Malaysia

What an exhausting holiday we have had! Jungle trekking, Mountain climbing, Snorkeling, Adventure racing, and Island camping! Sabah (a Malaysian state on the Large Island of Borneo) is a treasure trove of natural wonders and places to explore. If ever I have felt like I was 'out there' then this was it. Most people who come to Sabah use tour outfits in order to make it across the state that is not yet fully geared towards tourism. Tim and I however (being the thrifty people we are) decided to use what little Malay I can remember and a few ringgit to traverse our way from Sandakan (east) to Kota Kinabalu (west - capital city). During the three weeks we spent in Sabah we had an amazing time...

.... Exploring local markets of the vegetable and seafood variety and having dozens of people asking us to take their photo. The magic of digital is in full force when an 80 year old fisherman holding a 2 foot Tuna smiling a toothless smile can see the dazzling product on the back of Tim's Camera. These kids wanted in on the action too.

We had some great times while staying in Kampung (Village) Bilit on the Lower Kinabatangan River. Rosman was one of the local guys that took us jungle trekking (and took Tim swimming in the Ox Bow lakes). Rosman had an amazing voice and on the last night we spent there he sang up quite a storm. In return Tim and I taught them some party tricks.

Summiting Mt Kinabalu would have to be one the most amazing things we did on the trip (actually, one of the most amazing things ever!!). At 4095m this is the highest summit in South East Asia (excluding Papua's peaks). We had really bad weather while trying to make it to the summit and spent 2 hours sheltered in a small hut waiting out the gale force winds and rain. To our surprise, most people attempting the summit that day gave up and did not make it to the top - for us it was well worth the wait and to be one of the few that made it up that day makes it all the more special for me.

We spent quite a few days based in the central town of Ranau, a place not frequented by many visitors apart from being a toilet stop along the coach route. From here we traveled to the Hot Springs, Canopy walk, and the Sabah Tea Plantation for Tim's adventure race. Too sore from the Mountain climb 2 days earlier and not confident with the mountain bike section of the race (85% of it) I opted to sit it out and help the organizers. Tim made an amazing effort being the first non-Malaysian to cross the finish line. Nursing wounds and sprains from a bike crash the previous day and battling the blistering heat, Tim finished in the Top 20. As for me, the job title they gave me was - wait for it - "Sabah Tea Adventure Race Ambassador"!!!! I got to greet the Minister of Tourism, Hand him the starting flag, and do prize presentations (the things they'll do to have a 'international' in their photo's!).

The last few days of our trip was spent at the very swanky Sutera Harbor Marina resort. Lazing in the sun, jetting out to the local islands and drinking cocktails by the pool - just what the doctor ordered.

After 3 weeks of wildlife, beaches, the Borneo jungle, and what seems like thousands of tightly crammed minibuses we saw only some of what Sabah has to offer. Tim and I could see ourselves returning to venture to corners not yet explored and to those who wonder if they should go and visit - DO!!!