Mystical Borneo, Malaysia - Journal no. 18
5th to the 31st August 2011
Trip to the old capital of Sabah, Sandakan
The 5th August I headed with Michael, the head guide and coordinator for Camps International, to Sandakan. He was escorting a group of 66 Kennett School students, six teachers and their UK support guides, initially to a hotel for some ‘R and R’ and then on to a remote jungle camp called Bakaputa. I was heading there to write a ‘Guide to Lesson Planning’ for the UK students to aid lesson planning. Putting a little bit of my TEFL training into practice.
Old Town Sandakan
Sandakan is the second-largest city in Sabah, East Malaysia, on the northeastern coast of Borneo.
There’s not really a lot I can say about the port and town of Sandakan, especially the deteriorating Old Town… apart from don’t go there!
5th to the 31st August 2011
Trip to the old capital of Sabah, Sandakan
The 5th August I headed with Michael, the head guide and coordinator for Camps International, to Sandakan. He was escorting a group of 66 Kennett School students, six teachers and their UK support guides, initially to a hotel for some ‘R and R’ and then on to a remote jungle camp called Bakaputa. I was heading there to write a ‘Guide to Lesson Planning’ for the UK students to aid lesson planning. Putting a little bit of my TEFL training into practice.
Old Town Sandakan
Sandakan is the second-largest city in Sabah, East Malaysia, on the northeastern coast of Borneo.
There’s not really a lot I can say about the port and town of Sandakan, especially the deteriorating Old Town… apart from don’t go there!
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| Map of Sabah and the town of Sandakan |
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| Old Town Sandakan, Sabah |
It’s a sprawling city port, with the greatest concentration of rats of an evening, made up of small isolated unconnected pockets. There’s not a lot to do in the evenings although some things of note during the day.
Problems at Camps International, Borneo
The story surrounding Kennet School unfolded some days previous when we emerged from the 4-day jungle trek. My group was supposed to spend 2 nights in what was billed as a traditional long house, set within the grounds of the large colonial Sabah Tea Plantation.
The story surrounding Kennet School unfolded some days previous when we emerged from the 4-day jungle trek. My group was supposed to spend 2 nights in what was billed as a traditional long house, set within the grounds of the large colonial Sabah Tea Plantation.
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| Sabah Tea Plantation close to Ranau |
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| Traditional Long House - Sabah Tea Plantation |
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| Cropping the tea on the Sabah Estate |
My group after the elation and sense of achievement would have to head backs to the original start point at Camp Bongkud so not a happy situation.
Students hospitalized!!A number of the children had been hospitalized due to server fluid loss, causing the Sabah Health Authorities to act immediately by inspecting and then later closing the Sabah Tea restaurant and then the Camp Borneo canteen.
Rumours were rife of food poisoning and even Cholera!! At one point, news filtered back that the students and teachers in quarantine were burning all of the infected clothes.
Eventually sense prevailed, thank God. The results from the Health authorities determined it wasn’t food poisoning or Cholera, although that only became apparent when one severely ill student finally declared to all that she was on five a day medication. It was simply down to poor personal hygiene, a failure to take on board sufficient water causing dehydration and weak teacher and team management. The canteen re-opened almost immediately. The following day the Kennett group, well on the road to recovery, were moved to a hotel to aid recuperation.
The recriminations I suspect will bubbly on, fueled by weak-minded individuals trying to defend their point of view regardless of the damage caused by them to the UK students, my opinion though.
Exploring the town of Sandakan -
Sepilok Orang Utan Rehabilitation Centre
Set up in 1964 to rehabilitate orphaned baby Orang Utan, its set in 4,300-hectare Kabili-Sepilok Forest Reserve, the Centre under the administration of the Wildlife Department of Sabah provides the opportunity to watch Orang Utan up close and personnel in a natural habitat. A boardwalk leads you to a viewing gallery and feeding platform where the apes are fed milk and bananas twice a day.
Sepilok Orang Utan Rehabilitation Centre
Set up in 1964 to rehabilitate orphaned baby Orang Utan, its set in 4,300-hectare Kabili-Sepilok Forest Reserve, the Centre under the administration of the Wildlife Department of Sabah provides the opportunity to watch Orang Utan up close and personnel in a natural habitat. A boardwalk leads you to a viewing gallery and feeding platform where the apes are fed milk and bananas twice a day.
