Our Top Picks...
#5
SHANE: Tunku Abdul Rahman Park Islands
About the best thing Kota Kinabalu has to offer are these islands. Activities on offer include Parasailing and zip lining from one island to another, bushwalking or just a good day (or 2) of swimming, snorkelling, eating, drinking and being beach bums. Don't make my mistake and over estimate your ability to take in the sun. I ended up so burnt that even beer couldn't help. |
BECKY: Tunku Abdul Rahman Park Islands
The islands are a great day escape from Kota Kinabalu. Head down to the jetty and buy a ticket from one of the many ticket booths for a speed boat ride to the islands of your choosing. We covered 3 (Pulau Manukan, Sapi, & Mamutik) in one day. Manukau was the largest and had the most faculties, so was a good stop for lunch. Sapi was my favourite and seemed less packed with tourists than the other islands. Bring your snorkel, there are fish just off the shore at each beach. |
#4
BECKY: Mulu Caves
Deer Cave in Mulu National Park is the world's largest cave chamber. The size is impressive but even more entertaining is the bat exodus that happens at dusk. Over a million bats leave the cave in small groups, twirling in large circles as they go to avoid predators. The four main caves are Deer, Lang, Clearwater and Wind. You can also go for a swim outside Clearwater Cave to cool down after you're done climbing the steps. Make sure you stay in the bungalows in the National Park, as you can enjoy certain walks on your own outside the organised cave trips (which you need a guide for). |
SHANE: Kuching
The perfect city to place yourself to travel to Bako National Park.... But an even better place for a good old fashion pub crawl. Tonnes of food and drink options litter the streets. Time absolutely flew while we were here......might have been the alcohol. Do your self a favour and visit 'top spot', it's a roof top seafood market with incredible fresh seafood and cheap prices. |
#3
SHANE: Bako National Park
The incredibly beautiful Bako national park. A day trip from Kuching to reach the island pearl but it's not nearly enough time. There is accommodation at Bako and I recommend staying at the park. With over a dozen hiking trails ranging from 1 hr to 9 hr hikes. Stunning views, swimming holes and wildlife. Watch out for crocs................They are ugly shoes and I personally think they should be illegal. |
BECKY: Monkeys! (Proboscis & Orangutan)
So many monkeys! Boreno is home to approximately 40,000 of the world's 50,000 orangutans and is the only place in the world with the proboscis (long nosed) monkey. We stopped at two Orangutan Rehabilitation Centres (one in Sepilok, one in Semenggoh) and did a Kinabatangan River cruise to see the proboscis in the trees along the river bank. |
#2
BECKY: Turtle Island
Turtle Island is a nesting ground for green turtles 365 nights a year. An overnight stay is necessary to experience the turtles laying their eggs. After the sun sets, we got to witness one of the turtles laying her eggs on the beach and then the eggs being transplanted into the hatchery. We also got to watch some new hatchlings be released on the beach and their journey down the sand into the sea. We went to the beach just after sunrise and saw another two turtles that were still returning to the sea after laying their eggs...this isn't really promoted but our guide gave us the heads up and there were only a few people out. |
SHANE: Mulu Caves
Truly does the phrase 'pictures don't do it justice' apply here. The size of the chambers especially Deer Cave which is the largest in the world are absolutely surreal. Grab yourself a room at Mulu park which you can use as a base to explore the unguided walking trails between your guided tours. |
#1-Our Favourites
SHANE: Lankayan Island
This quintessential tropical island is a real life post card. Crystal clear blue water, reefs and dive sights rated as some of the best in the world. The buffet meals are not only included but is amongst the best we ate. You can snorkel right off the back varandah of your chalet and out under the jetty's and floor space of the resturant and dive centre. It's not the cheapest place you will stay but in my opinion worth every cent and a must do. |
BECKY: Lankayan Island
Lankayan is a little piece of paradise. The island is very small (you can walk around it in 15 minutes) and the accomodation is beautiful...complete with outdoor shower! The food and facilities are top notch and they have their own turtle hatchery. We were notified whenever there was a turtle nesting or baby turtles hatching and being released. There is also a dive shop on the island and you can scuba dive as a beginner or experienced diver at one of the many dive sites around the island. This is a wonderful place to relax and enjoy the beauty of Borneo. |
And our least favourites...
BECKY: The smell of petrol
The busy city centres combined with a lot of boat transportation meant a lot of exhaust fumes. I noticed it more in Borneo than in most other Asian countries...perhaps because more cars (with more exhaust) seem to be used than scooters.
The busy city centres combined with a lot of boat transportation meant a lot of exhaust fumes. I noticed it more in Borneo than in most other Asian countries...perhaps because more cars (with more exhaust) seem to be used than scooters.