A Waterfall that Patrick came across!

Waterfall at Poring Hot Springs

    So the first week of fasting is over and I'm afraid my fasting hasn't gone very well. I managed one day to last until 5 pm but then a plate of spring rolls was too much for me! My problem is not getting up early enough for the huge meal before daybreak and that seems to keep everyone going. I am noticing this year that there is a silence around Ranau at 5 ish while all the Muslims are waiting and often sleeping or resting before the breaking of fast at around 6.30 pm - the time gets earlier each day. Around 4 pm there seems to be quite a carnival atmosphere with people buying food and drink ready for the evening feast. I know now that if for whatever reason you can't fast during Ramadan for example the olympic athletes, sickness, pregnancy, menstruation...you can fast at any time during the year. The aim is to remember the poor and hungry people in the community. There are some children fasting at school and they appear to be encouraged as part of a training process and perhaps are given targets of just until lunchtime or with water. Anyway I know that compared to other countries it is not as strictly followed and that a few people go off the rails without any great punishment! I was invited twice last week to break fast with two teachers and I only wish that other religions and countries could learn from the seemingly effortless way the Muslims and Christians seem to celebrate each other's festivals here.

  With Patrick with me I have been more enthused to watch some of the olympics on internet and we managed to watch the opening ceremony which I thought was great - well done Danny. Patrick spent a couple of nights in the jungle near Poring Hot Springs and went on a trail and ended up at the most amazing waterfall on his own - I hadn't even heard of it but now will be wanting to visit.It has been boring for him while I work although we did have nice weekend at the Tip of Borneo (fourth time for me!) He leaves on Wednesday and I will have one day before Christine, Valerie and Marc arrive.

A Rungus longhouse