25th Nov – Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia.
Kota Kinabalu is on the island of Borneo. Home of the Orangutans. I booked a ship’s tour to see the Orang-utans as times didn’t work out for a private tour. I asked a few times if we were going to the zoo or to the free range orang-utans. And I was told a few times that we were NOT going to the zoo, but to the Orang-utans that were being rehabilitated for return to the wild.
So off I went. 
First was the Mari Mari Cultural Village – very interesting. It was a collection of huts from the five different tribes of the Sabah area.
There was also the Kota Kinabalu Museum which had some interesting exhibits. (I don’t think our ship tour included entry into this as I seemed to be the only one who went in – oops).
So I jumped back into the bus and off we headed to our “Wildlife Encounter” as the RCI advertising billed this trip.
You can imagine my surprise when the guide said that it was about 15 minutes to ………..the zoo. “What” says I. “Yes the zoo”. Not the free range guys as I was told!
We arrived at a nice modern facade of the Lok Kawi Wildlife Park. We would be here for 2 1/2 hours. Not happy but in I went. And not for long. I walked up towards the Orang-utans and was disgusted!
The most revolting 1960’s style zoo with pitiful cages. Yes cages not pens. And totally unsuitable! Emus standing in mud. 10 Elephants in a 1/4 acre pen. They were all weaving and trumpeting. Orang-utans (a jungle animal) huddling under poles to get shade and a leopard in a 3x5m pen with no direct sunlight.
WHEN IN ASIA PLEASE DON’T GO TO PLACES THAT EXPLOIT ANIMALS.
Of course I stormed out after 10 minutes, left the tour and caught a taxi ($50 US!) back to the ship to “express my disgust”, which I did clearly!
Not a happy day.
Back on the ship we sailed past many oil rigs. Many were burning off the gas. It did look good. 
Then into a lovely sunset. I guess we were going west
26th, 27th 28th November – Sea Days
Crossing the Equator is always a fun day. But awfully muggy. The camera was not happy when I first walked outside.
Lots of fun days and nights.
Next tab – Bali