Malaysia day 6: Ranau and Sepilok.

Submitted by maria on Mon, 04/06/2012 - 18:26

We woke up with some tremendous shoelaces. We find it difficult to get to the restaurant for breakfast but it is worth it to have a terrace overlooking Mount Kinabalu. We visit the botanical garden of the Park. It is quite good, there are carnivorous plants. It is a small walk in the middle of the jungle.

 

Mount Kinabalu

Mount Kinabalu

 

Carnivorous plant

Carnivorous plant

 

Carnivorous plant

Carnivorous plant

 

We go back to the entrance to take the bus, we want to get to Ranau to take a bus to Sepilok. A taxi driver stops us and we decide to go with him to see the thermal center of Poring where we know that we will have the opportunity to see a rafflesia, the biggest flower in the world.

We take a look at the thermal complex but it is a little artificial and it does not seem that very hygienic, hundreds of locals enjoy their waters completely dressed.

We are informed that we cannot see the rafflesia, it is a carnivorous plant that takes nine months to form, it begins to form like a cabbage and then it opens. It only lasts five or six days.

 

Rafflesia

Rafflesia

 

 

A man tells us that he has an orchard nearby and that we can see it. He has a laminated story from a national newspaper about him. It costs us 20 MYR per person and although it's a bit deteriorated it amazes us, it's huge and smells terrible. It has others that are coming out (you can see their veins) and one that is totally rotten.

 

 

Rafflesia

Rafflesia

 

 

Our taxi takes us to the Ranau bus station, which consists of two marquees on two streets without a ticket office. The bus arrives and tells us that it is full, but that a car is coming behind to take us. We fill up the van. The driver is very nice but a bit crazy at the wheel, what a speed. He gives us a taste of a little burger that tasted terrible.

The landscape is impressive, although the deforestation and substitution of primary forest by palm plantations to obtain palm oil is increasing, you can see squads of workers and trucks full of pineapples.

 

Paganakan Dii

Paganakan Dii

 

After a regular stop, a few hours later we arrive at Sepilok and approach the door of the lodge Paganakan Dii. Fortunately, if we had not found it, it is far from the crossing where the bus would have left us. (about two kilometers away).

 

 

Views from the accommodation

Views from the accommodation

 

 

The accommodation is impressive, surrounded by huge gardens with a lake, the cabins are in the middle of the jungle and have a viewpoint with sun beds, really a hit. The cabins are spectacular, we sleep again with the sounds of the jungle.

 


Transport: 120 MYR 2 pax.
Rafflesia entrance fee: 40 MYR 2 pax.
Bus from Ranau to Sepilok: 110 MYR 2 pax.
Refreshments: 2 MYR.
Accommodation: Paganakan Dii 168 MYR double cabin (actually for 4 pax) with private bathroom (outside), breakfast included, including transport to the Orangutan Rehabilitation Center.