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Borneo Adventure: From Ocean Depths to Mountain Peaks


A journey of a lifetime—where the sea meets the sky and the jungle whispers untold stories. From diving into the dazzling blue depths of Kapalai to trekking through the untouched wilderness of Borneo’s rainforests, and finally, standing victorious atop the highest peak in Southeast Asia—this was more than just a trip. It was an odyssey of adventure, wonder, and discovery.


✈️ March 27 (Thu) – The Journey Begins!


A new chapter unfolded as we took flight toward the unknown.

• Flight: San Francisco (SFO) → Hong Kong (HKG) – Cathay Pacific CX873

• Departure: 1:05 AM | Arrival: 6:55 AM (+1)


That night, we left behind the familiar and stepped into the extraordinary.


🏝️ March 28 (Fri) – Touchdown in Sabah: The Gateway to Paradise!


The adventure began the moment our feet touched Bornean soil.

• Flight: Hong Kong → Kota Kinabalu (KK) – Cathay Pacific CX501 (8:05 AM – 11:05 AM)

• Afternoon flight: KK → Tawau (4:00 PM | Booking Ref: CWW5CE)

• Stay: Hotel Walai Tokou, Tawau


Anticipation built—tomorrow, we would dive into a world of vibrant marine life!


🐠 March 29 - April 1 (Sat - Tues) – Scuba Diving in Kapalai: An Underwater Dream!


We woke up in paradise, surrounded by nothing but the shimmering turquoise of the Celebes Sea.

• Stay: Kapalai Dive Resort (Overwater Bungalows—nature’s best-kept secret!)

• Adventures:

✅ Swam among rainbow-colored coral reefs teeming with life 🐠

✅ Drift-dived alongside graceful turtles and reef sharks 🦈

✅ Savored sunset cocktails over the endless sea 🍹🌅












💭 We dove deep—not just into the ocean, but into a world few will ever witness.


🌿 April 2-3 (Wed - Thu) – Into the Wild: Danum Valley Rainforest!


We stepped into one of the world’s oldest rainforests, where every rustling leaf held a secret.

• Travel: Flight to Lahad Datu, arriving by 9:30 AM

• Stay: Borneo Rainforest Lodge (Luxury meets the untamed wilderness!)

• Unforgettable Encounters:

✅ Hiked through millennia-old rainforests 🌳

✅ Spotted orangutans, pygmy elephants, and the elusive clouded leopard 🐘🦧

✅ Ventured into the night for a safari under the jungle’s moonlit canopy 🌙🐍










🌿 A place where time stood still and nature reigned supreme.


🦧 April 4 (Fri) – Sepilok: A Haven for Wildlife Conservation!


We witnessed the resilience of nature through its most majestic and endangered creatures.

• Travel: Bus from Danum Valley to Sepilok

• Stay: Sepilok Jungle Resort

• Experiences to Remember:

✅ Visited the Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Center 🦧

✅ Saw the rare and endangered sun bears up close 🐻







👀 Moments like these reminded us why conservation matters.


🐊 April 5-6 (Sat - Sun) – Kinabatangan River: Borneo’s Hidden Amazon!


We sailed through a river brimming with life, where every bend revealed a new mystery.

• Meeting Point: Orangutan Center (12:30 - 1:00 PM pickup)

• Stay: Uncle Tan’s Wildlife Camp

• Unforgettable Safari:

✅ Glided past crocodiles lurking in the still waters 🐊

✅ Watched proboscis monkeys leap across towering trees 🐒

✅ Cruised beneath a sky illuminated by fireflies ✨









🌊 Nature at its wildest, rawest, and most breathtaking.


🏔️ April 7-8 (Mon - Tue) – The Summit Challenge: Conquering Mount Kinabalu!


Two days, one goal—4,095 meters above sea level.

• Travel: Bus to Kinabalu National Park

• Stay: Kinabalu Pine Resort / Kinabalu Rose Cabin

• The Ascent:

✅ Trekked through changing landscapes—from lush rainforest to alpine meadows

✅ Spent the night at Laban Rata, preparing for the final push

✅ Reached Low’s Peak at sunrise, where the world stretched below ☀️






🏅 Every step was a test of will, but the reward was a view that took our breath away.


🏙️ April 9-10 (Wed - Thu) – Return to Kota Kinabalu & Celebration!


After the climb, a well-earned reward—rest, reflection, and indulgence.

• Travel: Descended from Kinabalu Park to KK

• Stay: KK City

• Moments to Savor:

✅ Sank our feet into the golden sands of Tanjung Aru Beach 🏖️

✅ Feasted on the freshest seafood at Welcome Seafood Restaurant 🦞

✅ Wandered through the vibrant night markets of KK


🍹 A toast to the journey, the memories, and the mountains we conquered.


🌏 April 11 (Fri) – Hong Kong Stopover: A Taste of the Metropolis!


A brief but thrilling interlude in one of the world’s most dynamic cities.

• Flight: KK → Hong Kong (Cathay Pacific CX800) | 12:00 PM – 3:00 PM

• City Adventures:

✅ Strolled along Victoria Harbour’s dazzling skyline 🌆

✅ Indulged in dim sum at the legendary Tim Ho Wan 🥢

✅ Immersed in the bustling energy of Mong Kok’s shopping streets 🛍️








🛶 A perfect contrast to Borneo’s wilderness—two worlds in one trip.


🌆 April 12 (Sat) – Hong Kong Stopover & Joey Yung’s Starlight Concert!

• April 12:

✅ Attended Joey Yung’s Starlight Concert 🌟🎤 at Hong Kong Coliseum



🏡 April 13 (Sun) – Homeward Bound

• Flight: Hong Kong → San Francisco (Cathay Pacific CX872) | 4:25 PM – 1:50 PM (same day)


💭 Returned home with unforgettable memories of Borneo’s wild beauty and a final night of music in Hong Kong!


🔥 Final Reflections: More Than Just a Trip, a Transformational Experience


This journey wasn’t about checking off destinations—it was about immersion, challenge, and connection with the world in its purest form.


✔ We dove into a world unseen by many.

✔ We trekked through jungles older than time itself.

✔ We stood on the roof of Borneo, where the sky meets the earth.


🌍 The world is vast, wild, and waiting. And this was just the beginning.


🚀 Borneo, you changed us forever!


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