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Trip to the Malaysian Borneo
Trip to the Malaysian Borneo
Malaysian Borneo is a picturesque part of Asia, which I recommend to travellers who like close contact with nature. The states of Sarawak and Sabah are famous for primary rain forests, huge caves, and the rich cultural life of Borneo. In national parks and reserves we can see orangutans, proboscis monkeys, hornbills and rivers full of crocodiles. Explorers of Borneo can also climb the mountains, dive with sea turtles and rest on beautiful beaches.
Destination Borneo
I’ve planning my next trip to Borneo for 6 years, when I was here for the last time in 2012. I wanted to return to Borneo, specifically to the state of Sabah, because last time it was the only part of Malaysia which I haven’t explored yet. In 2012 I travelled for many months around the Western Malaysia (peninsular), and then I ended up in Kuching, where I started my journey through the state of Sarawak. It is true that I finished my journey in Kota Kinabalu, but at that time I didn’t go any further.
With the Malaysian flag in Kota Kinabalu. Sabah, East Malaysia.
Malaysia is undoubtedly a beautiful country, rich in natural beauty and the peculiarities of nature. I found that out when I was in the Taman Negara Park and in Sarawak parks, such as Mulu, Niah and Gunung Gading. I saw big caves, primary tropical forests and wonderful Orangatans. Sarawak is also worth visiting due to the culture of Borneo’s people. In the cultural villages, I saw how people lived in a traditional way and how they make food. I saw their costumes and national customs – and I think that cultures and traditions should be preserved.
Cultural village at the Sabah Museum in Kota Kinabalu.
This time I wanted to concentrate all my energy on the state of Sabah. I knew that I would see orangutans and proboscis monkeys, but each state is a little different and has something new to offer. Also, the fact that I haven’t been to Sabah so far, has been a burden of my traveler’s ambition. I intended to have fun, but above all I wanted to enjoy the nature of the island of Borneo. Whilst raveling around Sabah, I saw many places and had many interesting adventures, but in this article I will only tell briefly about the most important ones.
Kota Kinabalu
My first place was the main city in the state of Sabah – Kota Kinabalu. I’ve been there before, but this time it was a bit different. Kota Kinabalu was more developed, there were more stores, more goods and more money to spend. However, the charm of this seaside city remained the same. Bazaars and fish restaurants by the sea, exotic fruits and a nice climate of Kota Kinabalu kept me there much longer than I planned. I was also in the Museum of Borneo and the Sabah Mosque.
Then I went outside of the city, to the beach, near the mosque “on the water”, with a large blue dome. I got wet several times during the rainy season, but it was a warm tropical rain, so it was nice. Kota Kinabalu was also my base for some time to the places of interest. I think that every visit to Kota Kinabalu can be also treated as a culinary trip.
The marlin roundabout in Kota Kinabalu.
The Musem of Islamic Civilization
An interesting place in Kota Kinabalu was also the Museum of Islamic Civilization. What I liked the most about it, was the so-called ‘map of Islam’, showing all Muslim countries and all the countries with large Muslim populations. Some of the selected countries were: England, France, the Netherlands, Sweden and Canada. In the background there were shown smiling women and children, but there wasn’t a single word about Muslims organizing terrorist attacks, and raping White women and children.
After leaving the Museum of Islamic Civilization someone could have the impression that Islam in Europe is a salvation to us, and that Muslims are our friends. I remember that similar lies I saw in the fraudulent Stalin’s Museum in Gori. Over there it was also possible to get the impression that Stalin was a “good uncle” and that Communism was “an economic miracle and the oasis of freedom.” Muslims are experts at whitewashing their ideology, and the crimes of their pseudo-prophet.
However, I would like to add that people of Borneo I consider to be nice and helpful, and I have a good opinion about them. My bad opinion about Muslims in Europe and my strong right-wing views do not apply to Muslims in their own countries. To be fair with Muslims, I disagree with all the wars in their countries and I think that the West, which is financed and ruled by the Zionists did a lot of evil in the Muslim countries.
Every war in the Middle East and the mass immigration of Muslims to Europe stinks to me with Zionism.
City mosque, or the so-called floating mosque, about 4km away from Kota Kinabalu.
The highlights of Sabah
The first trip I took was to the Tunku Abdul Rahman marine national park. It is a picturesque area at sea, and the main attraction are five exotic islands with white beaches and palm trees. They are: Sapi, Manukan, Mamutik, Suluk and Gaya. All the islands are a bit different, because some have better beaches, and other have better coral reefs around than the others. For example, on the island of Sapi I liked wild monitor lizards very much. I also liked the wooden jetties leading to the beaches. There were nice views from them, and also jumped from them into the blue, transparent water.
Entrance to the Gaya island, in the Tunku Abdul Rahman marine national park.
