Views of a vanishing world

BORNEO
October 2016

During the Chinese "National Holiday" we took the opportunity to visit Borneo. 

We spent 9 inspiring days in Sabah, Malaysia. 

A stunning part of the world. One that unfortunately is under threat from the Palm Oil industry.  Our appetite for the ubiquitous vegetable oil is destroying the habitat of many unqiue species. (originating in West Africa, it is reputedly used in 40 - 50% of household products western countries use  - http://www.palmoilinvestigations.org/about-palm-oil.html, http://www.saynotopalmoil.com/Whats_the_issue.php).

The Malaysian government appears to recognize the value of sustainable Ecotourism and actively supports and encourages a range of tourist options.

The same cannot be said of the Indonesian government. Hopefully an agreement can be reached between Brunei, Malaysia and Indonesia to protect and develop a wildlife corridor on Borneo, offering  vital protection for wildlife and preserving a unique piece of 'wild tropical paradise' for future generations.    

We have uploaded to YouTube a brief video showing a compilation of images from our trip:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iYZvNFwuI2A

Below a few images from our adventure. 

Baby Orangutan 

Spotted in the tree near our accommodation.

Enjoying the rehabilitation centre

Entertaining the visitors to the rehabilitation centre.

An amazing array of birds - a twitchers paradise.

The Macaque stare 

"Don't get your nose out of joint - we are friendly!"

Sun Bear at the Conservation centre

Bat in the Gomantong Cave

Our first sight of a Gibbon

Pygmy elephants 

She looked big enough for us!

In sight of the holidays

June - August 2016

During the "summer" holidays we were fortunate to visit Cambodia and Vietnam.

Angor Wat (Siem Reap) is amazing -  Temples versus the Rainforest forest. 

The people were friendly, food delicious and the scenery beautiful.

Variation on a tree house!

The Rainforest is winning.

One of the many ancient temples.

Face to Face

A guide between two roses.

Symbolic storm clouds for Ankor Wat

Saint Bartholomew's Church - Ho Chi Minh City 

 After the holidays we were able to explore Quanzhou - in the neighbouring province of Fu Jian.

Statue and pagoda are both made entirely out of recycled glass.

Brace yourself - HH is ziplining.

HH - Zipping down the lake.

More like a bunny rabbit than a terracotta warrior!

The first stone beam bridge in China (completed in 1059)  - Luoyang Bridge
Quanzhou

Lao-Tzu - Chinese philosopher -Mt Qingyuan 

 Shanghai was also on our wish list - we were not disappointed.

Despite the weather the skyline still looked impressive.

Looking north from the Oriental Pearl Tower

The lights of Shanghai

Anyone for Tea

And the modern - the Maglev train (Magnetic Levitation) -
the fastest train in the world. Reportedly 400+ klm per hour.
Disappointedly we reached just over 300 - perhaps on a go slow day!

Northern Views

Yanqing (Beijing)
Bashang (Hebei)

June 2016.

A final hiking expedition to Northern China was the conclusion for 37 "Gold International Award" (Duke of Edinburgh award) students. We had an amazing 10 days camping and hiking the Great Wall and exploring the grasslands near Inner Mongolia.
Despite some rather adverse conditions; thunderstorms,  cold nights, torrential rain, all students triumphed the challenges completing the gruelling expedition with  courage, determination and aplomb.  As did Grandma and Grandad!!! :-) .

Getting ready for our adventures

Group hug on the way to the "Wall".

On an unrestored section of the "Great Wall' - not the best view today :-(

What remains of a watchtower.

Camping in the wilderness - hopefully the rain will stop soon!

At last, a glimpse of clear sky.

Hiking through the Huyu nature park.

Remnants of the Great Wall

Invading what is left of the Great Wall.

And still it goes on and on and on.

Once in a life-time experience.

An old brick factory presents an ideal camping site.

Hostel between camping sites; the tent was warmer, but at least we had hot running water and delicious food :-) 

On patrol with Inspector Spragg

Bashang, near Inner Mongolia. Horses provide a far more sensible means of transport than hiking over all those hills - but not for us.

Admiring the endless horizon.

A typical village street.

And China has 1.4 billion people - we certainly did not see many on our hikes.

Sunset over another stunning camp site.

The real sunset.

Typical farming village accommodation - note the satellit dish - very sensible. 

Just admiring the view.

Two very happy chappies.

Beautiful sunrise near our campsite.

Mobile home.

Almost home!

Home at last.

Looking for a home!

Field squirrel.

Main street in Bashang.

Our final amazing view before returning to the hussle and bussle.

What we missed - what a contrast.

a different sunset over Shenzhen