Island paradise in Borneo

Trip Start Mar 15, 2008
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Trip End Jul 15, 2009


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Flag of Malaysia  , Sabah,
Saturday, June 28, 2008

    Sipadan.  Sipadan.  Sipadan.  That is all you hear in these parts.  "You must go to Sipadan."(in a European accent)  So we went to Sipadan.  The famous dive spot with barricuda schools, sharks, beautiful coral, giant sea turtles and too much more to mention.  The resorts on this island got kicked off and it's now a national park.  We stayed at a neighboring island named, Mabul.  We stayed at a hostel that was on stilts over the water, you could see water in the cracks of the floorboards.  The water was turquoise untill it turned blue in a perfect line a few hundred metres out and the sand was pure white.  You can walk around the island in about 30 minutes.  There are about 6 hotels on the island and some locals.  The locals are genuinely nice, always happy and smilling, not looking for a handout like Bali.  These schoolgirls walked by us and said, "picture" and they quickly got in a group for a photo and then walked away.  I had to pinch myself because they didn't ask for any money.  In this respect Malaysia has been a great relief from Indonesia.

    Ana just got her dive certification and was fortunate to make her first dive outside of the class at one of the best places in the world.  She came back simply giddy.  She had never seen so much wildlife and colors.  I spent the day snorkelling, lounging on beach chairs and reading Midnight Children by Salmon Rushdie.  He is unbelievable, what a storyteller.  Anyways, it was so wonderful.  For 16 dollars a night including 3 good meals a day, we were able to relax in paradise and use the same beach that others were paying 300/ night for. 

    Our visa run to Borneo has come to an end.  We fly back to Bali to meet Eugene and Sue and then to see the rest of Java and Sumatra.. blue sea
blue sea
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Comments

kittyk9
kittyk9 on Jun 28, 2008 at 11:11PM

Wow
That place looks amazing. You both are glowing and look so healthy.Did you make it to the oragatangs?Anna Nice travel bag.

steele
steele on Jun 29, 2008 at 11:46PM

I second that reaction, wow
It is hard to believe that a place like that actually exists. Congratulations on finding it. I am sure you two will find many more unbelieveable places over the next year.

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