The last place on earth: Borneo Jungle
Night Falls Fast, as usual in Ecuador. The chorus of frogs and the chirping of millions of insects filled the air heavy and cool on the slopes of Mount Murud, en Sarawak, a Malaysian provinces of Borneo, the equatorial island's largest planet.
1943. The sweeping World War II Southeast Asia, with the Japanese troops gradually extending from Burma to New Guinea, past the great island of Borneo. But the great interior of the island jungle, then the largest expanse of primary forest outside Africa or the Amazon, remains untouched and only accessible through the endless maze of rivers that cross the island. It is to this inner, the ancient land of "headhunters" Salgari, where a young English officer, Tom Harrison, parachutes, guerrillas trying to organize as the same men that the administration has never succeeded in civilizing colonial.
Harrison's feat is history, but the men who went to look still live the high parts of the Cordillera Central, los Kelabit Highlands, where as if the mythical Shangri La is involved. Straddling the borders of Malaysia and Indonesia, los Kelabit settled in the Baram River headwaters hundreds of years ago, devoted almost exclusively to hunting and the cultivation of upland rice. An area and a culture whose visit is restricted to tourism and only accessible by air or walking near 500 miles through a spectacular forest, yet, the planet.
we start the ascent of their sacred mountain and looking for traces of the Penan, the original inhabitants of Borneo, real men of the jungle
The ascent begins very early Murud. Along with Joe Layan, Guia mi Kelabit, we start the ascent of their sacred mountain and looking for traces of the Penan, the original inhabitants of Borneo, real men of the jungle. We crossed several rivers by makeshift giant log through the channel launched. A very dense vegetation around us. We are on the edge of one of the world's largest timber concessions, that gradually destroys the few areas of original primary forest Harrison could see more than 60 years.
During the nights, in makeshift camps where we tend our hammocks, we see, against the backdrop of the lightning flashes of awesome storms that sweep the forest, the distant glow of the logging camps, lost in the huge expanse of green and completely disconnected from the rest of the world.
Gradually we go up, helping the aerial roots of the fig primitive, shortly after sunrise reaching the top of the peak, where the forest is spread out before us with the ridge lines like waves on the sea emerald tree. We started the descent down climbing up the slope to a small creek. Along the shore, two small figures a piece of smoked meat. A "DJ", a small pig hunted by these two young characters, paler than the Kelabit or kayak the coast. Penan.
That night we spent with them, refuge in a small rattan leaves, where others come Penan. I do not understand those who speak and Joe just a few snippets, but I am surprised at the tremendous verve of the whole group. In the absence of any modern means of communication, is through speech, of the mothers sing songs and stories that the elders mutter, tradition is transmitted Penan.
An image that Harrison did not contemplate that his world at war, a picture of one of the last places on Earth, capitalized.
Comments (11)
Koldo
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I just discovered this site and much envy producís. Borneo is one of the places that I would be cool to go, but you go down and see Patagonia, South Africa, New York, Mexico… Pussy, Do you have time to go to all these places? I content myself with read and wait for my turn the early. Jajaja.
AGUR!!!!
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Noeli
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If nothing is twisted in mid-February I will be stepping up land Malaysian and Indonesian half of May.
An amazing experience Juan Ramón, if not get to much or to the same, but I prepare for anything (I'm not going with fans). As you describe the vegetation and climate in Borneo, Do you find it very hard crossing?
Any advice would be welcome.
Greetings!
Koldo, good….do not need to win the lottery to travel, but it is true that not everyone can combine both time, and earn money.
There is one who works and travels another season (People muccchhaaa); anyone traveling while working (guides, journalists etc. ..); who travels to then work with the experiences he has lived (writers such as); or people who are lucky to have people around to help you fulfill your dreams; and people who save all year and month vacation is quite clear, travels.
There are also plenty of people with toothpaste that travels, obviously.
But if, I'm with you… Produces much envy this journal!!
and also I agree with you on something else…. There are so many places to go!!
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Juanra
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Hello Noeli
Not too hard. The problem is it was almost a miracle to avoid the tracks and logging areas. It's a shame because they are carrying one of the most beautiful areas of the planet. Anyway you still trekking around Bario several highly palatable with a simple level. Since barium can even cross into Kalimantan, and in Indonesia, area is best preserved as a National Park. And the ascension to Murud is still a fantastic and not particularly attractive hard. That if, Prepare for mud, leeches and slippery logs. But sure you will enjoy!!!
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Noeli
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Great!! I start to have and feel as you approach typical of the long journey….and I am anxious… I have wanted to do that dive in which after the first month traveling, have the feeling to be in a continuing journey..
One, I tried to psych the theme of rain, moisture, the mud…I console myself that I get almost ending is supposed to be the rainy season there. Your information for me about to dip information I have to do before I go, to prepare the journey.
This…what the leeches yet I had not noticed…question: What do / should do in case of finding one in my body (well take it with serenity)?
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Juanra
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Apply insect repellent and is already above. Sometimes it's a bit shocking,by blood and other, but nothing serious ….. If you need more information here I have.
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Noeli
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It looks easy 😉
Thank you very much Juanra, I'll keep that in mind when I have doubts!!
Greetings
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juan jose
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give me a lot of envy, if somewhat organize mas facil, dimelo
» todavia estoy joven »
regards, juanjo
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juan jose
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Me gustaria hacer un viaje a Islandia » completo » el anillo completo , with excursions on foot through the interior ,
Si ves algo » DIMELO »
GREETINGS, Juan
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Juanra
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Envia an email to info@elandexpediciones.es. They will be mounted as
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raquel
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Hello,This summer my husband and I are going to Borneo and want to trek through the area of Kelabit Highlands. The Gunung Murud q accounts seems very interesting,could you tell us a little more?prices,guide price,how many days are needed,if you go through jungle,hardness of the expedition…any kind of recommendation I would appreciate much the,We are having quite gather info on this trip. Thank you very much and hope your answer!
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Juanra
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Envia an email to info@elandexpediciones.es. They will be mounted as, as I said to Juan José
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