Sunday, November 3, 2024

Did you know Borneo is not a country?

As usual, I am doing my due diligence after the fact.  Let me back up a few hours.

My friend Alisma dropped by for coffee and innocently asked where my next trip is.  I said I am aiming for the 5 'Stans with G-Adventures in fall 2025.  Since I don't remember the names of four of the 'Stans or where the 'Stans are exactly, we looked it up on the G website.  It turns out G Adventures is having a sale.  But not on the 5 Stans. 

I like sales.  And I have so much Air Canada credit due to the strike debacle for my Europe trip...  So, while we were in there, I had a peak at some trips that fit with my 'nothing planned' window in Jan/Feb.  Borneo!  

Borneo – East Sabah Adventure

I had some restraint.  I didn't book it while Alisma was still in the house.  I checked with my co-advisor, Robynne who will be back from her trip if I go in February.  My coordinator was conveniently working some overtime (it's Sunday today) so I was able to check with her.  Both were fine with me going between  Feb 12 - 22.  

Restraints were off.  I booked the tour.  I bought a flight (something like 28 hours for an 8 day trip - yikes).  Tour was on sale so I used the savings to book my own room.  Flight was 'free' so that's nice.  Banked credit is free right?  

I did some more overtime hours to help pay for all of this.  Then I ordered a Borneo Bird Book (or two...😏).  and now it is 4 hours later and it's all done.  Time to create the blog!  And here we are. 

Having learned my lesson (somewhat), I googled 'Borneo map", which is when I discovered Borneo is an island, not a country and I am in fact going to Malaysia.  The other two countries on Borneo are Brunei and Indonesia. 


I actually remembered to check if I might need a travel visa.  I do not according to Gov't of Canada travel page.  But they were kind enough to let me know that Malaysia requires that I 'exercise a high degree of caution' and for the Sabah region, where I will be specifically, I should 'avoid non-essential travel'.  I assume I won't be in the highest risk areas. Plus my G peeps will keep me safe. 


That's probably enough for now.  But I'm gonna see these guys! 


2 comments:

  1. I've been to the Kuching end of Malaysian Borneo in 2018. I stayed in a 5 Star hotel that was only $50 per night! I enjoyed learning all the White Rajah history and ate some great food.
    But I also really wanted to visit the Kota Kinabalu corner of the island. I discovered books by Agnes Newton Keith years ago and own four or five of them. They are all good. If you get a chance read some of her writings on life in North Borneo. Her house in Sabah is apparently a popular museum.
    In the movie 'Three Came Home', Agnes was portrayed by Claudette Colbert. She lived to age 82 and passed away in Oak Bay BC. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Agnes_Newton_Keith

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    1. You always manage to find my next blog, even before I tell anyone it exists! I'll try to find a book my Agnes Newton Keith before I go.

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