When it comes to traveling the world, people love visiting islands and understandably so. The crystal blue waters and white sand are enough to make you want to sell your home and live there! Popular places like Hawaii, the Maldives, and Tahiti are common destinations that people like to visit for vacations but do you know one place that doesn’t get enough credit for its beauty? Borneo.
Borneo is a travel destination that is far too often overlooked, not underrated. For those who have been to Borneo, know that it is one of the most beautiful destinations in the world. You truly have to see it to believe it! From the mountains with gorgeous views to the rain forests that take your imagination on an adventure, Borneo is sure to be a destination you will never forget!
Photo by Jorge Franganillo on Unsplash
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The Traveler vs. the Tourist…
Now, before we get into beautiful aspects of Borneo and why serious travelers need to visit this destination at least once in their lives, we need to get to the bottom of being a traveler vs a tourist.
When it comes to traveling the world, you have your tourists and then you have your travelers. That’s not to say that one is better than the other… Borneo is a travel destination that’s beautiful for everyone to see whether you consider yourself as a tourist or a traveler but there are certain characteristics that a tourist has that a traveler doesn’t.
For instance, a serious traveler will typically take the road less traveled, meaning they more so enjoy the things that aren’t on a big attractions list… tourists usually enjoy doing only that. Travelers travel for the enjoyment of what the destination has to offer on its own but aren’t opposed to “touristy” things either.
Travelers enjoy the Borneo tours and the beautiful rainforest accommodations just as much as a tourist does. The main, big difference is that tourists spend their entire trip doing things recommended by tour groups and what they see online. Travelers will do “touristy” things but they will also explore the destination in ways that aren’t put in tour guides. They make it a point to meet new people and talk with the locals, especially when traveling solo.
Because Borneo is full of adventure, serious travelers need to visit at least once in their lives for an adventure they’ll never forget!
So, Why Borneo?
Mount Kinabalu
Mount Kinabalu is the highest peak in South East Asia, located in Kinabalu National Park. Climbing this majestic mountain starts in the park’s headquarters and then takes you up the mountain to Laban Rata. Laban Rata is actually the point where you will want to stop for an overnight break before attempting the remainder of the journey the next morning.
It can take four to six hours to reach Laban Rata so that’s why you want to start your journey in the morning and relax that evening at the overnight point. Once you finally reach the summit, you will have panoramic views that are breathtaking. Being above the clouds on this mountain will be an experience you won’t get anywhere else but in Borneo.
The Orangutan Sanctuary in Sepilok
If you have a soft spot for animals, then the orangutan sanctuary in Sepilok is the place for you. In the Sepilok Forest Reserve, there is a rehabilitation center for orangutans because they are on the brink of being an endangered species. It is at this rehabilitation center that injured and orphaned orangutans are cared for.
Some of the orangutans have been injured due to poachers and have become orphaned due to loggers coming in and destroying their natural habitat. The World Wildlife Fund states that the orangutan becoming endangered is purely due to human activities. There was even a forest fire that killed 8,000 orangutans. This orangutan rehabilitation center is there to prevent any of those events from happening to them again.
Sipadan Island in Malaysia
Sipadan is one of the most beautiful diving destinations in the world. The bright blue waters and exotic aquatic life are all the reasons to visit this destination. Now, you actually can’t stay on Sipadan Island anymore but you can stay at one of the nearby islands and make your way to Sipadan by way of a boat to go on your diving adventures.
When diving in Sipadan, you will be able to swim with sea life such as:
- Sea Turtles
- Barracudas
- Large schools of Humphead Parrot Fish
If you love the water and love sea life, then as a serious traveler, you absolutely MUST come to visit Sipadan. You will have a lifetime of memories.
