Before I came to Indonesia, other travelers recommended that I spend just one night in Jakarta or skip it altogether. I brushed off these recommendations, thinking Jakarta must have had some appeal due to its status as the capital city. I don't know why I thought I knew better; I should have listened to everyone … Continue reading Jakarta and Yogyakarta
Month: August 2017
Malaysia recap
Malaysia exceeded my expectations. The country has a diverse population, a wide range of sights, and great food. I arrived in Malaysia on June 25 and left on July 26. Below is a summary of the locations, accommodations, transport, and tours from my time in Malaysia. Kuala Lumpur (June 25 to 29, July 9 to … Continue reading Malaysia recap
Sepilok and Kinabatangan River
To round out my stay in Borneo, I visited Sepilok and the Kinabatangan River. I went to several animal rehabilitation centers and sanctuaries in Sepilok, which was about a 45-minute drive from Sandakan. I heard that the Labuk Bay Sanctuary allowed visitors to see proboscis monkeys up close. Proboscis monkeys have prominent noses and live … Continue reading Sepilok and Kinabatangan River
Kota Kinabalu and Sandakan
I spent about a week and a half in Sabah, a Malaysian state in Borneo. My stay in Borneo started in Kota Kinabalu, or "KK," the capital city of Sabah. Kota Kinabalu isn't a pretty city, but it was perfectly safe. A couple of malls and plenty of food options were within walking distance of … Continue reading Kota Kinabalu and Sandakan
Perhentian Islands
I stayed on the Perhentian Islands in the northeast of the Malaysian peninsula to get a scuba diving certificate. To get there, I took a seven-hour bus ride from Penang to a city named Kota Bharu and then a one-hour taxi ride to Kuala Besut, the closest mainland port to the islands. I spent one … Continue reading Perhentian Islands
