The post Daily Travel Snapshot: Sipadan, Borneo appeared first on Wild Junket.

The post Daily Travel Snapshot: Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia appeared first on Wild Junket.

As an occasional solo traveler, picking the right destination to explore is not quite as easy as one would imagine. Since our move to Spain, Alberto has settled into his new job so that leaves me and my backpack, out to see the world alone. As much as I enjoy the prospects of meeting more people and having the freedom to do whatever I want, solo travel can be a little daunting at times. Especially for a solo female traveler, it’s wise not to be wary of your surroundings. In this post, I share with you some of my suggestions for the best adventurous destinations for solo travelers.

1. Australia

For the ultimate adventurous holiday, Australia definitely wouldn’t disappoint. Few places in the world can beat Australia’s myriad of natural spots and adventurous activities – scuba dive the Great Barrier Reef, then skydive in Sydney, and go bush-walking in the outback – Kakadu National Park. Besides world-class infrastructure and some of the friendliest people in the world, Austalia makes for a safe and easy destination for solo travelers.

2. Tanzania

Although African capitals can be slightly intimidating, venture out to the savannahs and wild lands and you’ll find the warmest people who are more curious about you than anything else. This East African nation is bursting with thrilling outdoors opportunities ideal for the solo traveler. Sign yourself up for an adventure tour – from the Kilimanjaro trek to a wildlife safari or scuba-diving trip on Zanzibar island – you’re sure to meet fellow travelers and have a wild time. Unlike the usual stereotype view, Tanzania is relatively safe to travel alone, just try to avoid dodgy areas in the capital city.

3.  Malaysia

Being a Muslim country, Malaysia is often misunderstood by many as conservative and unwelcoming. But adventure travelers who have given it a shot all leave with a big smile  – Malaysia is packed to the brim with raw, unexplored natural spots and bewitchingly beautiful terrain. Explore its acres of dense rainforest and mingle with orang utans or live with ancient tribes, then emerge out of the forest to find clear, turquoise waters, home to some of the world’s best dive sites. And its people – you can hardly find such genuine and hospitable people elsewhere.

Photo by whoa adventures

4. Ecuador

A small nation chocked full of rare and endemic wildlife and nature, Ecuador is a country only worthy of superlative descriptions. With natural wonders that hit the right sensory glands, you can feed your craving for all things natural here in one small country. Swim with sea lions, sharks and penguins on the Galapagos Islands, hike through the culturally-rich Amazon Rainforest or climb the Cotopaxi Mountain – you could easily do all that in one week. What’s more, Ecuador is one of the better-off countries in South America, equipped with better tourism infrastructure than its neighboring nations.

5. Jordan

Amongst the Arabic nations, Jordan is tops on my list – especially in terms of ease of travel, security and sights to see. Float in the Dead Sea in the north and then head down south to explore the archaeological sites of Petra and then hop on a camel safari through Wadi Rum desert. Unlike neighboring Egypt or Israel, the country is not overrun with tourism and dominated by foreigners. To see a real peek into the Middle Eastern world, Jordan would be a great start.

6. Macedonia

During my recent solo jaunt in the Balkans, Macedonia definitely left a deep impression on me: Not only were the locals helpful and forthcoming, the country is also shaped perfectly for intrepid adventure travelers looking to get off the beaten path. Composing of a multitude of mountains and emerald lakes, Macedonia is favored by outdoor lovers who enjoy hiking, climbing and boating. Be sure to check out Lake Ohrid and the Bitola Mountains.

*All the photos above are my own, they cannot be used without my permission.

————————————————————————————————————————————–——————–———

Related Posts:

• World’s 8 Most Enchanting Islands
• Diving the Waters of Sipadan, Borneo
• How to See the Galapagos Islands on the Cheap
• Belize: Top 10 Things to do on Caye Caulker
• 7 Alternative Summer Destinations
• Green Travel: 7 Luxury Eco-Retreats
• 10 Unique Transport Modes Around the World

The post 6 Adventurous Destinations for Solo Travelers appeared first on Wild Junket.

