#belalong

P.S Yes I am the one in blue 

DAY 2 - 14th December

After breakfast, we were getting ready for a forest walk along the Ashton Trail (which we had to climb a steep stone staircase up a hill). During the journey we were able to see a variety of life due to the abundant biodiversity in the jungle. Despite being under the canopy layer (we were protected from the sun’s rays), it was still quite hot. The humidity of the surrounding area must have been high which could also explain why there are still leafy green plants on the forest floor (The more humid it is, the more water vapour there is in the air). 

We were also tasked to conduct several tests on the ecosystem. These tasks includes measuring the trunk of the same species of trees (More specifically not the Bornean Ironwood tree as we had only managed to see one which was beside the staircase leading to the Ashton Trail), occasionally recording the humidity of the surrounding area as we continue to ascend the steep hill and noting down the species of avians present from time to time (This was the most challenging one as all of us were as talkative as a herd of geese).

P.S.S We were also split into smaller groups as the pathways were quite narrow and there were many thorny plants hidden among the tall plants.

We had finished faster than the members of the staff had expected so we returned to our lodging for lunch, just before continuing another walk in the forest but this time we had to use a ‘Temuai” to maneuver the fast stream of water. 

Once we crossed the stream of water, we made our way to the famed Canopy Walkway (which was simply amazing by the way) but we had to use a detour as the main passageway to the Canopy Walkway had been sealed off (Without our guide’s knowledge too). During the journey, there had been several mishaps that occured to my group as we climbed the slippery slopes of mud haphazardly (One friend of mine had slipped and fell so many times, we decided to give the mishaps a name in honor of him :D). 

The sky was still blue when we reached the Canopy Walkway, the staff members advised that only two people were allowed to cross the walkway together. Initially I declined to climb the seemingly unstable metal erection but I hastenly changed my mind as curiosity got the better of me (I have a fear of heights-ish).

P.S.S.S I was on the highest part of the walkway which overlooked the entire jungle 

P.S.S.S.S When we both climbed the structure, it was shaking uncontrollably and it gave me the worst fright of my life.

P.S.S.S.S.S the walk back to our lodgings was not easy

We went back to the lodging facility to attend a seminar on a rare species of ‘Exploding Ants’ only found in Brunei by two scientists who are part of an international research team (I couldn’t get a proper recording of the ants ‘in action’ but the way the ant charged at the enemy ant and exploded, causing the enemy ant to be stuck in a glue like substance but the exploding ant will immediately die soon after. The ant that is stuck in the substance would be trapped with no way of escaping.). Sadly we were not able to enter the laboratory as members of the research team were using it to conduct their analysis on the ‘Colobopsis Saundersi‘. 

P.S I am the one with sunglasses if I didn’t make that clear before :D

Activity: Scientific Expedition in Belalong, Temburong Date(s): 13th, 14th, 15th & 16th December 2019 Time: Throughout the 3 days Organization: Kuala Belalong Field Studies Centre (UBD) Hours: 36 ish Hours in total 

DAY 1 - 13th December

This was my first time spending four days and 3 nights in the jungle with so many different people so I was quite nervous but luckily there were several familiar faces that I had recognized and eased my nervousness (You can see this in the two photos above). At the Jalan Residency Jetty in Bandar Seri Begawan, is where we were supposed to gather before embarking on our small expedition into the Temburong Jungle.

I was quickly acquainted with a few people who were my age (lucky me :D) and we ended up having a rather enjoyable conversation during the boat ride to Pekan Bangar, Temburong. At the destination, we boarded a bus to reach Batang Duri. Then we were on a really, really tiny boat called a ‘Temuai’ (On my boat there was a huge brown recluse and because of the creature I had almost caused the boat to shift heavily on one side). 

P.S.S This was before I had noticed the spider slowly making its way towards me :/

Once we had reached our destination, we were immediately led to a spacious dining hall, we were formally introduced to each other and a short briefing about the institute’s safety protocols. As the session ended at around 4:30 pm, we were left to our own devices until dinner at 7:00 pm. Me and my several new acquaintances used this time to get to know each other better.

P.S.S.S We all had to take a shower as the humidity of the jungle was quite high

Finally after dinner was concluded, we are formally introduced to the Kuala Belalong Field Studies Centre and the importance of Brunei’s Rainforests by a powerpoint presentation by the staff (If I am not mistaken his name was Rodzay?)