Welcome To Borneo

Kalimantan is truly one of the world’s last frontiers of unexplored wilderness. It showcases countless natural wonders and exotic flora and fauna. It is the last refuge for most of the world’s wild orangutans and home to about 12 million inhabitants with diverse cultures. Considering its sheer size, it thus has a very low population density in most of its land mass.

Orang Hutan & its Baby

 The indigenous Dayak, also known as Orang Gunung, traditionally live in longhouses called Lamin or Umaq Daru. The Malay, Chinese and Javanese have added to the rich cultural heritage of this land.

Kalimantan native longhouse

 The region’s best attractions are tied to the waterways which play a very vital role in the economy of the inhabitants. Travel up the rivers in Tanjung Puting National Park to take in the sights of great apes and vibrant jungle. Or travel up the mighty, mysterious Sungai Mahakam to experience the mightiness of the rainforest and to visit the longhouses…..and you may catch glimpses of the freshwater dolphins. In Banjarmasin, you must not miss the water villages and floating markets.

Fresh Water Dolphin Of Kalimantan

Floating market traders in Banjarmasin

A view of Miri at dusk from Canada Hill

 Miri, the second largest city in Sarawak, has its sights set on becoming the Resort City of Sarawak. It is an oil-rich city and a major transport hub for people heading to/from Brunei, the Kelabit Highlands, the Mulu National Park, Lambir National Park, Niah National Park and the Loagan Bunut National Park. Miri is thus often regarded as a hub for ecotourism and a paradise for nature enthusiasts. It has vast potential for tourism but lack of international air linkages has impeded the growth of the city’s tourism industry.

The Miri Mascot Night Scene

Seahorses-mascot of Miri

Miri is a shopping paradise for its neighbouring country, Brunei Darussalam, as well as neighbouring smaller towns like Bintulu, Batu Niah and Limbang. Bruneians flock to Miri every weekend to shop for almost everything, thanks to the currency exchange that is very much favourable to them. Moreover, as Brunei is a predominantly conservative Muslim sultanate, Bruneians as well as their expatriates often head to Miri for booze and the vibrant nightlife. Miri has quite a number of big hotels and a surprising number of bars, karaokes, pubs, restaurants and foot reflexology & spa centres.

Bandar Seri Begawan is a laid-back, greenery-dotted city with a low skyline and a fusion of majestic opulence and traditional heritage. It is the centre of the nation’s commerce and government and also where you will find some of the nation’s most revered landmarks.

 The Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddien Mosque is a stunning architectural masterpiece and a major tourist attraction. It has become the symbol of Brunei and is one of Asia’s finest-looking mosques. Its setting beside an artificial lake and its nightly illumination in green light is a sight to behold.

Omar Ali Saifuddin Mosque Night Scene

Situated near to the Omar Ali Saifuddien Mosque are two massive buildings forming the Yayasan Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah Complex. This complex is one of the main shopping malls in Brunei.

Yayasan Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah Complex