Monkeys and vipers and boars, oh my!

My stinking clothing and I got back from Bako National Park a few hours ago and I've spent much of the intervening time in the shower. But what a wonderful experience! Probably it was those overwrought Victorian explorer stories I used to read, but I've always wanted to hike in the jungle.

Here is a typical path. You can't tell the steep angle from the picture, but it's almost ladder-like. And you have to be very careful where you put your feet and hands (so you don't upset something that will bite or sting you).

Bako is full of wildlife. I saw a large group of proboscis monkeys feeding in the mangrove swamp at low tide.

I also saw pit vipers, flying lemurs, a couple of other types of monkeys, frogs, amazing butterflies, and a python that two rangers carried out of the kitchen--preceded by several screaming cooks. Wild boars live in the forest and a couple of them have adopted the park headquarters.

A large band of silver leaf monkeys have also taken up residence at the park headquarters. This morning at breakfast they managed to elude the ranger with the slingshot and made off with one camper's sausage, another's toast, and the entire plate of a third person's breakfast. But they're cute little pests.

The jungle here grows on gorgeous sandstone that makes the beaches beautiful.

I wish I could have stayed longer.

And I wish I could have stayed longer in Malaysia. But some issues at home require me to be there, so I'm cutting the trip short and heading back. Thanks, one and all, for reading and for all your comments! See you next trip.