End of Borneo - Blogabond

We've finally arrived back to where we started our Borneo trip, in Kota Kinabalu. The last week has been predominatly relaxing and exhilerating. We left Semporna on a small boat headed for the tiny island of Mabul. When we arrived we were slightly disappointed by the facilities! The accomodation stood on stilts in the sea and looked half finished. We were also told that we had a private room with en-suite, but we were soon sharing a bathroom with half the resort. But the beaches made up for the disappointing accomodation and its lack of style. Prepared with a mask and snorkel, we both snorkelled around the small piers that lined the island. The coral gardens were lush, and there was a huge range of colourful marine life (far too many too list!).

We took snorkelling a bit further after a few days and headed further out to a drop off, where the depth was around 10-12 metres. Here we saw our first turtles, which were unbelievable! They were so placid in the presence of humans and didn't show any signs of fear. We got within a foot of them and even swam along with them, mimicking their movements. We were also fortunate enough to see some spotted eagle rays with a wing span of about 1.5-2metres. They glided under us in a smooth and effortless manner, which was a little scary albeit exhilerating!
We spent the evenings with a couple we met from England called Ali (who's brother is Ray Mears) & Liz.

We got on extremely well with the help of some imported Phillipino Rhum, and we wasted away the nights listening to an awful live band whilst playing card games and quoting some legendary movie lines! (such as zoolander, anchorman, super troopers, old school....)
On our final full day was spent off the island of Sipidan, which, due to its recent restrictions for conservation purposes, allows only 120 people to dive here per day. As this island is rated one of the top 5 dive spots in the world, we hoped the five day wait for the permit would be worth it. By George it was!! On our first dive, as soon as we started our descent, we were greeted by the rare sight of two turtles mating. Over the next forty minutes we came within a metre of white tip reef sharks, giant trevally, a massive school of bumphead parrotfish, green turtles, huge trigger fish and a Nepoleon Wrasse (which are gigantic fish, google it).

Our second and third dives were just as amazing, visiting a turtle graveyard inside a cave, seeing loads more sharks and turtles, and also a huge school of baracuda were just some of the highlights.
We spent our last day chilling in the communal area at the resort, whilst doing a spot of fishing (which was a regular activity!) and playing more cards.

We left Mabul Island yesterday and as soon as we arrived in Semporna, we headed straight to KK on a night bus.
The next couple of days are going to be spent preparing for Australia, which is going to give our budget a good run for its money!! We're looking forward to catching our own dinner with our newfound sea fishing skills.

Next time we write, we'll be upside down :-)

Take it easy peeps, lots of love as always xxx

written by

Kav & Sara on February 23, 2009 from Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia

from the travel blog: Round the world trip!!

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Such a plethora of marine species - Kav, you must be in your element. Your respective families are looking after the fish you left at home.

Great blog, love the pics, Mummy x

written by susan shoesmith on February 24, 2009

Hey Pokeynoses. I read your blog this morning and googled the Napoleon Wrasse, fainted and when I came round I found that naughty Mummy had got the first comment in.

Oh well! Been beaten to the post this time. It won't happen again.

It's an interesting tour so far. You have survived the attacks on Mumbai. Just missed the overthrow of the Thai government. A Tsunami warning in Borneo. Now you're off to Oz which I understand is on fire.

Nothing if not eventful. Better get back to my knitting.

Goodbye

Theebs xxx

written by theebs on February 24, 2009

great to hear from u guys!!! ahhh have an amazing time in oz- super jealous, seeing as tho i wanted to move there as a physio not so long ago, hehe!! :)
the diving sounds amazing!!!! cant wait to hear more adventures.
little news on me, im quitting my hydro job, keeping the physio at nursing homes job and starting my bank physio job at mac hospital on the 9th!!! so gonna be kept very buys in next couple of months.
been hitting total fitness gym lots atm, so maybe when ur back i may brave a session at gymnastics, if ur up for it sara!! hehehe

lots of love and cyber hugs xxx

written by mandy smith on February 24, 2009

wow you guys sounds like you are having lots of fun!!!!! but OMG kav has dad said anything about our new arrivels in the tank, we have around 80 fry in the mid-wifery unit lol got some new fish too as some had died which was a very emotional thing for me :'(
well guys keep real and enjoy the rest of your trip, we all miss you at home and can't wait for you to get back and tell us all of your stories!

LOTS OF LOVE tash and ben. xxxx

written by natasha love on March 3, 2009

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