Korean Job Discussion Forums

[kris131]

I'm trying to decide between Palawan or Borneo Malaysia for summer vacation. I want to do a combo of diving and jungle. I spent a month in the Philippines last summer and absolutely loved it, however I didn't make it out to Palawan. I heard great things about Palawan the entire time I was there though. What do people think? Is there enough to do on Palawan for 8 days?

As for Borneo - I don't know much about it. I'd fly to Kota Kinabalu, but from there is it easy to get around? I don't want to spend a day or more getting from the main city to the places I actually want to be spending my time in - islands, mountain, etc.

What do you guys think?

[Enigma]

I haven't been to the Philippines yet, but I was in Sabah, Borneo in August and loved it. I spent about 8 full days just in Sabah and could have easily spent another week there.
I also flew into KK and I bought a one way ticket from KK to Sandakan. Then I slowly made my way back overland to KK for my flight home. Flights in Sabah are dirt cheap, especially if you book a few months in advance. You can check AirAsia and Malaysian, as well as Malaysian's discount airline MASwings.
PM me if you've got any questions

[TECO]

I recommend Palawan.

But it's a pain in the ass to get to. Once there, though, a real treat. The islands off the mainland, which are only a 20 - 30 minute boat ride, are pristine. I was completely amazed at the beauty of those islands. I like Thailand, particularly for it's infrastructure, but it's beaches have nothing on those often found in the Phils.

But again, do not expect any Internet access or shopping malls (unless you head down the 8 hr. trip to Puerta Princessa.

Well worth it though, IMO.

[hapigokelli]

I did them both last year and I felt that Palawan outshone Borneo in nearly every respect. Of course the diving was better in Sipidan (off the coast of Borneo) but it is very difficult to get passes to dive there if you dont book in advance. Palawan seemed to me to be more laid back.

Plus Borneo was MUCH more expensive.

In Palawan I visited Puerto Princessa, Sabang, El Nido and Coron.
In Sabah, Borneo: Kota Kinablu, the orangutan reserve, Sandakan, Sipidan and did 2 days on a jungle tour.

[prideofidaho]

I agree that Palawan will be cheaper in terms of food, accomodation, etc. I've been to Sarawak, Sabah, and Palawan and they're all good.

If you want the experience of a lifetime definitely go to Sarawak to the Kelabit Highlands. You can fly to Bario from Miri for very, very cheap if booked in advance. The trekking is fantastic. You can do jungle or mountain, and the guides are local and lovely. Might be a bit rushed for just 8 days though, but it would be possible to fly to KK, the fly to Miri, then stay the night and fly ti Bario the next morning, arrange a trek, do said trek, fly back to Miri and then KK and then Tawau (closest airport to Sempoarna if you are wanting to dive Sipadan). Would be a tad rushed but worth it to see

Palawan, also, was a real treat. The diving was great, cheaper than Sabah, and much less congested. Sipidan is beautiful but there will be heaps of other divers there. , the atmosphere of El Nido beats Sempoarna or Mabul Island one thousand times over. Sempoarna is the port nearest to Sipadan, Mabul is the main tourist island you stay on if you want to dive Sipadan. They're busy, dirty, and pricey places to stay. We took two weeks in Palawan, and it's my opinion that that was just on the cusp of what's needed to slowly make ones way up the eastern coast from Puerto Princessa. If you only had 8 days it might be better to fly to PP, then take a bus to El Nido and base yourself around there. I did not make it to Coron so can't comment.