Our 2014

It's been an eventful year. It's been a long one that paradoxically has gone quickly. It was our first full year in Brunei, and this new year marks the half way point. We are no longer the newbies but still a long way off from the lifers. The year has been marked with various visits to Ripas, and to the mechanics.... but also with several trips around the area on planes, boats and automobiles.

Over the mountain we go (again)

We set off fairly late from Sepilok with the aim of reaching Kinarut Laut (south of Kota Kinabalu) at an acceptable time to enjoy their home made cheeses and sampling their Australian cellar's offer. A perfect ending in site to motivate us to get by another long day in the car....

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....

Kota Kinabalu to Sandakan, or I'm glad we have a 4x4

325 km - 6 hours...

First hurdle on the journey was to get out of busy Kota Kinabalu. Make sure to fill up before embarking on the journey as the petrol stations are sparse... Which can only be a good thing as the next 200 km are going up and down to get beyond the majestical Mount Kinabalu; There are enough of slow vehicles to overtake without petrol tankers!

Kota Kinabalu night market

We wandered into the night market for dinner with fresh seafood in mind. Luckily it was a bit breezy as the fish smell is quite pungent on a still day (as smelled from the Le Meridien's pool, opposite the market). The market was really busy due to the extra traders for the Chinese New Year but there was enough choice in stalls to find seats.

The road trip

The day arrived when the Pajero that spent the last 3,5 months at the workshop was put to test: 4 adults and a toddler, 604 miles, 5 stops... What could possibly go wrong?!