Blogs from Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia, Asia - page 33

Pahoittelemme, etta blogi on vahan jaljessa, mutta paastiin hieman loman makuun… T: Toimitus Aamulla pakattiin kamat Sempornassa ja kyseltiin milloin lähtisi bussi Sandakaniin. Vastaukseksi tuli puoli kahdeksalta ja katsottiin seinältä kelloa, joka oli jo hitusen yli puoli kahdeksan. Borneossa ollaan huomattu, että mikään ei oikein lähde ajallaan, joten optimistisina käveltiin rivakasti bussiasemaa kohti. Siellä olikin onneksi bussi vielä venailemassa ja saatiin meille viimeiset paikat bussin perältä. Ehdittiin jopa vielä soittamaan tuttuun hostelliimme Sandakaniin varataksemme huoneet ja varmistettiin, että sinne aikaisemmin unohtamamme muistitikku olisi vielä tallella. Matka Sandakaniin taittui kivan nopeasti (6h) ja matkan varrella pällisteltiin massiivisia palmuplantaaseja. Seuraavat pari päivää menikin hujahtaen. Aika meni Sandakania kierrellen ja netissä pyörien, kun ... read more

Our flight to Clark was only a quarter full but everyone had been allocated seats near the back of the plane, as though balance was an issue. There were so few passengers that, when we arrived, the baggage handlers didn't bother putting the luggage on the carousel and instead just dumped it on the floor inside the terminal. It was several hours before we could check in to our flight out of the Philippines, so I successfully eliminated all my loose change via repeated visits to Pizza Hut and Jollibees. The ludicrous UK security rules concerning liquids in your carry-on also apply to flights out of the Philippines, though the enforcement simply consists of being asked at security to drink your bottles of water before boarding the plane - after that, no-one checks. Unfortunately weather conditions ... read more

My first three days in the state of Sabah were dedicated to getting better. I had checked in at the hotel which was quite decent and thus suitable for being sick. I had even a TV with some five channels - only one of them broadcast English programmes though, but the others were great for studying Malay language… ;) I only went out to buy more water, to eat or to watch a movie in the neighbouring movie theatre (Ocean’s 13 and Sherk 3 if anyone is curious what kind of films they show in Borneo. By the way, Shrek 3 was premiered in Finland over two months later than in Malaysia!) I had also changed some books in Miri and had now two good and thick books to enjoy. The reason for such devotion for ... read more

Transferred to the 5 Star Luxury of Shangri-La - Rasa Ria Resort - nothing like starting at the top end and showing us how we could spend our time in Borneo if we could afford it. Knowing all too well that our accommodation during the placements will be nothing like the Rasa Ria with its pool and beach then it was probably best not to become too attached. But there again I am not really a pool person so after an afternoon poolside I went to check out the recreation activities on offer and came away with a booking for a beach horse ride. At 5pm headed off down to the beach for my 1/2 ride on a horse called Barooda - who I was informed was once a polo horse belonging to the Sultan of ... read more

Still suffering from the flight so took it easy today, after slow start we all headed off for a bit of a chill out on one of the Islands off Kota Kinabalu. We plumped for the Island of Sapi - a small island that forms part of the Tunku Abdul Rahman Park. We left on a speed boat to bounce our way island where as soon as we arrived the sun disappeared and the clouds came rolling in - seemingly we are at the start of monsoon and the rains will most likely make appearances most afternoons. Sapi is a very small little island with a pretty little sandy beach. Dispite clouds we enjoyed a bit of a chillout on the beach and some snorkelling in the shallows amongst hordes of Seargent Major fish and ... read more