vincent 121 Posted March 9, 2013 Report Share Posted March 9, 2013 (edited) Hello! I had the chance to visit the region of Kuching, Sarawak on Borneo. Magic! My idea was to see some lowland Nepenthes, and I can tell you I wasn't disappointed at all! I went in the Bako National Parc, where proboscis monkeys and other animals were waiting for me. But my actual targets were, of course, the few Nepenthes species that are growing there. They are quite common ones, but I really think they were fantastic. I re-discovered Nepenthes rafflesiana. The variability between the individuals is stunning. See by yourself: The same, closer. Fabulous peristome! One of my favorite Nep being ampullaria, you can't imagine how excited I was when I found many of them. Some of them even climbed up to more than 10m! And even upper pitchers: And a few other species: N. gracilis More N. gracilis... A lot more, actually! N. albomarginata N. hirsuta Population of N. reinwardtiana on the sea side (only a few meter from the sea) Who said that Nep and Droseras needs different growing conditions? Drosera spatulata var. bakoensis + N. gracilis. Some like to live dangerously... But it was so hot that I quite envied this one. After Bako, I went to Bau to see N. northiana. Great place, and funny to see them hanging to the cliffs. I wanted to see them "face-to-face", but unfortunately I couldn't find them. And the guides who could show me them closer asked for about 125 to 250 euros! For a 30km half-a-day trip, it's REALLY too expensive! Especially when you know the cost of living there. For example, big bowl of soup costs about 0.8 euro... The plant is on the top. Zoom: I have to show you at least one picture of a proboscis monkey (Bako) and one of an orang-outang (Semenggoh), since I was visiting their home. Very impressive! For your information, food is simply excellent and costs nothing. I even tried the famous chicken feet that chinese people like so much. Well... let's say that it's not really my taste... Edited March 11, 2013 by vincent Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Anna 0 Posted March 9, 2013 Report Share Posted March 9, 2013 Congrats for the photos! I've never seen the upper pitchers of N. ampullaria, they're fantastic. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Andreas Eils Posted March 9, 2013 Report Share Posted March 9, 2013 Again a bunch of stunning Raffs!!! You´ve been to very nice Nepenthes spots indeed! Oops, 250.- EUR fee for a 30 km trip sounds truely a bit expensive. How many guides wanted to join you? I don´t know perhaps you needed to negotiate with them. Hehe...proboscis monkeys look really funny! These NOSES!!! Erm...I think I can do without chicken feet, too! But if you should be ever on the Philippines one day you have to try Balut..... The Philippines prefer to eat them in twilight! Thanks for posting! The pics are a pleasure! Andreas Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Defalotus 57 Posted March 9, 2013 Report Share Posted March 9, 2013 Balut doesnt look too appetizing. Maybe thats why its commonly served with beer lol. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Daniel O. 62 Posted March 10, 2013 Report Share Posted March 10, 2013 Wonderful looking N. rafflesiana with really huge pitchers. Hmmm, chicken feet but the rest of the portion looks delicious. Best regards, Daniel Quote Link to post Share on other sites
blackd.712 6 Posted March 10, 2013 Report Share Posted March 10, 2013 WOW! Congrats for the photo! Thanks for posting! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
christerb 24 Posted March 10, 2013 Report Share Posted March 10, 2013 Great photos! We did see the N. reinwardtiana on the cliffs as well. Interesting also seeing the N. hirsuta, very nice. The ones we saw were all green, no spotted pitchers. However, that there were plants with spotted pitchers makes sense, since apparently populations near Bako - Mt Santubong, and Mt Serapi is supposed to have spots too. I did see this species in Bario as well, and they were also all green. Regards, Christer Quote Link to post Share on other sites
vincent 121 Posted March 11, 2013 Author Report Share Posted March 11, 2013 Hi, Yes, N. rafflesiana was really stunning! @Andrea: well, I check on google, and I'm not sure I'll try the Balut if I go in the Philippines... I'll have to be really hungry! But I'll take the beer, as you can imagine when you check the picture of my profile! Cheers Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Andreas Eils Posted March 11, 2013 Report Share Posted March 11, 2013 @Andrea: well, I check on google, and I'm not sure I'll try the Balut if I go in the Philippines... I'll have to be really hungry! *cough* Andreas, please! In Italy Andrea is a male forename. In Germany Andrea is a female name (like my female cousin)...yeah, it may sound stupid to you and I had this discussion with Italians before as the name Andrea derives from the Greek word "andros" = male. Germans just don´t have a clue! LOL Alright, back to the very TASTY Balut... Volker Heinrich who emmigrated to the Philippines recommended me years ago to taste Balut if I should ever come to the Philippines. He promised me an unforgettable taste adventure! The soft feathers of the duck embryo tickle smoothly the palate and the beak clicks gently if you bite on it he described eating Balut. Well, I wasn´t really convinced I have to admit! But if you show me chicken feet or broiled chicken butts or stinky tofu I just can´t do without a hint on Balut. "Balut is not only food it is more like Philippine Viagra!" ---> http://idaniswriting.wordpress.com/tag/balut/ "I have 16 children and five wifes because of Balut!" Hmhm...however looking at the cute, delighted boy on the website I linked I guess Balut has the potential of a drug giving you plenty of happiness... Always curious about strange customs Andreas Quote Link to post Share on other sites
vincent 121 Posted March 13, 2013 Author Report Share Posted March 13, 2013 Hallo AndreaS (and sorry for the typo!) Well, let's say the placebo effect of Balut might well be the same as for other stuffs, that are usually from endangered species (tiger's wenis, etc). But still, on a purely culinary side, I don't think I'll try... ;-) Cheers Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Alexander Nijman 11 Posted March 17, 2013 Report Share Posted March 17, 2013 Yes, the that part of Borneo is very nice! I have been there 11 years ago. And also seen Nepenthes northiana close by, without a guide. You just need to find a spot where you can get face to face with them. Costa Nepenthes, just the place to be! Alexander Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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