Sukau exploration trip

Since the last trip to Kuala Meruap on April, this time I decided to try and explore around some where close to Sandakan town. So, we don't need such a long time to go fishing Black Bass in Sandakan.......After contacted our friends in Sandakan, BA, Hoe & me flew over last week in search of a new Black Bass fishing ground located at Sukau, about 120km away from Sandakan....In the remote area of Sukau, you can't find any petrol stations. We needed to buy our fuel before hand from Sandakan...... Our friend Lan warmly greeted us...... with her extreme driving skills.Wonderful beef noodle with rich tasty soup for lunch on the way to Sukau......Signboard at the road side showing direction to Kampong Sukau......After about 2 hours drive we reached the Kinabatangan river, one of the Sabah's greatest river with a lenght of 560km...... Loading up into the boat......Here we go.......Peace!!The natives "Orang Sungei" large woooden house stood along the Kinabatangan river......

ferry service along the river....... Finally, we reached one of the Orang Sungei's home which belong to our local guide Osman..... Building house raised high on stilts to avoid any floods.......Guest room for us......Water for shower and toilet comes from the river......

After we unpacked our goods...... we went to survey the nearby river, Menanggol River..... A still backwater system is the home of many wildlifes....

Everyone is so excited with what predatory fish lies beneath....

But in the everning thunder storm struck.....better rush back......

After the storm, we did a little night fishing...... well, here was the catch, catfish Lais....Freashwater prawn..... Udang Galah

Zzzzzzzz.......... Bed time.

Next morning......

Today, we are going to take a 3 hour boat ride to the lower part of the river of Kuala Karabatam, by passing Kampong Abai and many others....Beautiful flowers blooming at the bank.....Fascinating pink colour flowers.....

Finally reached the end of the Kinabatangan river, where it joins the Sulu Sea........

Kampong Keratam.... We tried at one of the rivers named Sg. Tun Tun.....

Started with Hoe catching a baby Barracuda......

Mangrove Jack.....

Wow! Good size.....

Small catches....

Golden Snapper.....
A strong strike on BA's rod..... will it be the Black Bass??

Yes!! Borneo Black Bass..... weight 5kg, good size....

Night fall at Kuala Karabatam....

Simple meal cooked by the locals using the catches.....

Strong wind and rain the next morning.....

Only one fish caught that morning.... Uhhhhhh!

Back to Sukau that everning....... really long journey to go to the sea from here ( it took 4 hours to get back because of fighting the current on the way back)

This Sukau's Chanai..... Crispy and delicious eat together with Sambal Belacan...... Yummy!
Discussing the plan for tomorow....... Where to go??!Next day, we decided to try at Menanggor River...... Menanggor River home to many precious wildlife......Proboscis monkey, found only in Borneo with thier huge fleshy nose......

Wild Orangutan sported eating fruit along the river.....

BA caught a Haruan ( Striped Snake Head ) by throwling along the river......

I tried casting at the bank, a strong bite at the small branch off of the river.... And it turned up a nearly 2 kg Haruan......

My spinner bait went nuts just after one strike...... Never had a Haruan fighting this strong.....
Conmtinue counting up numbers of Haruans.....

Local young fisherman with his catches of freshwater prowns.....

Plentiful freshwater prawns on the boat too.....

Counting up.......

After many strikes of Haruans, all my spinner baits were destroyed.......

We brought home some of the catches for dinner.....Diao brought home his giant catfish too......Come-lah for dinner, don't be shy.....

Dusk at Kinabatangan River..... so invigorating.Preparing the grill Haruan wrap with banana leaf....

Smells good..... Yum Yum!

Do come and get it NOW, good food never stays long on the table..... Caught a baby croc the night before..... I wonder where is the mum....

Our farewell dinner at Diao's home...... Special thanks to our great host Diao, Lan, Jack, Ida,

Panda Hong and Hong for a wonderful exploration of the Kinabatangan tributory. Sea coral marinated in sweet, sour and spicy sauce..... What a delight!