pulseaudio – audio divert awesomeness
The PulseAudio layer in Ubuntu allows you to divert the output of a source PC’s sound system to a remote PC. This is perfect if you have an always on PC running Ubuntu connected to your stereo 
Do the following:
On both machines:
sudo aptitude install padevschooser
On source PC:
- Select Main Menu > Sound & Video > PulseAudio Device Chooser.
- An applet starts in the notification area. Click and select Configure Local Sound Server.
- On the Network Access tab select both the check boxes to make sound devices discoverable.
On sink PC:
- Select Main Menu > Sound & Video > PulseAudio Device Chooser.
- On the Network Server tab select to enable network access to local sound devices (check the subsections of allow discovery and allow no authentication for simplicity)
Now when outputing some awesome soundz on your source PC click on the PA applet and select the remote machine in the Default Server submenu.
Done.
Borneo, Malaysia, Saturday 03/10
0500 start. Back to airport for flight to Sandakan. There by 0800. Bus waiting to take us straight to Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre. Given an “informational” video to start with. Then a walk through in to the edge of jungle where feeding platforms are installed. The wait was agony for me as I had applied a good bit of DEET to combat the biters, made my skin burn horribly.
We lucky to see two youngish Orangutans come to feed. Really wonderful to see these beautiful creatures. They had to battle their way through hoards of macaques though.
Feeding time at Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre
Got back on the coach for a short ride to the Rainforest Discovery Centre.Walk round the trail and on their massive canopy walk, but again the wildlife seemed to evade us.
Rainforest Discovery Centre
Rainforest Discovery Centre #2
Had lunch at a small cafe near by. Lovely food but seriously hot! Finally back on the coach for drive to Nature Lodge on Kinabatangan River near Bilit – everyone slept the journey. Every time I woke up on the way all I could see was mile upon mile of Palm Oil plantations. Absolutely shocking how much virgin rainforset had been destroyed.
Checked in to the lodge, everyone in small chalets right on the river.
The rooms, Kinabatangan Nature Lodge
Dropped cases and jumped straight in to a speed boat on the river. Cruised down the banks in evening light – really nice. Finally saw wildlife in abundance:
- Macaque (Long tailed)
- Proboscis Monkey
- Eagret
- Crocodile (Freshwater)
- Rhinoceros Hornbill
- Pied Hornbill
Dinner and bed where welcome after such a packed day.
Borneo, Malaysia, Friday 02/10
Decided to get up even earlier than really necessary to get out in to the Mulu jungle for one last time to see if we could see any wildlife at dawn (0500 
). Unfortunately to dry weather seemed to have been affecting the amount of food in the area and Henry was surprised at how little we saw.
Had breakfast and packed for a travel day. Flight out of Mulu back to Miri, then straight on to Kota Kinabalu. Arrived at 1400. Spent the afternoon walking around the markets. Had an excellent evening meal. Sally very kindly organised a card and cake as it was my birthday!
Didn’t party the night away given had been up so early and would be again the next day.
Borneo, Malaysia, Thursday 01/10
Day of return to Mulu HQ. Trekked back to the river early in the morning. Managed to drop off the group for a bit to get some quiet. Plan payed off as a porcupine ran along the path in front of me.
Big unit, small bridge
Back in the canoes for trip down stream to HQ. River still low so again had to jump on several times. Made it to HQ in time for lunch.
In the afternoon went for a canopy walk – quite wobbly boards suspended about 20-30m up. Very interesting views of the forest. Decided to visit the bat view point again, but the rain started and so it was a no-show.
On the Mulu canopy walkway
Borneo, Malaysia, Wednesday 30/09
Today we attempt an ascent of the ‘The Pinnacles’. We started early as it has been known to take some groups a long time to complete, especially the descent. Left the camp at 0630 prompt. Trail begain to climb immediately. The track was well cutback, but lots of tree roots and limestone rock maybe going a little tricky. Told the distance to the top was only 2.4km, but with 1175m of ascent, it was steep all the way. This combined with high temperatures and humidity meant it was energy sapping stuff.
Made the ‘Mini-Pinnacle’ at about 900m ascent at 0820. Sally decided to turn back. We had to reach the ‘Via Ferrata’ by 1100 to have time to get down, but made it with some time to spare. The mixture of ladders, walkways and ropes ran from about 1.8km distance to the top and allowed us to scale the limestone outcrops that littered the area.
The jungle thinned to smaller scrub as we approached the top, but the heat did not abate much. Some scrambling skills and a descent head for heights were needed to get past the most difficult parts of the route. Several points provided us with hazy views across the jungle.
