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Post by Robert on May 22, 2008 6:52:57 GMT 8
 Lowland N.veitchii were thought to be growing in most part of the lower mountain range of Sarawak. Where they were sighted their population were low. Their growth habitat heath forest were mostly in inaccessible and untamed places usually at higher altitude. Through researching and interviewing one place was worth investigating. An isolated place that required a walking distance of 3 hrs through virgin jungle, a cave on the mt top where native men dwell and collect bird’s nests. The first 3 trips was unsuccessful –uncertain on the exact trail, some jungle traisl came to an abrupt end for no particular reasons and worse were those that goes up mountain only to find , after an hr or 2, it goes downhill connecting to an abandon logging road. Sunday 18th May, 2008 we set off at first through a typical lowland slightly peaty and sandy. Not much unusual sightings, it was like most lowland that we encountered, 3 species of gingers were very common. Plagiostachys crocydocalyx was first collected in 1865-1867 by Beccari, an Italian botanist. Inflorescence are slimy and enormous…  …and the flowers are yellow.  globba francisci  A solitary stagehorn fern perch on a tall tree   Walking through slightly dense primary forest where trees are thin and straight and growing on the lower section near the ground are bulbophyllum with varying number of petals   A species of terrestrial orchid similar to one that I came across in Bario  The journey continued. The forest were getting more mossy , still no sight of pitcher plants but many exotic plants in vivid colour were found growing among leaves debris. pinanga veitchii  and a species of gesneraid  More unknown plants           Plants filling in every available space provided by nature Creepers and ferns on boulders overgrown with an unknown moss   Beautiful formation by this strange creeper on tree trunk  Unknown aroid  Taking photos of plants slow down our journey. It was already 1.30pm by then. We have already spent 4 hours and the destination wasn’t in sight. It would take about 2 hours to walk out of the forest. Just then 2 bird nest collectors were on their way back, after selling off their harvest and returning with back pack of rations. After discussing our purpose they decided to lead the way. The final ascent was gruelling that required steep climb among exposed roots. A path the collectors purposely chosen, not having to waste making temporary wooden ladder which rot later but making full use of what nature provide. The highest point where they dwell contain caves where the oriental swiftlets populate. The bird nests were priceless and command high price. Hard life but the return was handsome. Except for cooking pots everything were what nature provided. Table and stool were made from hardy sticks.   Enjoying the impressive view down below, from 700 meter above   Right above the cave was the heath forest. We made a quick investigation and saw veitchii, gracilis, reinwardtiana, and hirsuta.There maybe others and hybrids but we’re running out of time. Took some photos and hastily made a quick descent before nightfall, promising to return another day. Veitchii growing on exposed boulder     Thanks again for viewing |
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jk
New Member
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Post by jk on May 22, 2008 7:36:44 GMT 8
Robert, I will send you my doctor's bill for having my jaw reset so that it can be closed. The Nepenthese photos are great, but the others are even better, especially those that show how the bird nest gatherers live.
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Post by Robert on May 22, 2008 8:11:52 GMT 8
Robert, I will send you my doctor's bill for having my jaw reset so that it can be closed. me too, after seeing many jaw dropping neps grown by fellow forumers, have many unclaimed bills..ha..ha |
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aliamyz
Full Member
Serious Nepenthes Collecter
Posts: 234
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Post by aliamyz on May 22, 2008 8:16:26 GMT 8
Robert is superb...!!!  |
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Post by shawnintland on May 22, 2008 8:44:49 GMT 8
Great trip and photos Robert! Thanks for posting! I'm battling another bout of Dengue fever at the moment so this is about all the energy I have to write. Will contact you again when I'm better!
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dom
Full Member
Posts: 218
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Post by dom on May 22, 2008 10:46:13 GMT 8
Oh man...they are beautiful... and nice photos. Thanks for sharing.
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Post by plantlover on May 22, 2008 17:07:46 GMT 8
Oh my! Those neps are gorgeous and cute.  |
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Post by David on May 22, 2008 18:04:37 GMT 8
I always enjoy your story telling Robert. Now I can't wait to see more pictures of neps when you return to that place. I hope you return to that place soon. It's like the story is hanging now. The story was cut off just before the climax... To Be Continued... Arggghhhh.....
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Post by Robert on May 22, 2008 20:24:40 GMT 8
Thanks Dom, aliamyz,aaron. Shawn,dengue would be serious. I think you've common cold.medicine,rest and hot cup of coffee would be good for you  Most welcome David, the returning trip would be in June. Before the end of this month i will be covering with an official group to another highlands, 6 hrs walk one way, for 4 days partly to witness the Gawai Dayak (Rice harvest festival in Borneo). Since we are going there i took an extra day, going a day earlier, to cover the highland kerangas (heath) forest as i have heard of neps habitats 2 hrs walk from the village. This was the best chance. |
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victoria
New Member
The ignorance of man stains the land!
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Post by victoria on May 23, 2008 3:00:10 GMT 8
Sounds like it will be a fun trip Robert! I look forward to your June post  Thanks for sharing! |
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Post by Robert on May 23, 2008 7:13:03 GMT 8
Most welcome Victoria.