Taking a break from my posts on summer in Europe, today’s guest post features the other corner of the planet – exotic and gorgeous Malaysia. Food/travel blogger Mei from  Cumi & Ciki brings us on an adventurous ride through her homeland, showing us Malaysia’s nature, biodiversity and challenging terrain. I’ve promised to get in touch with Mei when I go back home to Singapore, and I can’t wait to explore the wild side of Malaysia with her. Here are five adventures that she promises to bring me on:

1. Live with the Penan tribe

The Penans are an ethnic group of Borneo. Out of the 10,000 Penans, it is estimated that only 200 are still living their traditional nomadic hunter-gatherer existence in Malaysian state of Sarawak, Borneo.

In the Penan language there are forty words for sago palm, and no words for goodbye, or thank you – or thief. The Penan view the entire rainforest as their home. One that is under severe threat as commercial logging continues to destroy the forest around them.

Groups of up to forty move around a landscape of steep valleys and dense dipterocarp forest interlaced with numerous tributaries of the large rivers draining the islands interior to find stands of the wild sago palm.

   What is this adventure?

• Explore one of the few remaining unprotected areas in Sarawak that has not been logged.
• Live with and learn about Borneo’s most fascinating, secretive and least understood tribe.
• Getting off the tourist track and be integrated into the tribal life.
• Opportunity to appreciate mountains, caves,waterfalls, lakes, forests and wildlife upclose and personal.
• Experience the traditional culture of blow-pipe making, rattan weaving, storytelling, wildlife tracking, medicinal plants and ethno biology.

2. Mulu Adventures – hear the call of the wild!

Mulu is Malaysia’s adventure capital. Challenging jungle hikes, magnificent World Heritage caves, the ‘Pinnacles’, home stays in longhouses with native tribes – all set in the prettiest of tropical jungle landscape. Choose to mountain-bike to Mulu, swim or raft the rivers, climb the ‘Pinnacles’ or Mount Mulu, hike the once feared ‘Head hunter’s trail’, burrow deeply in adventure caves, search out wildlife or choose to do it all at a leisurely pace.

    Main attractions around Mulu:

• Deer cave – the single largest cave passage known to man and home to millions of free tailed naked bats
• Clearwater cave – named after an underground river system that flows through the cave systems and culminates with high velocity through this chamber. This is the longest known underground river in South East Asia.
• Lang’s cave – containing gorgeous formations that adorn the walls
• Wind cave – named after its natural air conditioning and containing colourfully named chambers such as King’s and Lady’s chamber.
• Sarawak Chamber – the world’s largest discovered underground cavity located in Gua Nasib Bagus. The chamber measures approximately 700m long, 415m wide and 80m high. In width, you could almost fit 7 units Boeing 747′s from wing to wing. In length, almost 10 units! It takes almost a full day to reach Sarawak Chamber and requires a certain fitness level. It is in the adventure-caving category.
• ‘The Pinnacles’ – a series of limestone razors that mystically jut out half way up Mount Api. The trail is only 2.4kms but the ascension is 1200m up a steep path to a viewpoint looking out over the Pinnacles. This is Malaysia’s 5 star hike!

3. Climb Mount Murud , the highest sandstone mountain in Sarawak

The Kelabit highlands is one of Sarawak’s last unspoiled regions with beautiful flora and a cool refreshing climate. The vegetation changes as you ascend and along the way, you witness local life with plenty of opportunities to interact with the friendly natives, mainly Lun Bawang and Kelabit tribes.

The first person to have successfully climbed to the summit of Mount Murud is a Swedish Zoologist and Ethnographer, Eric Mjöherg, in 1922.  Mjöherg was astounded by the many species of plants found there, especially pitcher plants that are endemic to this location. He documented many of plants and flowers, describing the mountain as a paradise which will forever be embedded in his mind.

Many locals regard Mount Murud as a sacred location. Rumors of many astounding miracles is said to have happened here. Local folks make an annual pilgrimage to celebrate its majesty, therefore, it is no surprise that you will find a large church camp made of many assembled wooden houses on a plateau which can accommodate 1500 people.

4. Climb the World’s Highest Via Feratta on Mount Kinabalu

I was the third person to have climbed via feratta when they first opened in 4th quarter of 2007. I can definitely pledge to its WOW factor.

Battling the early morning chill, initial fear of the heights and mild altitude discomfort, the activities offered are not for the weak-hearted.

If you are afraid of heights then this adventure may not be for you as you will be walking on vertical surfaces as well as crossing valleys on cable lines. Although you will be led by an experienced guide, each participant will have the responsibility to look after each other as you are all linked together by a rope.