The Pinnacles
Me and the Pinnacles
Tired crew make the top of the Pinnacles
On the reach the highest point we were rewarded with views across the jagged limestone spikes that protruded above the trees, and then on to higher parts of the ridge. Our packed lunch tasted good after the climb and attracted a squirrel out of the trees.
Started the descent at 1130. Henry said one guy took 12 hours to get down after losing his bottle. Our was group was good and it down in about 5.5 hours. Drunk all the 3 litres of water I was carrying well before the end. All in all I was pleased with myself given that I had both picked up a cold and cut my toe open the night before. The swim in the river when back at camp felt brilliant!
Borneo, Malaysia, Tuesday 29/09
Split our kit in to two so as to have less to carry on our two day excursion deeper in to the reserve. The group boarded two long, canoe-like boats with outboard engines that were waiting the near the park entrance to take us up stream. The boats were well laden with luggage, food and equipment. This combined with the low level of the water meant progress was difficult and noisy!
Our first stop was made at a village where a tribe that had originally been nomadic jungle dwellers had settled in Long Houses. A market and information boards had been erected to attract the tourists. Felt a little too staged and uncomfortable to me.
Village near Mulu
Moved a bit further on to the Clearwater and Lady Caves. Had a packed lunch of Cinnamon Chicken Curry, rice and bananas by the Clearwater creek.
Lady Cave
Stalactites, Clearwater Cave
Roof opening in Clearwater Cave
Jetty on Clearwater Creek
Started the afternoon by continuing up the rvier. Had to jump out several times as the canoes grounded.
Grounded boat
Canoes and Mountains
Eventually we made it to a point where the river is impassable. Here a narrow path through the jungle stretches for about 8.5km to our new base called Camp 5. The walk was enjoyable, if a bit warm, unfortunately there was little stand out wildlife spotted.Arrived at the camp at around 1700 feeling very hot and sticky. Fortunately the river next to the camp had a pool for swimming in which was very refreshing.
Dinner was prepared by the cook who travelled with us. In bed early given the long day to follow.
Borneo, Malaysia, Monday 28/09
Good breakfast at the hotel, did the local thing and had rice! Back in to Taxis and to the airport. Had a short 20 minute flight on a Fokker 50 (MASwings) to the Mulu National Park. Hit by the humidity and heat as we got off.
On the runway at Mulu Airport
Dropped our bags in the lodges and had lunch in the cafeteria. Good food but a little more expensive as everything needed to be brought in by plane or boat. Hot and sticky in the afternoon told it was in the mid thirties and ~90% humidity. Ranger Richard was our guide for the walk through the jungle. About 3.5km, mainly on boardwalks, to two caves. Saw plenty of insect life along the way.
Mulu boardwalk
Huge Centipede
Caterpillar and crysalis
The biggest cave was called Deer Cave and was home to about five million bats. There were also plenty of Swiftlets swooping about. The massive piles of guano produced by the bats were home to all sorts of insects. The smell given off was pretty powerful! Concrete paths had been constructed right through the cave so we could get a view of the bats at roost.
Then walked round to Lang’s Cave which was smaller and home to less wildlife, but did have impressive Stalactite and Stalagmite formations. As evening approached we walked to an observation post back down the path. As the weather was good we were lucky enough to see the spectacular sight of the all the bats from the Deer Cave leaving en masse. The stream of bats lasted for a good half an hour!
Deer Cave, Mulu
With the light fading we walked back to HQ for dinner in the cafeteria. Had a very tasty Laksa.
Borneo, Malaysia, Saturday 26/09 and Sunday 27/09
Flew from Heathrow Terminal 3 at 1200 on Malaysian Airlines. Twelve hour flight to Kuala Lumpur (KL). Didn’t manage to get any sleep. Arrived at 0715 Malaysian time (GMT+8). Transferred to the domestic terminal for the next hop to Kuching the largest city in Sabah province on Borneo. Had to disembark at Kuching and go through immigration for a second time even though continuing on the same plane to Miri. Arrived Miri at about 1300.
Met at the airport by our guide Henry, joined up with this rest of the group who had come in on the flight. Taxi to Somerset Hotel, had a quick briefing and then free afternoon. Wandered through the city to a near-by shopping centre so could pick up any items that might be needed later. Very glossy and “Western” looking place. In general the city seemed reasonably prosperous and busy with cars. Not many people on the streets, but it was apparently a religious holiday. Back to the hotel for a quick nap. Had a proper briefing about the next few days then went out for dinner. Had a nice and spicy Tom Yum Soup. Just as we were about to leave someone produced one of the infamous Durian fruit. Smelt disgusting but, in my opinion, tasted quite nice. Back to hotel and slept well so jetlag not too bad.
Durian fruit at restaurant in Miri
