Borneo & Beyond

10/11/2022

Immersing yourself in local life, staying in basic accommodation, integrated into local communities, creates the by far most special Borneo memories.
But if it is in the budget, spending 2 or 3 nights in a resort after emerging from a jungle trip is a nice way to finish up.
KK is more often than not the place of departure.
For me the stand out resort is the Bungaraya island resort on Gaya island.
It doesn't target larger groups and promotes responsible solutions in its operations.
I decided to return to see where they are at after the 2 year closure.

It's immediately noticeable like anywhere, that recovery is very slow and already somewhat stalling in places that rely on Western tourists.
No more than 4 chalets had guests during our stay. Understandably, not all facilities are up and running in full and a number of things are under maintenance. First time visitors would barely be able to tell though.
The chalets, service and food are amazing as always.

The three categories of chalets have similar interiors but differ in size and location.
Some of the Deluxe chalets sit high up amongst the forest while the plunge pool villas are lining the beach front.

3 nights is ideal to unwind and enjoy the pool, beach and food. You will need to eat at the resort's restaurant. It's outstanding and reasonably priced for Western standards.

Beautiful property.

07/11/2022

My favourite accommodation in Kuching town closed down and the options are limited.
I used the Ranee this time. It's a uniquely renovated building and offers different category rooms and suites. Some have a great view over the waterfront which was very busy due to the dragon boat festival.
I included a picture that shows the sister property which is The Marion (an old convent building).
The Marion is a lovely guest house for different types of travellers and has a pool.
The Ranee is your boutique style accommodation, great for couples and special occasions.
And then, of course there are the concrete jungles of your Western style properties on the opposite end of the water front.

Tourism is still very slow especially with the monsoon season starting and it does show.
The Ranee restaurant was not open and generally the vibe around town was a bit flat with lots of shops closed along this lovely part of town.

06/11/2022

Another fun day with Brandon, starting as always with great local food.
Checked out his new work place and work in progress - Serembu Eco Park. A great place for those who like to stay outside off town in a nature setting. Lots of local fruit trees around which allows a great insight into the farming in this area.
Introduced my husband to Durian. He enjoyed it. 😋 Not for me but rambutan makes me happy.
Visited Siniawan Heritage Town and dropped by local artist Michael Lim's home. Last time we visited, I had my eye on one of his beautiful paintings. I didn't think he kept it for me as I had no idea if and when I would be able to return to pick it up. 😍

05/11/2022

Permai Rainforest resort is still one of my favourites when visiting Kuching. It's a beautiful place to just live in the moment. Coming here outside the high season and mid week, we had the place almost to ourselves.
There are 10 rustic tree houses plus 2 premium houses. I like the wooden framed older style houses as they blend in with the surrounding nature. The weather here means that there is always a bit of wear and tear but the bed, toilet and shower are clean and a kettle and small fridge are provided. What else could you possibly need.
Friendly local staff and the Asian style food was very good.
And we enjoyed plenty of proboscis monkey play near our tree house and while trekking.

It's also an ideal place to learn the dos and don'ts of jungle trekking.

I will say that next door they are currently redeveloping a huge resort. A massive concrete jungle. What impact that will have on the little gem next door remains to be seen.
Jumpa lagi.

02/11/2022

18/10/2021

So happy to see this community based tourism iniative getting acknowledged. We included the rainforest ECO camp right from the beginning and I hope many more local agencies will do the same now that there is some movement.
Those I have taken to Batu Puteh still talk about it long after returning home.

KINABATANGAN: The Batu Putih Kinabatangan Bhd Sub-District Tourism Cooperative Bhd (KOPEL) community-based tourism has become an example for others to emulate.

09/07/2021

This is great news and the best way to assist until we can travel to Borneo again and deliver goodies as part of our tours. Thank you Animal Assist

08/07/2021

We'd like to extend the thank you to all our supporters who have joined us in supporting APE Malaysia from a distance. 🐾🌳🌱💚

16/06/2021

12/06/2021

Hello Fulung. Miss you too.
The Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre (BSBCC) has been closed for an extended period of time but the team is continuing their hard work to keep the centre running, for us to enjoy again as soon as we are allowed to. Make sure you give them a hand with a donation if you can.

12/06/2021

https://virtualrwmf2021.xpoexpo.com/

16/05/2021

Join in. 😊

24/03/2021

Many have asked for it and APE Malaysia has responded. We can now set up a monthly tree planting contributions. :-)

Making planting trees with us even easier! 🪴🌳

We have come up with a subscription for those of you who would like to donate monthly, every few months, yearly (you decide) without the hassle of having to manually do it on our website. If this interests you or you would like to know more, send us a DM or email us at [email protected]. 🍃🌿

17/03/2021

Our donated trees for March have been planted. 😊

11/02/2021

Happy Chinese New Year !

