Ulu Temburong National Park Brunei

Friday 17 September

Longboats as river transport
in the national park

My visit to Brunei's Ulu Temburong National Park started with a 45 minute speed-boat ride up the Brunei River, and then, after a short car ride to the river, I was taken in a longboat further up river, over rapids and fast flowing water to the national park. An exciting, and sometimes wet, ride! Monkeys (long -tailed macaques) were playing in the trees alongside the river.

After arriving and climbing up the river bank, the real climbing began. First there was a wet and muddy track (in a rainforest it is always wet!) up hill, followed by 1200 steps that lead the climber 380 metres up the side of the mountain. The smallest squirrel in the world, the Pygmy squirrel, lives in the forest, along with pangolin, pythons, wild boar and hornbill birds. My friend and traveling companion, Fay, reminds me that there were also many beautifully colored butterflies.

Once we got to the top of the track, there was a 45 metre tower to climb so that you could see over the top of the forest canopy. A spectacular view!
Coming down the path was more difficult than going up...much slipping and sliding! And by now my legs were getting very tired!

Standing in the pool
as doctor fish nibble at our feet

After lunch, spicy chicken curry, rice and hard boiled eggs, we got back into the longboat and went to another part of the river where we left the boat and walked up a stream to reach a small waterfall. In the pool at the base of the waterfall we paddled, and small fish called doctor fish came and nibbled at the dead skin on our feet. A very odd feeling, but not a bad one!

To protect this rainforest environment there are no people living there, the only way in and out is by boat (there are no roads) and visitors cannot hunt, fish or chop down trees. The government hopes that the forest with its plants and animals will be there for future generations to enjoy.