Blogs from Sabah, Malaysia, Asia - page 124

I somehow came up with the great idea of climbing the highest mountain in south east asia, Mount Kinabalu (4095 m). It says in the lonely planet that it is one of the easiest mountains in the world. They most likely lie, not that I have ever climbed any mountains or ever will try again. First you have to climb up to the "basecamp" at 3300 meters. It was hard, mainly because the air contains less and less oxygen. Each step was hard, my heart beat like a drum (a fast one) and I felt very lightheaded. But we made it, after 5.5 hours (it should take about 4). Well up there we we're totally exhausted and fell asleep. We got a room with 2 aussies. They got the top bunkbeds. This was a room with ... read more

My last morning in Borneo, and I have spent most of it in the Doctors office. Yes, my worst fear came true. I had to see a doctor in a third world country. My left ear has been leaking clear fluids since my diving trip. At first I thought it was just excess salt water. Day two, I was just trying to convince myself it was. Day three and I woke up with a wet pillow case and mats in my hair from the ear junk. I couldn't continue telling myself it was just excess water. An ear canal just isn't that big. Something was wrong. So it's off to the doctors office or 'klinik' with images of 'piles, lumps, and accupunture' going through my head. It too ke a while to find a klinik that ... read more

I have been here in Borneo for only 12 days, and have experienced a lifetimg of memories, and seen a lifetime of images. I do not want to leave, but alas my plane leaves for Bangkok tomorrow, to start my 4 week adventure in Thailand. I wonder if it will affect me like Sabah has? From the jungle I went to Semporna, for a night's stay before heading off to Palau Mabul. I was really moving up in the world, having a real bed (though the mattress was still only a 2inch foamie) and squat toilets with ceramic footpads, so you don't accidently miss the toilet (VERY embarrasing! and messy). Still no shower though. We stayed at the Red Dragon Inn, a beautiful structure on the water in Semporna. 0800 the next morning after yet another ... read more

I have officially fallen in love with the dirty, smelly, corrupted, beautiful country and it's beautiful people. Borneo is absolutely everything I imagined it would be, and more. From the villages to the markets, the Jungle to the ocean; it all has such life and vivality (is that a word?) to it. Every time I look out a window or down a street there is something there that amazes me and fills me with awe. Mostly I love the people here. They are always greeting me with a smile and a hello, and are more willing to laugh and smile than anyone I know back home. They seem to have a zest for life that is unparalleled back home. And considering that compared to western standards these people have so little, it is quite amazing. Maybe ... read more

After cleverly choosing to leave Semporna on Hari Raya, the holiday equivalent of Christmas Day, we managed to get out to Sepilok after lots of negotiating with rickety minivans and arrived hot, sweaty and tired in the lush jungle surroundings of Sepilok, staying at the little hostel lodge where we were the only guests! Was like our own private jungle retreat (complete with mosquitos and red ants), which was cool. Spent an evening relaxing, enjoying the jungle sounds and getting eaten alive by mosquitos then the next day went to the Sepilok Orang Utan sanctuary to see the adorable animals. Unfortunately, the main part of the sanctuary had blown down in strong winds a few days before, so most of the viewing areas and jungle walks were closed, so we could only see the baby orang ... read more