Orang Utan rehabilitation is the primary goal at Sepilok, it also focuses on public education on conservation, research and assistance of other endangered species such as the rhinoceros.
Some Orang Utan have become familiar with people, clearly, and the more mischievous ones may try to grab your camera or hat, which happened to a young lad at the time, much to the fathers annoyance.
Crocodile Farm
The Crocodile farm, located in the suburb of Taman Rimba, is Sabah's only licensed crocodile breeder. The original stock came from wild crocodiles found around the Kinabatangan River.
Some Orang Utan have become familiar with people, clearly, and the more mischievous ones may try to grab your camera or hat, which happened to a young lad at the time, much to the fathers annoyance.
Crocodile Farm
The Crocodile farm, located in the suburb of Taman Rimba, is Sabah's only licensed crocodile breeder. The original stock came from wild crocodiles found around the Kinabatangan River.
There are some 2,000 creatures in all stages of development in cement pools, the largest two, both man-eaters, weigh in at 1000kg each.
The precious skins are exported and the meat sold to local gourmet restaurants.
Sandakan Memorial Park
Located in the suburb of Taman Rimba it commemorates a tragedy and atrocity that struck the city between January and August 1945. The Memorial Park witnessed the death of approximately 2400 Australian and British prisoners of war held by the Japanese in the POW camp, within sight of Allied victory in the Pacific War.
Situated about 11 km outside of city, the former site of the notorious WWII P.O.W. camp is now a Memorial Park, well maintained and beautifully landscaped. It's makes for an ideal place for a solitary soul-searching stroll.
The precious skins are exported and the meat sold to local gourmet restaurants.
Sandakan Memorial Park
Located in the suburb of Taman Rimba it commemorates a tragedy and atrocity that struck the city between January and August 1945. The Memorial Park witnessed the death of approximately 2400 Australian and British prisoners of war held by the Japanese in the POW camp, within sight of Allied victory in the Pacific War.
Situated about 11 km outside of city, the former site of the notorious WWII P.O.W. camp is now a Memorial Park, well maintained and beautifully landscaped. It's makes for an ideal place for a solitary soul-searching stroll.
The park includes a small museum that serves as a memorial to the thousands of Australian, British and Malaysian partisans who lost their lives at the hands of the Japanese during WWII.
The memory of WWII is emphasized by the rusting remains of an excavator and boiler, both sabotaged by the P.O.W.'s in their effort to disrupt the workings of the airport and at the cost of their lives!
The infamous WWII P.O.W. ‘Death Marches’!
With the fall of Singapore and Malaysia in WWII several thousand captured Australian and British soldiers were shipped to a P.O.W. camp in Borneo to build and service an airfield.
Only 2,400 survived the initial journey and the end of the war only left six alive!
Those that survived were all Australian, one died shortly afterwards I guess because of the extraordinary toll taken on his body, and all were escapees. Aided by the Malaysian people along the way, at incredible cost to themselves and their people with whole villages eradicated in retribution.
The Japanese occupation of Sandakan (renamed at the time to Elopura, its original name) during World War II began on 19 January 1942 and lasted until a brigade of the Australian 9th Division liberated it on the 19 October 1945.
One of the atrocities of World War II was the ‘Sandakan Death Marches’. Japanese soldiers decided to move prisoners of war from Sandakan 260 km (160 miles) inland to the town of Ranau. They were forced to march through impenetrable jungle, carrying weights of 30kg to 40kg in their emaciated condition.
The memory of WWII is emphasized by the rusting remains of an excavator and boiler, both sabotaged by the P.O.W.'s in their effort to disrupt the workings of the airport and at the cost of their lives!
The infamous WWII P.O.W. ‘Death Marches’!
With the fall of Singapore and Malaysia in WWII several thousand captured Australian and British soldiers were shipped to a P.O.W. camp in Borneo to build and service an airfield.
Only 2,400 survived the initial journey and the end of the war only left six alive!
Those that survived were all Australian, one died shortly afterwards I guess because of the extraordinary toll taken on his body, and all were escapees. Aided by the Malaysian people along the way, at incredible cost to themselves and their people with whole villages eradicated in retribution.