Besides a helmet and training before the activity, you will be assured double safety on the climb. A climber wears a harness clipped to a steel cable along the route and a second line is clipped to the next climber or the guide. The steel cables that line the route can hold up to 3,000kg of weight. The ladder rungs and footholds are rated to withstand up to 300kg of weight. The routes have been set up by the best via feratta builders from Europe and its no wonder that MT has been awarded a certificate of compliance based on European safety standards for Via Feratta. I’ll let the photos speak for themselves!

5. Accelerated Freefall

The Accelerated Free Fall (AFF) course is a private instructor-assisted learning process which teaches you to become a licensed skydiver. Its progression is several times faster than the traditional static line program and has now become very popular for individuals who want to reach the level of a licensed skydiver faster and with proper instruction from a USPA licensed instructor/s.

During freefall, skydivers generally do not experience a "falling" sensation because the resistance of the air to their body at speeds above 50 mph (80 km/h) provides a sense of weight and direction. So you are not exactly weightless, contrary to popular belief! And it gets better. Skydivers reach terminal velocity around 190 km per hour and no longer accelerate towards the ground. At this point the sensation is one of a hard wind!

If you like these sort of adventures, check out www.whoa-adventures.com.

**All photos provided by Whoa Adventures.

————————————————————————————————————————————–——————–———–
Mei is an avid traveler, based in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, who enjoys writing about her travel and gastronomic experiences. In her words: “It all started out a couple of years back as a means to journal our travels. We enjoy eating so much so this blog soon took on the form of a food blog: Cumi & Ciki is a Malaysian food and travel blog. The name is derived from a popular educational television puppet show for Malaysian children in the 70s and 80s. This is the tale of the two traveling, eating, thrill-seeking monkeys from KL. Follow  Mei on Twitter.

————————————————————————————————————————————–——————–———–Related Posts:

• Diving the Waters of Sipadan, Borneo
• Top 6 Scenic Rides
• Top 8 Natural Wonders of the World
• 10 Unique Transport Modes Around the World
• 8 Adventurous Spots Around the World
• World’s 7 Best Cities to Live
• 7 of the Best Wildlife Experiences

The post Top 5 Adventures in Malaysia appeared first on Wild Junket.

With several budget airlines appearing in the headlines lately, they are coming up with more new and innovative stunts to pull in the crowd. Now this new one will definitely catch you wide-eyed and salivating!

Malaysia’s top budget airline AirAsia has launched a contest, ‘So You Wanna be a Pilot?’, opened to the public, giving 10 contestants to live their dreams in the sky. As quoted on AirAsia’s online blog, Just blog and be a Pilot. Simple rules right?

All contestants need to do is to send in a blog entry from 1 April 2009 to 15 May 2009 and convince AirAsia why they deserve this opportunity! No experience or training is necessary. Obviously the contestants must meet a set of minimum requirements, as set by the Department of Civil Aviation and AirAsia standards for pilot acceptance.

10 winners will be selected, entitling them to attend the first round of selection for AirAsia’s new pilot intake program and spend a day with a select group of pilots at AirAsia Academy. A place in the pilot training program is not guaranteed, but applicants will have a chance to dig further into the profession and maybe even have a go at computer pilot simulation series. But this is still a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for all those who dream of flying in the skies.

These are the criteria of the contest:

1. Competition is open to all from aged 18 to 28 as at date of submission of entry
2. Passed SPM (or its equivalent that is recognized by the Malaysian Government) with at least A2 in English and Mathematics and B3 in Physics taken at one sitting. (Those from the Arts stream should have at least an A2 in General Science); or possess a Diploma/Degree in Engineering or Science-related disciplines with CGPA 3.0 and above and at SPM level scored at least a B4 in the subjects mentioned above taken in one sitting.
3. Good command of English and Bahasa Malaysia both written and spoken.
4. Must be physically and mentally fit with good eyesight (visual acuity of at least 6/60 without optical aid, correctable to 6/6 and not colour blind. Should be able to successfully pass a medical examination up to a Class 1 standard conducted by a Department of Civil Aviation Authorised Medical Examiner (DAME).
5. Minimum height of 163 cm (5ft 3in).
6. Be prepared to sign a training bond with a surety.

Check out more details on AirAsia’s blog here.

Contact blogteam@airasia.com for more details.