By hitchhiking a few times I went to the Lok Kawi Nature Park, where among many animals I saw orangutans, proboscis monkeys and black bears, as well as Borneo birds, such as hornbills. There were also other animals, such as turtles, monitor lizards and buffaloes. I also liked the beautiful botanical garden in the park, with its many endemic plants of the island of Borneo. Unfortunately, the disadvantage of the park is that it lies off the beaten track, but for a hitchhiker like me, it was no problem.
Orangutan is one of the symbols of Borneo.
However, I think that the most important part of my trip after around the state of Sabah, was climbing the highest peak of the island of Borneo – Mount Kinabalu (4095.2 m above the sea level). Although I’ve already been higher, I must admit that climbing Mount Kinabalu was very demanding, because in order to reach the top I had to overcome 8km uphill through the jungle on the first day.
When I got to the Laban Rat base camp I had little time to rest, because I had to get up at 2 am and climb at night. When the line of trees and bushes was finished, the last part I climbed on bare rocks, holding onto the ropes. The views however were beautiful, as was the satisfaction of getting to the summit. The last day was very tiring, because I had to walk 13km, first to the top and then down to the park’s gate.
Climbing Mount Kinabalu (4095.2m above the sea level).
From there I returned to Kota Kinabalu, and after shopping for coffee and tea from the Borneo rainforest (according to the inscription on the packaging), I went by a minibus through the mountains, to the small town of Kudat. Then I got a hitch-hiking ride to the Peak of Borneo, meaning the impressive rock formations lying on the northernmost part of the island of Borneo. I really liked it because I lived in a wooden house on the beach. I swam, I jumped into high waves and walked among palm trees. Many tourists from Malaysia come to this place, just to walk for a short time on the rocks and quickly leave. To me however, the Peak Borneo is just an attractive addition to the wonderful beach and exotic surroundings. It was very nice. The waves massaged me for several days.
Tip of Borneo. Sabah, Malaysia.
Right now I am in Sandakan, which will also be my base for some time. Sandakan is a well-stocked city, where there are great fruit bazaars, fish market and fish restaurants by the sea, and a pleasant atmosphere. I enjoy street food and sweets over here, though I also like talking to people. Because I don’t drink alcohol and I don’t smoke cigarettes, I always go out for tea in the evening and take a walk by the sea. I always come back to the hotel with a bag of exotic fruit, such as: lanzones, mangosteen and jackfruit. Unfortunately, due to the strong smell / stench, many hotels in Borneo do not allow to bring durians. People in Borneo are always curious to know where I’m from, and I’m proud to say that I come from Poland.
Beautiful nature of the island of Borneo.
Sandakan is also a very good base to the surrounding places, and that’s why tourists come here. The most popular place is Sepilok, with its Orangutan Rehabilitation Center, who live there in semi wild conditions. Next to it there is also a center for Bornean Moon Bears, and a bit further Labuk Bay, where I went to take a closer look at proboscis monkeys, also living in semi-wild conditions. Good points in all those places are the feeding platforms, which are located close to the visitors. Thanks to this, we can see animals from a close distance. Closer to Sandakan there is also a very interesting Crocodile Park, where visitors should not miss the feeding time. After seeing crocodiles I went to the Peace Park, where among exotic vegetation of Borneo, there is a small museum about the occupation of Japanese Borneo, and the glorious Australian Army.
At the fish market in Sandakan. Sabah, Borneo, Malaysia.
The Cultural Village of Borneo
In Sandakan and its surroundings there are many interesting places, both related to nature, as well as historical and cultural ones. A good example is the Mari Mari cultural village, where the native people of Borneo live in their villages, according to the culture of their ancestors. They have their own technology of building houses and tools, they have their own dances, social customs and even their own alcohol and specific cuisine.
On the other hand, let’s imagine what would happen if the British Government came to power in the Mari Mari cultural village. Immediately, these people would have to accept an army of lazy Negroes and Arabs, they would have to put up with their crimes, and they would also have to participate in the marches of perverts. If they didn’t agree to annihilate their culture, they would be immediately called “racists”. Really, I am disgusted with Bolshevism.
In the Mari Mari cultural village in Borneo, I discovered a new way for women. First, I dip my arrows in a sleeping liquid, then I choose a woman that I like, I pick her up from the ground and take her home. As soon as we get there I chain her to the kitchen and then to the bed. When I go back to England, I’m going to start a family that way.
My next destinations in Sabah
Tomorrow I’m going to the Kinabatangan River, to walk in the jungle and go on a boat trip, in the search of monkeys, crocodiles and other wild animals. Apparently, the lucky ones are even able to see pygmy elephants there. Then I plan to go to the Semporna archipelago, where I want to dive with sea turtles and spend a few days on the boat. I will enjoy time on the picturesque islands with white sand and palm trees leaning to the sea, and I want to see villages on wooden posts built in the sea. Wherever I go in Borneo, it is always very nice. I suspect that the marine national park near Semporna will be exceptionally beautiful.
I have fulfilled my next travel dream, in the states of Sabah and Sarawak. I’ve traveled the whole of Malaysian Borneo, just as I always wanted.
Star fruit (carambola). In Borneo there are many exotic fruit unknown in Europe.
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