‘If you want to see the endangered species, you need to go to the logging areas,’ he said. ‘There are security guards there, and the poor people can’t poach the wildlife and send to China for medicine.’
Sitting on the balcony looking over the organic farm in the middle of the Borneo forest, we were nearly brought to tears several times. Our time in Borneo never ceases to amaze.
Our lovely host
We heard of kidnappings and criminality near the Phillipines. We heard of sustainable logging, palm plantations and how they are bringing people out of poverty. We also heard stories of arranged marriages of very young women – personal stories that touch the heart.
Today was also a day of scaling great heights. For me, the modest ascent to a tree house perched at the top of a very tall forest tree. For Clement and Will, the more adventurous climb to the top of a telecom tower.
The tree house
View from the top
Looking down
Clement at the top
All in all, we didn’t cycle much, but the kilometres done were hot and hilly. We found it getting dark in the middle of the palm oil plantations before the coast, and are sleeping in a plantation village, drenched in sweat in the sweltering heat.
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