Borneo beach holiday. Borneo: the island of dreams in Malaysia. Kuching Airport, how to get to Borneo, Borneo hotels. What to do and see on the island of Borneo. Hawaii Dayak Harvest Festival

Which is divided into 5 regions. Malaysia includes two states: Sabah with its capital Kota Kinabalu and Sarawak with its main city Kuching. Brunei occupies only 1% of the territory.

Sabah is famous for its beaches, coral reefs, warm sea and mountain parks, as well as a high level of security: the area lies below the typhoon line, residents call it “the land below the wind.” Sarawak is home to wild nature, impenetrable jungles, historical villages and museums, a true cradle of civilization. In addition, both states have cities with ancient and modern cultural and architectural monuments, museums, art galleries and religious buildings.

How to get to Borneo

Borneo is not the most popular destination among Russian tourists, so there are no direct flights from Moscow; the most profitable way to get there is with one transfer in Kuala Lumpur, Hong Kong, Pudong and other cities. Such flights are offered by Malaysia Airlines, Air Asia, China Eastern Airlines, and China Southern Airlines.

Often travelers buy tickets to Kuala Lumpur, and from there they travel by local low-cost airlines. The comfort is very relative, but the cost justifies the inconvenience.

The shortest connecting flight from Russia to Borneo lasts about 17 hours. Interestingly, not only those traveling on international flights undergo customs inspection, but also passengers arriving from mainland Malaysia.

From airport to city

There are two airports in the Malaysian part of Borneo: the large international Kota Kinabalu and the small, but also international, Kuching.

The city of Kota Kinabalu can be reached from the airport of the same name by public buses or taxis. Buses run rarely, about once an hour, but they allow you to save money. A taxi ride is much more comfortable, it costs 26-38 MYR. Drivers work on a prepaid basis; orders must be made at special counters in the terminal building. Prices on the page are for October 2018.

There are no direct buses from the second airport to Kuching, and the nearest stop is 2 km from the terminal, so it is wiser to immediately take a taxi and go to your destination; you will have to pay 40 MYR.

For those tourists who do not plan to visit big cities, and immediately go to a hotel on the coast, it is also more convenient to use a taxi service, in addition, many hotels provide transfers.

Search for flights to Kuala Lumpur (closest airport to Borneo)

Transport

Public transport in Borneo is an extensive and well-organized network of bus routes, as well as many private minibuses. Buses run mainly in large cities and suburbs, the former are called City Bus, and the latter - Local Bus. There are 16 routes in Kuching, and 3 in Kota Kinabalu, while the transport is quite modern and comfortable, and travel is inexpensive.

Tickets can be purchased at special ticket offices or from the driver; the cost of the trip depends on the distance.

There is a railway in Borneo, although only one line connecting the cities of Tenom and Tanjung Aru, one of the suburbs of Kota Kinabalu. On Wednesdays and Saturdays, a real steam locomotive takes to the route - the last one operating in Malaysia; tourists enjoy riding on it. The rest of the trains, on the contrary, are modern and comfortable. Another unusual “resident” of this railway is the Sabah RailBus, a cross between a tram, an electric train and a bus.

Ferries and boats can take you to tropical islands and internal parts Borneo itself along the rivers. Ferries depart from Jesselton Point Terminal (address: Jalan Haji Saman, Kota Kinabalu Sabah). Among the river vehicles, the Expres water buses and motorized “long boats” are especially popular.

Taxi is one of the most comfortable types of transport, especially if the traveler needs to go to the central part of the island. It is better to contact legal carriers, as they always work according to the meter. A trip around the city costs 25-30 MYR. Those who want more freedom of movement can rent a car or bike; traffic in cities is busy and parking is usually paid. The bike is usually rented only for moving within one settlement. There are many rental services, often located at hotels.

Borneo Hotels

Travelers arriving in Borneo tend to settle close to the sea. While Kuching or Kota Kinabalu mainly features high-rise hotels and apartment complexes, the suburbs offer accommodation options with cottages, villas, bungalows, tents, as well as more traditional guesthouses and farmhouses.

A double room in a three-star hotel costs 70-200 MYR, modest but original accommodation in a bungalow on the water costs 200-400 MYR, and for the high comfort of a 5-star level you will have to pay 400-560 MYR per night. Many hotels have their own beaches with free sunbeds for guests, parking and Wi-Fi.

Beaches

The beaches of Borneo are covered with snow-white sand, lush greenery grows around, and they are protected from the waves by coral reefs. The only negative is the “red tide”, which lasts about two weeks between February and May.

A “red tide” is a bloom of water, during which plankton multiply, the sea takes on a reddish or brown tint, and swimming from the shore is prohibited, as you can be poisoned by toxins.

Kelambu is considered one of the best beaches in the state of Sebah - a cozy stretch of coast with clear water and an almost complete absence of vacationers. The place is perfect for travelers with children, and its only drawback is the long distance from Kota Kinabalu, you will have to drive for almost 3 hours. But just 6 km from the city there is another beach - Tanjung Aru, crowded and well-equipped, it has not only sun loungers and umbrellas (15 MYR per sun lounger per day), but also numerous cafes, spas, clubs and hotels. You can get there by bus in just 15 minutes.

But the most luxurious beaches await guests on the nearby islands. Mamutik is a tiny uninhabited piece of land that offers great opportunities for swimming and diving. People love to relax on Manukan local residents, there, in addition to the excellent coral beach, there are several ecological trails. Sapi has an equipped sandy beach, but there are no cafes or restaurants, so you should take food with you. Sulu is the best place for those who prefer solitude, it is located the furthest from Borneo, so few swim here, and the magnificent beach and almost untouched jungle are amazing. The longest of the beaches is on the island of Gaya: 20 km, along which there are several cafes and restaurants and only one hotel.

What to bring

In Borneo you can buy many souvenirs for yourself and your friends, and these will not just be trinkets of the same type, but real works of art. For example, Malay batik is highly prized. On the island they paint on silk and cotton, and the quality of the paints is such that the brightness of the fabric remains for many years.

Pearls are mined in Sabah, so you can find luxurious pearl jewelry in any jewelry store. Another local “product” is sea cucumber balm “Gamat”, it is sold at every turn, but it is safest to choose the pharmacy version. It is believed that this balm helps cope with a variety of diseases.

All fans of the famous durian or simply lovers of exotic edibles will love candies and sweets filled with this specific fruit. The fruits themselves cannot be exported due to the strong smell.

The national beads of the local residents of the island are very beautiful. In Borneo, mainly in the state of Sabah, there live several dozen indigenous peoples, some of whom have led a tribal lifestyle to this day. These traditional beads are called pinakol and are sold in every souvenir shop. Sarawak craftsmen are famous for their bamboo products - carved or painted boxes and boxes.

Cuisine and restaurants of Borneo

Borneo's cuisine is a combination of Malay, Indonesian, Indian and Chinese traditions. The basis of almost all dishes is nasi rice: it is served as an independent dish, as a side dish, fried, or steamed in banana leaves. Seafood and meat are often prepared, with the exception of pork, since the locals are mainly Muslim. Each dish is served with very hot sauces with a lot of spices. To put out the “fire in the mouth,” bring ice water with lime or cold herbal tea. But you can also always ask for non-spicy food.

