Category: Travel

How 3 Days in Singapore Cost Me More Money than 2.5 Weeks in Borneo

Jasmine TamokAsia

I know, I know. That sounds crazy. How could we possibly spend more money during our 3-day visit to Singapore than the 2.5 weeks we spent in Borneo, where we visited Malaysia and Brunei. I mean, we saw so much: the caves at Mulu National Park, various animals near Kuching, the water village in Brunei, and an authentic longhouse in Kapit.

It is kind of sick to admit, but yet, we did. I have to say that our time in Singapore was amazing. We ate fairly cheap; however, Singapore is a lot more expensive than its Asian counterparts. Other than that, we definitely lived vastly outside of a backpacker’s budget. I can’t imagine being a traveller that always behaved this way while abroad.

Marina Bay Sands Hotel
View of Marina Bay Sands Hotel from the Gardens by the Bay

So, in 3 short days, we spent more than our 2.5 weeks in Borneo. I guess the big question being asked is was it all worth it?

Marina Bay Sands Hotel
Daniel and I overlooking the views of Singapore

Feel free to skip ahead to what you want to read what interests you!

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Kuching Itinerary

Kuching, the City of Orangutans and Monkeys

Jasmine TamokMalaysia

Busy is an understatement for the last few days that we have had. After leaving Kapit (and seeing an authentic longhouse), we decided it was time to head to Kuching and see some animals! We booked a last minute flight while on the flying coffin to Sibu and then headed straight the airport to fly to Kuching. Right away I loved Kuching. I mean, Kuching means “cat” in Malay. And I happen to love cats!

Kuching Bako National Park
There is so much to explore in the Kuching area

We arrived on Sunday and left to fly to Singapore today.

Bako National Park Monkey
Have you ever seen a weirder animal?

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A Guide to Visiting a Longhouse in Kapit

Jasmine TamokAsia

After leaving Mulu National Park, we headed to Bintulu to try to catch a ride to Belaga. However, this was a bust due to the rain on the backroads. So, we rode a bus to Sibu (which is actually mentioned in the new movie, Venom!) and stayed there overnight. We strolled in the night market and then the next morning (on Saturday) we decided to head to Kapit in search of the remaining authentic longhouses.

Rumah Jandok Iban Longhouse
The path that leads from the road to one of the last authentic Iban longhouses in Sarawak

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Visiting the Caves and Mulu National Park

Jasmine TamokAsia

We are finally back into the realm of phone data and wifi. After leaving Brunei, we stayed in Miri for one night (and had the world’s best Indian food at Khan’s Islamic Restaurant) and then flew out on Monday to Mulu to see Gunung Mulu National Park, the home of the second largest cave passage in the world! We left yesterday (Thursday) and headed to Bintulu for the night to prep a bit for the rest of our time on Borneo. So, let’s break down what we did at Gunung Mulu National Park! You can also skip ahead if that’s what tickles your fancy!

Clearwater and Wind Caves
A visit down the Sungai Melinau Paku River on a longboat

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