To the Jungle

Reunited with my washing, the time came to set off for the Jungle. Due to a flat tyres that couldn't be fixed until a driver vs. mechanic game of chess had been played, and heavy ran that eventually worked it's way through the seals of the bus for an internal downpour, we arrived very late and were forced to write off any plans of jungle stays that night. Instead we were split up and distributed around various villages and spent the night in the houses of local families. Not expecting us until the following night, most households were caught by surprise, mine weren't even home when I arrived. The stay was good, but maybe not as productive as it could have been. For the best part of the evening we were back at main base for dinner and a cultural performance, then when we returned 'home', were advised to rest. The next half day with the family was largly the same. We did spend time talking to the family, but attempts to help with household chores or meals found us sat waiting for food whilst watching Asian X-Factor after being told once more to rest. My family were lovely though, and they did live a very remote and traditional life, it just would have been nice to help out more.

By the early afternoon the next day, we'd all moved out of our houses and reconviened ready for our jungle time. Armed mainly with waterproofs and hammocks, the boats were loaded, and after a couple of little stops along the Kinabatangan River, we climbed ashore to hang our beds before the usual afternoon downpour struck. After a quick lesson, we all managed to get hammocks, mozzie nets and shelters up in good time, and I think all passed the weight tolerance test, eventually.

The rain did arrive as expected and forced boat trips and night hikes to be called off, leaving us sat around all evening playing cards, drinking Milo and chatting. We all were on high leach alert so had everything tucked into everything, and daren't look down incase we caught site of one of the Jungle Superbugs about our person withing the light our headtorches. It's probably the most still I've sat for a long time.

Bed time soon rolled around and it was discovered that although the hammocks were up, not everyone managed to get the water-proof shelter in place as effectively as it perhaps needed to be! Anyway the guides donated their beds to those with unsleepable situations, leaving one of them a comfy spot on the camp table. Since being in the rainforest, I've seen giant versions of most regular bugs, so didn't envy that Jungle dude.

The Hammocks were great, quite enclosed with the net and all, a little coffin like and claustraphobic maybe, but if you don't mind that and are short enough, then it's really quite comfy. The rest of the group were taller and didn't like it, but I personally (after listening to the Jungle Book for effect) had a great nights sleep. One thing I did learn about my group however was, as nice and helpful as they all are, if you find a big bug in your little hanging tent, no matter how pathetic and desperate your cries for help may be, once safely and stable in their beds, no-one will dare risk moving to help. Instead it would appear to be more productive to laugh. Cheers for that!