The second most popular dish after rice is noodles, and the cheapest way to eat: roti, made from thin dough. They are dipped in sauces or filled with filling.

If you wish, you can try exotic things: locusts, shark meat and its fins, swallow’s nests.

Particularly popular among restaurants are the so-called “fish markets”, which have aquariums with marine life. Guests can choose their future dinner and order it to be prepared. The main advantage of such places is the obvious freshness of the dishes. But you can also have a tasty and safe snack in a regular cafe. Flatbreads are most often sold in street eateries. Dinner per person in a restaurant costs about 15-20 MYR.

The best photos of Borneo

Guides to Borneo

Entertainment and attractions

Travelers to Borneo are most often interested in nature. But the island has historical and cultural attractions. And if for the sake of natural beauty you have to travel long and tiringly somewhere, then many monuments are located right in cities or near them.

The capital of Sabah, Kota Kinabalu, is a modern, well-kept city with skyscrapers, one of which is definitely worth a visit to admire the surrounding area from above. This building is called Tun Mustafa Tower and is located at Yayasan Sabah, 88400. The Sabah State Mosque is also striking in its architecture - a modern and harmonious cultural and religious center, which has become the main place of worship for Muslims on the island (Sambulan Roundabout, Kota Kinabalu City, Sabah).

Not far from the mosque is the State Museum - a large complex with a botanical garden, an art gallery, an ethnographic village, a science and technology center, a museum of Islamic civilization and a zoo (Jalan Muzium, 88300, Kota Kinabulu, Sabah).

In Sarawak, all the most interesting things, except natural attractions, are located in the city of Kuching. It is also called the “city of cats,” not only because more than half a million of them live there, but also because there are many monuments to these animals and there is even a museum dedicated to them.

In addition to it, the Art Gallery, the Textile Museum and the Islamic Museum are also interesting. It is definitely worth visiting the Palace of the White Rajahs - the residence of the state governor (Kampung Istana, Kuching, Sarawak). You can’t go inside, but you can appreciate the architecture and stroll through the park. One of the most beautiful buildings in the city is the Legislative Assembly building with a golden dome in the shape of a sharp umbrella, which is also beautifully illuminated in the evenings.

Diving in Borneo

Wildlife of Borneo

Borneo offers travelers incredible wildlife experiences. There are many national parks on the island, ecological trails for people with different levels physical training. The Semenggoh Nature Reserve has a rehabilitation center for orangutans and other monkeys, as well as crocodiles, porcupines, hornbills and other animals. Here they are gradually adapted to life in real conditions and then returned to the wild.

Confession
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You know, traveling greatly broadens your horizons. Before I had to explore different beach holiday options in Malaysia, I knew almost nothing about the city of Kota Kinabalu. Of course, the island of Borneo was already well known thanks to geography lessons.

What is unique about Borneo, why did I choose it over other Malaysian resorts?

1) Borneo (or Indonesian Kalimantan) is a unique island, it is the third largest island in the world and the only sea island shared by three states - Malaysia, Indonesia and Brunei

2) Diverse flora and fauna, tropical rain forests, a large number of endemics. For example, the funny proboscis monkey and the largest flower in the world, rafflesia.

3) A large number of nature reserves and national parks where you can literally immerse yourself in life wildlife

4) Coral reefs, which means a rich underwater world

5) There are no earthquakes, typhoons, volcanic eruptions or tsunamis in Borneo, from which, for example, people suffer neighboring countries and islands.

To see everything Borneo has to offer, we had only 5 full days. This is damn little, one might say, nothing. But still we saw something.

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Organgutans are the heritage of Borneo. The name comes from the Malay Orang Hutan, which means "forest man" (orang - "man", hutan - "forest")

Even before I thought about traveling to Malaysia, I had an idea about a holiday on the island of Borneo thanks to the wonderful review of yran

Diving deeper into the topic, I learned that Kota Kinabalu, or Kay Kay (KK), as the locals call it, is not some little town lost in the jungle, but quite Big City with a population of half a million, the capital of the Malaysian state of Sabah. In the vicinity of KK there are decent four- and five-star hotels, but they a) are located far from the city, which would force us to spend money on taxis and excursions b) absolutely do not fit into our budget of 40,000 rubles per person. There are simpler hotels in KK itself, but again they are either too expensive or inconveniently located. A good option for a really large company - rent a private cottage. I studied offers for cottages, but renting a cottage is economical if there were 8 of us, or better yet 10 people.

In the end, I found a compromise in the form of renting an apartment, which fit perfectly into both our budget and tourist plans. Subsequent experience proved that budget holiday in Kota Kinabalu, without sacrificing comfort, it is quite possible.

Hong Kong Airport. Features of AirAsia

If you happen to live in the Nathan Hotel area in Hong Kong, then the most convenient option to get to the airport is by bus A21. There are no transfers - you just sit down and ride on a comfortable double-decker bus.

All avid travelers to Asia are well aware of the low-cost airline AirAsia, which offers the cheapest fares for flights within the region. But be careful: any services, including baggage handling, come at an additional cost.

Don't repeat the mistake I made on this flight. I bought tickets for the flight Hong Kong - Kota Kinabalu on the intermediary website Budget Air. Not only did it later turn out, when checking, that they were cheaper on the airline’s website, but also what was written on the electronic ticket misled me.

And the ticket said the following: maximum weight of luggage. It seemed to me that I logically concluded that our luggage was prepaid.

But at the check-in desk it turned out that we still had to pay for each suitcase, and the additional payment was calculated from the total weight. It’s good that this was just the beginning of the trip, and we had 4 relatively light suitcases for six of us. The total surcharge was about 100 USD, and only Hong Kong dollars are accepted.

If I had known that baggage was not included, we would have done what all AirAsia customers do - we would have taken as much as possible in our carry-on luggage.

Another tip: arrive at the airport as early as possible. There is usually a long queue at the AirAsia counters, as it takes a lot of time to check in and pay extra for luggage. All departures operate from Terminal 1, so if you are departing from Terminal 2 (which is the case for all AirAsia flights), time will be spent moving between terminals.

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Hong Kong Airport is gigantic in size and ultra-modern in appearance.

Our flight, initially announced 10 minutes earlier, ended up taking place half an hour later than planned.

Already upon boarding, it turned out that we had Hot Seats, which was not written about in the electronic ticket purchased on the intermediary website. Hot Seats are seats with red headrests at the very beginning of the cabin, giving you the right to board the plane without queuing.

The flight duration from Hong Kong to Kota Kinabalu is 3 hours. Time flew by because the plane was half empty and we were able to occupy several seats at once.

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I was pleasantly surprised: despite the fact that AirAsia is a low-cost airline, their planes are brand new, brand new, and very comfortable. Much better than those provided by China Eastern on the international flight Moscow - Shanghai.

All services on board, including food and drinks, are paid. But don’t waste money on buying food - their food is disgusting and very spicy. Almost nothing we ordered was impossible to eat.

