From Lahad Datu we curved up towards the north-west, mainly through oil palm plantations again, but also, with a pang of adopted patriotic pride, over the lovely Kinabatangan River.
Shortly after, we took a right turn to go and have a look at the Gomantong Caves. We were a little late, though, and just as we stepped onto the trail from the carpark to the caves, there was a rush of sound as far above us the 250,000 fruit and wrinkle-lipped bats left for the night, swirling into a single helix as they tried to avoid being ambushed by bat hawks and peregrine falcons. Too late for the caves, then, we watched from ground level. The flight formation was just dispersing when a troop of maroon langurs arrived above our heads; they snacked and talked and occasionally glanced down at us, clearly not disturbed in the slightest.
In Sepilok, we, of course, went to the Orangutan Sanctuary, but the animals were smarter than we were, and stayed away, except for one large male. Just as he sat down on the platform, the trees began to shake and wind poured into the forest, bringing just behind it the rain. We tried to wait it out but eventually had to make a run for the main building - not quite fast enough, though.
All part of the rainforest experience!
The following day, we were off on a boat trip across the Sulu Sea to visit the Turtle Sanctuary again, and that would turn out to be a much more successful day...
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