The Japanese occupation of Sandakan (renamed at the time to Elopura, its original name) during World War II began on 19 January 1942 and lasted until a brigade of the Australian 9th Division liberated it on the 19 October 1945.
One of the atrocities of World War II was the ‘Sandakan Death Marches’. Japanese soldiers decided to move prisoners of war from Sandakan 260 km (160 miles) inland to the town of Ranau. They were forced to march through impenetrable jungle, carrying weights of 30kg to 40kg in their emaciated condition.
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| Team of Camps students close to the Death March trail |
The prisoners who did not die en route were crammed into unsanitary huts. Brutalized by the Japanese and Taiwan guards, virtually starved to death, tropical diseases, the heat and being shot trying to escape took the rest in large numbers.
When the war ended, Sandakan was totally destroyed, partly from the Allied bombings and partly by the Japanese.
When North Borneo became a British Crown Colony again in 1946, the capital was shifted to Jesselton, now known as Kota Kinabalu, (often just called 'KK' locally).
When the war ended, Sandakan was totally destroyed, partly from the Allied bombings and partly by the Japanese.
When North Borneo became a British Crown Colony again in 1946, the capital was shifted to Jesselton, now known as Kota Kinabalu, (often just called 'KK' locally).
Canon G9 camera is no more!
My G9 Canon camera, built like a tank, ‘taker of such good photos’, has finally died on me. The King is dead long live the King!!
The replacement G12 Canon will, I hope, provide me with the same sterling service, we shall see.
Party time in Kota Kinabalu
After spending 7-days in Sandakan I returned on the 13th with laminated ‘visual cards’ and a 200 page printed and bound ‘Guide for Teachers’ booklet that I had written to present to Eve, the camps manager.
Eve insisted that I should remain until the 17th August, the last day of the season for the camps party, and then return with the team to Kota Kinabalu. In the meantime, 13th to the 16th, I managed to design and partially build a small toilet block with the aid of the Bongkud UK students, making more friends along the way.
My G9 Canon camera, built like a tank, ‘taker of such good photos’, has finally died on me. The King is dead long live the King!!
The replacement G12 Canon will, I hope, provide me with the same sterling service, we shall see.
Party time in Kota Kinabalu
After spending 7-days in Sandakan I returned on the 13th with laminated ‘visual cards’ and a 200 page printed and bound ‘Guide for Teachers’ booklet that I had written to present to Eve, the camps manager.
Eve insisted that I should remain until the 17th August, the last day of the season for the camps party, and then return with the team to Kota Kinabalu. In the meantime, 13th to the 16th, I managed to design and partially build a small toilet block with the aid of the Bongkud UK students, making more friends along the way.
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| Group of UK students from Camps International |
The 18th August, I collected a mini-bus in the nearby town of Ranau that would take me to Kota Kinabalu, and the Myne Hotel.
Camps International had already determined how some of my time would be spent in KK, they were keen for me to be involved in both the post-season celebrations and the end-of-year management meeting. Clearly a great opportunity to meet with Rory the Asia Director for Camps and perhaps cement and build connections for the future, who knows.
The season by all accounts had been a good one although not without certain problems. 330 UK students passed through the Borneo camps during the period July to August, with 500 expected next year.
Camps are now looking to expand their operation by setting up a further two camps by June of next year.
Diving off of Gaya Island
Yanti, mentioned one night after a few drinks that she intended diving the following Sunday in the waters off of Gaya Island with ‘Borneo Dreams’ and would I like to join her.
Camps International had already determined how some of my time would be spent in KK, they were keen for me to be involved in both the post-season celebrations and the end-of-year management meeting. Clearly a great opportunity to meet with Rory the Asia Director for Camps and perhaps cement and build connections for the future, who knows.
The season by all accounts had been a good one although not without certain problems. 330 UK students passed through the Borneo camps during the period July to August, with 500 expected next year.
Camps are now looking to expand their operation by setting up a further two camps by June of next year.
Diving off of Gaya Island
Yanti, mentioned one night after a few drinks that she intended diving the following Sunday in the waters off of Gaya Island with ‘Borneo Dreams’ and would I like to join her.