Almost the entire flight to KK passes over the waters of the South China Sea. We were flying late in the evening, a black abyss stretched below us, from somewhere in the depths of which tiny lights of ships shone. It was creepy because literally a few weeks before our trip, somewhere in this area, a Malaysia Airlines plane disappeared without a trace.

Despite the flight delay, we landed in KK almost on schedule.

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KK from a bird's eye view

Kota Kinabalu Airport

There are essentially two airports in QC, which are not connected and are located 10 minutes away from each other. One is for regular airlines, and the second accepts AirAsia flights. We visited both buildings, and I can say that the second terminal is frankly “rogue” (pardon the word, but it best describes what appeared before our eyes).

We had to walk from the plane to the terminal building. The terminal itself looked shabby and provincial - especially compared to the futuristic Hong Kong airport.

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When crossing the Malaysian border, a stamp is placed in the passport, and no additional documents (insurance or hotel reservation) are asked.

We arrived very late - at 12 o'clock at night - and were incredibly tired. There is a taxi stand at the exit from the airport, where we ordered a minivan, which cost about 500 rubles for six. It takes about 15 minutes to get to the center.

Apartments

I considered various options for living in KK, and eventually decided on renting apartments in the Marina Court Resort condominium.

On any booking site you will find many offers for renting out apartments from this condominium. Why is this option good?

1) The condominium is located in the very center

2) There are apartments for 6 people with a kitchen, living room and washing machine, which is convenient for a large company or family

3) Price. Our apartment cost 22,000 rubles for 6 nights for six people. I couldn’t find a cheaper or more convenient option than this in KK.

4) The condominium has a swimming pool. This is important because there is no beach in KK, and it is impossible to swim within the city limits. But the pool helped us out more than once when we wanted to swim early in the morning or at night.

The pink and white Marina Court building is very recognizable on the KK waterfront.

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Nearby, literally a five-minute walk, is the Center Point Sabah shopping center. There are a few more nearby. Many cafes, restaurants, coffee shops and snack bars, souvenir shops, massage centers and tourist offices. The Philippine market, from where every morning we left for the islands of the Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park. The bus station from where we went to the zoo and Mount Kinabalu.

All this is within walking distance from us. The location of the condominium on all sides was convenient for us and fully met our plans.

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The disadvantage of the location. The view of the sea is blocked by a building under construction.

I haven’t read about this in any reviews, but in KK big problems with sewerage - it is simply brought out onto the city streets in the form of a “stinking river” and flows directly into the sea. This river flows in close proximity to the condominium, and every morning I had to hold my nose while running past it.

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As for the apartments, we had at our disposal three rooms, two bathrooms, a living room, a dining area, a kitchen, a washing machine, and a balcony. Each room has an air conditioner, a wardrobe, and bedside tables. There is wi-fi.

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The condition of the apartment was satisfactory, it was clear that no renovations had been done here for a long time, the furniture “a la” the 90s needed updating. But overall it’s clean, towels are changed and cleaned every day, just like in a regular hotel.

It was my first time traveling abroad in an apartment format. It is extremely convenient, especially during a beach holiday, to have a washing machine. In the kitchen we prepared breakfast, and not only that - we even cooked soup. The refrigerator was convenient for storing fruit and milk for morning coffee. Thus, the kitchen allowed us to save a lot on food, but this does not mean that we were denying ourselves something. In the heat, cold watermelons, the freshest mangoes, pineapples, papaya, and bananas best satisfied hunger.

The dining area was our mutual favorite because it brought us together around the same table. Here we ate together, discussed plans for the next day, and shared our impressions.

Please note that Malaysia has a different socket layout and you will need adapters.

One of the important advantages: the reservation does not need to be confirmed with a credit card. Payment in cash to the owner of the apartment.

Among the important disadvantages: the owner of the Dorcas Service Apartment, Mr. Ting, does not care about the condition of the rented apartments and the comfort of the guests. He only provided us with two sets of keys for the six of us, which caused us constant inconvenience. Towards the end he stopped giving us toilet paper.

Kota Kinabalu city

Don't repeat our mistakes - don't go out to CC at night! Despite being tired after a 3-hour flight, immediately after checking in we, being in high spirits (wow, the sea and the beach are just a stone's throw away!), went for a walk around the city. And they were shocked and disappointed. Have we really come to this terrible place to relax? Only later, later, in the light of day, was KK rehabilitated.

At night, not yet knowing how or where to go, we walked past the aforementioned stinking river and came across an equally stinking Philippine market. It is simply impossible to walk there without a gas mask! I didn’t think that I would ever come across such a smelly and at the same time repulsive place, littered with garbage and food waste.

Unfortunately, at that moment I did not take my camera with me, so there are only photos taken during the day.

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At night, the streets of KK are dominated by rats the size of a good cat. They hide in bushes, under cars, near trash cans and are not at all afraid of people. I haven’t read in any of the reviews that KK is literally overrun with rats (and also cockroaches, but I personally have a much calmer attitude towards them), so I consider it my duty to warn everyone who wants to visit the city.

During the day, KK looks generally safe, in places it almost reminded me of Los Angeles: quite modern houses, well-groomed lawns, good smooth roads, neat plantations of palm trees. On the other hand, you still feel that this is Asia with its specific smells, shabby buildings and general feeling irritating.

And outside the city, lovers of contrasts will get a lot of impressions: luxurious mansions stand side by side with squalid huts, next to which mountains of garbage are piled.

Also in KK there is absolutely no infrastructure for walking or cycling. All roads are left to motorists, there are few pedestrian crossings, and sidewalks are only occasionally mentioned when planning city streets. Be careful on the roads, almost all intersections are unregulated!

Entertainment and shopping in QC

KK is not a boring sleepy resort town. There is a lot of life here shopping centers, bars, nightclubs and restaurants.

Next to the Marina Court Resort condominium is the Center Point Sabah shopping mall, which has little to no brands, but there are many local Malaysian brands. In the center there is a massage parlor, an exchange office, and a tourist center where you can book an excursion. On the ground floor there is a large supermarket, on the fourth floor there is a food court.

At almost every turn there was a massage or beauty salon, where my parents ordered a massage or a set of facial treatments for more than affordable money.

In addition to shopping centers, check out the night market, where they sell all sorts of junk - from penny brooches to pearl necklaces and fake glasses. If you dig hard enough, you can find some really interesting little things—great for gifts and souvenirs.

It should be noted that shopping in KK was the most successful of the entire trip - we bought most of our things here. In the evening we had enough time to go shopping quietly, and the prices here are noticeably lower than in Kuala Lumpur and Hong Kong.

Food in KK

There were no problems with food in KK. The choice of establishments is huge: from international chains to local eateries.

We tried different options.

We ate at a diner popular with the locals. I didn’t really like it - apparently we have too different tastes. Asians love everything fried, fatty and “that spicy”.

But we must pay tribute - Malaysian baked goods are good. Almost everything they bought was quite edible.

If you walk further from the smelly Philippine market, you will see what looks like an open air seafood restaurant. Local fishermen sell their freshly caught catch and cook it right away - in the way the guest wants.

Giant shrimp, lobsters, various fish (we didn’t know the names), shellfish. You can't list everything. When ordering, you must bargain, which is quite acceptable - this is a market.

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This place is so popular that all the tables were packed.

