Animal sanctuaries at Sepilok

The Kapili-Sepilok forest reserve hosts two important centres where tourists can spot orangutans and Bornean sun bears in their natural habitat. The reserve is a much needed conservation land for the primary jungle that is fast disappearing to plantations and commercialisation in the wider Sabah area.

Swimming with the turtles

Diving around the Mabul island and adjacent dive sites offered a whole host of different marine life.

Diving with the Scuba Junkies

We stayed on Mabul island, surrounded by white sandy beaches and clear, turquoise waters.

Sandakan to Semporna, or the great oil palm route

The route was estimated by local travel agents to take 6 hours, so we were fully prepared for a long sitting. However, Phil managed to shave off whole 2 hours of the journey time to all of our amazement as the road surface started as shockingly as on the last leg. But after the first half an hour the road was clearly paid by the local palm oil plantations as it was more than passable! I know this endless count of road surfaces might be a bit boring for a casual reader but I've never before needed a co-driver not for maps but pothole spotting....