EmmaGoodEgg

BWN-BKK-BWN

The last time I was in Bangkok was during the early stages of World Cup 2002.  I was there with my sisters and Myuzim, for about a week, watching the Fobissea Games of which Myuzim was a part of.  I remember Boots (woohoo!), the traffic jams and people always mistaking us for Thais or Filipinos.  I remember texting the husband about Chatuchak Market, which I hated and called the Seventh Ring of Hell because of its sebok-ness. 

And I remember watching the first game of World Cup 2002 at the Hard Rock Cafe wearing a bright red FCUK t-shirt that says FCUK Football...What about me?  I was hard-ass back in those days, I think.  Or just plain silly.

Bangkok then was just another country I visited.  It was humid and muggy and disorganised.  I did not stop to find the quaint and quirky things to do when in Thailand because us Bruneians, we are all so conditioned to shop-till-you-drop which left no time for anything else.  I have since then come to learn, and love, that each new place has a way of charming itself into your heart.  And its not through its shopping.

I have a feeling that I would like Bangkok more this time around.  I am really looking forward to posting a travel post on Bangkok when we return.  Until then, have a good World Cup Finals 2006 (Go Italy!!!) and take care.

Central Java Quaked

but hopefully Merapi does not boil over...

I've been to Central Java and Yogyakarta twice (once for my hen week in 2004, where us B5ers stayed at the Losari Coffee Plantation) and another time earlier this year, with the husband and Myuzim.  Central Java is definitely one of my favourite places to visit.  Borobudur, the Javanese culture with their Keratons and Pangerans, Prambanan Temples (the Ramayana outdoor ballet is a must-see) and the verdant greens of the countryside, are a wonder to behold.

The quake (measuring 5.9 on the richter scale) rumbled through Central Java 3 days ago and currently the death toll has reached 5,000 and left 200,000 homeless.  My symphathies to those who fell victim to this terrible disaster.  The Javanese are the nicest kind of people, and please dear God, they don't need Merapi to erupt as well.

And its good to know Borobudur, Sean Flakeler and the staff at Amanjiwo are unharmed.

My boys & Amanjiwo.

Borobudur, from Dagi Hills.

Dagi Hills, from Borobudur.

Back From Ulu Mulu

and, God my calves hurt like hell.

That's for trying to be a Jungle Jane.  An effort, IMHO, I gave my best foot forward and suffer calves so tense that I walk all wrong!

Still, my trip to Mulu with Iz, Myuzim, Wid & KF was a super fun and enlightening. 

From BWN to MYY on a rented van courtesy of Hertz, MYY to MZV took 30 minutes on a Fokker50.  Our package was arranged by Pan Bright Travel Service.

The entire Royal Mulu Resort is built on and of stilts and walkways.  A covered becha delivered our luggage to the room. 

Views from the verandah.

The larger-than-life foliage of the Mulu rainforest.

Views of the Deer Cave, the largest cave opening in the world, from the Bat Observatory.  After the tour of the cave, visitors sit outside at the Observatory and watch the streams of fruit bats fly out of the cave entrance (think Pitch Black)...

At the mouth of Deer Cave.

At one point, our jaded guide Ricky made us look back and howdy folks, its Abraham Lincoln's profile?  I cannot confirm the accuracy of this natural phenomenon as its too high to verify.

A breathtaking view from inside Deer Cave and what a pity you can't smell the bat guano.

The entrance of Lang's Cave, named after the Penan guide who stumbled upon it in 1977.

The smallest of the four caves of Mulu, Lang's Cave smaller dimensions enable visitors to view the limestone formations that look alive.

Enroute via a motored long boat to Wind and Clearwater Caves, we visit the Penan settlement, all quiet on the Sabbath.

From inside the Wind Cave.

You can see stalagmites.

And stalagtites.

The one-leaf plant on the ceiling at the entrance of Clearwater Cave.

Going down into the bowels of Clearwater.

Looking up its entrance.

A garden peeping into Clearwater Cave.

My travelling mates the Pond Nymphs.

The pool at the resort.

At the base of the Canopy Walk, Mulu National Park.

Its walkways were a wee bit terrifying.

But ultimately well worth it.

Earth Mother Emma.  Out.

xx

Plugs For Home

I am here.

We have some nice spots.

What some visitors say with pictures about Brunei Darussalam.

How to get here.

Not to be mistaken for a recommendation, here's where one can choose to stay.

And eat here.

Emma.  Done her good deed for the day.

xx