08/01/2021

During my many visits to Borneo I have learnt to see things I couldn't see previously and more importantly I have learnt that anything in nature is simply amazing even if we have grown up hearing otherwise.
For many watching this little clip rejection is the first reaction.
I have seen many stick insects in the Bornean forest which I miss so much. So, I was amazed to find one right next to me here on Phillip Island, Australia this morning. When they sit still, their camouflage is second to none.
If you come across one take the time to really observe.
The insect world is fascinating and it's very important we protect it.

06/01/2021

If you are lucky enough to be in Borneo during local fruiting season you are in for a treat. So so yummy. 😊

What Trees Do We Plant?

Tree #1 - Rambutan

Yummmm. Just typing this is making me hungry! Rambutan is a tree native to Southeast Asia and is a close relative to the lychee and longan. When it’s fruiting, it’s a feast for everyone especially orang utans, gibbons and macaques. Squirrels and birds have a go at it to! Proboscis monkeys have been observed feeding on unripe fruits.

On our reforestation site, 10% of the trees we plant include seasonal domestic fruiting trees as they become food resources for the wildlife.

02/01/2021

02/12/2020

We can not travel to Borneo at the moment but our support for local conservation projects has not stopped. It will be a very special trip when we can finally return to the Kinabatangan river and see where all our trees are growing. 🌳💚🌳
Borneo & Beyond is adding more trees on a monthly basis and I like to thank all of those who have joined in and made a huge difference during the many months of lockdowns. Keep it up. :-)

https://apemalaysia.com/product/plant-trees/

10/11/2020

Bring on 2021. Have you got your copy? 😀💚🌏🌳

The Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre - promoting sun bear conservation through rehabilitation, education and research.

05/10/2020

This coming Wednesday, 7th October, we will be back with our fourth educational video, titled 'Otters of Sabah', presented by Leona Wai, our Otter Conservation Officer. You must be wondering how many otter species we have in Sabah, where do they live, what do they eat and what are their other unique behaviours? If you want to know more about otters, stay tuned to our next video and do not forget to like and share the video with your family and friends!

Rabu, 7 October, kami kembali lagi dalam video Pendidikan yang keempat, dengan tajuk Memerang di Sabah, dibentangkan oleh Leona Wai, Pegawai Konservasi Memerang di DGFC. Anda pasti tertanya – tanya berapakah spesies memerang yang ada di Sabah, di manakah memerang tinggal, apakah makanan memerang dan apakah tingkah laku unik memerang yang lain? Jika anda ingin tahu lebih mengenai memerang, jangan lupa like dan kongsikan video ini dengan keluarga dan rakan-rakan anda!

30/09/2020

I am still grounded, unable to travel to Borneo to assist the teams of the Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre and APE Malaysia but we can still do so much from a distance.
Those that are looking for an opportunity to make a real difference can chip in and help little Betung to some much needed special formula.
Dr Wong & I have organised a first zoom catch up this week and we hope to continue bringing all supporters that little bit closer while being apart. Let's just do it. 💚
The BSBCC is closed again. 😔 Hope you can still dig deep. 1 can of the required formula for Betung costs almost $35. That's a fortune over there. Anything will help as a small appreciation for Dr Wong hosting us on Friday. He will send me the zoom link later today, he said.

https://www.gofundme.com/f/support-conservation-in-borneo?utm_medium=copy_link&utm_source=customer&utm_campaign=p_na+share-sheet&pc_code=ot_co_dashboard_a&rcid=3da63c06f7604afb8b8d51c42662417f

Hello, I am Barbara, independent travel professional and owner of Borneo & Beyond. … Barbara Katsifolis needs your support for Support conservation in Borneo

21/09/2020

Great bird's eye view of the Tip of Borneo.
While you can visit the area on a day trip from KK, we highly recommend to stay a couple of nights to give yourself time to enjoy the beaches, learn about the traditional gong making and stop by a local long house.

Green and turquoise look really good on you, Kudat.

Kudat is inhabited mainly by the Rungus people, a sub-group of the indigenous Kadazan native. Famous for its Rungus longhouses, traditional gong making and the Tip of Borneo, Kudat is only about 3 hours drive north of Kota Kinabalu.

📸 IG: .drone
📍 Kudat

08/09/2020

Miss being in the field with the APE Malaysia team and other volunteers from all across the world so much.
The current pandemic has shown us that reforestation is more urgent than ever.
Ape Malaysia's tree planting iniative is a wonderful way to continue the work while being apart. 💚🌱🌳
https://apemalaysia.com/product/plant-trees/

26/08/2020

Another one of the wonderful local APE Malaysia team. I have countless memories from the times in the field with Kasmin. Puts a smile on my face every time when I think back. Lots of laughs and the language barrier just adds to the fun. Can't wait to do it again.

Here’s another member of team !

Number 2!

