Braving Borneo

Some of you know that I have been a bit of an excel freak since about the age of 16 – so of course my trip is completely planned in a spreadsheet.  To get things started, I’m doing a quick and dirty paste here and will pretty it up as we go.  Right now, just trying to get everything settled, packed, and ready since I’m flying out tomorrow and only have about 3 hour stopover at home on Wednesday before heading off to Asia.  Truthfully – I’m feeling like I may have planned things a bit too close at the moment.  And I’m a little nervous about the upcoming solo trip – been a while since I was completely on my own in a new part of the world!  Sure it’s going to be great, once I get my travel legs back.  But anyway, I’m off to get my packing done and here’s a preview of the trip plan:

7 Nov        Depart Stuttgart:  movies, books, sleep on the plane – probably back in row 46 or something

8 Nov        arrive Singapore and visit friends!

9 Nov        travel to Brunei: wander around Bandar Seri Begawan, dinner at a night market

10 Nov      excursion to Ulu Temburong, water village, evening flight to Kota Kinabalu

11 Nov      departure from hotel at 7:30, head to Mt. Kinabalu. Climb up the mountain to the Pendant Hut, attend briefing with Via Ferrata guide, dinner and a few hours’ sleep

12 Nov      Depart Hut at 2:00am for summit bid; complete Via Ferrata “walk the torq” route and then descend to HQ in the early afternoon

13 Nov      Travel to Sepilok to visit the Orangutans, transfer to Lower Kinabatangan River Sanctuary for afternoon river jungle safari, dinner and then night jungle walk

14 Nov      Morning river safari and then travel to Semporna

15-17         Boat to Mabul Resort on 15^th, then 3 days diving around Mabul and Sipadan

18 Nov      Lounge in the sun until the travel starts – back to the mainland, transfer to Tawau, flight to KK

19 Nov      Sleep in!!!   And then mid-day flight through BSB to Singapore

20 Nov      Relaxed day with friends in Singapore and then start the long journey home- likely back in row 46 again

Flights are booked, itinerary defined, and departure date approaching. But right now I'm in Malta and heading out to catch some afternoon sun - I'll post the plan for Borneo asap. It's going to be an exhilarating endeavor!