In no time at all we're heading past the Orangutan sanctuary up into the hills. But first we pull over and stop at a roadside cutting. What's the problem? Our guides direct us to the bank.
We'd seen carnivorous plants in the botanic gardens before, but it was amazing seeing them growing so densely out in the wild. I thanked my lucky stars I wasn't a fly on the edge of exhaustion.
There was more exotic wildlife to see on arrival. This guy is to a bumble bee what a 747 is to a Cessna!
The intrepid kayakers pose for the obligatory shot before heading off into the unknown. Will we all make it? With all our limbs?
We navigate raging rapids.
But through skill and good fortune come through unscathed.
We stop at remote villages on the riverbank and chat with the locals.
And enjoy dragonfruit for lunch. A real treat. Perhaps one of the benefits of global warming will be to grow one of these in my back yard.
It's the hottest part of the day, so a swim to cool off is in order. No crocodiles to be seen, and I reassure Nik that the swiftness of the current will prevent any leeches from latching on.
I didn't mention the snakes, nor tell her how her granddad had been bitten by a water snake when cleaning down his tank in the Solomon Islands in WW2. The snakes passed us by on this occasion.
Soon we were back into it, marvelling at how the river had undercut the sandstone cliffs.
So all in all a sublime paddle. Lots of fun, plenty of excitement through the rapids, more than enough jungle to look at, and the three of us arrived with all our bits. Good thing the crocs were all down at Jong's farm enjoying the chooks.
A bit sad coming to the end of the trip. Our last full day in Borneo, but certainly a memorable one. Now it's time to start thinking about packing up, heading home, going to work/school, and swapping 30 degrees for 10 degrees. Can't we stay just a bit longer? I'd do the jungle trek even if I didn't see a proboscis monkey!
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