We had dinner here twice. The first time I really liked everything, especially the shrimp with BBQ sauce. On the second day we ordered fish, and it turned out to have a specific taste. Then I tried for a long time to get rid of this taste in my mouth.

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As a result, the most delicious thing we ate in KK was chicken soup cooked by my mother, watermelons and porcini mushrooms, which my mother-in-law brought with her from Russia :)

People in QC

People in Malaysia and in particular in KK contributed a significant part to the treasury of positive impressions. Smiling, friendly, welcoming, ready to help. I was pleasantly surprised that people on the streets smiled at me and wished me a good day - just like that, without the goal of selling anything. When they saw our family gathered (and we all went to the massage parlors), we spent a long time figuring out which of us is dad, which is mom, which is husband, and rejoiced like children when they found out what kind of family relationship we have. Apparently, in Malaysia the institution of family is far from in last place.

Yes, this is a Muslim country, but the people here are not closed, aggressive or intrusive, as in some other countries where this religion is practiced. Unlike China, many people speak English (years of British influence had an effect), and this greatly facilitated communication. In Kota Kinabalu, due to its remoteness and provincialism, there is a rather vague idea of ​​Russia (the locals do not know who Mr. Putin is), but in Kuala Lumpur there are more contacts with Russians and Russia - many of our compatriots work in the Malaysian division of Lukoil and other international companies.

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Souvenirs in KK

Surprisingly, the souvenirs in KK turned out to be varied. The city has many souvenir shops, as well as shops selling tea, sweets and other products produced in Sabah.

What can you bring from KK as a souvenir? The symbol of KK is the rafflesia and the proboscis monkey. In the photo as an illustration soft toy, but the range of proboscis monkeys in various variations is large.

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If you don’t have time to buy a souvenir in the city, then an excellent souvenir shop is located in Terminal 1 of the KK airport (the one intended for ordinary, non-low-cost companies).

The most interesting thing is the skillfully made wooden figurines and masks that will decorate the collection of any traveler. Their advantage is that they are light and unbreakable, which is important when transporting. I bought a purely utilitarian thing - a flat wooden vase in the shape of a painted leaf of wood, and now it decorates the table in my kitchen and serves as a stand for goodies.

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There is also a pearl jewelry store in Terminal 1, where my mother bought herself a stunning necklace of smoky gray large pearls. We have never seen such an unusual pearl color and at such a price anywhere else!

Beach holiday in KK

Let me move on to the most interesting part of the review about KK.

As I already mentioned, there is no beach as such in KK. A beach holiday within the city is impossible - the city sewer system is designed in such a way that everything flows directly into the sea. The smell in the city is appropriate, especially in the midday heat.

But disgust must be overcome. Hold your nose and skip to the Philippine market, from where motor boats go to the beaches of the Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park, where you can swim, sunbathe, and scuba dive.

Why did we endure the inconvenience and leave the Philippine market? Because it was only a 10-minute walk from our condominium and allowed us to save on travel to the islands - if you go from the port of Jesselton, you need to pay an additional port tax.

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Fishing boats at a Philippine market

It is very important to leave as early as possible, at 8 - 8.30 in the morning, and return to KK at lunchtime: after 13.00 the sun begins to scorch mercilessly, and there may also be a tropical downpour. In addition, early morning is the best snorkeling.

The fee for traveling by motor boat to the beaches of Tunku Abdul Rahman is fixed and there is no use in haggling. That boat and the captain who takes you to the islands in the morning also takes you back - you discuss in advance the time when he should return for you. To be on the safe side, you can pay for travel only one way. There was never a time when our captain didn’t come back for us.

The ride on the motor boat itself resembled an attraction, because we rushed at speed along the waves, sometimes jumping on them so that our chests were cold with fear, and landscapes flashed by, reminiscent of shots from “The Last Hero”.

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Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park is located about 20 minutes' drive from KK and consists of 5 islands (pulau in Malaysia), each with its own characteristics. Entrance to the park is paid (the so-called environmental fee) and amounts to 10 ringit (about 100 rubles) per person.

We visited three islands and eventually found the one we liked the most. Which reminded us of that very “bounty”.

Sapi Island

We first visited Sapi Island. You can see more about this, as well as photographs of the island

In short, there are monitor lizards on Sapi that are absolutely not afraid of people and generally feel like complete masters of the situation. Their appearance from the forest and subsequent swimming in the sea in close proximity to vacationers caused a storm of emotions.

Most people come to Sapi to snorkel - right off the coast there are coral thickets where a variety of living creatures live. It was there that four of us first learned how wonderful it was to swim, looking at the underwater world from above. It is very difficult to tear yourself away from contemplating it. After that, it was like a switch flipped in my head, and now, when considering options for my next trip, I’m looking for places where I can snorkel.

The big disadvantage of Sapi is that there are too many people. You won't relax. And yet, the monitor lizards nearby are somewhat annoying.

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The monitor lizards are not embarrassed by the vacationers, and the vacationers are delighted that they can Instagram it all :)

The return trip to KK added vivid impressions in the spirit of “The Last Hero”. After lunch, a powerful tropical downpour began, causing rough seas. But our captain returned for us exactly at the appointed time. I had never ridden on the sea like this before: raindrops hit my face painfully - it was impossible to even open my eyes, the boat was shaking, and I prayed to all the gods that it would not capsize.

But everything worked out.

Manukan Island

The second island we visited was Manukan. It is three times larger in size than Sapi, thanks to which it has infrastructure for longer stays (cottages).

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There are no monitor lizards on it, and the beach looks more well-groomed, and there are far fewer people than on Sapi. In addition, if you get bored of sunbathing and swimming, you can follow the path into the depths of the island jungle. But be careful, in the jungle we came across a tree with needles on the trunk, and my husband planted a splinter.

The holiday on Manukan was thoroughly spoiled by the fact that in the water some sea animals (not jellyfish, we have not established which ones) bit and stung very painfully and unpleasantly. My husband still has blisters on his hands.

My father found a way out - he swung on the waves on an inflatable mattress, while the rest preferred to sunbathe.

Read more about Manukan, as well as photos of the island.

The most vivid and unforgettable impressions of Manukan were the dive to a five-meter depth on underwater scooters. For those who have never scuba dived or are afraid to do so, an underwater scooter is a safe and easy option because the dive is supervised by experienced scuba divers throughout the dive.

No special actions were required from us - just sit on the scooter and breathe under a hood into which air was supplied, swallow periodically if it seemed that your ears were stuffy. At the depths they gave us bread, and we fed it to the fish. They poked at my palm, biting it slightly, but it didn’t hurt.

In the end, I was a little cold and trembling, but... The delight of seeing the riches of the underwater world, where it has its own life, where everything is harmonious, because in nature it is impossible to do otherwise, overwhelmed my entire being. We returned back, quickly covering the distance under water, and it seemed as if we were flying through space.

The cost of the dive was 2000 rubles, this price also included photo and video shooting.

Gaya Island

Gaya Island is the largest of the islands included in marine park Tunku Abdul Rahman. There is a five-star hotel on it, offering its services for some crazy money.

