Borneo

[AverageJoe]

Anyone been?

Four of us want to go and see the OrungUtangs and go diving, but cant find anywhere that allows us to do both. Having never been to that part of the world I was hoping that someone here might have some suggestions.

Anyone?

[Minnie_the_Minx]

Anyone been?

Four of us want to go and see the OrungUtangs and go diving, but cant find anywhere that allows us to do both. Having never been to that part of the world I was hoping that someone here might have some suggestions.

Anyone?

Not been, only been to Malaysian Peninsular. A while ago if you wanted to go diving you could have stayed at Sipadan but they've closed it accommodation-wise I think to let the environment recover.

You can always try splitting your holiday and trying somewhere like the Perhentians and then go on to Borneo.

Depends on whether you want to go to Malaysia or Indonesia I suppose

[Minnie_the_Minx]

although if they HAVE stopped accommodation on Sipadan, I think they may still operate day trips from there

Can't be sure though. Just heard rumours a couple of years ago

[AverageJoe]

Cheers Minnie!

Is there not a single hotel that you can stay at that would mean that we didnt have to do everything together? I have been looking at the Shangri La Rasa Ria http://www.shangri-la.com/kotakinabalu/rasaria/en/index.aspx and it has a monkey sanctuary on it that would fulfill one part, a beach that would fulfill another, and then maybe we could trek out to dive. But I dont know the location really.

[Minnie_the_Minx]

Cheers Minnie!

Is there not a single hotel that you can stay at that would mean that we didnt have to do everything together? I have been looking at the Shangri La Rasa Ria http://www.shangri-la.com/kotakinabalu/rasaria/en/index.aspx and it has a monkey sanctuary on it that would fulfill one part, a beach that would fulfill another, and then maybe we could trek out to dive. But I dont know the location really.


Shangri La's very popular and I think they even have their own rescued orangs, although I may be getting it mixed up with the other Shangri La.

It is a pretty quiet place though so don't expect a buzzing night life.

Will have a look to see which Shangri La is which and get back to you.

If it's the one I'm thinking of though, if you're into trekking, you could always go up Mount Kinabulu


And another thing. Adviseable to try to go to Sepilok on your own (or hiring someone) if that's where you're planning to go, as the tour groups seem to just whizz in and out of there (according to half a dozen people I know that have been on them). Alternatively, find some of the lesser known sanctuaries

[Minnie_the_Minx]

Cheers Minnie!

Is there not a single hotel that you can stay at that would mean that we didnt have to do everything together?


huh? You DON'T want everything together or you do? :confused:

[Minnie_the_Minx]

hm, just looked at it looks like Sipadan's on the opposite side of Sabah.

Labuan might be nearer for diving although I can't tell how far. Would need to research a bit further.

And I ONLY took my Malaysia guide back to my house a couple of weeks ago after it had been sitting in b/f's house for years :rolleyes:

[Minnie_the_Minx]

You may want to look into Tunku Abdul Rahman National Park (TAR) which is a group of islands where you can snorkel and hike. There's apparently also accommodation on a couple of the islands.

Bear in mind that I think (can't be sure) may be quite a distance from KK (Kota Kinabulu - you'll probably hear it referred to as KK, KL is obviously Kuala Lumpur) so you may find yourself getting bored stuck in the same place so it is probably a good idea to split the holiday between 2 or even 3 or 4 places.

How long are you going for?

[Minnie_the_Minx]

It looks like lots of the coral around TAR has been destroyed by dynamite fishing.

Layang Layang looks like it's still popular with divers but it's 300km from KK and you can only get there as part of a tour (probably expensive)

There's a resort there, Layang Layang Island Reosrt, but don't know how much it costs.

[Minnie_the_Minx]

Anyway, I've had enough of looking for now so you'll have to continue yourself.

You may want to google "Borneo and travelogues and Sabah and diving" and see how other people did it

[AverageJoe]

huh? You DON'T want everything together or you do? :confused:

No! One base, so all four of us can do what we want each day (you know how it, sometimes you just want to do something differrent to the others).

Minnie, you've been a star. Thanks for all your help!

[Sunray]

Its a great place. I will return at some point to explore it further.

KK is great. Probably the most homely time I had when I was away I had there. Islands off there are gorgeous. The mountain has amazing views.

The is a post on here telling you what Dorm to stay at in KK, if you want to go, they were fantastic to me.

Its a little more expensive than the mainland but still reasonable.

Orang-utans are cool. Sabah tea is fantastic.

The snorkelling was as good as anywhere, I even had a fully grown turtle swim by as I was swimming into the deserted beach.

