L.A. Times: Wild Journey into the Kelabit Highlands

A Panan, one of the nomadic tribes of the Borneo jungle, takes a smoke.
A Panan, one of the nomadic tribes of the Borneo jungle, takes a smoke.

BARIO, MALAYSIA — “At one time or another, I imagine that we have all dreamed about how wonderful it would be to live in a Shangri-La where the climate is ideal, food is plentiful and the girls are beautiful.” — W.M. Toynbee, Canadian schoolteacher and author, on Borneo’s Kelabit Highlands.

Toynbee’s words became a neon news crawl through my brain as my puddle jumper arched over the mountain into the heart of Borneo. The Baram River wound its way through the countryside like a giant anaconda.

Read my full story on the Kelabit Highlands from the Los Angeles Times.