3 Days on the Rivers of Borneo ALONE - DAY 1

Summary

This video follows a daring 120 km kayak journey down the Teweh River in Kalimantan over three days. The adventurer navigates through intense heat, sudden rain, and the challenge of filming alone. Along the way, he encounters wildlife like langurs and monkeys, deals with sunburn, and makes camp in the forest. Despite facing obstacles such as unpredictable weather and limited filming resources, the journey offers stunning river views and an intimate look at life along the water. It’s a mix of adventure, self-reliance, and exploration of nature's beauty and unpredictability.

Takeaways

• 😀 The journey is a 120 km trip along the Teweh River in Kalimantan, planned to take 3 days.
• 😀 Safety precautions include wearing a life jacket despite knowing how to swim.
• 😀 There are no anacondas in Kalimantan, though reticulated pythons, similar to anacondas, are present in the river.
• 😀 The vlogger takes a self-filmed journey with challenges like the heat, rain, and filming logistics.
• 😀 The trip involves passing through several villages, providing opportunities to interact with locals.
• 😀 Extreme weather conditions (heat and rain) are frequent obstacles, requiring adaptive solutions like using sunscreen and taking cover under trees.
• 😀 The journey requires constant paddling, with periodic stops to rest and capture footage, including a drone to document the experience.
• 😀 Despite the challenges, the vlogger remains focused on reaching their target distance, covering over 40 km in a day.
• 😀 Wildlife sightings, including monkeys and langurs, add to the adventure, though filming these moments is difficult from a kayak.
• 😀 At the end of each day, the vlogger camps near the river, taking extra precautions for rising water levels and ensuring a safe spot to sleep.
• 😀 The vlogger reflects on lessons learned, such as the importance of camping earlier and not underestimating the time required for setting up camp.

Q & A

What is the total length of the river that the narrator will be rowing through?

The narrator will be rowing through the Teweh River, which is 120 kilometers long.

How long is the journey planned to take?

The journey is planned to take 3 days to cover the 120 kilometers of the river.

Does the narrator express any concerns about the wildlife in the river?

Yes, the narrator expresses concerns about the presence of crocodiles and pythons in the river, but clarifies that anacondas do not exist in Kalimantan, only reticulated pythons.

What safety measure does the narrator take while rowing?

The narrator wears a life jacket throughout the journey, even though they can swim, to ensure safety in case of an emergency.

Why does the narrator take breaks to fly a drone?

The narrator takes breaks to fly a drone to capture footage of the journey, using the drone’s tracking mode to follow the narrator while rowing.

How does the narrator cope with the heat during the journey?

The narrator tries to stay cool by rowing near the riverbank for shade and uses sunscreen to protect against the sun, despite still experiencing sunburn on their hands.

What weather challenges does the narrator face during the trip?

The narrator faces extreme heat, followed by heavy rain, which makes the river more dangerous due to increased flow. Despite the rain, the journey continues, albeit with some difficulties in managing equipment.

What is the narrator's approach to camping during the journey?

The narrator plans to camp in the forest, looking for a spot that is high enough above the river to avoid flooding. They also emphasize the importance of camping away from the river to avoid the dangers of rising water levels.

How does the narrator deal with the difficulty of filming alone during the trip?

The narrator manages filming alone by turning off the camera periodically to conserve battery and focusing on rowing efficiently. They also use their phone and main camera for updates, despite the difficulty of filming in a kayak.

How does the narrator manage food and cooking during the trip?

The narrator brings along a portable cooking setup, including a gas stove and ingredients for meals like rendang fried rice. They also mention the challenge of forgetting utensils in previous trips but brought a spoon this time.