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| Dan, Michael (Borneo Dreams), Yanti and I |
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| Restaurant at Padang Point our lunchtime diving stop |
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| Padang Point on Gaya Island |
After the last experience off of Tioman Island, the two dives one at Agill Reef and the second off of Padang Point were excellent, totally professional, well organized with superb equipment and a custom designed diving boat.
Gaya Island is about an hour or so out from KK and away from the polluted waters around the city harbor. Visibility was about 10+ meters around the reef with lots to see. After a lunchtime stopover it’s a short boat ride to Padang Point and the 2nd dive with 3-6 meter water visibility and our first turtle and squid siting.
The dive team that day Dan (Australian) the dive master for Borneo Dreams, Michael (from Newport Wales, moved to Australia in 1988, in Sabah for the diving) assistant volunteer dive master, Yanti (Camps International office manager) and myself.
End of year party at the Marina Court
Marina Court comprises a large number of apartments or condominiums, to use an Americanism, in gated and secured grounds with a communal dining area, several pools, gym and launderette.
Positioned across the road from the sea and close to the center of KK, the complex is well placed for access to the waterfront restaurants, clubs, shops and bus services.
The dive team that day Dan (Australian) the dive master for Borneo Dreams, Michael (from Newport Wales, moved to Australia in 1988, in Sabah for the diving) assistant volunteer dive master, Yanti (Camps International office manager) and myself.
End of year party at the Marina Court
Marina Court comprises a large number of apartments or condominiums, to use an Americanism, in gated and secured grounds with a communal dining area, several pools, gym and launderette.
Positioned across the road from the sea and close to the center of KK, the complex is well placed for access to the waterfront restaurants, clubs, shops and bus services.
Hughie and Derek (photo above), both from the Bongkud camp, having a great time at the Marina Court pool party, probably plotting one of their many schemes that invariable manage to backfire on one of them.
It was a fabulous evening with free booze and food laid on, and with a great bunch of girls and guys from all round the world.
Camps International team
Front row from right to left, Derek (guide), Kate (UK volunteer) Rory (Asia Director), Melanie (KK assistant manager), Anthony (Asia manager) and architect intern.
It was a fabulous evening with free booze and food laid on, and with a great bunch of girls and guys from all round the world.
Camps International team
Front row from right to left, Derek (guide), Kate (UK volunteer) Rory (Asia Director), Melanie (KK assistant manager), Anthony (Asia manager) and architect intern.
2nd row, right to left, porter, porter, Sophie (KK accounts clerk), Eve (Camp Borneo manager), Tina (senior architect intern), Michael (senior guide and WWF guide), Hughie (Australian volunteer), Yanti (KK office manager) and volunteer.
3d row, right to left, me, Peter (Camps photograph), sales manager, Colin (teacher and leader), Dawn (Island camps manager) and Jamie (architect intern). 4th row right to left, guide, Martin (architect intern), Martin’s girlfriend, Ian (senior architect), volunteer, Michelle (architect intern) and a further volunteer.
Lunchtime in Kota Kinabalu
A chance to catch up with some friends from Camps International over lunch Yanti and Hughie.
3d row, right to left, me, Peter (Camps photograph), sales manager, Colin (teacher and leader), Dawn (Island camps manager) and Jamie (architect intern). 4th row right to left, guide, Martin (architect intern), Martin’s girlfriend, Ian (senior architect), volunteer, Michelle (architect intern) and a further volunteer.
Lunchtime in Kota Kinabalu
A chance to catch up with some friends from Camps International over lunch Yanti and Hughie.
Yanti, a Malaysian, works in KK and runs the Camps International office, Hughie an 18 year old outward going Australian came to Malaysia with Camps and ended up staying on as a volunteer guide.
Moving on to Beaufort
The day after the party, I discovered that Anthony, Michael and Colin were driving to Kula Penyu to look at a possible camp for 2012, previously used by Raleigh International and now supposed to be derelict. Fortunately for me Kula Penyu is only 20 kilometers shy of Beaufort, so a free lift.
Moving on to Beaufort
The day after the party, I discovered that Anthony, Michael and Colin were driving to Kula Penyu to look at a possible camp for 2012, previously used by Raleigh International and now supposed to be derelict. Fortunately for me Kula Penyu is only 20 kilometers shy of Beaufort, so a free lift.