Meet Kasmin! Another villager from Kampung Sukau, he joined us in 2014 as our boatman and project equipment store keeper. Kasmin enjoys gardening and has his own sapling nursery that he takes care with his wife. He helps the project to source various sapling species during his downtime as well.

19/08/2020

Welcome to the Orangutan Saving Animals From Extinction

18/08/2020

We still can not travel to Borneo but there are ways to engage with this special place.
I am currently in a 6 week lockdown in Melbourne which is mentally very tough as I am also without work. Thanks to the virtual run organised by the BSBCC, I have been able to drag myself off the couch and slowly build up to a 5km run.
Miss this incredible team of locals and of course the sun bears who inspire me with their resilience and proavtive approach to yet another major roadblock.
Hope many will join in.

https://www.bsbcc.org.my/sun-bear-virtual-run.html

17/08/2020

Meet the hardworking locals. :-)

https://apemalaysia.com/product/plant-trees/

We would like to introduce to you the team who sets off every other day and plants trees on your behalf!

Meet pak cik (uncle) Awang. This wonderful man started working us with in 2011 as a boatman for our Borneo Wildlife Safari project. At 67 years old, he is known for the work of his hands - he makes his own boat from scratch. He also has a wealth of knowledge on the hard wood trees in the forest because of his past experience working in timber camps. He is the most experienced team member of our CREATE project, funded by Kansas City Zoo and spends his time putting saplings into the ground and tending to them.

Stay tuned for our next feature on another member of the tree planting squad!

13/08/2020

Virtual Sandakan Memorial Day 2020, 15th August 2020

http://sandakanday2020.sabahtourism.com/

Sandakan Day 2020 organized by Sabah Tourism Board

03/08/2020

What a great activity for all of us, even during the sometimes strict lock down rules. We have joined? Will you?

https://www.bsbcc.org.my/sun-bear-virtual-run.html?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=bsbcc_sun_bear_virtual_run_the_wild_journey_begins_open_for_registration&utm_term=2020-08-01

28/07/2020

Most of us are currently affected by travel restrictions but nothing should stop those who are financially secure from supporting vital conservation projects. It's less than $10 AUD and together we can make such a big big difference. Don't wait until later, make the time now. Only takes a couple of minutes.
Terima Kaseh APE Malaysia. 🌳💚🌳💚🌳💚🌳

https://apemalaysia.com/plant-a-tree/

09/07/2020

Tomorrow, Montom, one of the 43 rescued sun bears at the Bornean sun bear conservation centre is being released. What an incredible achievement considering all the hardship COVID19 is causing for the centre at the moment. Here is a really good clip about Montom's rescue. Soon we will see footage of his release. Let's wish the team luck for tomorrow.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=FsolT8eLebw

In memory of Dr Diana Angeles Ramirez Saldivar 2018 for her dedication, kindness, professional rigor and her beautiful soul. This video shows the Saba Wildli...

29/06/2020

So good to see Mark and Mus on the river having a bit of fun. I have had some amazing hornbill sightings while cruising and am looking forward to return as soon as possible and hopefully be able to assist one day in installing a hornbill nesting box.

24/06/2020

International travel is on hold and there is no income at the moment. But we can't afford to simply sit back and wait. It's more important than ever that we in some way invest into our future and for me that means digging deep to stay connected with places and people on the ground in Borneo and support them.
This month Borneo & Beyond sent funds to the Bornean Sun Bear Centre to allow the team to purchase enough coconuts for a whole month.
I am working on a date and time for us to be part of a coconut feeding day. It's a lot of fun to watch and an incredible display of their strength. Watch this space for details. -Barbara

🐾🥥🐾🐾🥥🐾🥥🐾🥥🐾🥥🐾🥥🐾🥥🐾🥥🐾🥥

23/06/2020

Exactly 12 months ago we took our first group into the Maliau Basin in Sabah. What an incredible place and what a wonderful bunch of people to spend 5 days in the jungle with.

16/06/2020

This is an update we have been waiting for as it means so much to us that APE Malaysia pulls through and we support them in way we can. Seeing small organisations that put their heart and soul into what they do for the benefit of local communities and wildlife pull through is inspirational.
I had to cancel my volunteer placement this year but rest assured that I will be back on the ground the moment it is possible again.

16/05/2020

Good news for the locals. 😀

Reopened.

14/05/2020

Often referred to as Borneo's lost world there is something mysterious about the Maliau Basin. It's a place I wanted to visit for quite some time but it's not something you do in a day or two and requires a little pre planning. Once you join a small group willing to put in a bit of effort, it's an amazing adventure you will never forget. As you make your way from camp to camp you are trekking through different types of forest. It felt like we were in some sort of fairytale landscape at times before reentering stunning primary rainforest where you knew you were being watched by its residents. Pictures and video footage only tell half the story. It's the sounds and even the smells that will be embedded in your memory forever.