blog absence

I'm currently serving the role of tour guide for visiting family, hence the lack of updates (in case anyone wondered). As soon as I get a proper sit-down and some time to fill these blank spaces, rest assure I will.

This weekend will bring us to Kansai and Kyoto where I'll attempt to fully transform from follower to leader in terms of the pack. I tend to just follow the Japanese speaking people. Doesn't really work with this lot.

Anyhuu, that's all. Ta!

Jo x

borneo last leg: the mighty jungle

As the last part of the Borneo trip we ventured out in the wilderness and spent 5 days in the jungle. From Kuching we drove hours and hours with the van and then went in a longboat for 2 hours to the place, so it was a wee off from civilisation. Not to worry, we did stay in an actual house and not tents made from palm leaves or something like that. But there was only electricity between 6-11pm and we were surrounded by rainforest, rendering any excursions on your own impossible. However, we did trekking. Fricking hard trekking. Stung by bees, constant fear of leeches and snakes, and had to focus on every step so as not to slip and fall on your behind - but it was all forgiven and forgotten once you reach the top (photo).

We were going to go on a night safari but as snakes may attack the torch, we didn't. "When the light stops, the snake attacks," someone said. That made the rest of my post-10pm trips to the bathroom a whole lot more 'exciting' or whatever than they would have been otherwise. Yikes!

Did some weaving with the tribe. This masterpiece (note: not finished in the photo) and a basket. Christmas presents x2 sorted.

Dogs and cats everywhere - behind every tree! - because no one takes care of them. The owner was out of town. I don't think my fellow travellers appreciated them as much as I did. There was a lot of shoo-ing and cursing going around. Look at that face. How can you be mad at that? Me, I embraced the fleas etc that they brought and cuddled with the beautiful cat (dogs were a bit too much and risk of leeches - yuck!).

Planted a tree each and got to place our own little sign next to it. Permanent mark of the JoJo in the jungle!

8 families live in this longhouse and we visited them to play games, drink tea, and do the weaving. Such a quiet life. Although they do have some modernities - at one point Rihanna was playing in the background. Sort of broke the mood. All in all, however, really peaceful. I would probably go mad within a month here though. There's only so many rounds of 'Pass the Ring' you can play...

When we finally reached the city again it was time to say our farewells. One last shopping spree & lunch with teams Denmark, UK, and Switzerland in Kuching marked our parting. Here in a final tribute to Japan.

I hope to see you again sometime :) Thanks for an incredible trip!

Jo x

awkward level: Sweden

During a music competition (for the Eurovision Song Contest) in Sweden the girl above, Molly Sandén, sang about her break-up with her boyfriend. The song, Why Am I Crying, is about how she doesn't miss his dirty clothes on the floor, how she's stronger on her own, how love is overrated and he should enjoy being free. As a celeb, Molly's break-up was obviously reasonably big news and the hosts of the show gave her praise for singing from her heart about a difficult time, standing strong - you get the deal.

Now what's the problem you ask? Well.

The ex-boyfriend is none other than Eric Saade - the singer who won this particular competition last year. The previous winner is always present to hand over the trophy to the new winner.

In other words: while everyone in the arena gave pep talks to the strong independent woman in Molly, and she sang this highly emotional song about her ex's flaws and how fine she is with all the fervour she can muster (involving throwing the mic stand on the stage), said ex - Mr Saade - is standing there backstage listening & seeing the whole spectacle!

With a mere 9 million people in Sweden - this is what happens. Awkward to the max but awfully entertaining for us uninvolved. Gotta love it.

Jo x

bako national park

Our next destination was Bako National Park. A short boat ride in crocodile waters (!) took us to the island where we were promised to see monkeys and wild boar behind every tree. There would be trekking (in pouring rain it turned out) and even a burglary...

 Wild pigs roaming around everywhere. Our guide called the big ones 'Osama' because of their beards. One of these little ones came up to our veranda one day and tried to chew up some shoes. Luckily I caught him out and sent him on his way. But cute as a button they are!

 Oh right, the burglary. On the door to the kitchen there was a sign: Please close the door. Beware of the monkeys. Before we arrived we had been warned by the guides that the long-tailed macaques were infamous for stealing food and drinks and other shiny objects from tourists (a group of students once got mugged of all cell phones. Hilarious of course for everyone except the victims).

But as it always is, people are stupid. I peered out through the window to the veranda and saw a whole bunch of macaques sitting on the table, munching on bottles and cans and threatening to take our clothes. We went out to shoo them away but they did not budge. After a while they left and that's when we noticed the open door. To the kitchen. Inside we found the fridge door open as well - and the inside completely empty. KitKat, Toblerone and coke had been stolen by the little cheeky monkeys, and later on we saw them in the trees holding on to a piece of chocolate or playing with red cans. The monkey above came as we prepared to leave and hijacked our last bananas, munching away on the veranda despite our presence. Gotta love it.

Caught in the act, this one. They also broke into one of the rooms but didn't take anything.

We went on a night trail and saw sleeping birds, frogs, and fireflies. Fireflies are beautiful - blinking like Christmas lights in the trees and flying around in complete voiceless serenity. Then we trekked for 1½ hours to go to a beach and got caught in pouring proper rainforest rain for an hour. 'Wet' is not enough. The reward was definitely worth it though, and had we known what awaited in the jungle we might not have complained as much.

For all photos: CLICK HERE

Jo x

back in the hood

After 3 incredible weeks I'm back in a rainy Tokyo and already longing to go back to Borneo. I'll put up some photos here within the next few days (a lot of monkey ones) so if interested, watch this space.

Borneo was nothing less than amazing. We did a couple of days at Matang Wildlife Centre where we worked with orangutans and sunbears. We learnt so much about orangutans and the illegal trade which happens far too frequently, and I do admire the work these people do in Malaysia. It may only be a drop in a vast ocean but the difference it makes for the individual animals who live at Matang is invaluable. Confiscated pets or circus attractions come here to rehabilitate and 'learn to be orangs' again, and hopefully eventually to be released into the wild. Some of the apes we met had been in small cages for 10-20 years (!) before being rescued. Ridiculous. Humans are evil.

Anyway, at Matang they get a second chance and we did cleaning of cages, put out food in their enclosures, and gave them treats. Not only orangs but gibbons (so cute!), macaques and other ones too. Some crazy, some more friendly.

Then we headed off to different places, including the mighty jungle! More about that later. Below some photos from Matang.

Binturong, or bear cat.

Gibbon. Love.

Just two man-eating crocodiles chilling

More to come. Next up: Bako National Park where the long-tailed macaques cheekily robbed us!

Jo x

bye bye birdy

What a way to finish Nha Trang! From morning to sunset I have:

...had monkeys take crackers out of my hand

...gone boating on the sea

...visited rice fields
...mini-trekked in the mountains and climbed to see/swim in the Ba Ho (right), or three lakes
...had fried rice and green tea overlooking the mountains and a shrimp farm
...been completely gawked at by the locals at the fishing dock (fair enough I was the only non-Vietnamese there)
...soaked in mud
...gymmed.

Tomorrow I say a rather sad farewell to Nha Trang and Vietnam, and continue on to Borneo. Another three flights - puh! - and the orangutan adventure can begin.

A thought that just struck me now (a tad late) - maybe I should have relaxed after the working holiday? This has been like eating dessert first - but hey, rules aren't for rulers, right? Ta!

Jo x