A warm welcome to any new followers, and to all my other friends. Click on any of the pictures to enlarge them.

Today we are off for a visit to the orchid gardens at Kinabalu Park. Really looking forward to this as the orchids I am told are spectacular, and looking at different  scenery driving along.

Along the way we are honoured, Mt Kota Kinabalu shows her face and according to legend, if you can see the peaks then you are blessed. Like the 'Mountains of the Moon ' range in Uganda, the peaks are usually shrouded in cloud. But today we were blessed, the clouds lifted for a short time, just long enough for us to see it.

   



We also see this waterfall while driving along, it did look inviting. I would have loved a trip down to it and maybe a splash, even if it was probably freezing cold.

 







We pass villages nestling down in the valleys

                              

 Finally we arrive at the park, boy, is it hot and humid here. The heat hits you after an air-conditioned bus. Still we are in the rain forest!

                                 
There may be a lot of trails that you can go on, but I think we will keep to the simple paths, but have been told we are in for a short forest walk after looking at the orchids. Hope their short is my kind of short walk!! I am not a marathon hiker these days.

Here are some of the fantastic blooms that we walked amongst. It was not the best time of the year to view the blooms, but hey, these were wonderful.Just wish mine at home were the same. Still the one I have got is just about to bloom, I think.

                                                                         

 Here were some very pretty  orchids.

                            

   





We come across the smallest, about the size of the top of a pin, then one of the larger ones. The slipper orchid, you can easily see how it got it's name  

                            We then arrive at a fenced off enclosure and there behind glass is the 'Rothschild Orchid'  This is an endangered species and also very rare and valuable. It can take up to 15 years to flower, and a single stem of blooms can cost over £3000. No wonder it is under lock and key. As far as I know this is the only place you can see this orchid, or that's what the Internet told me when I checked it up. I only know it was a beautiful exquisite  orchid. Not an easy photo to take with the fence and glass.

Rothschild Orchid

                                                   

 Strolling along the path, listening to the birds chirping away, butterflies everywhere, and you can feel a tranquillity coming over you. Yes, there are other tourists around, and the usual chatter going on, but there is that sense of peace as well.                          

   

     




   We meet up with the guide who is taking us on our walk. Having heard how people can get lost in these forests, will make sure we are right on his tail! There are tree roots to be clambered over, and little streams to watch out for, hot, humid and wet feet! The trees that you cannot see the tops of because they are so tall, all whisper and rustle in the little breeze that they might be getting from so high up in the sky. Down under where we are, that could be a million miles away. But where the sun does get through, light dances off the plants, and the colours that filter through, make it like a laser display.
The undergrowth has a variety of pretty leaves and plants, you have to watch where you walk. Lizards scuttle around, and luckily we did not come across any snakes, after having be warned to look out for them, as well as any nasty spiders.

 

 Then you come across something large but  dainty like this.

Thoroughly enjoyed our walk and our guide was a walking nature book, pointing out this and that, answering questions. could not praise him enough.

Our day is soon over here and it's on our way back to our hotel. Just in time to enjoy a look at one of our spectacular sunsets.

                                       Picture of the week is nothing like we saw, but we did see lots of creepers and climbing vines.

"Robin in the Ivy"

                                                      

Do try and join me again next week for another day out.

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Well the picture is now coming on and taking shape. I have filled in some more of the face, still have some more to do on it, but it's slowly getting there.