Trip to Merarap Hot Spring, Lawas Sarawak.

The trip was in 19-22 December 2016 (4D3N). Hoping to encounter more bugs and then make it as unforgettable holiday and family trip. That was the plannings. The road condition from Kota Kinabalu heading to Lawas is just find. But, road condition heading to Merarap Hot Spring is unpaved and only suit for 4X4 with MT tyre. Typical road condition of Borneo especially rural area. Sometime we need to stop to allow the logging truck to pass. Need extra attention of the road sign instructed you to go left and to go right especially at the corner, down hill and up hill. Our group also visited Bakelalan (Sarawak) and Long Bawan (Indonesia). We encountered extra muddy road condition at Long Bawan Indonesia. Fortunately, all vehicles are able to get through the obstacle. On the way back to Merarap hot Spring from Long Bawan, we encountered another big challenge as it was rain and getting dark. The road condition turned very slippery down hill and up hill. My 4×4 only equipped with AT tyre and forced us to stop for a while. We reached Merarap Hot Spring at about 12.50 a.m. I concluded the road was really turned me so tired and thus focus on insect was really not as I expected. By the way, it is a great driving off road experience ever. Some images worth to be shared here as follow;

From Lawas, Sarawak (Borneo), Malaysia. New in my collection. Found 22 December 2016. Posted 6 January 2017
Stag beetle, Prosopocoilus occipitalis. Lawas, Sarawak (Borneo), Malaysia. New in my collection. Found 22 December 2016. Posted 6 January 2017
Graphium sarpedon sarpedon (Common Bluebottle). Posted 29 December 2016. Lawas, Sarawak, Malaysia.
Pyrops sultanus
Stick insect. Parorthomeria alexis (male). ID by Thierry Heitzmann. I still remember it’s smell.
Spalgis epius. New in my collection. ID by Ronald K. Asuncion
Spalgis epius. New in my collection. ID by Ronald K. Asuncion
Pyrops siderus
Charaxes bernardus repetitus (Tawny Rajah)
Flatidae
Mycalesis horsfieldi hermana. ID by Potanthus Ttp
Cyrestis nivea borneensis (Straight Line Mapwing)
Lexias pardalis borneensis (The Common Archduke). Underwings. Lawas, Sarawak (Borneo), Malaysia.

Special appreciation to my teammates. Thank you for your patience and help.

My teammate,Mr. Rahman with his mighty 70 series Landcruiser
My teammate, Mr. Joe with his mighty 80 series Landcruiser
On the way back to Merarap Hot Spring. After the rain. Stop and it is the time for a cup of Maggie and some unforgettable hot coffee.