this on film, uber cute! 

We were running a bit low on food so I had instant noodles and plastic cheese for lunch. First bit of cheese all holiday, it tasted so good. Dairy is so uncommon here and cheese is very expensive and a bit artificial. I think I may have to have a cheese binge on my return to the UK. Whilst eating my lunch on the porch, Mel returned home from a morning at the farm, she was a picture. Covered head to toe in mud! She looked exhausted.

Afternoon duties were up at the board walk, scrubbing away, my body was starting to ache again but at least I was sat down in the shade. We have now made it up to the deer enclosure so we had a view whilst we worked. Then suddenly a new born baby got scared of a noise and bolted, escaping from the enclosure. I have never seen Richard move so fast and before you knew it there was squealing coming from the forest, he'd caught it. This escaping went on for a while with two further attempts. Mum was getting pretty anxious but eventually baby calmed.

We had a nice quiet evening, but also got the sad news that the Pangolin had died, he had been off his food for a few days and as they are not really studied no one quite knew what to do. They think that because it wasn't feeding from its mum it didn't have the right bacteria in its tummy to support it being weened onto ants. Very sad but he had a good life with Kerry babysitting him round the clock.
                             

Day 26 - Matang Borneo - Relaxing and Sunbathing

We woke up quite early today as the other two had work but we still had another day to chill. My body was now feeling the work from the previous week and the arduous walk from yesterday so we spent the morning reading and relaxing. I cooked eggy brad for Mel and I which was Devine.

At about noon Mel headed to the shop for more beers and then we joined the girls for a trip down to the river. Mel went for a swim while I paddled cautiously, the little fish you get in those saloons that eat the dead skin live here and were having a nice lunch on Mel. I decided to stay clear. 

We sunbathed for about an hour. I am now one of the brownest, and not really sure how! But having never had a tan of this colour before am quite glad at the lack of effort it has taken. Again here it was just to hot to stay in the sun for more than an hour so we packed up and headed back. 

Not really much more to report today. It was now about 3pm and time for a beer. With little more than reading books here the only thing is to drink so we kept at it. The others all popped over and we played various games of cards and even uno. But by 9pm everyone was pooped so we called it a night.

Day 25 - Matang Borneo - Solo Jungle Walk

Two days off for the weekend! Our lie in consisted of staying in bed till 7.30! The other two had gone off to doing the outings at Semengogh and the fairy caves. The girls had gone to Kuching to get their Wifi fix. Mel and I sat for a few hours, feeding our bodies with coffee and exchanging life stories, while our bodies groaned with aches and pains. 

But before long the coffee took effect and we decided to definetly not work but instead go on a meander through the forest to another waterfall. Leisurely some might say! Incorrect. We stormed ahead and quickly got lost by the campsite still within the centre. A local school had been camping and a few of the students insisted on taking our picture. They were giggling at us, whether it was in pity or what it am not sure but they seemed fascinated by these weird white girls lost and confused. 

Luckily they managed to grasp our predicament and sent us in the right direction. We now had coloured trees to guide us but it wasn't all plane sailing. About 45 minutes in there were odd noises above us, we spotted a orangutan nest but could not see anything. It was eerie and the light was grey not tropical as it had been. The air was cool and the noises continued. We picked up the pace only to come to a small river which we had to cross. We made it over and the atmosphere changed back to nice jungle. 

From this point in we were climbing over trees and veering off track, clearly this was an unused path. Eventually after the last hill climb we reached our destination. It wasn't half as spectacular as the other one but we had done it on our own without a guide. If you have ever jungle walked you will know this is quite an achievement. We stripped to our bikinis and had a paddle before resuming the tanning position. It was a perfect opening in the canopy to catch a few rays.

We started to get a bit warm so packed up and headed back. Again at the eerie bit we freaked out and basically jogged till we were out the other side. We got home in just under an hour and had some leftovers for lunch. We were both exhausted so we had a snooze and caught up on our diaries/blogs. 

Day 24 - Matang Borneo - The day I hit the wall

Although I didn't know it yet today would be the day I hit the wall. Today broke me in more ways than one. It started off fine, the rain had stopped finally after nearly 24hours of constant downpour. When I say downpour I mean torrential, loud, deafing rain that soaks everything even if your not actually out in it. 

I had quarentine with our two new house guests but I knew I was on gibbons already. They all seemed pretty calm today, all was going well till I got to the second from last cage. Projectile shit. Now all the gibbons were a bit loose today, they had had lots of treats yesterday but this was a whole other level. All four walls, the bars, and floors were covered. I got Kerry to take a sample before I cleaned as this gibbon has had a funny tummy for a few days now. Then I set to work. These cages are small at the best of times, menouvering around then with ropes and logs, trying not to get grabbed is hard enough and you end up soaked from back splash. But this was not even funny! 

After completion I was soaked, but decided to finish the floor outside their cages that I had started to scrub the other day. It was looking rather wonderful if I may say so myself. I still finished before all the others so Kerry handed me a saw and sent me off to the jungle to collect branches.

