This week’s photohunt theme is Books. I knew right off which photo I was going to choose. This is one of favorites. I took this photo just before my trip to France in 2007. We pulled out all our books and did some last minute planning. Soon I flew off to Nice France to study for 4 weeks at the Institut de Francais in Villefranche sur Mer. What a fun trip.
Have a great weekend!
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This week’s PhotoHunt is plastic. This was very hard for me. I finally found the photo above of the garden nursery pots that we gathered up to take to recycle. G had a nursery for 10 years and we had collected a variety of sizes. We finally decided to clean up and took them to our local plastic recycler.
Have a great weekend.
Proboscis Monkey at Bako National Park
This is the fifteenth in a series of more in-depth posts on our trip to Borneo.
February 24
The main attraction at Bako is the wildlife. Number one is the Proboscis Monkey. These monkeys are native of Borneo Island and highly endangered. Bako is one of the best and easiest places to see them in the wild. We were lucky and the rangers told us about a troop of Proboscis monkeys that were hanging out in the beach side trees just a 1/4 mile from the park headquarters. They were feasting on the leaves of the mangrove trees. We spent a good hour hanging out watching them. They make the most interesting noise – “Oh-oh” very nasal and similar to way Raymond in the movie “Rainman” would say it. We also saw several silver leafed monkeys but I was not able to get a good picture.
The other primate that you will definitely see at Bako is the long tailed Macaques or ‘naughty monkeys’ as the ranger at the headquarter called them. These monkeys roam in big troops around the bunkhouses, just waiting for an opportunity to climb in a window or attack at tourist. They know the canteen packages food to go in white plastic bags so they will attack anybody carrying them around.
They also love cookies. We had sat down with our boatmates for a beer in the afternoon at the canteen. They had purchased a package of cookies and offered us some. We were taking and not watching what was going on and Bam! a macaque jumped into the middle of the table grabbed the cookies and ran off. He dumped them on the grass and gobbled them down before we could even get to them. Needless to say, he also spilled a couple of beers.
The other animal that is easy to see is the bearded pig. It hangs out around the canteen and bunkhouses. One female had a cute little group of four babies. They were so cute scampering along the beach behind her.
And everyone had to check out the green tree pit viper snakes. They hung out in the brushes on the boardwalks between the canteen and our rooms. It was definitely a good reason not to stray off the boardwalks.
Young Male Proboscis monkey
Young Proboscis Monkeys arguing
Bearded Pig
Mother Bearded pig with babies
Long Tail Macaque with baby
Who me? Not me? I’m innocent!
Green Viper
Sunset at Telok Assam
Also if you want to see more pictures – check out this great flash slide show of from another Bako National Park
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This is the fourteenth in a series of more in-depth posts on our trip to Borneo.
February 24
We did not have breakfast before leaving Kuching so we started back to the canteen before going on our hike. We looked at the trail map while eating. G wanted to go up on the kerangas, a limestone plateau where several species of pitcher plants (Nepenthes) were found. The Lintang trail made a loop up to the kerangas and then back to the headquarters in 5.25 km. Okay.. that is only about 3 miles, I should be able to do that. Wrong! Bako is almost on the equator. It was noon. It was about 90 degrees with 80% humidity. The limestone was white and reflected the heat and sun just like snow. I made it 2KM before I got cranky and said I had to return.
But it was a very interesting trail. It crossed the kerangas where we found several pitcher plants along with the ant plant and other interesting flora. The trail then went back into the jungle where it went up to a high point, descended back to the limestone kerangas. We were able to find lots of sundews along a rusty looking stream. We went back into the jungle where we saw many interesting trees and an amazing palm, Johannesteijsmannia.
After crossing the mangroves, you will come to this trailhead and start up to the plateau
The trail climbs over boulders and roots
Limestone soil on the kerangas
Just follow the arrows
Along the edge of the limestone lots of Nepenthes rafflesiana
Nepenthes albomarginata
The trail heads across through the heath brush
Sometimes on boardwalks
More interesting plants – Dischidia rafflesiana
Ant plant – Myrmecodia beccarii
Huge palms – Johannesteijsmannia altifrons
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The weather has started to warm up. Finally! Lows are still into the mid-low 40’s but we have had a couple of nights of low more around 50 degrees. High temperatures – a couple of days into the 60’s but mostly in the 50’s.
The vegetable garden is coming along. We have started and planted our green beans; both Maxibel bush and Blue Lake poles. The radishes, lettuce and peas are coming along. The peas have started to climb more. We have just put in carrots and potted up the squash and cucumbers.
Today we took the plastic cloches off the tomatoes in the front. They have gotten pretty big and it has been staying a bit too humid under the plastic. We are worried they might get blight so we’re going to risk the cool nights slowing them down instead.
Oh yeah, mesculin mix is up.
