Bukit Melapi Resort – private dock.
When we left Labuk Bay, we headed straight for Sukau. In the interiors of Sabah, the ride itself was an interesting one because Hamit, our guide kept spotting birds for us to see. We stopped several times for the Greater Coucal that walked on the fringe of the jungle. We tried to ambush it from the car with my lens sticking out of the window but this bird outsmarted us. Even the journey gave us several species of Kingfishers & Herons. I was wondering what Kinabatangan would be like.
The crew.
Soon as we got into Bukit Melapi Resort, we headed out on a cruise. Then a boat with foreigners sailed by asking us permission if they could fly a helicopter overhead as they wanted to film. There was a boat tailing this one & looking at the solitary person sitting in front, I did a double take. I asked the foreigners, “Where are you from?” to which they replied, “We are from the BBC!” proudly. As I couldn’t hold my excitement further, recognising the lone ranger on the boat behind, I asked, “Is that Sir David Attenborough???” And they nodded excitedly. Before you know it, Alex, Marts, Hamit & myself were waving frantically saying hello to the living legend! Then I turned to the crew & said, “Sure! Fly whatever you must & take as much footage as you need to show the world what Kinabatangan is all about!!!” And the crew politely thanked us in their thick British accent.
Sir David Attenborough himself!!!
He smiled & nodded, acknowledging our frenzy before continuing their journey. I shot the helicopter alright, with the cameraman sitting precariously over the edge as they filmed.
Later, the helicopter parked by the open space next to our resort & we went over to ”˜inspect’ the machine as all curious creatures do when there are subjects of interest in the area. Couldn’t resist the pose with the flying machine!
We didn’t think that we would meet him face to face after seeing tons of his works on TV & being such a fan of them. Saying we were star-struck was an understatement. He was a real-lifer! What else did we find at Kinabatangan? Find out in my next post….. 🙂
Hi Pummkin (is that your name?)
You newer know who will read your blog right?
I’m in the process of developing my own blog and yours are really great.
If you where wondering who I am, I’m the person steering the Borneo Eco Tours boat that carried the BBC crew. At the time I was manager at Sukau Rain-forest Lodge and I was the host for BBC. I’m also and adventurer and Borneo is my forth destination after Southern Africa, USA and the Middle East.
Please may I use some of the pictures that you posted in this entry? It’s for my blog I’m working on.
Thank you
Don Booysen
Hi Don!
It’s my pleasure meeting you & the party you were with! Thank you for getting in touch with me & as long as you credit me with a link to my blog for the pictures you wish to use for non-commercial purposes on your blog, that’s fine. So where are you working now?
Pummkin has been my screenname for the longest time. It’s derivation of a word & my initials ‘P’ in city bumpkin. My name is Pamela Lim. Pleasure to meet you! Hope I can be a part of your adventure one day!
Cheerio!
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