[Minnie_the_Minx]

brilliant. You've got Sunray now to give you loads of information as I've never been

Cheers Sunray ;)

[Sunray]

http://www.urban75.net/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=130989

Nightlife isn't too bad as it happens, expect UK prices for booze, unless you take out. 1st thing you buy is some coke and some flying dragon. You'll find that in the supermarkets. Its a local tipple and its lush with coke. 24% and its about 1.50 for a 70cl bottle. :D

Cheapest place to drink was below the dorm above. Owned by the local customs and exercise, cheapest bar in town by miles, strange that......

[Minnie_the_Minx]

http://www.urban75.net/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=130989


Sunary - I think if they're wanting to stay at the Shangri La, they're probably planning on spending more on accommodation.

Rich gits :D

[Sunray]

Missing out.

Vincent was a local, a top bloke and knew *everything* about Borneo that was worth knowing. Best snorkelling, diving, best tours, you name it, he was fantastic.

He's the reason I saw the turtle. He told me how to snorkel that Island. Needed to swim out and let the current pull you round the reef.

[Minnie_the_Minx]

Missing out.

Vincent was a local, a top bloke and knew *everything* about Borneo that was worth knowing. Best snorkelling, diving, best tours, you name it, he was fantastic.

He's the reason I saw the turtle. He told me how to snorkel that Island. Needed to swim out and let the current pull you round the reef.


well I was going to suggest OP stay in KK for a few days. Not sure whether Shangri La operates tours but I believe the ferries to the islands go from KK, which would mean if they were doing a diving tour with the hotel, would they not have to go into KK itself or would it go direct from the hotel's beach to the islands IFKWIM

[Sunray]

The boats to the islands off KK are odd. The way it works is that the boats take 8 people each. If there are less than 8 people they will not go unless you pay for the missing people. They wait and then take you back at the end of the day at the agreed time of everyone going.

You have to get there early 8-9ish or there will not be enough people to make up the numbers.

If your diving then the dive operator would have their own boat. Probably get live a boards round there. Waters are very clear.

[Minnie_the_Minx]

The boats to the islands off KK are odd. The way it works is that the boats take 8 people each. If there are less than 8 people they will not go unless you pay for the missing people. They wait and then take you back at the end of the day at the agreed time of everyone going.

You have to get there early 8-9ish or there will not be enough people to make up the numbers.

If your diving then the dive operator would have their own boat. Probably get live a boards round there. Waters are very clear.


boat situation sounds like most places in Malaysia. still, they're cheap enough.

Has Sabah no duty-free island like both sides of the Peninsula?

[Sunray]

Brunei might well be duty free as its so massively rich for a bit of land the size of a postage stamp that tax isn't necessary.

[Minnie_the_Minx]

Brunei might well be duty free as its so massively rich for a bit of land the size of a postage stamp that tax isn't necessary.


I'm pretty sure there is one. Would hardly be fair to let Peninsular Malaysia have two duty free islands and not let Sabah or Sarawak have one.


Obviously not Sipadan. Labuan maybe? :confused:

[Minnie_the_Minx]

I've googled. Labuan IS duty-free

[purves grundy]

There's also Sumatra for orangutans. There used to be a rehabilitation centre at Bukit Lawang, in North Sumatra. It was a terrible tourist trap, but excellent as a base to explore the Gunung Leuser Nat Park, which has a few thousand orangutans. I've been there lotsa times and have seen plenty of orangutans. Sadly, BL was largely destroyed a few years back by a massive flood and timber from illegal logging. Terrible loss of life :( dunno if it's up and running again.

I think the rehabilitation centre has moved to somewhere in Riau. But anyway, Borneo would be great. I hear great things about Uncle Tan's (http://www.uncletan.com/) from fellow birders, and there's an orangutan rehab centre near there. But you'll wanna see em in the wild, eh...

[AverageJoe]

Oi! Minnie!

We're certainly not rich, but are willing to put aside booze and drugz etc to make sure that we can get there, and not have to worry about having enough money to do what we want, when we want when we are there - no point going and then only being able to point at things!

Cheeky!

Anyway, thanks for your help. it would seem that we are not going until Feb/March now cos November is the rainy bit.

Sunray - your insider knowledge is invaluable. Its a long way away, so if you want (and you are London based) can you pm me your email so that we can take you out for booze and advice later in the year? Bring a friend if you are nervous! Or your msn. Thats cool too.

Cheers!

[AverageJoe]

obviously, dont bring your msn - that would be daft

[Minnie_the_Minx]

Oi! Minnie!

