A fellow blogger, Lucy at Family Affairs and Other Matters, has asked me if I would share a promotional video about presenter Ben Fogle’s recent trip to Sarawak, in the Malaysian part of Borneo.
Lucy herself has visited the region and it sounds an amazing place for an adventurous, enlightening holiday: rainforests, waterfalls, beautiful beaches, the chance to spot turtles and see the famous orangutans.
I’m interested in this for two reasons. Firstly, some years ago, when my son Rory was at primary school, they raised money for the orangutans in Borneo. I remember the children did a concert to raise money and I searched all the local shops trying to find an orange T-shirt for Rory to wear. The children were all very much on board with supporting a charity in the region.
The second reason is also connected to Rory. His girlfriend is from Malaysia – she came over to this country about 7 years ago with her family. I know she’s from Kuala Lumpur but I must ask her if she’s ever been to Sarawak.
The clip below is the first of a series of videos made by the Sarawak Tourism Board and gives you a taste of what the area has to offer. Very tempting.
Looks beautiful! I think I could help them out with naming their waterfalls. đ
Ha! Yes that did make me laugh too. 'Which shall we see today, waterfall 3 or waterfall 7?'
Borneo is a fabulous place. I lived there from 1981 to 1984 in Brunei and visited both Sarawak and Sabah on the Malaysian side. Highly recommend it as a gap year and an adventure of a lifetime! Saw orangutans and saw maore bats that you can mention!
Oh Tattie, how fascinating. Now I just want to sit down with you, have a cuppa and find out all about your adventures.
Malaysia is a really popular vacation spot with many Seoul expats – it was on our list, but a little far down. I think this video's bumped it up a few spots!
Lucy's blog has some posts from October when she visited with her daughter if you want more info. Hadn't considered Malaysia as a holiday destination before – it always just seems too far away.
Two things…….my brother used to live there and Rory has GIRLFRIEND.!!!!!!! Oh how time flies…..
Yes, three months now! She's a lovely girl, quite the academic, so I'm hoping her studious nature will rub off on my lad!
I suggested to my son that he might get some keen brainy friends so that their work ethic could rub off on him. He just looked at me pityingly.
Funny how they do that…
Hi Trish, thanks for sharing đ We have more to come. The next one has Ben visiting Matang for his close-up experience with the orang utans.
And oh yes, we'll have to get those good folks at Gunung Gading National Park to put on their creative cap on… haha …/michael
How about a waterfall naming competition?
Happy to share the information. Will tweet links to the other videos as they become available.
I've always wanted to go to Borneo and this looks amazing. My parents lived in Papua New Guinea for five years and that was one incredible place – a few similarities to Borneo. Sunken ships from WW2, walking under the roots of enormous trees to find hidden hospitals and cannibals still in the hills.
Your parents must have had some wonderful adventures. Cannibals too! crikey!
Soooo beautiful! I have been to Malaysia, but not this part. Do you know we almost booked it for our big trip this year, but decided on Japan instead… Oh well, maybe next year! đ
If you're interested, get in touch with Lucy who is working with the Sarawak Tourist Board – they are planning a possible bloggers' press trip too.
That looks like an heavenly place… I would totally fancy a dip in one of these waterfalls! Any chance of getting sponsored to do so, do you think? ;o) xx
See answer above!
I'm having a dip in number three, I think đ
I would so love an adventure like that – well off the beaten track!