Initially, we did not plan to visit Gaya at all, because the islands of Sulug and Mamutik were still left. Since my husband and I decided to go to Mount Kinabalu one day, the other four went to Pulau Gaya so that we could all visit Sulug and Mamutik together.

Arriving at Gaya, the parents saw a real paradise on earth. There were practically no people on Gaia at all. Warm and clean (without biting animals) water, over which tree branches bend. Beauty, peace and grace. Here it is, our “bounty”.

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It turned out quite by accident that Gaya is the best of all the islands in the marine park. However, there was a nuance here: monkeys came from the jungle and tried to steal bananas and other things from their parents. We had to defend ourselves from them with sticks and stones.

The next day, when we joined our parents, only one monkey came and looked at us for a long time with sad, sad eyes. But it is important not to give in to emotions and not feed them - this will make things worse for ourselves (because the monkeys begin to become impudent and behave aggressively, trying to steal food), and for the monkeys who have eating disorders.

Why did Gaia captivate us so much, besides magnificent beach? Because here, literally a five-minute walk, on the other side of the pier, there are extensive coral thickets, and therefore the opportunity for snorkeling. You can swim there endlessly - you feel like an observer, spying on the magic kingdom from above. These are entire cities with simpler houses and magnificent palaces in which life is in full swing. I don’t know if I can describe it in words, but it chills me to the core.

Even my parents, conservative people, tried snorkeling and were absolutely delighted. An impression that remains forever and that you want to repeat again and again.

Just take precautions: being on the surface of the water all the time, you can easily get burned and get heatstroke.

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I don’t know why tourists haven’t found out about this place yet - there were practically no people for two days. But now I am sharing this valuable information with you. If you go to Tunku Abdul Rahman, then go straight to Gaya!

More information about the island of Gaya, as well as photographs -.

If you have time to spare, I recommend visiting Tiga Island (Pulau Tiga), where the first season of the American “Survivor” was filmed. The island has an ecological lodge and a mud volcano. The only downside is that it takes about 2 hours to get from KK. Also a mecca for scuba diving enthusiasts is Pulau Sipadan, which charmed Jacques-Yves Cousteau himself. But Sipadan is located at the opposite end from KK; again, you need time, at least a few days, and a focused desire to visit Sipadan.

Nature. Where to go to see the flora and fauna of Borneo

The tourism infrastructure in the Malaysian part of Borneo is quite well developed. Up to various natural parks You can get there on your own or use the services of numerous companies offering excursions, transportation services with a driver and car rental.

Initially, we planned to take a tour of the mangroves where proboscis whales live, but, firstly, there was no guarantee that we would be able to spot proboscis whales on tree branches from a boat sailing down the river, and secondly, it was a waste of time - such an excursion “ eats" most of the day.

I also didn’t want to be completely left without any idea of ​​the rich flora and fauna of Borneo.

We chose a compromise option - visiting Lok Kawi Park, which is located 25-30 minutes drive from KK. It's very easy to get to. There is a bus station near the Marina Court Resort condominium. We agreed with the minibus driver to take our group to the park. After some haggling, we agreed on an amount of 700 rubles round trip for six people. For comparison: the cost of a mangrove excursion is 1,500 rubles per person.

These were the 5 short but eventful days spent on the island of Borneo. Our dreams have come true exotic vacation in bounty style! Not everything was perfect, but much of what we did or saw in Borneo was a first for us. And everything that happens for the first time stays with you until the end of your life...

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The island of Borneo attracts the attention of tourists with its unique wildlife, excellent beaches with clean sea ​​water, small islands located off its coast, as well as the opportunity to observe the life of various local tribes that have preserved their original culture. It harmoniously combines modern cities with high-rise buildings, skyscrapers and the typical buildings of the Malay tribes "long houses", which are long houses standing in the water on long stilts.

Geography

The island of Borneo or Kalimantan is located in the very center of the Malay Archipelago in Southeast Asia. It is the only island in the world whose territory is divided between three countries (Brunei, Indonesia and Malaysia). The total area of ​​the island is 743,330 square kilometers. The largest part of the island belongs to Indonesia. The Malaysian territory is 200,000 square kilometers and is divided into two provinces called Sabah and Sarawak. These provinces border Indonesia and Brunei, whose territory runs between the states, separating them.

The shores of the island of Borneo are washed by the waters of the South China Sea, the Sulu, Sulawesi, Java Seas and the Karimata and Makassar straits. To the south of Borneo is the island of Java, to the northwest are the Philippine Islands, to the west are the island of Sumatra and the Sulawesi Peninsula. The highest point of the island and South-East Asia is Mount Kinabalu, located in the Malaysian state of Sabah. Its height is 4095 meters.

The natural landscape of the island of Borneo is mountainous, a large area is covered with pristine jungle. A large variety of wild animals live here (monkeys, civet cats, etc.), among which there are also rare ones listed in the Red Book. The coastal waters are dotted with picturesque views.

Climate of Borneo

The climate of Borneo is humid and tropical. Air temperature and sea ​​water fairly even throughout the year. The average air temperature in January is +25 degrees C, and in July + 30 degrees C. The water temperature throughout the year stays between +25 - +30 degrees. The wettest months are April-May and October-November. At this time, almost daily short-term rain showers are observed.

When is the best time to go?

Resorts on the island of Borneo operate all year round, but due to frequent rainfall, many tourists prefer not to come here during the rainiest months.

Difference in time

The time difference between Moscow and the resorts of the island of Borneo is +5 hours in winter time year and + 4 hours when switching to summer time.

From the history

The history of the island began more than 40,000 years ago, when groups of ancient people from China arrived here from the mainland. These data are confirmed by the discovery of an ancient human site in the Nia cave. During archaeological excavations, tools made of stone and fragments of the remains of ancient people were found. Rock paintings have also been preserved in the cave to this day.

The island of Borneo appeared on geographical maps only in 1521, when the ships of Magellan's expedition landed here. The island is mentioned in the works of Marco Polo dating back to the 13th century, but its official discovery is still considered to be 1521. And although the island did not exist on maps until that time, the merchants of India, Japan, China and Arab countries who traded with it knew about it.

Attractions of Sabah

The capital of the state is Kita Kinabalu. Sightseeing tours of the city are definitely organized for tourists.

While in Kita Kinabalu, don't forget to visit the Golden Domed Mosque, which is the main Muslim sanctuary in Sabah. The mosque building is located in the very center of the city. More than 5,000 believers can pray in the halls of the mosque at the same time.

The Sabah State Museum stands on the Bukit Istana Lama hill near the main mosque and represents the national home of the local Rungs and Muruts. The exhibition here displays excellent examples of ethnic art, as well as antiquities and other historical finds discovered in the area by archaeologists. On the lands belonging to the museum, it was laid out Botanical Garden, there is a souvenir shop and a restaurant complex.

In Likas Bay, just a few minutes' drive along the Kota Kinabalu Highway, is the Sabah Foundation high-rise building. This tower has 31 floors and looks like a glass stele with 72 sides.

Sabah has many colorful markets selling all sorts of things. For example, excellent street fairs are organized along the streets of Jalan Gaya. This is a cult place for artisans, farmers and chefs who sell their own products at reasonable prices.

