Into the Mangrove Swamp

Whilst koko is feeding the pei mobile, cheche bought us some snacks... *sniff! sniff!* Ooh! Beef sausage with cheese... one of my favorite sausages.

Please excuse my slobbering on the car... the sausage is yummilicious.

Finally we arrived at the makeshift jetty to board our boat...

... to the mangrove swamp located downstream from the river.

I love riding on a boat along the river, ...

... coz I get to experience all kinds of sight and smell.

With the warm sunlight on my back, we travel downstream as the gentle evening breeze blow across my face...

... and the whispering wind sway the trees along the riverbank.

However, the tranquility is suddenly broken by a sharp screeching sound from up above the trees.

Can you see a furious monkey on top the tree?

The reason the monkey is making such a loud shrill cry...

... is because the monkey is trying to warn a monitor lizard from encroaching into the monkey's territory. Can you spot the huge lizard in the water among the mangrove roots?

The mangrove swamp is full of dangerous creatures...

... and one has to be careful when entering the water way.

Oops! A fallen tree... better move to the side to avoid those jutting branches.

OMD! What is that thingy above my head?

It's a poisonous mangrove snake! Also known as cat snake... it preys on lizards, birds and rodents along the river with its toxic venom.

Phew! Luckily the snake did not fall on my wrinkly head. It's safer now that we are out in the open again.

Hey! I see something approaching ahead of us.

It's a couple canoeing along the river. That looks like fun... wish I could go on a canoe one day.

Listening to the hoomans talking...

... about a pair of courting hornbills above the tree, and how once they are together, the hornbills are paired for life.

The boatman is describing to my friend from France how he once caught a giant catfish in this river.

But I don't see no catfish in the water though...

... all I see is my cheche in front of me...

... whom I love very much *licks! licks!*.

Sorry for the wet smooches... but unlike the snake, my venom is filled with unconditional love.