The Amazing Trip, Marudi Bicycle trip

Three explorers ventured to the north Sarawak town of Marudi recently. 1StopBorneo Wildlife members and Universiti Malaysia Sabah students, Emmanuel Sydney and Shavez Cheema, together with their botanical collaborator, Min S. Khoo of Axiago eTravel paid a good will visit to the Iban communities in hopes to experience local longhouse culture and to survey for future conservation & tourism projects.

The team used bicycles and 4WD to explore Marudi and visited over ten longhouses during their short visit. Notable longhouses visited were Rumah (Rh) Sungai Babi, Rh Sungai Pasir, Rh Ridan, Rh Gudang, Rh Logan Tasan, Rh Sungai Berit, and Rh Melikat.

Some interesting flora and fauna were encountered during the trip. The team was especially impressed by the rich abundance of pitcher plants, especially of the species <italic> Nepenthes rafflesiana, N. gracilis, and N. ampullaria. Pitcher plants of the genus Nepenthes are "carnivorous" plants of which some of their leaves have evolved into jug-shaped pitchers with specialised nectaries to attract, trap, and digest small animals (usually insects) in order to supplement their poor nutrient intakes.

The team also discovered some very good secondary forest and primary forest bordering with Brunei which has beautiful streams and waterfalls, worth of ecotourism in the near future and a possible new state park.The team also believes cycling tourism could also be developed and create jobs for locals.

The team would like to thank all the warm-hearted Marudians who welcomed them with open arms, and look forward to conduct beneficial projects with Marudians in the near future.