Bako National Park, Borneo Amazes Shawn Henry Baybutt

As Shawn Henry Baybutt enters Bako National Park, he recalls the park is the oldest and one of the smallest national parks in Sarawak on the island of Borneo. Since the Bako Park has been protected since 1957, Shawn knows he will encounter wildlife in abundance. Arriving around dawn, Shawn immediately begins to make his way through the trails remaining as quiet as possible in order to leave the wildlife undisturbed.

Coming around a bend in the trail, Shawn hears the unmistakable grunt of a pig. As he moves the leaves of a nearby plant, he sees the Bornean bearded pig. This pig is Bako’s largest mammal characterized by the prominent bristles on both sides of its snout. Shawn laughs to himself as he sees the pig roll around in the mud. He almost wishes he could join him as the temperature is rising quite quickly.

Moving along down the Telok Paku trail, Shawn encounters another group of unusual animals. Out of the corner of his eye, he sees the odd-looking proboscis monkeys known to exist only in Borneo. The males are pot-bellied, have huge noses and weigh around 20 kilograms. Both males and female proboscis have reddish-brown fur. The family of monkeys is eating seeds as Shawn quietly observes. Eventually, the family climbs atop the trees and out of view. Shawn knows from his studies that capturing a glimpse of these rare monkeys is often the highlight of a trip to Bako.

As Shawn continues walking the trail, he sees a long-tailed macaque monkey run out and sit a short distance away from him. He has heard that these monkeys are the most fearless of all the monkeys in Bako. The unruly macaques have been known to steal food and unguarded bags. Shawn checks to make sure all his provisions are still present and moves along.

Eventually, he comes across another type of monkey. This time, he observes a very attractive and docile monkey with silver-gray fur and spiky hair. He knows from his studies that these monkeys are called the silvered leaf-monkey or the silvered langur. Shawn notices one of the adult monkeys holding a small infant covered in bright orange fur. He cannot help but draw a comparison between all the monkeys he has observed, and he feels the silvered leaf-monkeys are the calmest of the bunch and the most attractive.

The day has become uncomfortably hot, and Shawn decides it is time for a rest. He heads for the river in the Sungai Assam area. He sits in the cool beside the water and notices the sounds surrounding him made up of animal and bird conversations. He catches a glimpse of something moving in the water and realizes with delight that it is one of Bako’s two otter species, the oriental small-clawed otter. He is delighted he has had the pleasure of the seeing the creature and happily sits and watches as the otter plays carelessly in the water.

Eventually, evening approaches signaling to Shawn Henry Baybutt it is time to leave Bako Park. This adventure is different from many of Shawn’s other escapades. On this trip, he has observed animals instead of land formations or man-made marvels. However, Shawn has thoroughly enjoyed his trip and knows he did not see all the animals, birds, frogs and snakes the park had to offer. Therefore, he decides Bako merits another visit in the near future.

The Many Adventures of Shawn Henry Baybutt

One of Shawn Henry Baybutt’s obsessions is hiking. Whether it’s on the eight day jaunt of the 77 kilometers of the formidable West Coast Trail on Vancouver Island or on the mighty mountain passes in the Himalayas in Nepal’s Khumbu region near Mt. Everest, the wide vistas, the mountain’s peaks hidden in the clouds, and the rushing streams call to his adventurous nature. He loves exploring the cultures and peoples of countries all over the world, including his own western Canadian stomping grounds. He’s seen the sphinx and pyramids in ancient Egypt and the Taj Mahal, India’s jewel. He’s hiked in Mexico, Israel, taken high tea in England and explored China’s teeming cities.

An avid fly fisher, Shawn Henry Baybutt goes after the elusive steelhead, that silver dream of a fighting fish. Hooking the steelhead is one thing, getting it landed is the drama anglers dream of while waiting in a fishing lodge for the break of day. Hooking salmon, steelhead and trout in British Columbia’s sparkling rivers and streams remains one of Shawn’s favorite expressions of his passion for the great outdoors. The sheer beauty of the great Canadian river valleys calls to his nature, and the demands of angling for the toughest fish to catch, keep him going.

Long treks especially appeal to Shawn Henry Baybutt’s need to challenge his body and soul in daredevil hikes. In 2005, he took the rough 10 day endurance test known as backpacking the 97 km journey through Akshayuk Pass in Auyuittiq National Park on Baffin Island. The stunning arctic sights and sounds, especially when the weather cleared for a day and the many glacial streams shone in the sun, count as a highly treasured memory.

Of key importance in adventure hiking, says Shawn, is to plan the trip. Learn what the hike will entail, the length of the journey and the difficulties of the trail. So when Shawn starts dreaming of hiking in Argentina, he considers the most audacious treks, such as hitting El Chalten, known as the trekking capital of that bold country. First he will read and research all he’ll need to do that hike, as seasoned travelers and hikers like to do.

Even for an outdoorsman like Shawn, reading has been one of life’s pleasures. Reading, and watching hockey and football whiles away the off duty hours of Shawn’s day. Wise and wacky Kurt Vonnegut has long remained his favorite author. Still, it is the fabulous regions of the wide world that call to this adventuresome soul. From Nepal’s awesome mountains and fascinating Sherpa culture to India’s mysterious mix of religions and peoples, to diving Ras Abu Galum and the most arduous treks on the planet, Shawn’s love of travel and adventure take him where few others dare to step. Stop here to read of fascinating insights into the world’s cultures, wild, haunting landscapes in places still little known and traveled and always, the thrill of landing the best catch of the day.