 Peas & lettuce |
 Squash |
 Bean teepee |
 Romano Beans |
 Momataro in Greenhouse |
 Stupice |
 Outside tomatoes |
 Bud on Stupice |
 Our resident duck |
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This is the thirteenth in a series of more in-depth posts on our trip to Borneo.
February 24
Bako National Park was the main reason we had traveled to Sarawak. Like Mt Kinabalu, it is known for unusual plants including several unique species of Nepenthes. It was also home to the Proboscis monkey. They are frequently seen among the mangrove swamps near the headquarters at low tide.
Bako is not far from Kuching but it is not easy to get to. There are no roads to Bako. It is located on an isolated peninsula beyond the river estuary. It can be done as a day trip but most guide books recommend staying at least one night. This allows you an opportunity to hike and experience the jungle at night.
We decided to stay overnight. The park services are run by the Sarawak Department of Forestry. There are no commercial operators. We contacted the park by email and were able to reserve a room in the 2 bedroom chalet. It was described as having 2 twin beds and an attached bathroom. Cost 50RM (~$20US). We had to pay in advance so we made a trip to the National Park office which was located next to the Kuching Visitors Center.
The inexpensive independent way to get to Bako is to take the Petra Jaya bus number 6 to Bako Village. The buses start running around 7am and cost 2RM. You catch the bus at the open market near the city Mosque. We backed our day packs with just what we needed for hiking and staying overnight. We put our main luggage in storage at the Singgahsana and then headed out to try to catch the first bus. The schedule on the bulletin board in the hostel said 7:20. We got there about 7am. We could tell right off that there were several other tourists waiting. We started talking with another couple who was from Holland and a woman who was from the UK. The boats to Bako take 5 people so we agreed to go together and split the cost of the boat which was 47RM. We were approached by several minivan drivers while waiting for the bus. The cost for a minivan was 40RM. 8RM per person versus 2RM by bus. The couple from Holland knew that the tide was changing in two hours so there was a chance that we might miss our opportunity to get to Bako in the morning. We discussed it but decided to wait for the bus. It finally showed up around 7:25am. We got on and it headed out.
The ride took us through the suburbs of Kuching. It was rush hour and the traffic was pretty backed up at the major roundabout. It took a good 10 minutes to get through the roundabout. The area became more industrial and we could see large factories. Small shanty towns surrounded the edge of the factories. School children would get on at the stops out in the middle of nowhere and travel a short distance before getting off for school. In the suburban areas along the way, women setup stalls along the road selling small triangles of rice (nasi) wrapped in banana leaves – fast food breakfast for the commuters.
It took us about 1 hour until we arrived at the Bako Kampung (village). We checked in at the headquarters. They checked that we had reservations and paid our entrance fee of 10RM. The low tide started at 10am so we were close to the last groups to go over to Bako until the tide changed. The Ranger explained that we were going to have to wade ashore since the tide was too low to dock at the boat launch. He mentioned that there were stingrays and jellyfish in the water and recommended that we swish our feet before we set the into the mud. What had we gotten ourselves into???
There was a notice at the boat launch warning about crocodiles. Oh goodie. We walked down and climbed into a small boat. We all put on life vests and then we headed out. Along the way we passed stilted houses and poles set out as fishing traps. The way was mostly smooth but it was also so exotic and exhilarating. We stalled a bit on a sandbar at the mouth of the river but soon we were in the bay at Bako.
We should have known with the difficulty that the boat had getting over the sandbar that we would not be able to be dropped off close to shore. The beaches are very shallow and extend a long way out into the sea – I would say almost 1/4 mile. The boatman cut the motor and it was time to jump out.
G went first with his Birkenstock. The water was up to his knees and the mud sucked off his sandals. I was glad I had zipped off the lower part of my pants. We all went over the side holding our backpacks and shoes. Slosh.. slosh.. we went slowly ashore.
Other than being muddy, it was fine. We came ashore near the canteen. The signs told us to go a 1/4 mile further to the park headquarters where we checked in. It was only 9am and our rooms were not ready yet. So we gathered everything that we needed for our day hike into our hiking pack, put on our boots and stored our gear in storage bins in the headquarters. It is not locked but there is usually someone around.
We couldn’t check in until 2pm so we did some wildlife watching, had lunch and went for a hike. I’ll detail this more in the next post.
The canteen is self-service with a variety of Malaysian noodles and curries. There was also a small store with a good selection of drinks, salty and sweet snacks. We bought a large bottle of water along with our breakfast. It was about 15RM.
We returned from our hike about 2pm and were able to check in. Our chalet was basically a duplex. It was one large room with a waist high cabinet separating what might be the eating area from the sleeping area. There was an oscillating fan bolted to the ceiling. We opened the windows although the rangers told us to keep them shut. The windows were screened but not secured. The long-tailed macaques showed up and climbed up to the windows. They were just waiting for us to turn out backs on them and they would push the screens in and rifled though our bags. The rangers called the ‘naughty monkeys’ and the definitely were.
