A few days in and we have accomplished so much already. Recovering remarkably quickly after our long haul flights, we have acclimatised to our new equatorial environment, managed to navigate Kuching via the cat roundabouts, worked alongside our orchid partners in school, trekked many wet slippery steps in a tropical storm to discover and photograph orchids (and perhaps the odd blurry flying lizard!) as well as experiencing a range of Malaysian cuisine ( the photos say it all!!)

We have now just returned from the most amazing rainforest experience organised by our guide Henry. We arrived lunchtime yesterday and were given sheets, blankets and a towel each so we could make our beds in the forest lodges before heading off into the rainforest. The heavens then opened as we set off on our trek but no problem as most of us were covered with bright yellow Mulu wet weather gear ( just to let all and sundry know we were on our way!!). So many photos were taken and being uploaded as I write. We joined Henry for supper and settled down to sleep amidst ‘what what ‘ frogs and plenty of other serenading creatures. Setting alarms for an early morning climb up Tree Top Tower we tucked into a superb breakfast and PLENTY of coffee refills before fastening our life jackets and climbing aboard the river long canoes to visit the village where Henry grew up. Visiting the school first, setting up the microscope using dead ants (or were they dead??) we then all had a go at blow pipes (SImon and Zoe quite professional at this ( had they been practicing???) , those that bought then tried nose flutes .. back on the boat to Clearwater Cave which after a few hundred steps was spectacular and then quite exhilarating high speed boat trip back to the lodge so we could catch the plane back to base camp in Kuching.

Having travelled to Sarawak many years ago It is real privilege to return to Borneo with such an amazing group of people. I look forward to another action packed week!