The Central Market is worth a visit for those who enjoy the hustle and bustle of the market and lively trade with sellers. Do not ignore the fish rows, they offer a luxurious assortment - all you have to do is choose, and this is oh how difficult it is to do!

Well, one more place is Tanjung Aru Beach, nearby, by the way, there is a hotel of the same name, as well as the famous yacht club and Prince Philip Park. The beach is conducive to swimming - the white sand and crystal blue calm water of the lagoon invite you to stay in this paradise for life.

Attractions of Sarawak

First of all, in the state of Sarawak it is worth visiting the capital - the city of Kuching, which is located near the coast on the slopes of the river of the same name. There are many historical and cultural attractions here, including ancient churches, austere mosques and colorful Chinese temples.

Once in Kuching, don't forget to take a walk along the local promenade, which stretches along Jalan Gambir. This embankment doubles as a fair - local residents sell a variety of food and souvenirs on stalls, and there are also shops selling clothes and “1000 little things” shops.

Kuching has preserved many colonial buildings, including the Astana Palace. It was erected at the end of the 19th century by Rajah Charles Brooke, who dedicated this mansion to his beloved wife Margaret. Now within the walls of the palace is the residence of the governor of Sarawak.

The fort of the same name is also dedicated to Queen Margaret. It was built in 1879. In those ancient times, the fort performed a defensive function, protecting the city from enemy attacks from the sea. Today, the Police Museum is organized in Fort Margaret.

Also interesting to see: the Courthouse, which also appeared in Kuching at the end of the 19th century; The General Post Office, built during the reign of Charles Brooke; City Tower Square Tower, which previously served not only as a fortress, but also as a ballroom dance hall.

For history buffs, it would be a good idea to visit the Sarawak Museum to visually study the history of the state; by the way, admission to view the exhibition is free. A separate part of the excursion is the premises of temples and mosques. For example, the former Great Mosque Masjid Besar, on the site of which a new building has now been built, is much larger than the previous one. The main mosque of Sarawak has golden domes that shimmer brightly in the sun. At Tua Pek Kong and Kuek Seng Ong temples, the main worshipers are Chinese. Tourists are attracted here by the rich decoration of the Sanctuaries and the colorful rituals of offerings; rituals can be observed both on weekdays and holidays.

Excursion programs in Borneo

Mount Kinabalu and National Park Reserve. Borneo's highest mountain, Kinabalu, and the national park of the same name are located 85 km from the city of Kota Kinabalu. The territory of the reserve is 754 hectares and it is located at an altitude of 1558 meters. It is quite cool here, the average temperature of these places is + 14-+ 20 degrees C. The unique flora and fauna of this national park attract not only climbers, but also nature lovers. Here you can see rare species of butterflies, birds, and orchids. It is here that the Rafflesia plant grows, which has a diameter of 1 meter 70 centimeters and is the largest flower in the world. As you climb the mountain, the jungle gives way to alpine meadows. On Mount Kinabalu there is also a deposit of healing thermal hydrocarbon springs. You can always rent a chalet near them and take a bath. Rental cost is $10 per hour. Not far from the thermal springs there is a bridge hanging on the branches of tall trees at an altitude of 30 to 50 meters; a journey along this post will bring a lot of pleasure to fans of extreme sports.

Bako State Reserve. While on vacation in the state of Sarawak, you can visit the Bako Nature Reserve, which presents all the diverse plant and animal world Borneo islands. Nature lovers will see wild tropical jungles, strange animals and birds here.

Mulu State Nature Reserve. Gunung Mulu State Nature Reserve is located in the north of Sarawak. It is famous for the world's largest cave, which is more than 100 meters high, 600 meters long and 450 meters wide. Among the caves of the Mulu system you can also see a cave with the largest entrance in the world. It is called the Deer Cave (height 120 m, width 100 m). Another cave Pure Water, located nearby, has a length of 51.5 km. On the territory of the Mulu State Nature Reserve there is also Mount Gulung Mulu, which is the second highest on the island of Borneo (2376 meters).

Sepilok Orangutan Sanctuary. The monkey sanctuary in Sepilok is unique, and differs from all nurseries existing on earth, in that here people teach monkeys born in captivity the art of survival in the wild. The reserves provide every opportunity to observe the life of animals in their familiar environment. The best time to visit the monkey sanctuary is between 10 am and 3 pm as this is when the monkeys come out of the jungle to feed. The reserve occupies a fairly large forest area, where not only monkeys, but also other wild animals, as well as more than 200 species of birds live on an area of ​​5,666 hectares.

Crocodile farm. There are also several crocodile farms on the island of Borneo, where tourists can see huge reptiles in natural environment a habitat. On farms there are also various shows with the participation of "green artists". Those who wish can even take pictures with such “stars”.

Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Reserve. The reserve includes five amazingly beautiful islands. They are located near Kota Kinabalu and are easily accessible by sea ​​boat. The journey takes 15-20 minutes. The islands included in the marine reserve are called Sapi, Mamutik, Gaya, Sulug and Manukan. All islands have beautiful sandy beaches, and the sea water is exceptionally clean and transparent. In the coastal zone of the islands there are huge coral colonies, which shelter various species of fish and marine animals. These places are a favorite place for scuba diving enthusiasts. Those who wish can stay on one of the islands (Mamutik or Manuken) for several days; there are all conditions for a comfortable stay.

Tourists who are interested in the original cultures of local tribes and nationalities can visit:

• The village of Penampang, located 13 km south of Kota Kinabalu and introducing you to the traditions of the Kadazan tribe;
• Mengkabong Village - here you can see the way of life of the Bajau tribe;
• The village of Kudat, home to the Rungus tribe. This village is located far from cities and therefore the tribe has preserved almost all of its traditions.

mobile connection

Works on the island cellular GSM standard - 900/1800, but it is very difficult in mountainous areas and deep in the jungle. For local calls, it turns out to be beneficial to purchase a SIM card from local telecom operators.

How to get there

You can get to the island by plane with a transfer, for example, in Singapore or Brunei.

Population

The population of the island is represented by peoples of more than 30 nationalities and various tribal groups, which include the Kadazans, Muruts, Bajau and many others. Thanks to this circumstance, the island hosts events that are particularly colorful. National holidays and festivals.

Car rent

In order to rent a car in one of the states of Borneo, which belongs to Malaysia, several conditions must be met:

• Age from 23 to 60 years;
• Possession of an international driver's license. If you only have a Russian license, you must obtain permission from the Malaysian Ministry of Road Transport.

The cost of renting a car includes unlimited mileage of the vehicle during its rental, local taxes and insurance (in case of an accident, damage to third parties, theft, etc.).

If necessary, you can always use the services of a local taxi, which are not very expensive.

Together with the largest Malaysian carrier Malaysia Airlines.

How long does it take to fly to Boreo from Moscow?

Travel time: from 18 hours

One of the most popular ways to get to Borneo is to use low-cost carriers that operate flights from Kuala Lumpur Airport.

How long does it take to fly to Boreo from Kuala Lumpur?

Travel time: 2 hours

Domestic passengers arriving in Borneo from mainland Malaysia are subject to the same customs clearance procedures as those traveling on international flights.