Me and a sharp object without supervision I hear you say. No no, I didn't cut myself I just managed to let go of a branch to quick and it hit me in the face, I then had half a tree dragging behind me and I walked into a sign post, scratching me knee! I got back to quarentine and split the tree into 5 one for each of the cages and double for the one that houses a pair. I smothered them in jam and set to work creating each it's own little jungle.

By the time I finished I was covered in jam, my knee was turning blue and then Edie came round the corner having had a log dropped on her foot! Lunch was in order.

As if I had literally lost all of my sanity I opted for the farm AGAIN! And this is where my body gave up, and my brain pretty much agreed. The sun was out in force and maintaining the level of work we had been outputting previously was quickly diminishing. At 4pm Mel and I were done! We got a lift back to the centre, I burnt dinner and then we decided to play a few games of scrabble with the other two newbies from up the road.

I even made it to 9.30pm but I was broken!
                                                                                                                

Day 23 - Matang Borneo - Poo throwing, Newbies and Farm

It was bears again today, my body was feeling less enthusiastic than my brain, but I motivated the pair of us with hash browns and eggs. It was raining outside so Mel wore her poncho and I got the waterproof trousers and coat out, we battled up and made the short walk to work. Some of the others were less well prepared and were soaked upon arrival.

We had the bears finished in record time so we had some hessian sacks to clean ready for some enrichment. Not the most exciting job but the rain helped us out. We all wanted to get to lunch today as the newbies had arrived. First though it was time to see Rosey, Edie (one of the girls in the other house and a fellow English) had mentioned that Rosey was grumpy again today. She was right I went over to her as she was chucking her poo at anyone who walked passed. Luckily I escaped this treatment but she wasn't a happy gibbon, she didn't want strokes today she just wanted to throw things. I left her too it.

We returned home to find people had moved in but no sign of them, we checked out their bags and discovered their names. I made lunch and we resumed the position on the balcony ready for their arrival. I am not sure I would have wanted to show up with us too on the porch. We are both very similar and I have been told in my past I can have a bitchy judgemental look sometimes. Oops

Michelle and Birgit arrived shortly after we finished lunch. Michelle is an Ozzy and Birgit is from Germany. They are both pretty quiet but I can imagine it's more daunting than when we arrived knowing people are hear already.

The afternoon was spent at the farm again. We were doing so well with yet another path then it all went wrong. As it was raining the water was flowing full force down the farm. The previous occupants had got the drainage ditches the wrong way. We built two dams but the water was just two strong so we decided to start on redoing the ditches. Something we planned to start next week. Another credit to Dad here, all the times we made damns when I was a child have paid off, Mel's dad also did the same thing so we were little beavers and have now earned the new nickname of Hoe Beavers. A step up in the world from a common hoe some might say.

Luckily we had worn our gum boots (formerly wellies but I have adopted the Ozzie term as they out number us here) we were up to our knees in water, I was covered head to tow in mud splatters but we dug a full trench and the achievement at seeing the water cascade the correct way finished our working day off a treat. I have no idea what Michelle and Birgit thought when we returned home but we all ended the evening chattering away over dinner.

Day 22 - Matang Borneo - Farm, Farm, Farm

It was odd waking up today without the three of us running about in our normal routine, perfectly coordinating ourselves like we did, preparing breakfast and making each other's water bottles. Mel had started to call Beau and I Mum and Dad even though we are both younger, but we always made sure she had everything she required for her day. I decided to do fried eggs on toast this morning, we had a long day at the farm ahead and needed our energy. 

We walked to the farm as normal, it takes about 10 minutes and is normally cooler than the afternoon. Everyone was working on the farm today, but Mel and I stuck together, we work so well together it would be silly not too. Also it is becoming clear some of the others have had enough or are merely not fit enough or can't stand the heat, it's definitely taking its toll on all of us. 

We set to work on another path, it's really taking shape now not the random field we arrived too. Some of the others set to work on a concrete slab for a compost heap, including Hayley who was passing through on her travels for the 8th time. It's clear once you have the bug for this place you either join the team or keep coming back. Path building is back breaking work at the best of times, hoeing the ground, wheel barrow after wheel barrow of sand and gravel, then you add no shade and soaring temperatures. I had sweat coming out of places I didn't even know sweat could. It's exhausting but so satisfying when you complete a path.

We walked back for lunch of egg fried rice take two, getting the hang of this burner now, it has two settings, extremely hot and very hot. Permenant supervision is required so we have installed a chair so Mel can keep me company. My body was dying so I had a quick nap.

After I awoke we returned to the farm for round two, some of the others had defected to work at the centre but Christy, Hayley, Mel and I soldered on, completing two more paths. Upon our return to the centre I got a chance to spend some time with Rosey while the others cleaned the tools, she was happier today and seemed pleased to see me, I bought some raisins from the shop,the other day so I gave her half the packet.

