Where is Maliau Basin: Its about 5 – 6 hours by 4x4 west from Tawau. Most of the journey is off roads and when it rains (which it did on the way in and out) it can be treacherous. The base camp, Agathis Camp, is GPS coordinates: N 04.52.7 and E 116.54.13.4.

Why go there: Because no one else does. Apparently we were only the 9th group to go in 'for fun'. Most groups are scientific expedition.

Why is it called the “Lost World of Sabah”? It is called that for good reasons. In 1947, a pilot flying from the west coast of British North Borneo to Tawau experienced a rude shock when he narrowly avoided colliding with a wall of steep cliffs emerging from the misty jungle. This minor incident is the first recorded mention of the Maliau Basin. The "Lost World" was recorded in the Borneo Bulletin-and then quietly slipped back into obscurity. The first expedition into the basin was only in 1988 and today only about 20% has been explored.

Good pictures of the area? Maps are a security issue in Malaysia so do not have good maps to show the topography as such. But there are some GIS photos available on the internet if you search under Maliau Basin images. Two of the better ones are at:

http://prinsengineering.com/front_maliau_e3.htm
http://www.nrel.colostate.edu/IBOY/graphics/satellite/basin.jpg

What does Maliau mean? Maliau means "murky" in the Murut language.

How many kilometers? In all we did a circular walk of 36 km. Each day was about 5 – 6 hours trek. Terrains ranged from day to day. First day was tough as it was uphill for half the journey. Going down to waterfalls was hard as sections were steep and it had rained so it was slippery and muddy!!

Highlights: Waterfalls. Because of the geological structure, Maliau Basin has the largest concentration of water falls in Malaysia. Takob Akob, Giluk, Maliau, Sabandah.

Carried your stuff? Each of us carried our own packs. Mine was about 12.5 kg. We had three porters to carry our provisions. No cans allowed in the basin.

Flora and fauna: Flora is quite stunning, with an amazing variety of mushrooms and orchids. We didn’t see many wild animals but you could hear their presence. Gibbons, barking deer, hornbills, ceveat cat, wild boar. One group saw a hornbill flying while standing above the clouds at Lobah camp and one group spotted a pit viper hiding waiting for its next prey.

Accommodation:
Agathis: Luxurious by Maliau standard!! Generator and Astro (Cable tv) in the evening.
Camel Trophy: Two story building with three bedrooms. Wooden fire place.
Lobah Camp: The most basic of the camps but looking back the best. Totally in the elements, no electricity or running water. The jungle is amazingly dark at night.
Ginseng Camp: Will be a very nice resort like camp but in the meantime we had very basic accommodation.

The Maliau International Gourmet Society: This is in recognition of the wonderful menu and meals that Veno planned for the group. From fresh meat the first two days, sandwiches, bak chang, eu cha kueh, pasta etc… We never went hungry on the trip.

What’s the smell? Nothing dries in the jungle, even if its one of those new fancy shirts which is quick drying. We also sweat like crazy on the walks etc.. So the combination was deadly. But as we detiorated at about the same rate, it wasn’t too bad. By the time Kelvin got back to Kuching, he discovered new fungal species growing on his shirt!!

It’s the shoes: Now a days you can get some really fancy trekking boots with all sorts of support systems built in. In the jungles of Borneo, the Rolls Royce is the Addidas Payak. It is rubberized which means it dries quickly, therefore keeping your feet dry.

Does nature have a sense of humour? Yes she does. Thorny vegetation tends to grows where it is slippery and there is nothing to grip!!

Leaches: First you get squimish about them but then you get use to them and they just become a nuisance. I only had one bite but each day you had quite few in your shoes. Kelvin and Lau got the prize for fattest leach found on their legs. Found a leave that magically stops leach bites instantaneously.

Most over used phase: There is a leach on your leg.

What we never said: Wish I was back at the office.

What I learned: I have zero survival skills in the jungle!! It was a very humbling trip, the power of nature and how small I am in the overall scheme of the universe. I learned I could easily live without the handphone for a week.