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| Waiting for the ferry at Membakut - Colin, Anthony and Michael |
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| Membakut across the Padas River |
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| Fantastic location at Kula Penyu, by the beach |
Colin and Anthony had worked for Raleigh International some years previous and had been involved to a lesser or greater degree with the beach side camp at Kula Penyu. They stopped using the site in 2007 due to its deteriorating condition, however, a possible candidate as a camp for the over spill of UK students anticipated in 2012.
Old Beaufort Town, Sabah
Beaufort, south of KK, straddles the Padas River and the gateway to the Crocker Mountains. The only means of transport for the six or so villages that line the Padas gorge is the old steam railway. A large number of wooden buildings dating back several hundred years still stand in Beaufort. In addition are three hotels, three bus stations, a train station, a mosque and far too many shops and that’s it.
Beaufort, south of KK, straddles the Padas River and the gateway to the Crocker Mountains. The only means of transport for the six or so villages that line the Padas gorge is the old steam railway. A large number of wooden buildings dating back several hundred years still stand in Beaufort. In addition are three hotels, three bus stations, a train station, a mosque and far too many shops and that’s it.
The main reason for visiting Beaufort was to take the old Steam train along the Padas River through the mountain gorge to Tenom, or rather the town of Pangi and shoot the grade IV rapids. Yet again events conspired against me, heavy rainfall in the mountains some days previous caused a massive landslide blocking the line, the only means of getting to the town. The alternative, take a taxi to Tenom, two and a half hours away, or return to KK and get a bus back to Tenom, a six hour round trip, the cheaper option oddly!
One of the incredibly frustrating things about travelling round Malaysia, or at least Borneo, is that there is little logic to how things work, and the Malaysian people seem disinclined to do anything about it.
There are no buses from Beaufort to Tenom although there is from KK to each town. Taxis will make the trip but at an unreasonable cost.
Speedboat from Menumbok to Labuan Island
For such a small town there is three bus stations, none of which are obvious to an outsider, this is a tourist destination after all.
There’s a train line from Tenom to KK and the service is infrequent although clearly there is a need for a better service for tourist and locals alike.
One of the incredibly frustrating things about travelling round Malaysia, or at least Borneo, is that there is little logic to how things work, and the Malaysian people seem disinclined to do anything about it.
There are no buses from Beaufort to Tenom although there is from KK to each town. Taxis will make the trip but at an unreasonable cost.
Speedboat from Menumbok to Labuan Island
For such a small town there is three bus stations, none of which are obvious to an outsider, this is a tourist destination after all.
There’s a train line from Tenom to KK and the service is infrequent although clearly there is a need for a better service for tourist and locals alike.
It took me two days of observation, questioning and re-questioning to find out what I needed to know.
In the end I abandoned my plans and decided to move by bus to Menumbok and then boat to Labuan Island instead.
Labuan Island - oil rich, tax free haven
Labuan is a federal territory in East Malaysia. It is an island off the coast of Sabah with its capital Victoria best known as an offshore financial centre offering international financial and business services via Labuan IBFC since 1990. It’s also as an offshore support hub for deep-water oil and gas activities in the region and a trade free zone.
In the end I abandoned my plans and decided to move by bus to Menumbok and then boat to Labuan Island instead.
Labuan Island - oil rich, tax free haven
Labuan is a federal territory in East Malaysia. It is an island off the coast of Sabah with its capital Victoria best known as an offshore financial centre offering international financial and business services via Labuan IBFC since 1990. It’s also as an offshore support hub for deep-water oil and gas activities in the region and a trade free zone.
Driving round the Island, or as its portrayed in the tourist brochure, the ‘Garden Island of Borneo’ it is very apparent how different things are here from Eastern Malaysia. There is clearly a degree of wealth and the wealthy living here, based primarily round oil and gas exploration, extraction and the exporting of.
History of Labuan Island
In the 1840s the previously uninhabited island was proposed as a base for British operations against piracy in the South China Sea. In 1846, the Sultan of Brunei Omar Ali Saifuddin II signed a treaty that ceded Labuan to Britain.
The island became a Crown Colony in 1848. The first White Rajah of Sarawak, James Brooke was appointed first commander-in-chief and Governor of the territory.