Kota Kinabalu International Airport (BKI)

Address: Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, East Malaysia
www.kotakinabaluairport.com
Phone: + (60 88) 325-555

Largest international Airport Borneo (also known by its acronym KKIA) is located 8 km from the capital of Sabah, Kota Kinabalu. It is considered the second busiest airport in Malaysia, after the capital's KLIA.

KKIA Airport (diagram) consists of two main terminals - Main (Terminal 1) and Budget (Terminal 2). Terminal 1 receives most domestic and international flights arriving in Borneo. KKIA's second terminal serves air routes from popular low-cost carriers AirAsia, Cebu Pacific, Eastar Jet, as well as numerous charter flights.

The first and second terminals of Kota Kinabalu Airport have entrances from different directions from the main highway. Road signs will help the driver navigate in the right directions. The road to the first terminal is indicated by signs that say "Airport", and to the second - "T2" or "Terminal 2".

Kota Kinabalu Airport has everything you need: parking, currency exchange (Maybank), taxi and car rental counters, hotels, luxury lounges, free Wi-Fi, an extensive duty-free area and souvenir shops, popular fast food restaurants KFC and McDonald. Most service and commercial services are located in KKIA Terminal 1.

How to get from KKIA1 to KKIA 2

Kota Kinabalu Airport Terminals 1 and 2 are located 4 km apart. Unfortunately, there are no free shuttle buses between the terminals and the only way to get from one to the other is to take a taxi. The cost of this short trip will be 25-30 ringgit (322-387 rubles), which is equal to the price of a trip to the city of Kota Kinabalu.

How to get from/to Kota Kinabalu Airport

Public buses

Buses to Kota Kinabalu can be caught from Jalan Kepayan, approximately 500 meters from Terminal 1, or from Jalan Kepayan, which is adjacent to Terminal 2. There are also buses from the second terminal of KKIA to the capital of Sabah, but the interval between their flights is 1 hour or more.

Bus fare from the airport to Kota Kinabalu: 1.5-2 ringgit (19-26 rubles).

Taxi and car rental

Prepaid taxi counters are located on the first level of the main terminal of Kota Kinabalu Airport, as well as at the exit of the second terminal. All airport taxis operate on a prepayment system - the passenger pays for the trip at the airport and presents the paid coupon to the taxi driver. The cost of the trip is fixed and calculated according to the zonal principle.

Taxi fare from KKIA to Kota Kinabalu: 35 ringgit (451 rub.).

You can rent a car in each of the airport terminals, but large international companies are located only in the international terminal. The price of car rental at Kota Kinabalu Airport starts from 90 ringgit (1160 rubles) per day.

Kota Kinabalu Airport on the map

Kuching International Airport (KCH)

Address: Peti Surat 1070, 93722 Kuching, Sarawak, East Malaysia
Phone: + (60 82) 454-262
www.kuchingairportonline.com

The airport, responsible for air traffic in Borneo's second state, Sarawak, is located 10 km south of Kuching. Kuching Airport is home to the largest national carrier, Malaysia Airlines, and is considered the fourth busiest in Malaysia.

Kuching International Airport is connected by regular flights to a number of domestic and overseas destinations including:

• Kuala Lumpur
• Johor Bahru
• Macau
• Penang
• Hong Kong
• Singapore

Kuching Airport consists of one three-story terminal, equipped with the most modern requirements for passenger comfort. Here you can find an area of ​​duty-free shops, restaurants and fast food cafes (some with free wi-fi), counters for transport campaigns and ordering a prepaid taxi, travel agencies and hotels.

How to get from/to Kuching Airport

Buses

There are currently no public bus routes between the airport and Kuching. The nearest shuttle bus stop is Kuching Sentral Bus Terminal, located 2 km from the airport terminal. The fare is 8 ringgit (RUB).

Tune Hotel has organized shuttle buses from Kuching Airport to the hotel entrance. Buses run once an hour, the price is 10 ringgit (129 rubles).

Taxi and car rental

You can purchase a coupon for a prepaid taxi at the counter in the arrivals hall. A trip to the center of Kuching will cost about 30 ringgit (387 rubles).

Several companies have offices at Kuching Airport where you can rent a car.

You can get to Kuching in just 15 minutes by rented car.

We associate Malaysia with the island of Borneo, which is a real legend. After all, numerous pirate stories are inextricably linked with it. There is an amazing atmosphere here that gives your holiday a special mood. Believe me, you will remember your vacation in Borneo (Malaysia) for a long time.

Location

(Malaysia) has another name - Kalimantan, and it is located in the very center of the Malay Archipelago in the territory South-East Asia. The island is in its own way a unique place. The fact is that the territory of Borneo is divided between three states - Malaysia, Indonesia and Brunei. The total area of ​​the island is more than 743 thousand square meters. km. The largest part belongs to Indonesia. And the territory of Malaysia is about 200 thousand square meters. km. It is divided into two provinces - Sarawak and Sabah, which border Brunei and Indonesia.

The coast of Borneo is washed by the South China Sea, as well as the Java and Sulu Straits, the Macassar and Karimata Straits. Sumatra is nearby and Borneo has a mountainous terrain, the most high point- this is Mount Kanabalu, its height is 4095 meters. Most of the island is covered with jungle thickets, inhabited by wild animals. Malaysia, Borneo is an excellent example of a country with an amazingly high standard of living. is the city of Kota Kinabalu.

How to get to Borneo (Malaysia)

Getting to Borneo is not so easy; to do this you will have to use air travel. There are two closest airports from which you can get to the island. One of them is located near the city of Kota Kinabalu in Sabah, and the second is in Kuala Lumpur. You can get from the airport to the cities by taxi (special taxi services have been created at airports).

The states and cities are connected by flights from Malaysia Airlines. Such flights are very popular not only among tourists, but also among local residents. In addition, trains and buses run around the island itself.

There is also sea ​​communication. Thus, ferries from Brunei and Labuan arrive in Kota Kinabalu. In addition, large cruise ships call at the city.

Climate and weather of Borneo

Tourists are most interested in beach holidays in Borneo (Malaysia), which means that before the trip it is worth finding out what kind of weather awaits you during your vacation. In general, the island is characterized by a hot, humid tropical climate. There are no significant fluctuations in Borneo annual temperatures. At any time of the year, temperatures range from - +27-32 degrees. It rains throughout the year, but there are still periods with greater intensity.

The wettest months are October, November, May and April. But even during these periods, precipitation does not bother vacationers too much, since it usually falls at night and for a short time. Therefore, we can say that Borneo experiences eternal summer, which corresponds to the equatorial climate. But still, the months of January and February are considered the most successful for visiting the resort. The water temperature on the island is not too different from the air temperature, so you can always swim here.

Beaches of Borneo

(Malaysia) attracts tourists primarily with its tropical snow-white beaches with rich vegetation and fine sand. Most of them are protected from the waves by coral islands. Boats constantly ply between the coast and the coral islands, taking tourists to swim there. This is especially true during the “red tide”, when it is prohibited to enter the sea. The ban was introduced for a reason. The fact is that a “red tide” is nothing more than a bloom of sea water. During such periods, there is a massive proliferation of plankton, which turns the sea red. Diving into the water at this time is indeed very dangerous, since you can become a victim of toxic poisoning.

