Malaysia > Suspension bridge between the treetops

When I step into the shower, there is no water. It’s just past seven. There’s no electricity either, as the generator only runs in the evenings. I freshen up with some drinking water. With a muesli bar, I’m ready for the canopy tour through the treetops. Outside, the mist hangs over the Gunung mountain. When I arrive at the headquarters, Susan comes walking up. She takes me along the hanging bridge trail between the treetops. To reach the first suspension bridge, I follow the walkway halfway. Susan is a good spotter. She tells about the insects she sees.

Malaysia - A nearly 500meterlong suspension bridge among the treetops

Unfortunately, she mostly explains things to those at the front of the group and moves on before everyone else has caught up. She also spots a stick insect among the greenery. After one and a half kilometers, I turn left and reach the first suspension bridge. I climb the stairs and step onto the narrow bridge. It is secured with nets on the sides, but it’s still unstable. I need the ropes to keep my balance properly. Over several suspension bridges, I walk from platform to platform. Altogether, the route is 480 meters long. At times, I walk as much as twenty meters above the ground. The route is more fun than it is about actually spotting animals in the forest. I need all my focus to make it safely across. The bridge creaks enough to scare most animals away anyway. By lunchtime, I’m back. The whole morning has been sunny, but during lunch a short but heavy downpour breaks out—no more than twenty minutes. The rainwater quickly evaporates once the sun returns. As I wait for the old Toyota bus to take me back to the airport, I notice the stifling heat. Inside the terminal, the air conditioning is running. I check in for my flight to Kota Kinabalu and wait for the plane. The flight includes a stopover in Miri.

Malaysia - The evening market of Kota Kinabalu

Even though I continue on the same aircraft, I still have to get off in Miri. I leave my hand luggage onboard. I’m issued a new boarding pass for the same seat. I also get a stamp from customs, as I’m leaving the province of Sarawak and flying into Sabah. Then I line up again to reboard the plane. A few minutes later, the propeller plane takes off again toward Kota Kinabalu. At six o’clock, I arrive at my hotel in Kota Kinabalu. Kota Kinabalu is the capital of Sabah. During World War II, the city was heavily bombed during the Japanese occupation. The modern city center now has many shopping malls and wide roads. On my way to the Waterfront, I have to cross some of these broad streets. This isn’t easy, as the traffic lights for pedestrians are confusing. The Waterfront is a boulevard full of Western-oriented restaurants and terraces overlooking the sea. I eat at Aussies, a restaurant popular with Australian tourists. Naturally, this comes with fries and a hamburger. Later, I wander past the terraces on the boulevard, walk by the large seafood restaurants, and finally end up at the busy night market. By nine o’clock, I’m back at the hotel. I prepare my luggage for tomorrow and crawl into bed. Tomorrow I fly on early to Sandakan.