Malaysia, Borneo and KK

With my initial travel plans my visit here in Kota Kinabalu (KK) was more accidental and only based upon the fact that I would have needed to leave the Philippines after 59 days. So I asked a friend: “John- where can I go for a few days?” and he suggested KK. The flight was cheap and I trusted his judgment, so I booked it not even knowing where exactly KK is…

Malaysia

Malaysia has its origins in the Malay Kingdoms present in the area which, from the 18th century, became subject to the British Empire. The first British territories were known as the Straits Settlements, whose establishment was followed by the Malay kingdoms becoming British protectorates.

The country is multi-ethnic and multi-cultural, which plays a large role in politics. The government system is closely modelled on the Westminster parliamentary system and the legal system is based on English Common Law. The constitution declares Islam the state religion while protecting freedom of religion. The head of state is the King, known as the Yang di-Pertuan Agong. He is an elected monarch chosen from the hereditary rulers of the nine Malay states every five years. The head of government is the Prime Minister.

About two thirds of Malaysia is covered in forest, with some forests believed to be 130 million years old. There are around 14,500 species of flowering plants and trees.

Nice surprise

After I had to cut some of my travel time the trip to Malaysia became more important for me and in the last few days before I took off from Manila I became really excited about my visit: me in Borneo- aa picture I have never dreamed of.

Since in the meantime I know with the right Hostel your stay will be a lot of fun I invested some time to look for a good place in advance and reserved a bed in a dorm prior to my arrival. Thanks again to Lonely Planet I decided to go for “Lucy’s Homestay –Backpacker’s Lodge” and I must say- that was the best decision possible: the place is cute and clean, the other travelers’ fun and Lucy is the mother you wish for. She is in the middle of her 50ies, a little bit smaller than me, short black curly hair, round glasses, a lovely humor, is strict when it comes to the breakfast or putting off your shoes before entering the house and has just a huge heart.  

So after I arrived in KK, put down my stuff and went for a shower I was sitting down to check what I could do here with my limited time of 5 days. Lucy must have sensed my disorientation so she sat down right next to me, looked at me over her round glasses and asked with her high but slow voice: Sascha- what is it you wanna do here?”  So I told her a little bit of beach would be nice and since I have never been to the rainforest I would love to check it out somehow. So she handed me over a voucher for boat trips to some of the islands in front of KK which belong to the maritime national park “Tunku Abdul Rahman National Park”  –with huge beaches and possibilities to snorkel and showed me further a flyer for a 3-day safari I could do. In that moment I thought Lucy is just the perfect women to run a hostel- like a good bartender who knows what his costumer wants to drink even though they don’t know it themselves Lucy just knew what I was looking for.

The Islands of Manukan and Sapi

The national park of consist out of 5 islands in total. Lucy recommended I should go on the biggest one called Manukan and Lupi Island, one of the smaller ones since they would not only have several beached but also a trail through the islands where I could get a first glimpse what the rainforest is going to be. 

The beaches turned out to be amazing: the sand was white, the water warm and turquoise, palm trees in the back and a coral reef right in front. When I snorkeled I saw the most colorful fishes possible, some tiny, others huge, some shy- other actually curious and they followed me. I saw see urchins as well as and clown fishes and became just the perfect tan! 

When I hiked the little trail I came across hundreds of geckos, vines and palm trees.

The rainforest of Borneo

I know I repeat myself when I write that I did something I never thought before I would do. But that is just what happens when you are traveling: you will encounter things you didn’t plan in advance. The same with the safari- If someone would have told me 4 months ago when I started my travels that I will go on a safari in Borneo to see the wildlife in the rainforest I would have most probable declared that person as mental. But that is just what happened: I went for three days deep into the jungle to watch Orangutans with their babies, hike through the rainforest at night to see “Ghost Monkeys” and be just stunned by the beauty of a sunrise in the wildness. 

The camp I stayed in with some other backpackers was right next to the river Kinabatagan which is the longest river in Malaysia and the second biggest in Asia. It is a huge river- clay-colored and its shore is just covered with trees, bushes and flowers. Each single plant is fighting for a little piece of soil and light. The air is filled with the smell of nature and sounds from animals I never heard of. In the branches are monkeys jumping, over your head birds are flying and in the river banks crocodiles waiting for their dinner. It felt like being in the very heartbeat of nature.

I don’t think I have ever been so close to Mother Nature and have never understood better why it is our obligation to save the environment. Seeing all the sensitive wildlife I have only seen before in zoos and school books made me more responsible and appreciate what I was able to see.

Next to all that I had just a wonderful company, met wonderful people and enjoyed the exchange with the other travelers.

To sum up – my experience of Borneo went beyond everything I expected and I am happy to got to see that little piece of the picture. I will definitely come back and explore more of the unique nature, get closer to the friendly people and understand better the amazing culture.

Tomorrow I will leave Malaysia already- and will hit my next stop and my last destination during my trip: Hong Kong!