Korean Job Discussion Forums

[jamiekarin]

I am interesting in travelling to the Malaysian area in Borneo, but I've heard a few unsafe pieces of news from other travellers? Does anyone have any information of recent experiences there who can give me some insight? Also, I've heard it's a difficult process in preparing to go there, as you need shots, visas, etc. Any information or advice would be much appreciated! Thanks!

[Fofazoju]

Not sure who you have been talkin to as no shots are needed, it is realtively safe (lone female traveller here) and you don't need any visas. I just spent 3 weeks there and it was awesome. You don't need any shots, tho as per usual, hep a and B would be good to have. I enjoyed Sabah more but could have been due ot the rain in Sarawak. It is a great country and I can give you some must-see spots and misses if you want.

[jamiekarin]

Wonderful news. Yeah, my friend is traveling through Thailand right now and she ran into a couple who had just been to Borneo and apparently they said there's a lot you need to get done before you go, shots, etc...but I'm glad to here it's not! I did some more research yesterday and didn't find anything crazy.

I do have another question though - I only have time to do either Sabah or Sarawak. Based on research Sabah seems "better", but another friend of mine told me to go to Sarawak. Can you give me your input and any "must-see" places I should go?

Also, I will have just been in Bali. Will I have to travel all the way back to Jakarta to catch a flight to Sabah/Sarawak?

Any info is much appreciated! Thanks!

[Fofazoju]

well I spent 2 weeks in Sabah and then 1 week in Sarawak and didn't travel around Sarawak to the extent that I did Sabah, so it is hard for me to say which is "better". It also all depends on the person. I liked Sabah better as there WAS more variety in things to see and do.

In Kota Kinabalu, it is an OK city as far as cities go but the BESt part of the city is you are a 10 min ferry ride to BEAUTIFUL islands. There are 5 off the coast you can choose from. I only made it to 2 of them but they were great. I then went to Mount Kinabalu but didnt climb the mountain. If you want to climb it, I would suggest putting aside 3-4 days for it. You have to spend 1 night on the moutnain, but it is good to spend the night before/after at the park as the next destination (Sandakan) is a 6 hour bus ride away.

In Sandakan there isn't much to see (at all) but its a good place to base urself if u want to go to Sepilok (the orangutans). Actually, the bus gets OFFF at the junction for Sepoilok (its only 20 mins way from Sandakan) but u have to arrange it beforehand as there is no official stop. Plus, from there you have to catch another bus/taxi down the road to where u can stay.

From Sepilok you can actually arrange tours down the Kinabatagon river. A MUST DO!!!!!!! I did the Bilot lodge but there are many to choose form. Uncle Tans got good reviews. I would definitely recommend staying at least 2 nights tho to get the real feel of it.

A MUST also is Semporna where u can go to Mabul and Sipadan. I ended up having to stay in Semporna for a few days which wasnt TERRIBLE but with no beach there, there wasnt much to do but walk around and get MANY stares. They are not the friendliest here.

You can actually arrange to stay at Uncle CHangs on Mabul island but book in advanced, it was all booked up when I tried to go. Mabul is nice but Sipadan is much nicer. You can't of course stay in the island tho. And actually, the island is inhabited by Malay army peeps. It was kinda weird being there with them on their "base" but they minded their own business I guess. You have to arrange to go here with a boat as I don't believe private boats can take you (they have to register u to come to the island).

So thats the basics of Sabah. But you can always do more! But thats the gist of it. Sarawak had great national parks and if you get away form Kuching you can do the long house tours (I didnt hear overwhelmingly that it was all that great). I enjoyed both really, but I guess i loved the beaches in Sabah. OH if you want beaches Sarawak is NOT the place to go. The beaches on Sabah are BEAUTIFUL (MUCH better than Bali too in my opinion

As for flights, I am pretty sure u have to go back to Jakarta tho I have no idea.