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

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    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.

      Delete

Last day in Kota Kinabalu and Seoul, Korea

The next day we had breakfast as our last official activity included with the tour.  And said goodbye to some of the people in our group.  T...