Backpacking Borneo: Negara Brunei Darussalam

by Gay Mitra - June 1, 2010August 13, 20146

From Pulau Labuan, an express boat to Brunei’s Muara Serasa Ferry Terminal (RM35) is only an hour long. This port is situated about 25km off Bandar Seri Begawan, but we did not bother checking on transport options to the city since a CouchSurfing host was picking us up. Omar Ali Saifuddien Mosque, conveniently located near…

Backpacking Borneo: Kota Kinabalu-Pulau Labuan

by Gay Mitra - May 25, 2010August 13, 20144

It was time to go. We spent an unplanned extra day at Kuni’s not just because we enjoyed Kota Kinabalu, but also because we felt ‘at home’ in his house. But as I’ve said, it was time to move on to another destination. Walking along Kota Kinabalu’s waterfront one last time.We took the bus from…

Backpacking Borneo: Kinabalu National Park

by Gay Mitra - May 21, 2010August 13, 20142

Shervin and I scheduled Kinabalu National Park on a Sunday, and luckily Kuni our CouchSurfing host was going also with Dinah (another Couchsurfer) the same day. The night before, we initially organized the trip amongst the four of us and agreed to split the petrol expense. Then came Tobi who moved in the house and…

Backpacking Borneo: Pulau Mamutik

by Gay Mitra - May 16, 2010August 13, 20140

After soaking up the sun at Pulau Sapi’s shore, we (Kuba, Maciek, Shervin and I) once again hopped on our hired boat and headed to our second and last island for the day, Pulau Mamutik. Pulau Mamutik beach. Reminds me of Anawangin and Nagsasa Cove.Pulau Mamutik, though the smallest island in Tunku Abdul Rahman National…

Backpacking Borneo: Pulau Sapi

by Gay Mitra - May 14, 2010August 13, 20144

Anita was raving about ‘the islands’ over beer at The Loft, so we blocked off a day for Tunku Abdul Rahman National Park (a group of five islands named after Malaysia’s first Prime Minister). That day started with me exchanging morning pleasantries with Kuba and Maciek, both from Poland, on the way to the bathroom….

Mother’s Day at Manila Zoo

by Gay Mitra - May 11, 2010August 13, 20142

My first Mother’s Day! Okay, so I’m not a full-on mum yet since I’m still 5 months on the way but hubby and I already felt like celebrating. My OB-Gyne found out through ultrasound that I have a low-lying placenta two weeks ago, so going out of town was strictly not an option. Then we’re…

Backpacking Borneo: Sabah Museum and Filipino Night Market

by Gay Mitra - May 9, 2010August 13, 20142

We woke up to an empty house the next day (blog continued from here) at 9-ish. We were staying at Kuni’s, our Couchsurfing host. Kuni already left for work, and Anita (another Couchsurfer staying at his house) already headed to the islands for a day of snorkeling. We didn’t have any sightseeing plans that day,…

Backpacking Borneo: Clark-Kota Kinabalu

by Gay Mitra - May 7, 2010August 13, 20143

Exactly a year ago, 7th of May 2009, Shervin and I set off for our 6-week backpacking trip across six countries (Malaysia, Brunei, Indonesia, Singapore, Thailand, Myanmar) in South East Asia – with a budget of $1,000 each. And where did our epic adventure begin? Malaysian Borneo. Signal no. 2 typhoon on our departure day….

South East Asia in Six Weeks

by Gay Mitra - April 29, 2010August 13, 201412

Despite storm signal no. 2 and the Swine Flu frenzy (it was not called AH1N1 yet), we set off 7th of May last year for our first Southeast Asia backpacking trip together (Shervin and I). A trip that took us to six countries (in order): Malaysia, Brunei, Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Myanmar, Thailand, Malaysia….

Borawan and Dampalitan Beach

by Gay Mitra - April 25, 2010August 13, 201436

I was supposed to celebrate my Despedida de Soltera in Padre Burgos, Quezon last year. On our itinerary was to explore Borawan and Dampalitan Beach, which was then virtually unknown – recommended by my sister who went there with her colleagues a few months back. Unfortunately, typhoon Ondoy ravaged the country a week before our…