We're certainly not rich, but are willing to put aside booze and drugz etc to make sure that we can get there, and not have to worry about having enough money to do what we want, when we want when we are there - no point going and then only being able to point at things!

Cheeky!

Anyway, thanks for your help. it would seem that we are not going until Feb/March now cos November is the rainy bit.

Cheers!


you're going to let the rainy season bother you? Wimp :D

Labuan doesn't look that attractive actually but I could be wrong

How long you going for? Are you flying there direct or staying in KL for a couple of days first?

[Minnie_the_Minx]

Sunray

Which airport is nearest for the accommodation to go to Sepilok, Kuching or KK?

I can never remember :o

Never been to Malaysian Borneo and have now decided might do it as I've just seen you can get flights with Air Asia from KK to Bangkok

[Minnie_the_Minx]

Although Sandakan looks nearer

[Sunray]

Sunray

Which airport is nearest for the accommodation to go to Sepilok, Kuching or KK?

I can never remember :o

Never been to Malaysian Borneo and have now decided might do it as I've just seen you can get flights with Air Asia from KK to Bangkok

Air Asia BKK to KK is about 54 quid return. I just tried to book more than 2 weeks in advance and it will not let you so its 1739thb and about 2 hours each way.

I would fly to KK as there are a few back packers places to go to, its a good place to explore from as its the main bus terminal and there are some lovely islands you can visit during the day and partly because Vincent (hopefully) is still running that dorm and you can use that as a base and him to get to know what's good to see and how to book it.

[Minnie_the_Minx]

Air Asia BKK to KK is about 54 quid return. I just tried to book more than 2 weeks in advance and it will not let you so its 1739thb and about 2 hours each way.

I would fly to KK as there are a few back packers places to go to, its a good place to explore from as its the main bus terminal and there are some lovely islands you can visit during the day and partly because Vincent (hopefully) is still running that dorm and you can use that as a base and him to get to know what's good to see and how to book it.


I've had a look at Air Asia KK - Bangkok and there's no flights for any of the days I'm looking at for some reason.

I don't do backpacker accommodation. Neither my b/f or myself are into that. We prefer our own room preferable away from the backpacker hoardes :o We're too old to be backpacking :D

Found a fantastic place in Kota Bharu which few people seemed to know about.

[Sunray]

Err there are no back packer hordes in Malaysia Borneo. They don't allow Israelis in for a start. Its well off the beaten track what ever anyone tells you. If anything if you go up market you are in the tourist hordes and there are a lot of them.

You can't book more than about 3-4 weeks in advance on Air Asia and they only fly Bangkok to KK on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday.

I met a guy, early 50's on the bus to Kaosan road and got chatting about hotels and stuff. After a bit, he said he was 72 and had been back packing for 5 1/2 years. Your age is entirely down to attitude and nothing to do with how old you are. I'm 39 back packing all the way till I'm dead. :)

What I want to do is to go up the river on the slow boat and get invited into a Long house and stay there for a while, then continue up till you get to the Dam where the river ends and there is an air malaysia air strip where they run once weekly prop planes back to some civilisation.

[Minnie_the_Minx]

Err there are no back packer hordes in Malaysia Borneo. They don't allow Israelis in for a start. Its well off the beaten track what ever anyone tells you. If anything if you go up market you are in the tourist hordes and there are a lot of them.

You can't book more than about 3-4 weeks in advance on Air Asia and they only fly Bangkok to KK on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday.

I met a guy, early 50's on the bus to Kaosan road and got chatting about hotels and stuff. After a bit, he said he was 72 and had been back packing for 5 1/2 years. Your age is entirely down to attitude and nothing to do with how old you are. I'm 39 back packing all the way till I'm dead. :)

What I want to do is to go up the river on the slow boat and get invited into a Long house and stay there for a while, then continue up till you get to the Dam where the river ends and there is an air malaysia air strip where they run once weekly prop planes back to some civilisation.

OK, backpackers is perhaps not the correct word. I'm talking more about the gap yearers/yuppies up their own arse type of people who look down on "package tourists" :D

Ah, so that's why I was having trouble with Air Asia. Only 3 times per week from KK to Bangkok? Is that just one flight per day?

PS: Have read that the outskirts of Malaysian Borneo are minimum malarial risk but lots of doctors will just see Borneo, think jungle and prescribe anti-malarials. If doc's going to do this, then I'm going to have to skip Borneo as don't want to take anti-malarials but don't want to risk my b/f's health as it's bad enough already

[Badgers]

Read this book:

Into the Heart of Borneo by Redmond O'Hanlon