25-Jul-2024
In the last post I talked about walking in BSB. But we also had an ace wildlife-spotting day yesterday. This is not always the case with us. Often we DON'T see things.
It kicked off with our post-breakfast stroll. We walked over the bridge to an area where -- we discovered -- there's a glitzy supermarket and tons of cafes, and on the way back, there in the water were TWO crocodiles:
Teeth... Shudder, shudder, shudder
Well, they do warn you...
Later that morning, as booked, we did the hotel's little river cruise, which turned out to be really good.
It doesn't take long to be completely clear of the city, and find yourself surrounded by just trees and water
Proboscis monkeys. It's always the tails you see first
We've seen these guys many times. But every time is special
A very noble-looking eagle
And our third croc of the day. The boatman saw another, but we weren't quick enough to spot it
Amazing mangroves
Tame life. Absolutely domesticated. Can't even eat with its fingers
Not sure...
As well as the wildlife, you get really good views of BSB's architecture, and of the very extensive water village area:
The palace
There's something about those gold domes...
Another palace, said the boatman. Not finished yet
How amazing would it be to live here? Little house in the forest (with dome)... Little matching boat port (with dome)...
I love this mosque...
We think this attractive building is a community hall
These watery places are another world
The fire station...
The Raja Isteri Pengiran Anak Hajah Saleha (RIPAS) Bridge
Bumbungan Dua Belas. Where the British residents lived in the old days. We looked for this place when we were last here, but failed to find it
So, that was a great little trip. Very enjoyable.
But we were due for another instalment of wildlife -- on our way back from the supermarket later that day.
I'm not sure if this was one of the ones we saw earlier, but it made for a surreal experience: There you are with your shopping bags, and no more than three metres away, there's a humongous crocodile...
Neither of us has seen a wild crocodile at quite such close quarters. OK, there's a railing... But we both independently thought: I wonder how high crocs can jump...
First glimpse
Oops, he's on the move. Or she. I don't know how you tell...
Quiescent again
It's the stuff of nightmares, and at the same time amazing...
All in all, a pretty damn cool day...