We were broken and barely made it to 8pm before we almost fell into our beds. However, we did get a chance to get with the girls and Richard and Bron to place our bets on the newbies, age, sex, nationality, eating and drinking preferences. I cannot tell you how exciting this was and then we got our new rota. It was like Christmas. There isn't a lot to do in the evenings here, and your normally too exhausted to even read.
                                              

Day 21 - Matang Borneo - The end of TSL

Today is the three week mark for me, and the last day of TSL. My morning consisted of Orangs again, with lots of giggles as George one of the big males decided to steal the hose. It took three of us to wrestle it back, only to have it stolen by Om. They are so unbelievably clever and strong, it's times like this you realise why everyone is safer when they are enclosed. It makes it easier to deal with not being able to touch them. One of the babies however was looking a bit pale and sad this morning, Richard thinks he may have a temperature so we called the vet out (who is also a volenteer from Taiwan) Mid morning we got to see the baby out again, he is getting fatter by the day and much more confident.

Having finished early I got to spend a lot of time with Rosey, she was in a grump with Kerry today for some reason but fine with me although there are some fresh marks where she has been pulling her fur out, something must have upset her, or maybe it's because I didn't see her over the weekend, although I would like to think not.

Lunch was quiet I think we all realised our super group was dropping a team member today. We have been the best little threesome and we do everything together. But it was now time for Beau to head back to Oz. Mel and I decided to go with him and the others who's time was up, that way we could say our goodbyes, pop to the tattoo place (all will become clear) and do a spot of shopping as we were running low on food.

After our goodbyes Kerry took us to the roti shop to cheer us up, we even had a can of coke :) once Mel and I returned home the house felt empty. So we did the only thing we knew would make us feel better, we cleaned. Nearly two hours later, we had swapped rooms, made up the now spare room for the new people, rearranged to kitchen and the lounge, swept, mopped and scrubbed. We treated ourselves to a beer, the girls popped over one by one to check on us and then we called it a night in our nice clean room :) 
                                  
                                   

Day 20 - Matang Borneo - Farm, Beer and ice cream surprise

After spending the last two days with a second elbow due to a bite I woke this morning to a second knee. I have been lucky with the quantity of bites but my reactions although not itchy include lots of swelling. It was back to work with the bears today. Sinead is an old bear recently surrendered to Matang from Semegogh, she arrived with no hair but it is slowly growing back. We got the chance to release her into the outdoor enclosure only the second time since she arrived. It's amazing to see a bear that probably hasn't seen grass in her 18years, sniffing about the enclosure. A real privalige. 

After the usual husbandry we got to make some packages for them in hessian sacks, leaves, peanut butter, porridge and jam. I cut the morning session off early to go and see Rosey. She was a bit grumpy today and didn't like the food she had been given so was busy launching it out the cage, I would give it back she would take a bite then throw it at the floor. I decided to go round the other side, take a seat to give her rub. As I was doing so an English couple walked past and commented on what a lovely job I have, I didn't have the heart to tell them it was temporary, and I really felt so lucky to be doing what I am especially my time with Rosey. What an honour.

At lunch I made my first batch of egg fried rice, it wasn't overly successful as I burnt the rice but it was edible and I was starving. In the afternoon I opted to work on the farm building some new paths, Mel and I smashed through them in our normal way and soon we were joined by Beau. TSL were on a roll. Once we were finished everyone else got a lift back home, TSL walked, we needed beer and the shop was on the way, plus it is a nice wind down before getting home.

We decided to try the steak again tonight, it was a disaster, the meat just is a bit shit out here. FACT! Beau however, made an awesome pudding from ice cream, chocolate and cookies. You guessed it farm had killed us all so we headed to bed.

Day 19 - Damai Borneo - Pool and Giggles

Breakfast this morning was highly entertaining the girls had a few stories and without naming anyone someone found their underwear on the way to breakfast, brilliant! You will be pleased to know said person is getting ridiculed by myself ;) TSL then made our way up to the upper pool which is up a rather large hill but the view is pretty awesome and it has a bar :) Mel and I ventured into the pool first and left Beau listening to his podcast giggling away to himself. The sun was roasting and even sun cream didn't prevent the burning feeling.

But before we could get too excited the heavens opened so we decided it was time for lunch of roti bread and a game of thunder bolt. After a successful game we exchanged for a cuddly toy now our TSL mascot. We took him back to the pool to show off to the girls :) Mel decided she had had enough sun so Beau and I headed to the pool to catch some more rays. I got a chance to Skype Michelle poolside, it was great to see her again even if she was really ill. After this another Skype with mum then we were collected for our return to Matang. Surprisingly we were all ready to go back, it's quite a lot to take in when you have lived so basically, and I know I was ready for a free mind again without the influx of social media. 

Upon our arrival home it wasn't long till we all retired to bed. Problem was I was used to clean hotel sheets now, the ones at the house were smelly :(