This is it, the rainforest, the world's oldest, never having been effected by glaciers or covered by sea level rises. For hundreds of millions of years it has survived only as a rainforest. Its bio-diversity is the highest on earth. 

Jungle so thick the sounds of our engines echo off the dense wall of foliage. Here is another view of trail riding through the rainforest, now open to motorcycles for the very first time on an A.M.A tour.

Ibans are one of dozens of indigenous groups still living on Borneo. They live in longhouses and are very open to travelers of all kinds, especially bikers.

Many of the rivers run crystal clear, like this one. Others, unfortunately are the color of mud from logging activity, the biggest threat to Borneo's environment.

To circumnavigate Borneo, there is one section where we need to go by boat from Tawau into E. Kalimantan. This is not a problem because this full-day boat ride is tremendously enjoyable and one of the tour highlights.

The Trans-Borneo Expedition (TBE) is tough on riders and equipment. Here my partner, Moh, has worn through his gloves. We suggest all participants be in good physical condition with a highly-honed sense of adventure.

Down there, somewhere, is our next set of trails. Not all of the Trans-Borneo route is this thick with rainforest, as you can see in the next photo.

On the TBE there is around 1,600 kilometers of unsealed roads. A lot of it looks like this, an endless brown stripe running to infinity.

Moh again, with two farm storage sheds in a picturesque village in Central Kalimantan. They are crafted entirely from natural materials.

Salavatore Pizzo posing with a young boy on his home-made wagon. He is holding two young chicks in his hands.

This high viewpoint from a microwave tower gave us a magnificent view of the jungle. It also gave us a good sense of what we had just ridden through.

A rural hut. The whole family was hanging around while their roof was under construction. Most of the people along the route live in housing like this.

Only one road goes around Borneo and it is over 5,300 k's long. Most of the people use rivers for transportation, and for playing like these young boys.

These raft huts are used for bathing AND as toilet enclosures in the more rural sections of Borneo There is no basic infrastructure at all..

Lumber towns are built along the rivers, since there is no other way to get the logs out of the interior. Old Bugis schooners are the working fleet.

Banjermasin is a large seaport on the south coast of Borneo. It is also called the Venice of Borneo because it is interlaced with canals.

Salvatore took a spill when a troop of monkeys cut across the trail in front of him. He said he was distracted. Wouldn't you be? That night a local spirit doctor took a look at his shoulder and administered ancient massage.

Lake Sumpa, in the back, is a large lake in the center of Borneo. This remote body of water is extremely beautiful and untouched. To get there you have to take a 12-hour riverbus cruise that itself is an amazing journey.

Along the route are many small ponds and lakes. The rainfall here is among the world's highest, which is why we plan this tour for their dry season.

Without infrastructure the locals take matters into their own hands. Bridges like this are the result. You must constantly drive with extreme care. 

Cock fighting is a big past time. Here one proud owner shows off his prized rooster.

Things in Borneo have to last. First of all the people are poor, and secondly, the supply situation is sporadic. Here an old man straightens out his bent propeller.

Not that long ago, Borneo was divided up into many tiny kingdoms, each one with their own laws and ruling family. WWII ended this and some of the old palaces can still be visited, like this one on the Kapuas River.

One kingdom, actually a sultanate, still remains--Brunei. This tiny country sits on top of huge oil wealth and they build magnificent edifices like this one, the Royal Mosque. They also have a state-of-the-art theme park where all the rides and attractions are free.

Orangutans are Borneo's most famous animal. These "men of the forest" are fast losing their habitat. Here at an Orangutan Orphanage they try to reintroduce the motherless youngsters back into the forest.

The indigenous art in Borneo is highly developed and varied. There are plenty of opportunities on an A.M.A. tour for handicraft shopping.

Mulu National Park in Sarawak is world famous for their caves. We spend two nights here and participate in their adventure caving program.

Also in Sarawak is this narrow-gauge train that winds up the Padas River gorge. We load up our bikes and take a very enjoyable train ride.