Year 2- 15th October 2025 – Borneo-Kalimantan – Our 3 Day Tour

It was another wet night but we slept well listening to the pitter patter of rain and the jungle noises. We showered and prepared for breakfast. The boat got under way before breakfast as we had some distance to travel until we got to the next feeding point which was at 9.00am and we wanted to be on land by about 8.15-8.30am so we returned down the narrow channel dodging various bits of floating reeds and grassy little Islands.

I decided to see how they helmed this boat and asked the Captain to join him in the wheelhouse which was low down and just behind the bow. There were no instruments but small wooden wheel with knobs like the old wooden ships. This was attached to a loop of rope which disappeared under floor and presumably led to the rudder under the floor through some blocks. There was a throttle lever and a gear lever. The Captain let me helm and the guide was surprised that I found it easy as most people who try over steer etc.

We motored along nicely and I tried to avoid floating debris. However, after while the bota would not steer properly and then the Captain tried but he could not steer it either. We stopped the boat and one of the crew dived under (despite the risk of crocodiles) and cleared a weed and stick from the rudder which was preventing it turning properly.

After a while we came to the platform of the feeding station which was called Pondok Tanggu. We again had to walk through the forest and Si showed us some fish planters which are tall vase shape and which have fluid in and are used by the plant to catch flies and insects. He explained that if you were stuck in the jungle you could drink it if you had to. We then walked to the feeding platform and waited. We could see a large male hanging in the trees who was waiting patiently. He was apparently the King Male called Silo. In addition there was another male who used to be the King in a tree nearby – Silo would not be impressed if this male approached.

The rangers came out to put out the food and Silo came on to the platform and began to gorge himself on bananas and he eat a lot. We saw a female with a baby up a tree but she would not approach and waited. Eventually Silo was full and he wondered off into the jungle. Then several females approached some with babies and eat away. The babies tried to eat as well which was difficult holding on to the mother. Some females were clearly wary of others and there seemed to be a bit of a pecking order.  One female when she finished eating climbed round the trees behind us and watched us watching the platform.

After an hour and a half we left and returned to the boat. Over the 3 days we had seen a lot of orangutans and I am in awe of them as I was the first-time round. It had been another fantastic experience and it was good to see so many looking so healthy.

 We returned to the boat and had a snack and then lunch whilst under way as we had to return back to Kumai and Stormbird. It was a lovely motor back through the river and there were some quite large floating islands which we had to avoid. The light on the side of the reeds and palm trees was very colourful. There were more fisherman as we approached the Kumai river and more traffic.

 We eventually came out and motored up the Kumai River to find Stormbird still there and various new boats anchored around us. Mark, Keith and I came on board and opened up and as planned Steve, Ruth and Janet went with our guide to the shops to get some provisions – namely fresh fruit and veg etc.

Mark, Keith and I opened up the boat and tommy surprise after 3 days the 24-v system was at 100% meaning that the solar panels had been doing a good job and all I had left on was the automatic bilge pump, fridge and freezer. The 12v system was down to 78% which was not bad. Keith cleaned out the fridge and Mark did some glueing of bits that needed it and I did some passage planning.  My conclusion was that I thought it would be a good idea to have a good night’s sleep and leave early with the outgoing tide.

Once we had done our jobs we sat on the aft deck and had a sundowner. It felt good to be back on Stormbird having had a very good trip over the last 3 days. The sun began to go down and started to go pink and orange and the Adhan started – we had been lucky to not have heard it over the last 2 nights but we were back to reality. The others came back having down a successful shop and joined us.

We made life easy for ourselves having pesto pasta for supper. We went to be early as we were getting up early. It had been a good trip and we now move on to Belitung an island some 280nm away.      

The picture of the day is me at the helm of our houseboat.

 Need/Opportunity Year Three

In year three I will be going from Thailand to Sri Lanka, India, Maldives and then on to Chagos, Mauritius, Reunion, Cape Town, St Helena, Azores and back to the UK.  I am looking for crew from Mauritius/ Reunion Island to Cape Town and from Cape Town to the UK. If of any interest do email me.

The blog will continue as we continue the journey. If you have any comments or suggestions about the blog then do email me on hine.nick9@gmail.com