Blogs from Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia, Asia - page 9

Sorry for the delay in this blog we have been so busy so ive got lots to write about.(Weve also been out of internet range) We started our Borneo adventure in Kuching (Kuching also means cat in Malaysian.) After only one night there we headed off to Pontianak, Kalimantan, Indonesia. One of the highlights about Pontianak was visiting the equator. Again we only had one night there. The following day we headed off to Pangularbun. We were met by our tour giude Edi. He was our tour giude for a three day klotok(a wooden boat)ride. (And we also had a learner tour gide helping Edi out Abu) The klotok took us to Tanjun Puting national park. At each station there was a feeding platform where rangers put out some bannans for the orangutans to eat.There was ... read more

After having a great night’s sleep we were up and had breakfast and Stu went down to the pool with Danika and Zavanna while I stayed here so Frankie could have a sleep after breakfast. The pool is a fairly decent size and the girls even got some laps in. The apartment we are staying in was built in 2000 so is only 12 years old. The inside is absolutely lovely with everything a family like us could need. It has 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, kitchen, (not that we cook on holidays – would rather enjoy and try the foods the area has to offer ;) ) balcony overlooking the pool area as well as out to sea (that won’t be for much longer though as there is another hotel and shopping mall being built right ... read more

When planning our trip, we were keen to do something other than pass through the places we visited. Looking for volunteering opportunities abroad can be a daunting prospect. Thankfully, Ben’s mum is still in contact with “Borneo Anne” Keyworth, who set up a children’s home in Kota Kinabalu (the capital of the Malaysian state of Sabah), almost 25 years ago. Bukit Harapan (Hill of Hope) is home to 44 children and young adults who’ve suffered abandonment, neglect or abuse. Many have physical or mental impairments. But all are loved and cared for by Anne, her daughter Audra with husband Jerry, and their dedicated multi-talented team. There we arrived, not knowing quite what to expect. Certainly, we didn’t anticipate gaining a whole new family, and extending our stay to well over a month. As soon as we ... read more

I left home at 3am Sunday morning prepared for a full day of travel. Air Asia can never be described as luxurious travel, but hey, I arrived safely and on time and that's all that counts really. I do think I have spent half my life at KL's budget airline airport, but on the upside, at least I know it like the back of my hand now. I arrived in KK (Kota Kinabalu) around 7.15pm Sunday night. It was pitch black outside which surprised me. I was late for the group meeting so I dumped my bag and quickly met up with my travel companions Katie, Heather and Soffia and our travel guide George for a quick meeting before having dinner at a Thai restaurant on the waterfront called 'The Loft'. It was good feeling to ... read more

It might not be as famous as Pulau Gaya out of Kota Kinabalu, but Manukan Island is tiny yet gorgeous! Crystal clear water, millions of sea fishes and close touch of tropical climate - not far from the city jetty, an easy 25-mins boat ride brings you to this unwind nature! The striking moment is when the boat arriving into the deck, probably 150 meters lining out of the white sandy beach, we would see thousands of tropical fishes swimming 20 meters beneath, well, "jump into the sea!" - spending few nights on the island could be romantically back to basic if luxurious amenities are not in demand. Short, sandals, sun and silent-reflection - elements needed at Manukan!... read more