|
Wild, Romantic BorneoSomething Old is Something NewBy Rita CookThe wilds of Malaysia's Borneo have been talked about for centuries. Three hundred years ago head hunters still ran rampant in the untamed wilderness, now it's just a legend made stronger by the Monsopiad Cultural Village, where you can, in fact, see 27 of the 30 skulls that belonged to this renowned headhunter. But that's not all Borneo has to offer. Being the world's third largest island, you can go for romantic and laid back in Kota Kinabalu (also known as KK) or wild and untamed in the jungles that lay just beyond civilization. Borneo is an excellent choice for the adventure honeymoon. In fact, not too many people visit Borneo without being aware of the most talked about animal in the area, the Orangutan. If you have ever watched Orangutans interact with one another you know how exciting it can be to see one in their own environment. Quite shy by nature, this animal has about a 96.4 percent similarity to the human gene. Borneo is also home to at least 30 indigenous tribes, some still working the land and living in the famous longhouses. The tropical rainforest is here too and offers some of the oldest forest in the world with countless wildlife, some species you might have never heard of before you arrived.
The mountain journey will begin in Kota Kinabalu so why not take a few days to relax and enjoy the city. While in KK you will find a number of five star properties from which to begin your honeymoon. At Sutera Harbor (1 Sutera Harbor Blvd., Sutera Harbor, 88100 Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia) a few days of rest and relaxation will mean taking a 15-minute boat ride to Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park. The entire park consists of five islands and you can find excellent scuba diving and snorkeling. If you want a night of real seclusion one of the islands even has bungalows you can rent - it's the most restful night you will spend on your journey.
No two days in Borneo will be alike. From the thrill of the climb, to the spotting of the solitary Orangutan, to the endless shopping and negotiating in the thick of the city of Kota Kinabalu, enjoy the moment and treasure it while it lasts. Don't forget to stop by the headhunter's village too, it will remind you how wild Borneo still is, while also poetically subdued. Photo Credits: Rita Cook |
|
TM
Getting
into the spirit of the adventure, you can trek into the jungle for days at a
time with your guide and find yourself transported back in time. For those that
want to add more adventure go for the climb up Mount Kinabalu, the highest peak
between the Himalayas and New Guinea at 13,432 ft. The name Kinabalu, or Aki
Nabalu, comes from a word in the Kadazandusun language, a group of people who
live on the slopes of the mountain. Aki means ancestor and nabalu is the word
for mountain. Thus, this is the resting-place of the sacred ancestors. As you
climb to the summit you find the world becomes another reality high among the
mist and swirling clouds - it does become easier to believe that you are walking
among the forebears of this land.
Of
course the city of Kota Kinabalu is always bustling. Championship golf courses
abound here and there's always a street market or bazaar. The North Borneo
Railway leaves from KK too, another good way to discover the inner-life of
Borneo, albeit in a bit more comfort. The train is one of the last of the fleet
of locomotives that have been used in Borneo since the early 1900s. While
you're aboard think British colonial as you are whisked away through tiny
villages, paddy fields, mangrove jungles and amazing coastlines.