We thoroughly enjoyed viewing Orangutans and Proboscis monkeys up close at a “rehabilitation centre” and “wildlife sanctuary.” Of course, the only reason these semi-wild animals can be found in these sanctuaries is due to their native habitat – the Borneo rainforest – quickly disappearing under a carpet of perfectly-planted rows of palm oil trees. Palm [...]
One of the most exciting aspects of our visit to Borneo was the chance to see some incredible and rare primates and monkeys in the wild. As we’ve learned time and again in our travels, seeing animals in person and in the wild is such a precious experience that words can’t really convey. It’s so [...]
From Kota Kinabalu, we boarded a 12 hour bus crossing Sabah, bound for Semporna. This small town near the border with the Indonesian side of Borneo is the launching point for the world famous islands and underwater adventures found in the Celebes Sea. Most divers come here to dive Sipadan, a small island filled with [...]
Flying into Borneo, we were filled with excitement, but didn’t really know what to expect. We landed in Kota Kinabalu, checked in at the friendly Lavendar Lodge, and had a walk around town our first night there. We came upon a really cool restaurant known for its fresh catch. The place looked like a pet [...]
We left the tropical rainforest of Taman Negara bound for Malaysia’s other major (urban) jungle in the buzzing capital city of Kuala Lumpur. This would be my second visit to KL – as it’s called by the locals – the first being some eight years before for the wedding of my good friend Rizal to [...]
After soaking up the life on the paradise islands of the Perhentians, we decided to check out the nearby national park of Taman Negara. We caught a boat back to the mainland and then a bus to the small town of Kuala Tahan, which sits across the river from the park. After searching around town [...]
Erik tried to convince me we had seen enough of Malaysia’s Perhentian Islands after only visiting the smaller island, Kecil. I wasn’t so sure. Although the smaller island is rumored to be more laid back and geared for divers and backpackers, I knew how beautiful both of these islands are said to be and I [...]
We left the cool hills of the Cameron Highlands, eager for more island time in Malaysia’s Perhentians. These two islands – Perhentian Kecil (small island) and Perhentian Besar (big island) – are in the country’s Northeastern border, close to the Thai border. But unlike the party-hardy islands of its neighbor to the North, these smaller, [...]
From the cultural and foody Penang, we joined a minivan transport to the crisp cool region of Cameron Highlands. After travelling there in the morning, we were dropped off at our hostel, Gerard’s Place. This cool apartment style hostel is a sister hostel to the more popular Father’s. The place was very modern and clean [...]
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The “Venice of the East” – Malacca, Malaysia
Our last stop in Malaysia before heading south to Singapore was the old colonial city of Malacca (or as it is know these days, Melaka). Like Penang, this city was a strategic port for Malaysia’s colonial powers, first for the Dutch and later for the British. The meandering Melaka River snakes through the city and [...]