To the delight of tourists, there are practically no beaches on the island that belong to hotels, so you can safely stay on any part of the coast and bask on the hot sand. Based on reviews from tourists about Borneo (Malaysia), it can be argued that best beaches boast the cities of Sandakan, Kota Kinabalu and Kuching. Although, the entire coast of the island is beautiful and clean, unlike the more famous and famous world resorts. A very pleasant bonus is the complete absence of waves on the local beaches. Coral reefs reliably protect the coast from strong storms, so surfers have nothing to do here. But the marine world of Borneo simply stuns the imagination with its exoticism.

Still, the best beaches can be enjoyed in the Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park, which includes five small islands. By paying for a trip here, you can visit all the islands at once and go diving. The islands have minimal infrastructure - cafes, showers, changing rooms, toilets, etc. Not only tourists, but also local residents come to relax there. The stunningly clear sea and clean sand are the best place to relax.

Local kitchen

When going on vacation to Malaysia in Borneo (photos are given in the article), you need to have an idea of ​​the local cuisine, since you will have to eat in the hotel cafe or numerous street establishments. There is no clear set of dishes in Malay cuisine. Local residents have absorbed the culture and recipes of several peoples at once. For example, Chinese soup is very popular in the province of Sabah, and Thai fish soup was born in a completely different country, but is loved by local residents.

One of the main dishes on the island is rice; it is served not only as a side dish, but also as a main course. Most of the local population is Muslim, so pork is not consumed here. Although people love other types of meat and know how to cook deliciously. In addition, seafood is incredibly popular on the island. Here you can taste rapan shish kebab, grilled octopus, and shrimp with sauce. All these dishes are prepared only from fresh seafood.

On the island they love everything very spicy, so food is seasoned with different sauces, generously pouring them over the food. If you want to try something unusual and exotic, you can order shark fins, locusts or swallow's nest in broth. Borneo has one peculiarity. It's customary to pour spicy food here ice water with lime and various herbs.

Our compatriots should know that alcohol is not popular on the island. And for drinking wine or beer in front of everyone you can even be arrested. And yet, palm vodka and wine are prepared here, which have a pleasant taste. Tourists should definitely try a delicious drink made from tangerines. Well, beer lovers will not leave indifferent this drink made from the juice of palm flowers.

Food in hotels

According to reviews of Borneo (Malaysia), resort hotels only offer breakfast, and at best, also dinner, so you will have to eat at local establishments during the day. Fish markets are very popular on the island, which are small restaurants where marine life is kept in aquariums. You can choose any of them and order for lunch. A fresh dish is prepared in front of you. sea ​​creature. And yet, experienced travelers recommend eating in establishments. Located in the central part of cities and resort areas to avoid unpleasant consequences with the digestive tract.

Sights of Borneo

Sights of Borneo (Malaysia) are an essential part of a cultural holiday at the resort. Of course, tourists give priority beach and sea holidays, but they don’t forget about interesting places. Moreover, there are a huge number of places worthy of the attention of holidaymakers. The island developed for a long time completely separately from the mainland, which left its mark on the flora and fauna. Borneo was incredibly lucky that no minerals were discovered in its jungles, and therefore most of the territory long ago acquired the status of a nature reserve. It’s hard to imagine, but every year up to 50 new animals are discovered here that were not known about before. Some of them are very small, which is why they were not noticed before. For example, in 2007, they discovered on the island the new kind rhinoceros.

A unique tropical flower called rafflesia is a living landmark of Borneo. Its diameter is about a meter. The flower exudes a disgusting smell of rotting meat. You can rarely see such a plant; it blooms for only a few days. During a tour of the reserve, there is still a chance to see a blooming monster.

Kinabalu National Park is located on the island of Sabah. It is on its territory that the highest mountain in Malaysia is located. At its foot lies the jungle. Evergreen tropical forests are filled with unique and interesting plants. More than a thousand species of beautiful orchids grow there. Most of the plants in Borneo are endemic because they cannot be found in other regions. The animal world is no less interesting. Here you can see deer, monkeys and a real Malaysian bear.

On the territory of the reserve, a natural health complex was opened for guests, where you can relax in the hot springs.

Deer Cave

Tourists don’t have to think long about what to see in Borneo (Malaysia). The island is very interesting in terms of natural attractions. You should definitely go to the Deer Cave. is located in another national park called Gunung Mulu. In the old days, hunters drove deer into it, which is why it got its name.

The cave is so huge that twenty Boeings could easily fit in it, but so far only bats live in it. It is very interesting for tourists to watch the massive evening departure of these creatures. Inside the cave there are stalactites and stalagmites, and translucent fish live.

Wetlands

Based on reviews of Borneo (Malaysia), we can recommend visiting the wetlands near Kota Kinabalu, which occupy about 24 hectares. Most of the plants here are mangrove trees. Once there were a lot of them, but now you can see only what remains - these are just 20 small areas that remained under government protection. The land is very important as a habitat for migratory birds.

Fort Margaret

Near the city of Sarawak there is an ancient Fort Margaret, which was built to protect against pirates. The English fortress played important role in the history of the entire island. The fort was built on a hill near the river. Behind its walls, people were safely hidden from pirates. Now you can wander around its territory and see the interior arrangement. The fort has long lost its significance and is now a historical monument.

Experienced travelers certainly recommend visiting the island to those who dream of a bounty-style holiday. Beautiful islands and exotic nature will not leave you indifferent. The resort has a number of advantages. There are never storms or waves here, thanks to the coral reefs, and the weather is favorable almost all year round. In addition, we are pleased with the large number beautiful places and natural attractions that can be seen here.

Borneo also has man-made attractions that you can see. Of course, they are inferior in scale to natural ones, but some may be impressed. In this regard, the state museum in Sabah is interesting. It occupies about 17 hectares of land. On its territory there are not only exhibits, but also a zoo, an animal park and even an ethnographic village. The museum is interesting for visiting with the whole family; its exhibits can tell tourists a lot.

Borneo Island (Malaysia): reviews from tourists

A holiday on the island is always a good experience and a lot of positive emotions. Sometimes tourists compare Borneo with Bali, drawing hasty conclusions. But this is a fundamentally wrong approach, since these are completely different resorts and cultures. Holidays in Borneo (Malaysia) will present many pleasant surprises. There is very beautiful nature and a rich wildlife here. Over thousands of years, the island developed separately from the mainland and was able to preserve its unique flora and fauna. Many national parks have been created on the territory of Borneo and the surrounding islands in order to preserve the unique nature. The good thing about the resort is that you can visit it at any time of the year. Rain never interferes with your vacation, as evidenced by reviews. The island of Borneo (Malaysia) is a mixture of different cultures, with more than 200 nationalities living here. There are a lot of Chinese and Japanese at the resort, but you can rarely meet our compatriots. But in hotels all the staff understands English, so there are no language problems. In general, local residents treat tourists very well.

Borneo is also interesting in terms of scuba diving. Coral reefs and their rich underwater world are every diver's dream. But surfers have nothing to do on the island, since there are no waves here.