As winter settles over Melbourne at the moment, the holiday escape to Borneo proved to be just what I needed! In case you're not aware, I'm quite passionate about any journey, getaway, or ordinary occasion that features balmy temperatures and a water setting. This was my first time visiting Borneo and truthfully, my knowledge about the island was fairly limited. I knew of a prominent peak that experienced seismic activity recently, with locals attributing it to visitors behaving inappropriately, plus I'd heard about the abundance of orangutans inhabiting the area.
The opening days of our journey were spent near Kuta Kinabalu. My stay at the Shangri-La provided the perfect opportunity to unwind following the demanding weeks prior. I was absolutely delighted! The accommodation featured a stunning vista across the shoreline, the youthful side of me gleefully (quite vocally) reacted with excitement upon spotting the water slide in the resort's aquatic facilities, and I practically subsisted on peanut sauce combined with chicken satay throughout my four-day stay.
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| Peanut sauce is genuinely my favourite condiment of all time! |
We plunged straight into the holiday's peaceful atmosphere, spending our days savouring piña coladas, strolling along the shoreline, sailing, and reading.
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| Beautiful balcony outlook from our accommodation. |
If you're staying at the Shangri-La (or visiting the area) make sure to book the Orangutang viewing at least a day in advance as it fills quickly. I was thrilled about the prospect of seeing the orangutangs. Unfortunately, my anticipation didn't quite match the reality. Certainly, all revenue supports the orangutang rehabilitation program. During the orangutang viewing, there's a sizable crowd watching simultaneously. Two separate platforms are available for viewing, offering multiple vantage points to observe the orangutangs. However, it proved somewhat underwhelming. It reminded me of watching orangutangs in a zoo setting. Should I return to Borneo, I'd prefer to volunteer at the rehabilitation centre elsewhere on the island or arrange an eco-tour through the Bornean rainforest to encounter the orangutangs in their natural habitat.
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| G'day mischievous orangutan! |
Following several days of pampering at the Shangri-La, we caught a flight to Tawau on the island's far side. The journey from there involved a brief yet remarkable boat trip to Mataking Island. To be honest, it was rather hairy. I'm not entirely sure whether our proximity to the Philippine border was the cause, but midway through the voyage, we came alongside a sizeable vessel crammed with armed personnel. My American instincts momentarily surfaced and I immediately feared it might develop into something from a thriller. Thankfully, I suspect the vessel simply stopped to verify visas and passenger numbers, as the island operates under a daily permit cap.
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| Arrival at Mataking Island! |
I struggle to find adequate words to convey just how WONDERFUL this destination is. It felt like stepping into a tranquil haven. The accommodation overlooked the beach perfectly, and there was snorkelling, diving, plus a nightly baby turtle release. I must commend the staff—they were truly outstanding! Managing food allergies during group meals can be tricky, but they consistently checked whether I'd had sufficient food or wanted them to prepare something specially. They were absolutely lovely!
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| The most spectacular morning vista! |
I'm somewhat regretful about leaving my underwater photography gear behind. During daily snorkelling sessions, a sea turtle would glide around near the room and remained calm when I'd dive down for a closer encounter. Throughout each evening's turtle release, the team would collect some hatchlings from the nursery and guide them to the shore so they could venture into the sea.
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| Hatchlings during the turtle release. |
The disappointing aspect of the turtle release was witnessing some guests disregarding the staff's instructions. Visitors wouldn't watch their footing, they'd breach the boundary marked by staff, and would pick up the baby turtles despite being explicitly instructed not to! It was incredibly frustrating! Beyond the issue of guests ignoring staff directions, it was rather upsetting to witness how much rubbish had accumulated across the island. From the boat, one guest tossed a plastic bottle overboard as if it were inconsequential! I understand the resort was meant for relaxation, but a beach clean-up initiative would have been something I'd eagerly joined.
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| Quite upsetting! |
The getaway proved to be a welcome reprieve throughout an exceptionally demanding period. I shall certainly return to Borneo to experience the full range of wonders this remarkable destination offers! I'd be interested to hear your methods for managing stress during holidays. Have you ever found pressure spoiling your time away? Share your thoughts in the comments section!
Until we meet again...
Remain Inquisitive!
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