2006-07-14 - 17:34
Kuching has been a complete 180 from Singapore. There are certain similarities that I draw to Romania, levels of poverty and corruption, littering, even the buildings and the way they use a ruler to tear off a piece of paper. And here the Muslim influence is felt. The first night was the first time I felt uncomfortable walking. I wasn't even alone. Kathy worried about me and decided to come babysit me while I walked on the waterfront.
We only got one free day so I advertised and was able to talk a couple people into going to Bako Nat'l Park. The BEST decision we ever made. It was arduous at first. We paid about 25 cents fro an hour bus ride hoping it was the right bus. THen took a motor boat to the front of the park where you register in case you get lost or are eaten by something. The main draw of the park is a mangrove forest where Proboscis monkeys live (the ones with the funny noses). I didn't even think we'd see them but as soon as we walked out there we saw 3 about 5 yds from us. We took one of the trails just along the coast but it was work because of ups and downs through mangrove roots. At one point we jumped down and the ground flexed with us becuase it's not really ground. it's just spongy roots and debris that make up the floor.
We came out onto a beach and ate cookies as our reward. Ernie decided to go for a swim and discovered these little creatures that look like tadpoles. They sit on the rocks but when they get scared they jump across the water because they have legs. It's hard to explain.
We went back to the start and fuond all the monkeys walking in one direction a sif they were having a meeting so we followed them for a bit. Ernie got good pictures since my memory card was full.
After that we drank a soda waiitng for the boat to take us back. And when it came I was sent back on the path to grab Ernie. And there I see him surrounded by at least a dozen Macaque monkeys. These weren't tame but weren't shy either. Except when you got near the nursing mothers. So we gave them the path and walked away when suddenly an adolescent charged a bit toward me and hissed. I stomped at him and he backed off. I wasn't so much scared as i was sad. Why don't the monkeys like me? They liked Ernie. It just wasn't the snow white in the forest moment i was looking for. Whatever, it still ROCKED!