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Post by shawnintland on May 23, 2008 7:46:37 GMT 8
Shawn,dengue would be serious. I think you've common cold.medicine,rest and hot cup of coffee would be good for you Most welcome David, the returning trip would be in June. Before the end of this month i will be covering with an official group to another highlands, 6 hrs walk one way, for 4 days partly to witness the Gawai Dayak (Rice harvest festival in Borneo). Since we are going there i took an extra day, going a day earlier, to cover the highland kerangas (heath) forest as i have heard of neps habitats 2 hrs walk from the village. This was the best chance. Hi Robert, I WISH it was a common cold! Dengue is quite serious but the symptoms are 'one-of-a-kind', there's not much chance of mistaking it. When your body seems to levitate off the bed during the shivering bouts and it feels like every bone in your body has been crushed with a sledge hammer, the old name of "bone-break fever" begins to make sense! Fortunately, from past experience I know I'm only a couple days away from 'the rash' and then feeling better. It really does have me questioning my use of the "tray method" for my neps near the house though! Your trip looks incredible! And the up-coming hike sounds likely to be every bit as fulfilling. Just take mossie-repellent along! I hope you can post pictures of the rice harvest festival as well as the Neps. And please continue to post the shots of the non-CP's as well! They are gorgeous. Have a great time! Shawn |
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Post by plantlover on May 23, 2008 17:20:42 GMT 8
Happy recovering, Shawn
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Post by David on May 23, 2008 17:36:44 GMT 8
Shawn,
I think you should check-in to a hospital and find out if it is Dengue hemorrhagic Fever. If it is, it is quite serious. A small proportion of cases lead to dengue shock syndrome which has a high mortality rate. Got to be careful Shawn. If is is just Dengue fever, then you can recover at home.
Wish you get well soon.
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Post by plantlover on May 23, 2008 17:50:45 GMT 8
Just make sure next time to prevent any mosquitoes from breeding.
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Post by shawnintland on May 23, 2008 20:37:21 GMT 8
Shawn, I think you should check-in to a hospital and find out if it is Dengue hemorrhagic Fever. If it is, it is quite serious. A small proportion of cases lead to dengue shock syndrome which has a high mortality rate. Got to be careful Shawn. If is is just Dengue fever, then you can recover at home. Wish you get well soon. Thanks David (and plantlover!), well I'm finishing up on day 5 today and there's light at the end of the tunnel ('Course it could be a train headed straight for my #^*!) It usually only lasts 6-7 days, then you get a rash all over your body and it's clear sailing after that! I've spent a lot of time in the 'bush' here in T-land over the last 15 years and a lot of it in mossie heaven! I did the hospital check-in the first few times I caught it, but basically other than not taking any aspirin, drinking to keep from dehydrating, and dressing in so many layers of clothes that you look ridiculous to anyone living in the tropics, there's not much they can do (except bill you!) There is one good test for Dengue "hemorrhagic" Fever in which they put a blood pressure cuff on you, pump it up and if your arm turns black - it's a positive- but my belt works just fine, the hospital is a long way, and I've been through this all before! (This is about round 7 or 8 now!) Unfortunately, my body reacts really badly to DEET (as I suppose it should when you apply a poison to it!) and it is just too %&*^in' hot for me to run around the mountains all covered up from head to toe! There's apparently 4 main strains, which of course mutate regularly like a flu virus. You get some immunity, for a while, but it generally wears off or you get hit by a different strain. Luckily, each time it's "a little" less severe (Kind of like saying getting run over by a truck the second time doesn't hurt as much because you've been through it before!) I will say that as soon as I'm up and about I will be filling all my Nep trays with tiny pebbles up to the rim! Thanks for the good wishes and I WILL RETURN! ;D |
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Post by rsivertsen on May 23, 2008 21:08:48 GMT 8
Hey Shawn, My thoughts are with you as well. Get well soon, brother! I've been very sick too at times with serious fever from tick bites, Lyme Disease, and other things, shivering all night, aching all over, and sweating it out, it's not fun at all. I met John Turnbull as he was recovering in an Australian hospital from a severe case of Typhoid Fever (salmonella). It seems like a "Rites-of-Passage" for serious botanists to get sick once in a while, like the honors of "battle scars of war". Keep up the great work! I'm looking forward to viewing your reports of the wilds again, staghorn ferns (Playcerium) and all!  Rich |
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dom
Full Member
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Post by dom on May 23, 2008 21:21:28 GMT 8
Hope you guys get well soon. Salmonella virus is from the water. Personally i am the aquatic flora and fauna hobbyist. I am quite concern about this virus also. Just remember to wash hands clean after you have done all of your stuff.
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Post by lisham on May 23, 2008 22:09:38 GMT 8
from this day forward... I'll practise extreme caution when clicking on Roberts' posting... hehehe...
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Post by alienfx on May 24, 2008 11:05:30 GMT 8
Wah,beautiful pictures.Nature at its best;left alone without human.Im very impressed.Wish you can organize a trip for cp lovers..hehehe..
Hope you will get well soon Shawn.Dont take health problems lightly.Anything go to hospital for check up.
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Thanks for sharing!
