9. Mulu to Kota Kinabalu

Our last morning in Mulu involves a tour of the tree top canopy walk.  We had to be ready at 6:30 am to catch the shuttle in time.  At 480 feet long, it's the longest suspension canopy walk in the world.  We didn't see much wildlife as the larger birds and mammals prefer the primary forest.  That's the description for the  rainforest that hasn't ever been affected by humans.  Here the tree canopy is fully developed with mature trees forming a tall blanket over the underbrush.  Here less than 5% of the sunlight hits the jungle floor.  

The guide did show us a well camouflaged viper snake resting on a branch.  It wraps its tale around the branch for stability.  Some of the people in our group were getting pretty close to that snake to get their picture.  That is until the guide reminded them the snake is venomous.  

The canopy walk is fun, as you're  suspended high above the ground on a suspended catwalk which sways when you walk on it.  The safety rule was not more than two per section and not more than two per suspended support around a tree.  The height of the trees used to support the various sections of the catwalk are enormous and raise you pretty high above the canopy floor. 

We returned to the hotel to get ready to leave for Kota Kinabalu, or KK as everyone refers to it. But first we have time to take in our last breakfast.  The we get packed and get ready for our afternoon flight  This is a city formerly known as Jesseltown when it was under British rule.  

The check in procedures are pretty standard at the Malaysian airports.  First you need to get your checked baggage through a scanner. A security officer puts a sickly label on your bag over the zippered opening showing that your baggage is cleared.  Now you line up to check the bag and pick up your boarding pass.  

On the way the plane lands at Miri airport to take in more passengers and to drop some off.  All passengers going onto Sandakan,  such as Judith and I, must clear immigration.  Not sure why since we're still in the same country.  I think that some of the states consider themselves as separate regions requiring this extra immigration step. 

We are picked up at the airport by a young man, Alex who takes us to the Jesselton Hotel in downtown KK.  He goes through our itinerary for the next few days and talks about what to expect.  

We get checked into our room.  Jesselton Hotel is the oldest hotel in KK. We ask him for dinner suggestions and he points out a few choices for us.

I need a nap and fall into bed.  By the time I'm up, Judith is keen to grab a bite.  We head down the street and end up at a place "Little Italy" which of course is an Italian restaurant.  Before we go in I make a statement that I regret making--that is when you travel to a foreign country such as Malaysia why would you go to an Italian restaurant?  While I don't think Judith took offence, I do agree that she is entitled to comfort food when travelling.  It's hard to be on the road so long and eating these often strange unrecognizable food.  And we both thought the food was surprisingly good despite the decor that included a large full sized concrete statue of Zeus.  

We walk around the block before heading black to the hotel.  We found a store that specializes in durian products -- durian flavoured tea, mochi (a Japanese dessert) candy, freeze dried, everything but the fresh stuff.

Tomorrow's pickup is at 5:05 am.  We set the alarm for 4:30.