Below I’ve linked to all 16 posts written about my time in Malaysian Borneo. If you are planning your own trip to this part of the world, I hope you find this helpful!
Welcome to paradise! I spend my first day in Borneo crashing the luxurious Rasa Ria Resort.
I pay a visit to the Rasa Ria orangutan nature reserve and photograph these playful creatures.
Island Hopping in Kota Kinabalu
There are three islands just off the coast of Borneo’s second largest city. I spend the day scoping out all of them.
Arriving at Turtle Island, Borneo
We arrive on Turtle Island and spend all day relaxing in its glorious waters. It’s one of the best beaches I’ve ever had the privilege to visit.
One of the highlights of my entire trip is watching these turtles lay eggs at night and then releasing newly hatches babies into the ocean.
We cruise along the Kinabatangan River and spot proboscis monkeys, pygmy elephants, and Sasquatch. No joke.
When the sun goes away, the animals come out to play. We spot everything from frogs to gators to snakes (!) during this nighttime river cruise.
Phallic-Faced Proboscis Monkeys
These monkeys have a face only a mother or a lover could love. Also, that time I hitchhiked.
Orangutans at Sepilok Sanctuary
Borneo is one of only two areas in the world where you can find orangutans in the wild. Today I visit Sepilok, a renowned sanctuary, to behold these creatures in their natural habitat.
Mataking Island: Paradise on Earth
I splurge on a night at the nicest resort I’ve ever seen. Call back Adam and Eve, because I’ve just discovered Eden.
Mataking Island is the first place I’ve gotten to witness macro life underwater, like tiny nudibranchs. There’s also a plethora of clownfish, starfish, and TURTLES! Plus my first night dive.
Mabul: A Case for Measured Expectations
I arrive in Mabul expecting to find a beautiful island, but instead I encounter rickety accommodation and lots of trash.
If Mabul is disappointing above ground, it’s a totally different story underwater: I spy a variety of macro life, more turtles, a few boat wrecks, and a lion fish.
Giant schools of barracudas, dozens of shark sightings… check out why Sipadan Island is considered one of the best dive sites on earth.
A whole bunch of random moments from my time in Malaysian Borneo, including a floating mosque and a wedding.
Expense Report: Malaysian Borneo
It’s not a surprise that my new scuba diving hobby has jacked up my average daily budget in Malaysia. So exactly how much did 16 days in this country set me back?
