Borneo ... I'm Back !

The year 2001, after high school i starts life outside of Borneo for the 1st time of my life. Went to college, new friends, new surroundings and new "Lifestyle". Everything's new for me. I was homesick, even-though my mother and my step brother is around. It wasn't what i wanted but I Don't Have a "'CHOICE". I didn't have the privileged of being "The Special One" since i'm just the "Nephew" from Borneo :). Feelin' Hot & Spicy ? he..he..

Anyway.....let's move on !  

Years gone by, I'm back in Borneo ! I forced myself out of the pathetic "Family Legacy" and starts a new life back in Borneo with my wife and son (Yes, i'm married). Not in my actual hometown, but still in Borneo :D 

The Borneo Island Map

Since this is my 1st postings for my blog, it's my pleasure to briefly introduce Borneo to the world. The Alf way :D

Borneo is the third largest island in the World, and the largest in Asia. I wouldn't go specific on the total land area, length and etc but i will highlight few areas that makes Borneo Island an AWESOME place.

Borneo Island is made of 3 countries : Indonesia - Brunei - Malaysia   

Indonesia made up approximately 73% of total Borneo Island land. While Brunei & Malaysia combined at approximately 27% of total land. Kalimantan, Brunei, Sabah & Sarawak, this is Borneo.

Now, what can Borneo Island offers ? Shopping Complex ? Duty free shops ? Man-made Theme Park ? Now if you're looking for that, then Borneo Island is not the place for you. Let me show you some of the Natural Wonders and places of interest in Borneo Island.

• The Majestic Mount Kinabalu (Sabah, Borneo Island)

Mount Kinabalu at 4,095m is the highest point of Borneo Island. It is also ranked 20th most prominent mountain in the world.

Picture taken by the World Renowned Tourism Godfather (tagline given by a friend of mine) Dato' Sri Tengku Dr. Zainal Adlin. He gave me a poster of this picture few years back and he is one of the most respected person when it comes to Tourism. He is the reason why Sabah (Borneo in General) is well known all over the world. RESPECT.

St. John's Peak

The Highest Peak of Mount Kinabalu, The Low's Peak. Hugh Low, British Colonial Administrator made the first recorded ascent of Mount Kinabalu summit plateau in March 1851. It was not until 1888, a zoologist by the name of John Whitehead reached the highest point of Borneo. In 1910, Lilian Gibbs became the first women and botanist to reached the Low's Peak.

The Mystical Forest of Mount Kinabalu. 

• Mulu Cave (Sarawak, Borneo Island)

The Most Spectacular Cave in the World and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Deer Cave at Mulu. The cave, which also known as Gua Payau or Gua Rusa by locals received it's name because of the deer that go there to lick the salt-bering rocks and also as form of shelter for the deers.

Streams inside Mulu Cave. Majestic view. I wonder if there's any Mahseer or Hampala Barbs lurking below waiting for our lures to strike....hmmmmmm

Bats ! Guano anyone ? Do you think Ace Ventura would like to visit Mulu Cave ? he..he..he..Shikaka !!

Pinnacle of Mulu. 

Jungle streams at Mulu is home to some of the toughest freshwater fishes in the world. Local fishing guides also available at Mulu. So get your tackles ready whenever you visits Mulu. Will cover Fishing Adventures in Mulu soon :)

• Ulu Temburong National Park (Brunei Darussalam, Borneo Island).

Welcome To Ulu Temburong National Park. Known as the "Green Jewel Of Brunei", Ulu Temburong National Park is the 1st National Park in Brunei protected since 1991. Ulu Temburong is located in the extreme east of Brunei Darussalam only approximately 1 hour drive from Limbang (Sarawak) and 35 minutes from Lawas (Sarawak). Well, constant travelling by car around Northern Part of Borneo Islands makes me good at guessing haha :p 

For nature viewing pleasure, the park provides Canopy Walkway. Now, what's interesting is that the canopy walkway stands at height of 50m (160ft) above the forest floor, makes it one of the highest canopy walk in the world ! Now that's AWESOME :)

Since i'm so passionate about fishing, especially freshwater/jungle streams (always follows my dear uncle to jungle streams when i was a kid) always fascinates me when i saw rivers or jungle streams. Brunei fishing scene, as i know (from my buddies @ KB) mostly on Deep/Shallow Sea or Estuary/Mangroves areas. So i wonder if Brunei Freshwater Jungle Streams still holds monster size fishes ? Well, we can always plan :D 

• Tanjung Puting National Park (Kalimantan, Borneo Island)

Tanjung Puting, located in southeast of Kalimantan. Tanjung Puting National Park is known for Orang Utan Conservation. This is similar to other National Park in Kalimantan such as Kutai National Park, Betung Kerihun National Park and Nyaru Menteng Rehabilitation Centre. 

Orang Utan is endemic to Borneo, places like Tanjung Puting National Park, Kutai National Park, Betung Kerihun National Park, Nyaru Menteng Rehabilitation Centre and also...Sepilok Rehabilitation Centre in Sabah gives our Orang Utan chances of surviving for our future generation. 

So, what do you think of Borneo Island ? What i show is just brief info on places of interest in Borneo Island. What i share today is merely just 5%-10% and what about the other 90% - 95% ? Depends on each and every one of us. We have our own way of discovering. 

As for me, still have a lot to catch up. As long as i'm breathing, i'll share every moments of My Wonderful Borneo, The Nature's Theme Park :)

-ALF-