The bathroom was basically a tiled room with a toilet that filled very slowly and a hand-held shower. There was only cold water. In the main room there was a sink, a screened cabinet for storing food and a refrigerator. The walls were stained and dirty. We discovered that there was only a cover on the bed – no sheets. Little did I know my pillow was also moldy. I wouldn’t find out until it kept me awake during the night. Fortunately it was only one night.
Here are some pictures of the trip and accommodations.
Bus stop in Bako Village at the Bako Park boat launch
Getting on the boat to Bako
Stilt houses along the river going to Bako
Just after the boat dropped us off. You can see it in the background leaving.
A little ways more to go
The Canteen
Our room at Bako
A refrigerator and a place to store food.
Toilet and shower – no shower for me that night!
The naughty monkeys waiting to get in our room
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This week’s photohunt is painted. I remembered this often photographed door in beautiful village of Roussillon in France. Roussillon is in the Luberon area of Provence. I thought of the village not only for this beautiful door but also because it was situated in one of the largest ochre quarries. The town has created a variety of artists. But what appeals to many people are the wide varieties of red, yellow and brown earth towns that color the buildings in the town. Many of these are accented with lovely Provencal blue or hunter green. Art abounds throughout the town.
We visited this “Plus Beaux Village” in October 2007. We loved the colors of the buildings. Here are a few more examples of the beauty of the village.
A restaurant closed for the afternoon
Blue shutters on the ochre building
Lovely pastel buildings near the weekly farmers market
Ochre hills surrounding the town
Artist studio
Ocher wall details
Saturday was such a lovely day. It was sunny, warm and you could see forever. Our local Farmers Market starts at the beginning of May. It doesn’t get in full swing until later in June but you can still find interesting selection of food and goods.
Early in May, it is prime time for asparagus. Several of the stands had a good selection. There were also fresh leaks, young lettuce and radishes. The flower stalls were filled with tulips and doing a brisk business for Mothers Day.
I saw a couple of my favorite but I was intrigued with a new cheesemaker – Willapa Hills Farmstead Cheese. Their specialty is blue and sheep cheese. They had a good selection of both fresh and aged cheese. I tried two fresh;the Willapa White and Fresh with Ewe. Both were excellent. The White was shaped similar to a chevre but had a little more tang. But it was the Fresh with Ewe that won me over. It is fresh sheep milk cheese with a blue rind. A lovely lovely cheese. The cheesemaker recommended keeping it for another week. If I can….
I also stopped at another vendor selling beautiful fresh Halibut. For dinner, I rubbed it with the Bengal Masala Rub with Love from Tom Douglas and pan fried it. Add a fresh green salad and my new favorite mashed sweet and regular potatoes. I did not have enough sweet potatoes to make these sweet potatoes and onions but it was still very good with a few regular potatoes thrown in.
The farmers market is located near the firestation and right downtown. Edmonds has a small downtown – with a seaside feel. You can see the sound in the distance and hear the ferry horn. Many of the buildings in the main downtown area are historic and house interesting stores. I stopped by HouseWares to pick up some kitchen cleaning items and admire the stunning designs.
Moving on, I stopped in the Edmonds Bookshop to see the latest best sellers. Nothing caught my fancy. I had two more stops, one at Gallery North to see the current Photography and at Sculptors Workshop pottery sale.
It was good to see everything busy. The weather helped as did Mothers Day weekend. I loved seeing the mothers out. My favorite was the little girl and her mother who came out of one of the day salons. “Mommy – that was so much fun. Can we do come again?”. Delightful.
Samish Bay Cheese
Residential street just a block from the market
Traffic circle at the center of downtown
Worldwide headquarters of Rick Steves Europe
This week’s photohunt is In Memory. It has been over 10 years for my father and just over 8 years since my mother passed away. They say time will heal sorry but there always seems to be left a hole. Recently my husband’s brother-in-law passed away. He was our age so it brought back many memories for me.
It is also Mother’s Day – a perfect time to remember my mother. In fact, I’m going to take the time and celebrate family. Here are two photos of my parents and I when I was a young elementary school girl. I love seeing my dad in hats. He wore them daily. And don’t you love the shoes my mom were wearing?
Have a great weekend everyone.
Amy’s May flower post reminded me that I need to post how our vegetable garden is coming along. I like to blog about it so we can keep a record of when we plant our garden and how it well it is growing.
We started our first seeds mid-March. In mid-April, we put out the first set of lettuce and radishes. On Tuesday, we setup our tomato pots. This year we have 6 in the driveway. This is where we used to grow them. It is south and gets lots of heat from the asphalt on the driveway and reflected from the garage doors. For good measure, we also have 5 in the greenhouse.
The peas are coming along fine. They are about a foot tall. The lettuce is just sitting there. It has been too cold. We have two sets of leaves on the radishes. Maybe we’ll have a salad by June.
Here are some pictures.
Greenhouse tomato
Lettuce and peas
Pea tendrils
Lockdown lettuce – Gotta protect that lettuce from the squirrels
Apple blossom
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