[Mulu, Malaysian Borneo] We have been prisoners in the jungle for what feels like weeks. Extraction is set for 15:20 (Zulu) tomorrow but in the mean while we are just trying to stay alive. I almost lost V to boredom yesterday – it’s the most vicious killer here.

Seriously. This is the first time on our journey that we have been stuck. Unable to move on. Restricted by a plane ticket. It’s not a great feeling and we could not have chosen a worse spot to end up marooned. We watched ‘Groundhog Day’ last night. Being here is something like that!

Yesterday it poured almost all day and with no adventure cave options we just lounged around in the dorm exhausting our podcasts, movies and books. In the afternoon a very friendly and pleasant English guy arrived. On checking in he had asked to do some adventure caving and had been put on a tour for the next day. Apparently there were still two spaces free – we went to sleep hopeful that we would get on the excursion in the morning. No such luck. We were told again that it was full and settled reluctantly for a canopy tour. The story with the adventure caves has ruined our time here and it’s all down to the staff’s complete disorganization and lack of interest.

What can we say about the canopy tour? Well it cost 4 slices of chocolate cake and ice-cream each and we spotted more ‘wildlife’ sitting on the hostel porch for 30 minutes than on the tour. Our guide did point out a few trees, not the names or any other information, just the fact that they were trees. Similarly a flower (singular), some birds and the odd skink. Mulu National Park is not impressing us – we would have been far happier with the cake.

James (our entertaining and talented English roommate) showed us some photos and told some stories about the diving in Sipidan. It looks unbelievable and we are really excited about getting there. We just need to go past the orange atangs and spend a few more days in the jungle (oh boy).

So our recommendations for anyone coming to Mulu National Park:
– Book tours and accommodation VERY early and keep checking in with them. Every afternoon the staff were in the hostel trying to fathom why there were not as many beds available as there should have been. The facilities are great (a lot has been spent) but the organization is a total disaster.
– Do the Pinnacles hike. At least it will get you away from the HQ for 3 days. It was unfortunately too expensive for us.
– Do the adventure caves and Deer cave. The rest is pretty dull.
– 3 nights is more than enough.

Malaysia… Truly disappointing (so far…)

[Pictures: oooo. Canopy ‘tour’. Ziplines are much better]

– Posted from my iPhone via WiFi