26 — Sunday, August 8, 1999 — North Shore News north shore news Size matters in the jungles i Borneo Newton Hockey Contributing Writer THE myth that Borneo is a primitive back- water is dispelled when you alight from an air- plane at one of it’s international airports. Computers allow access to the world, and modern buses and taxis whisk people off to five-star hotels along smooth, wide highways. The whole infrastructure of Malaysian Borneo caters to visitors mak- ing an adventure holiday very comfortable. Highlights of our three week trip to Sarawak, Sabah and Brunei are difficult to list SHOW _August 9th, 7pma__ 7pm REV? as the whole experience was wonderful. Most people would agree the Orang Utan rehabilitation centre in Scpilok, near Sandakan, is an exceptional excursion. ce these near relatives of ours in the wild was remarkable and one admires the job of the park rangers who work so hard to re-intro- duce these orphans back into the jungle. They feed them each day with bananas and eventually the animals get so sick of the same diet that they learn to find their own food Many unusual animals can be seen as you trek through exotic jungles on well main- Presenting the Classic Luxury Experience | on the Crystal Sa Symphony November 19 - Dec 1 Cruise India, Thailand & Singapore. ft Ask about the deluxe Taj Mahal package LONGBOAT excursions allow visitors the opportunity to learn more about the Iban trike and their culture. tained trails. Monkeys are common and even elephants can be found in the deep jun- gle of Sabah. Bird and butter. fly life is amazing and the beautiful creatures are easy to § A 4 e CD», e\ 2 lett * Book nowand save avon O%t ° : at photograph. The National Parks are well organized and park rangers can advise you where to find the animals and even the rare Rafflesia flower — the largest flower in the world at a metre across. Bornco boasts some of the largest caves in the world: London’s Saint Paul’s Cathedral would fit into Deer Cave six times over; the Sarawak Chamber van accom- modate 90 Boeing 747 air- craft. Every evening two million bats exit the caves, spiralling in different directions a hundred thousand at a time. You don’t have to have special equipment to explore the caves as the paths are well niaintained. The off-shore islands offer snorkelling and diving and on the Turtle Islands you can observe these huge animals laying their eggs. On our trip, we made numerous jungle excursions including a boat journey to see the longhouses of the descen- dants of the originai head- hunters of the Iban tribe. They are very friendly and welcome you into their homes to view their traditional way of life as hunters, fishermen and crop cultivators. Visitors can observe pep- r coffee, rice and maize ing processed as well as carving and weaving. The jungles are hot and humid but the waterways are beautiful and cooi. We loved our trip so much that we are going again with a small group next October. — Noreen and Newton Hockey are frequent travellers to. Asia and Central America and take small groups with them on occasion. They can be contacted at 926-4999 ay . Family Travel -is all about sharing priceless memories Plan Now For Your Year 2000 CLUB MED “Family Escape” : from $1099 + ax | per person including "direct charter flight from Vancouver and 7 nights at one of Club Med's "Kid Friendly" villages. Travel after Jan. ig Ambleside Office (604) 926-8511 Edgemont Office Phone: (604) 986-2262 ‘a g os Asia! Py Smali group adventu > journeys to Vieman, - China, Thailand, Laos and Cambodia : TRAVae &B indochina 2 ‘A Deion of Canasnte btecateeat Rares . » Highiigh?s of Vietnam: » Saigon to Hanoi ~ China b Beach. 10 days : Thailand Jungles & : Hilltribes -- Bangok, - y elephant and hilitribe - p trekking. | 17. days - best of Indochina. 18 days * Land cost only. $4175 No single supplements.” ; 7-DAY WESTERN CARIBBEAN CRUISE Nev. 28, 1999 Miami « Playa del Carmen/Cozumel e Grand Cayman @ Ocho Rios © Miarni from SEE Peon. cruise only -DAY MEXICAN “RIVIERA CRUISE Nov. 7, 1999 Los Angeles * Puerto Vallarta ° Mazatlan 2 Cabo San Lucas © Los Angeles