Sarawak, Day 3, Highlands and City

After our relaxing stay at the Highlands, we were off to the beach. Before we got to our next resort, we stopped to see some orangutans. Orangs are native only to Borneo and their population has been dwindling, due to a reduction in their native habitats. We visited a wildlife research center that houses orangs that had been kept in captivity. The goal is to make sure they are healthy and then release them into the wild. Fruit makes up 60% of an orangs diet, making it difficult to find food when fruit is not is season. For that reason, they will return to the center for feedings twice a day, but for the rest of the time, they are out in the wild. Orangs are very tough to spot in the wild because they spend their entire day in the trees (including sleeping in nests!!)

Here is one of the mother/baby pairings that we saw. Nine babies have been born at the center- the 2 males at the center have been busy!! This baby was about 2 years old (look in the trees above the mother).

This is a different mother/baby pair. They are hanging down because the keeper is throwing food up to them to catch.



After seeing the orangs, we were off to see Kuching, the biggest city in Sarawak. The city is divided into 2 regions-north and south. North was the Muslim side, south was the Chinese side. This is the south city hall, with the shape of the building representing a flower.

Picture of the entrance into Chinatown. Here is one of the many cat statues in the city (Kuching means "cat"). This is the Great Cat of Kuching, and he's often decorated for special occasions. Chinatown stretches out behind him.

A Chinese temple made especially for children. Everything was scaled down to size.


On the way out to Damai Beach we passed Mount Santubong. This is supposed to look like a pregnant woman laying down (I'm not seeing it!)
Ellie got a much needed rest on the drive. Next stop- Camp Permai!!