last stop

It rained over night. Rainforest Borneo jungle type of rain. It was brilliant. Also very glad we were leaving the jungle today because that rain is going to become humidity as the day warms up.

The end of our 5day Borneo whirlwind tour ends today, but alas we've opted in for one last 'tour'. An evening trip over to ?? Island for the firefly & village tour with dinner at one of Sandakan's most famous seafood restaurants with Rita & Mark. But first, we head back to Sandakan & our little oasis that is, for a shower & probably a nananap & swim.

We didn't get to the swim, but instead found room service & that nananap.

Headed out to Tanjung Aru Island - against the tide & nearly a 3ft swell in places we headed into the calmer but rather shallow waters for a mangrove meander. A few more birds & proboscis monkeys before wandering along the 'boardwalk' of the water village. It really is a special place - people displaced by society can thrive when given an opportunity. We were invited into the Chiefs house for tea & a delicious 'birds nest' like sweet. We asked a few modest questions & were granted a photo.
A few learned facts from outer home visit to Tanjung Aru water village:
Chiefs are elected by the villagers & serves for 5yrs (unless doing a terrible job & then he will be evicted).
Chief remains in family home, it is only the title that changes. The wife takes on responsibility of women's issues, which she passes on to the chief who will then sort the problem. This usually consists of a meeting with all concerned to sit & discuss the issue until it is resolved.
Over 80 dialect in Sabah - Jef our guie speaks 6 ...plus English
Religions get along since some sort of agreement was come to (I'd need to research that more for a proper answer)
Crime is low as trust is high. They say the non-Malays are responsible for crime rates. They also say the garbage in their harbour & shores are carried by currents from the Philippines rather than accept some responsibility. Remembering the Philippines have a cash refund for bottles - we doubt they are throwing money away.

In search of fire flies we found a few. With half a moon lighting the sky they are more difficult to locate & see.
We began the boat trip back to Sandakan.. Much less swell going with the current & went to the 'best seafood restaurant in Sandakan' - Pusat Makanan Pasir Putih. It was not a place you would identify as the best of you were driving past. Alfresco in nature, with tanks of live produce on the way to the tandas & large tables with plastic plates. But; as the rule goes, if it's busy with locals then it must be good. And it was.
Still haven't found the Lemongrass Pancake House.