Last of the Cold

Saturday February 25

Not unhappy to be leaving Mr Deong’s. Lovely people and location, just too uncomfortable. Rock hard and very  low beds, an extremely ricketty floor in the eating area, cool water, no comforts at all. It looks delapidated and very messy, especially the entrance area where all the washing up etc takes place. Neil uses it because it saves 40 mins drive every day to get into the park. Pen takes charge of the meals, so they were good.
Before leaving and after breakfast at 6.15, we birded the trail where Pam and I had sat for ages on Thursday. We again started off sitting at the start of the steep uphill trail, whilst runners/joggers/walkers taking part in an ‘extreme marathon’ puffed past on the tarmac road. Uphill all the way to the summit.
Failing to get the diminutive Pygmy Wren-Babbler to put in an appearance, Neil and the Bees set off up the hill. They were obviously seeing birds at the first corner, which piqued our interest. When we were still so cold and had our fill of watching a pair of Grey-chinned Niltavas (still no good photo, they’re never still), we up stooled and walked the hill to the first bend, which was in the sun. 

Female Grey-chinned Niltava

Here we saw, Velvet-fronted Nuthatch, Silver-eared Mesia, Spectacled Barwing, Black-eared  Shrike-babbler - and heard lots of unidentified song and calls.
Very frustrating.
Soon, the rising sun was dazzling, making it difficult to see. We returned downhill where, very quickly Neil joined us. He then took us further up the track where we added Golden Babbler, Streaked Babbler, Yellow-browed and Davison’s Warblers. When the Bees returned, we walked back to the road to await Choom’s arrival at 10.00.
Coffee at Mr Deong’s, finish packing and on the road by eleven. A couple of pretty fruitless stops on the way. An Oriental Honey Buzzard seen from the van, Saturday hordes at the waterfall and a general doze before lunch early afternoon. Pam and I had noodle soup, the Bees a Chicken Noodle curry.
Neil has never used this resort before, it’s very new and very green. Bungalows around the main building, most of them in three shades of discordant green, ours included. Immediate impression on being shown inside was of appreciation. 

Large, one double and one single bed, plenty of storage space and a good looking bathroom. The balcony is at the back, overlooking a densely treed orchard. Shame there are no chairs ! Just the one small one in the room too. 

Neil told us that it’s the cheapest accommodation on the trip. Amazing. We are becoming accustomed to cold showers, no hangars nor bedside tables, few - if any - chairs.

Our view - dining and reception area.

Afternoon off ! Much appreciated. We had a hot and comfortable shower, read, drank coffee and I got frustrated by the poor WiFi. It keeps cutting out,  after taking an age to load anything. Ah well........

A large flock of Asian Openbill Storks circling overhead whilst we sat outside in the shade was unexpected.

A Common Myna, common but amusing.

 
We are convening at 6 to go out for supper in this one long street town.
We didn't find an open restaurant for ages, we cruised the area until one showed lights.

Neil and tthe Bees choosing supper

  No list either - to-morrow ?