SUNSETS IN BORNEO

On arriving at sunset in Kota Kinabalu ,Borneo, l was gob-smacked by the colour & spectacle. As l looked around, the local Malaysians barely gave it a sideway glance. At the time l was stuck in a taxi in traffic but fortunately the following evening there was again an equally stunning sunset scene that l captured on camera. After a week l realized that every evening produced similarly spectacular sunsets over the South China Sea. Night after night l positioned myself in a different spot to view & photograph the vivid colours & silhouettes. It was indescribably beautiful!
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Borneo has so much natural beauty. The diving is considered some of the best in the world. Apparently Jaques Cousteau's favourite dive sites were off Sipadan on the east coast of Sabah.

The Borneo rainforest is one of the oldest on the planet, about 130 millon years old. Unfortunately a large percentage of it has been destroyed by logging & planting of palm -oil plantations. But since the Heart Of Borneo aggreement was signed, the logging has been paused & the focus is directed at conserving the orangutans, Asian elephants, Asian rhinoceros & so many unique species to Borneo.

Then there is the challenge of Mt Kinabalu. Originally promoted as the tallest mountain in SE Asia, which is apparently incorrect. Never the less, thousands of people travel to Borneo every year purely to climb Kinabalu. It takes 2 days, requires no climbing equipment except for a pair of very strong legs.

Historically very interesting as well. Borneo was once an island of head-hunters. Then the British & the Dutch took control & the Sultan of Brunei handed over great parcels of land to them. In World War 2 it was occupied by the Japanese & the atrocities of the death march of Sandakan killed 2500 prisoners from Britain & Australia.

Borneo is made up from 3 countries, Malaysia, lndonesia & Brunei. It is a fabulous place to visit. There is almost too much to do & see and you cant do & see everything. lf for nothing else Borneo is worth the trip just for the fabulous fresh feasts of seafood while enjoying a cold beer & watching the best sunsets in the world.

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