The next day I decided that I needed to try this mud volcano experience - so once again we made the long walk into the jungle. I had a love/hate relationship with the mud volcano - I didn’t really want to go in, however I felt like I should try it. I thought about how when I was a little girl I would love to make mud pies in our backyard. I would work on them for hours, getting just the right consistency. I would decorate them with leaves and twigs and take it to my mom showing off my proud ‘baking skills’. I told myself that this was no different so I went into the gray/green sludge. It was grainy and thick and full of leaves and twigs (at least that’s what I told myself the solid objects were). Though I was glad I tried it, it was not a very pleasant experience. I guess I liked making mud pies better than being in a mud pie! My skin felt softer than ever, though, and it was free. What a great spa value!
After the week in Borneo participating in various activities, we concluded that Borneo was an emerging travel destination for westerners. Even though they had lots of travel agencies, hotels, and tours, we found that most of the time they were about 50% there on the execution of such tours, especially in terms of service. So - as a traveler - you had to be patient, trusting, and simply go with the flow.
Russ and I enjoyed our last night in Kinabalu by the harbor. We celebrated with a fresh coconut at the market (I would have loved a little Rum in mine!) Borneo met my expectations; my trip to ‘wild’ Borneo was complete. I didn’t have to pick leeches off of my legs, but I still felt tough having survived the white water rafting, Mt. Kinabalu and the mud volcano. I may not ever be an adventure racer, but that doesn’t mean that I’m not adventurous!
©Sherry Ott