—————————————————————————————————————————————

Related Posts:

• Budget airlines – Setting a new era in flying?
• Ryanair – a pound for a pee?
• Airasia blog – So You Wanna be a Pilot?

The post AirAsia’s new Gimmick: turning Bloggers into Pilots appeared first on Wild Junket.

Many friends have been scratching their heads for ideas on short weekend getaways from Singapore. We are after all very fortunate to be next-door neighbors with the lush tropical beaches of Malaysia and Indonesia. But thanks to over-developed tourism, most of these ‘ex-paradises’ are now crowded and touristy. Forget Bali, Phuket and Bintan, let’s find somewhere new and refreshing. Here are some alternative spots in our vicinity,perfect for a short weekend escapade!

MALAYSIA

1.   Pulau Rawa

This secluded island is just a short boat-ride away from Mersing, the port where many embark on boast to nearby islands. Unlike neighbouring touristy Tioman, many are surprised to find the clear,turqoise waters and rare tranquility on this stunning island.

Flickr photo by Sudheer KG

2.   Port Dickson

Not many tourist/traveler visit this quaint part of Malaysia, so be sure to get some local taste. The Avillion is an amazing resort consisting of water villas built on stilts over water. Although the murky water is not the pride of Port Dickson, the Avillion still offers a great experience with its romantic settings -  a 4-poster bed and opened-rooftop shower.

3.   Sipadan

Divers alert! This amazing world heritage site situated in the Malaysian part of Borneo is packed full of outrageous dive sites and marine life. With tornadoes of barracudas, hammerhead sharks and hawksbill turtles, there is nowhere closer to haven then in Borneo. Diving is a little more expensive especially at Sipadan, but nearby islands like Mabul and Kapalai also have vibrant marine life. 

4.   Pulau Perhentian

Next door neighbour to the renown Pulau Redang, this island is still surprisingly rustic and quiet, away from the public’s attention. With some of the most beautiful beaches and marine life in Asia, it is perfect for dive enthusiasts. You get to see baby sharks and turtles while snorkelling. Try out small-scale cheap huts – the locals will assure you the best time. 

Flickr photo by Paul Arps

INDONESIA

5.   Nikoi Island

Just 2.5hours away from Singapore, a stone throw from Bintan, Nikoi is almost unheard of amongst Singaporeans. A tiny island dominated by only 1 single rustic and luxurious resort, it is secluded and private. Perfect for a lovers’ hideaway. It comes with a price of course, at S$300 a night for a 1-bedroom bungalow(min. 2 night’s stay).

6.   Gili Trawangan

A tiny island off Lombok (a great alternative to touristy Bali), the Gili islands are like a god-sent. Sparkling clear waters, and hey, a very laid-back style with signs that say ‘Mushrooms for sale’ everywhere. Looks like that’s the best place to get literally high in Asia.. How to: SilkAir flies direct from Singapore to Lombok, then 2 hours by fast boat to the Gili islands.

7.   Manado

Now that budget airline AirAsia has new routes to Manado, divers and beachcombers have a new playground to frolic in. A hideaway that is only known amongst water sports aficionados, Manado has one of the 10 top dive sites in the world. What’s best, its geographical location at the Northern end of Sulawesi blesses it with Mount Mahawu. Photo by: Kaufik Anril How to: AirAsia flies from Kuala Lumpur to Manado at onlyS$200.

THAILAND

8.   Krabi

Most nature-lovers escape to Krabi, as a quieter option to Phuket. With waterfalls and hiking trails, it has more to offer than Phuket’s pumping music and party crowd. Rent a jeep to drive inland, and kayak through the limestone caves. Check out the exclusive Antara resort at Si Kao that has a zen decor and surroundings, putting your mind at ease. How to: Silkair flies direct from Singapore to Krabi.

9.   Huahin

Its close proximity to Bangkok also means cheap flights from Singapore (as low as S$80). A quiet coastal town that allows you to step back into the past, stop for a roadside Pat Thai and enjoy a massage on the beach. Photo by: Miek How to: A short train ride from Bangkok – 2nd class seat on the Express train costs 380 Baht (S$15) or catch a 3-hour bus ride from the Southern terminal (160 Baht=S$7)

10.   Koh Tao

As most of the thai beaches have been commercialised and dominated by tourists, this is an up and coming island that is yet to be tinted by tourists. Getting to Koh Tao can be complicating, but this also means a quiet and unexplored island. How to: Bangkok airways flies from Singapore to Koh Samui, and then transfer to a boat. An alternative and more scenic route is an overnight train from Bangkok to Chumporn (Express #85 ). ———————————————————————————————————————————— There, all the best-kept secrets! Any other suggestions for a quick getaway from Singapore?  Please feel free to share.