In 1849 the Eastern Archipelago Company became the first of many companies trying to exploit its coal deposits and establish it as a coaling station for the China trade. It later became a station for the submarine communication cable between Singapore and Hong Kong.
In 1890, Labuan came to be administered by the British North Borneo Chartered Company. It was reverted back to British government rule in 1904, then on 30 October 1906 joined to the Straits Settlements and administered from Singapore.
During World War II, Labuan was occupied by Japan from December 1941 to June 1945 and governed as part of the Northern Borneo military unit by the Japanese 37th Army. Labuan was renamed Maida Island (Pulau Maida) after Marquis Toshinari Maeda, the first commander of Japanese forces in northern Borneo.
The liberation of Borneo began on 10th June 1945 when the Allied Forces under the command of General McArthur landed at Labuan with a convoy of 100 ships. The 9th Australian Division launched an attack supported by massive air and sea bombardments that resulted in the surrender of the Japanese.
History of Labuan Island
In the 1840s the previously uninhabited island was proposed as a base for British operations against piracy in the South China Sea. In 1846, the Sultan of Brunei Omar Ali Saifuddin II signed a treaty that ceded Labuan to Britain.
The island became a Crown Colony in 1848. The first White Rajah of Sarawak, James Brooke was appointed first commander-in-chief and Governor of the territory.
In 1849 the Eastern Archipelago Company became the first of many companies trying to exploit its coal deposits and establish it as a coaling station for the China trade. It later became a station for the submarine communication cable between Singapore and Hong Kong.
In 1890, Labuan came to be administered by the British North Borneo Chartered Company. It was reverted back to British government rule in 1904, then on 30 October 1906 joined to the Straits Settlements and administered from Singapore.
During World War II, Labuan was occupied by Japan from December 1941 to June 1945 and governed as part of the Northern Borneo military unit by the Japanese 37th Army. Labuan was renamed Maida Island (Pulau Maida) after Marquis Toshinari Maeda, the first commander of Japanese forces in northern Borneo.
The liberation of Borneo began on 10th June 1945 when the Allied Forces under the command of General McArthur landed at Labuan with a convoy of 100 ships. The 9th Australian Division launched an attack supported by massive air and sea bombardments that resulted in the surrender of the Japanese.
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| Commonwealth WWII cemetry on Labuan Island |
On 9 September 1945, General Masao Baba, commander of Japanese military, surrendered at the Layang-Layangan beach before Major General George F. Wooten, commander of Australian 9th Division Army. Labuan assumed its former name and was under British military administration on 15 July 1946, which in turn became a part of Malaysia as the state of Sabah in 1963.
Peace Park at Layang-Layangan beach
Situated at Layang-Layangan next to the palm fringed sandy beach, this beautifully landscaped park was built as a memorial and renunciation to the horrors of war. A huge man-made mound is the focal point where a plaque fixed to the curved and arched stonewall commemorates those lost.
Peace Park at Layang-Layangan beach
Situated at Layang-Layangan next to the palm fringed sandy beach, this beautifully landscaped park was built as a memorial and renunciation to the horrors of war. A huge man-made mound is the focal point where a plaque fixed to the curved and arched stonewall commemorates those lost.
Adjoining the grounds is an area dedicated to the surrender of the 32nd Japanese Southern Army, marking the end of the WWII in Borneo.
Labuan city water park
Labuan Island would be a great place to settle. There is an abundance of wealth on this tax-free haven, good beaches, and accessibility with a car as the roads are excellent, pretty countryside, an International airport and a lot of opportunity.
Travelling round Borneo
You would think that as a seasoned traveller there would be few problems that were completely insurmountable, however, Eastern Malaysia has bested me on more than one occasion. I had intend diving off of the world famous sites around Sipodan Island, diving in the Marine Park waters off of Labuan island, rafting down the Padas rapids and visiting the jungle camp at Bakaputa.
Labuan city water park
Labuan Island would be a great place to settle. There is an abundance of wealth on this tax-free haven, good beaches, and accessibility with a car as the roads are excellent, pretty countryside, an International airport and a lot of opportunity.
