More of Temburong.
At the end of the long boat ride you have to scramble about 200 metres up some steps, rocky paths and duckboard planks to get to the start of the real climb to the Rainforest Canopy Lookout.
Please excuse the bit of fogging on the lense.
From the real start point there are about 780 steps zigzagging straight up the side of the hill and we gained several hundred metres elevation. They are in reasonable condition, but the treads and step height were a little small for me so it was somewhat uncomfortable. Occasionally the handrails had rotted away and were replaced by rope.
Being virgin rainforest jungle the heat and humidity made it hard to get good deep breathes. I am convinced that our poor guide thought I was going to die on her watch and she would have too carry me back down. I kept assuring her that as long as I was left to walk at my own pace and rest when I wanted then I could do the climb. And I was right. I am like the ox, plodding but able to keep moving - plus also being pretty dumb.
The lookout - 43 metres high
As you can see it is basically constructed out of scaffolding pipes. In Australia you would probably need to have safety gear to use it. Only 5 people are allowed on the walkway at a time and there were Park Rangers controlling access. I was always doubtful that I would climb it but one look at the actual structure convinced me that I was not going anywhere near it.
The guide showed my wife some nutmeg on the ground. The red surrounds of the seed are used to make Mace (the spice version) and the seed itself produces the Nutmeg.
To be honest knowing what I know now I would not have done this climb. There are no views to speak of unless you go up the platform which does involve another two hundred steps up a flimsy ladder like staircase. So unless you are determined to climb it, stay at the river level. The boat trip itself is well worth the day out anyway.
After we had climbed down - in about a quarter of the time we had taken to climb up. We were taken a short way downstream and put ashore at a little waterfall. In the pool at the base of the fall are those little fish that people pay to have nibble their feet in various spas. You could feel the little nibbles, not painful but a little disconcerting. I wouldn't pay to have it done at a spa.
Our guide having her feet cleaned. She says she often does the full trip seven days a week. Her calves must be made of steel.
Nice clean feet.
After the boat trip down we had lunch at the park building. It was cooked by women from the local kampong. There was Chicken Curry, Rendang , Sweet and Sour Fish, Rice, Potato Salad & Cabbage. It was all fine basic fare. The green vegetable is a jungle leaf called Cangkuk.