The post 10 of the Best Beaches in Southeast Asia appeared first on Wild Junket.

Chicken feet- a Chinese delicacy

Picture deep-fried grasshoppers and stewed chicken feet — the world of Asian culinary is wild beyond your imagination. Perfect for the brave new traveler, eating in Asia requires a certain degree of guts and a wild sense of adventure. As an Asian saying goes, ‘The key to one’s heart is through his stomach.’ As you eat your way through Asia, you´ll find yourself getting deeper in the heart of this mystical continent. 

Crunch Filippino Balut

From the crunchy Filippino Balut (half-hatched duck eggs with partially formed fetus) to the powerfully ‘aromatic’ King of the Fruits -Durians, you’ll get a sneek peek at all the exciting Asian foods that bring new levels to your tastebuds!

Inspired to write this article after daring myself to try all the culinary delights in the Philippines, I knew I had to let the World know about these amazing food, that some of us might have just found them too gooey to swallow! 

Eating in Asia is definitely not for the faint-hearted…

Read more of my article on MatadorNights.

The post Dog Meat and Rooster balls: The 10 Most Exotic Asian foods appeared first on Wild Junket.

A hawksbill turtle

Thou it didn’t feel like X’mas, with the tropical heat and the oceanic setting, we undoubtedly immersed ourselves in the beach bummer lifestyle both of us adore. Everyday was breezy and carefree – waking up to a stunning sunrise by our simple water chalet, diving the deep waters and swimming amidst turtles, then napping away on our verandah overlooking the sea in the evening.

 Looking out on our verandah

On our little piece of haven in Sabah, we found heaven. Truth be told, I had been swaying in the seabreeze and getting high on the smell of saltwater too much to even realise that I was still on earth.  

Tons of untouched islands dot the area – we dived around Sibuan Island where we found 3 turtles playing hide-and-seek under the coral reefs, and clown fish mingling around with the sea anemone. As we reached the shore of Sibuan Island, some 3-year-old boys stared at us, stark naked and smiling in puzzlement. We were told later that they were Filippino immigrants who’d taken refuge on this previously uninhabited island, living on their own catch from the sea, and basic rattan huts they’d thatched together themselves. Inhabited by perhaps only 20 of them, Sibuan is an unspoilt, rustic island that had managed to escape the clutches of tourism, as yet.

the children of Sibuan Island

clownfish playing amongst the sea anemone

blue Dory 

Pufferfish

Schools of batfish

For every diving enthusiast, Sipadan is the Mecca, and the ultimate answer to paradise. It’s what dive worshippers have been looking for. Blessed with rich biodiversity, you can find over 500 species just of coral and 3000 species of fish around the reefs of Sipadan. From the intimidating white-tip sharks to abundance of hawksbill turtles, Sipadan is one of the few sites in the world where you are guaranteed a visual feast of marine life. Luck was on our side as we were almost caught in a whole school of trevallies as they swam in coherence with one another. A turtle even swam so close to me, like he wanted a cuddle. I just stared straight into his eyes, and said hi to my new friend.

turtle amidst the colourful corals

school of trevallies

What makes Sipadan a world-famous dive site is its majestic drop-off that seems to cascade down to endless depths (700metres).  Sipadan Island is only 14 hectares in size, encircled by vibrant coral gardens, which are cut steeply vertical into the deep sea. The drop-off is where you can find incredible diversity and density of marine life, and the most popular dive sites like the barracuda point, and white-tip avenue.

black-tip shark

I had the most fun with this interesting group of divers – all middle-aged Malaysians who had funny tales to share and a heart of gold. They were there to calm my nerves and share their precious life experience with me. 

The post Diving the waters of Sipadan, Borneo appeared first on Wild Junket.

The post Dive haven in Sipadan appeared first on Wild Junket.

Sipadan Resort, Borneo

The post A Scuba Diver’s Paradise appeared first on Wild Junket.