Travelling round Borneo
You would think that as a seasoned traveller there would be few problems that were completely insurmountable, however, Eastern Malaysia has bested me on more than one occasion. I had intend diving off of the world famous sites around Sipodan Island, diving in the Marine Park waters off of Labuan island, rafting down the Padas rapids and visiting the jungle camp at Bakaputa.
All have been abandoned, primarily due a complete lack of information on the website or otherwise. Rafting down the Padas River, an act of God, couldn’t be helped, however, improving the flow of information surrounding the other three activities would improve things considerably.
Tawau is some distance from KK, about 9 hours by bus, a further 1½-hour to Semporna and then an hour by boat to Sipodan, so quite an undertaking. The problem, to many variables as far as bus times, a lack of places to stay overnight along the way, lack of diving info and a limit on the number of divers allowed in the waters around Sipodan in any one day.
There was one package available for 5 days accommodation on Mabu with two days diving for £872 (normally £40 for two dives) and I still had to get there.
The situation was pretty much the same for the jungle camp and Labuan Island; days spent researching and no real solution.
Day trip to Brunei Darussalam, another country
About the size of Delaware, Brunei is an independent sultanate on the northwest coast of the island of Borneo in the South China Sea, wedged between the Malaysian states of Sabah and Sarawak.
Tawau is some distance from KK, about 9 hours by bus, a further 1½-hour to Semporna and then an hour by boat to Sipodan, so quite an undertaking. The problem, to many variables as far as bus times, a lack of places to stay overnight along the way, lack of diving info and a limit on the number of divers allowed in the waters around Sipodan in any one day.
There was one package available for 5 days accommodation on Mabu with two days diving for £872 (normally £40 for two dives) and I still had to get there.
The situation was pretty much the same for the jungle camp and Labuan Island; days spent researching and no real solution.
Day trip to Brunei Darussalam, another country
About the size of Delaware, Brunei is an independent sultanate on the northwest coast of the island of Borneo in the South China Sea, wedged between the Malaysian states of Sabah and Sarawak.
The Sultan Bolkiah was crowned in 1967 at the age of 22, succeeding his father Sir Omar Ali Saifuddin who abdicated. During his reign, exploitation of the rich Seria oilfield made the sultanate wealthy.
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| Royal Palace and barge |
Brunei has one of the highest per capita incomes in Asia, and the sultan is believed to be one of the richest men in the world.
In August 1998 the Oxford-educated Prince Al-Muhtadee Billah was inaugurated as heir to the 500-year-old monarchy. In September 2004 Parliament was re-instated for the first time since Brunei gained independence.
In August 1998 the Oxford-educated Prince Al-Muhtadee Billah was inaugurated as heir to the 500-year-old monarchy. In September 2004 Parliament was re-instated for the first time since Brunei gained independence.
The population is 395,027 with a growth rate of 1.7%; the life expectancy is 75.9 years of age with a density of 72 persons per square kilometer. The government provides housing for all Brunei citizens that can’t afford to buy and it is of a far higher standard than most houses built in the UK. After 5 years in residence you simply pay 150 dollars and the house is yours.
Bandar Seri Begawan is the capital city of this extraordinarily cash rich nation, with exports exceeding well over 11 billion dollars per annum. There is little or no tax payable, fuel, electric and gas is incredibly cheap and there are few signs of poverty.
The picture opposite is of the 700-year old fishing village, which includes a mosque and six schools. Even here the houses are re-built by the government at there expense to replace those beyond repair. The infrastructure, i.e. the roads, is superb.
The picture opposite is of the 700-year old fishing village, which includes a mosque and six schools. Even here the houses are re-built by the government at there expense to replace those beyond repair. The infrastructure, i.e. the roads, is superb.
After a day looking round Brunei, I headed back to Labuan Island for 1 night before taking the Express Ferry to Kota Kinabalu.
The intention, fly to Kuala Lumpur on the 2nd September and head to northern peninsular Malaysia to explore Taman Negara Tropical rain forest, Kota Bharu and the seaside resort of Penang before flying onto Bali, Indonesia
The intention, fly to Kuala Lumpur on the 2nd September and head to northern peninsular Malaysia to explore Taman Negara Tropical rain forest, Kota Bharu and the seaside resort of Penang before flying onto Bali, Indonesia
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