Korean Job Discussion Forums

Fofazoju · Joined: 09 May 2006

I am heading there for winter vacation. Has anyone been there that can suggest some MUST-SEE things and some SKIP-IT things in their opinion. I have the guide book, am just looking to see first-hand accounts Very Happy

Also wondering about Brunei. Is it worth heading over there or is it a waste of a few days.

Thanks!

soviet_man · Joined: 23 Apr 2005 Location: Seoul

The mosques of Brunei ... amazing.

http://www.trekearth.com/gallery/Asia/Brunei/

kalkamagi · Joined: 17 Jul 2006 Location: Seoul

are you flying into kota kinabalu?

if you're into diving, one of the best sites in the world is pulau sipadan. you would fly from kk to tawau and arrange for transport there. it was amazing.

Fofazoju · Joined: 09 May 2006

Yes, I am flying into KK. I would love to make it to Sipadan - can it be done on a day trip from Semporna? I have been looking up places to stay and on any one of those little islands its all resorts and min $300 a night. Needless to say, not in the budget Wink

Can you do day trips to the little island and is it just as good? Also, I don't dive, but would still like to go there. I'm assuming the snorkeling is just as good no?

normalcyispasse · Posted: Thu Nov 08, 2007 10:19 pm Post subject:

Malaysian Borneo is FANTASTIC. KK is a great city, too. Near the backpacker's district there's an amazing outdoor restaurant; food's great, cheap, and the ambiance is chill.

I recommend the hike up Mt. Kinabalu. Also, spend at least one day on Sapi/Manukan; they're cheap to get to and absolutely gorgeous.

Sipadan is not doable in a day trip. You can fly into there from KK or take a 7-hour bus, but I wouldn't do it in one day.

Fofazoju · Joined: 09 May 2006

Oh no i didn't mean doable from KK, I meant from Semporna Smile

It is right on the coast. I just mean I cant afford to spend 400 a night to stay ON the actual island of Sipadan. So i was wondering if they have shuttle boats heading over from the coast - Semporna. I'm still trying to plan the route, but I'm planning for at least 2-3 days in that area and then possibly fly to KK where I'll then fly to Kuching or Miri (spelling is prob off - don't have my book here.)

I have 3 weeks so I have a lot of time. Is the orangutan center in Sepilok worh the visit? Will I just feel like I am at a zoo??

RnH · Joined: 02 Aug 2006 Location: Korea

Hi there,

Yes, you can do Sipadan on a day trip from Semporna - you can choose to do either 2 or 3 dives in a day. But the snorkelling is fantastic too - loads of fish, turtles, reef sharks, eels, schools of Jacks etc. Just go to a dive shop (there are quite a few) in Semporna and ask to go on the boat with the divers. The boats dock at Sipadan island, so you've got the entire day to snorkel there while they're doing the diving. The snorkelling along the drop-off is amazing!!! And the island itself is BEAUTIFUL! A bit pricy though, compared to the rest of the diving in South-East, but well-worth it!

I'd also recommend Mt Kinabalu national park, it's beautiful, especially if you're into hiking. But you MUST go and see the wildlife on the Kinabatangan river. All the lodges there are quite pricy though, but we found a great place "Nature Lodge" - it was RM400 for 2 nights - well worth it - saw wild orangutans, otters, loads of proboscis monkeys, but we unfortunately missed the pygmy elephants (although they are seen there too).

I'd also recommend Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation center to see close-up views of Orangutans, but it's a little depressing. Be careful of the Orangutans though, they come right up to you and climb all over you - we had to hide all our jewellery etc and they even broke the top of our tripod!

Sapi/Manukan Island are also great places near KK, but the snorkelling is nowhere near as good as Sipadan, but they are very pretty islands.

Poring hot springs is also nice but the hiking is a little tough. You can also see the big Rafflesia flowers up the road from it.

Hope this info helps!

PS between KK and manila with air asia is really cheap - $40-50 a person one way.

RnH · Joined: 02 Aug 2006 Location: Korea

Oh, I forgot, if you go to Sipadan to dive, book IN ADVANCE!!! They only allow a certain number of divers a day to the island. I'm not sure if this applies to snorkelling too, but I'd say try book a few days ahead if you can. When we went, we were told we'd have to wait 3 days, but luckily another couple cancelled.