1981Kedi
  • (Member) (Topic Starter)
(Member) (Topic Starter)
This was a great trip - just a few thoughts - some obvious - hopefully others may be useful.....

Camera lens wipes - if you have a compact or bridge camera you probably won't have a filter over the lens - if you use a tissue or the inside of your T shirt to clear the lens of humidity, sweaty/greasy finger prints, dust etc you may scratch the lens. So take enough sealed moist lens wipes for at least the "jungle" part of the trips. Don't have to be specialist - I took Tesco Lens Wipes.

Batteries - there will be the opportunity to recharge your camera batteries at the hotels/lodges BUT with compact/bridge cameras the constant zooming in and out, along with the effect of humidity/temperature, means the battery will not last as long as normal. I always take at least a couple of spare charged batteries out with me - and when you are told you can leave your bags etc in the coach, eg for a photo opportunity, don't forget to pop a spare battery in your pocket! Constantly reviewing what you have taken will drain the battery too. If your camera "freezes" switch off and on again.

Binoculars - beg, borrow or buy some good bird watching binoculars (don't have to be big, just good optics) and take time to practice using them before you leave home - it makes searching the tree tops much easier and very rewarding! 

Do take time just to enjoy the experience of being out in the jungle/on the river surrounded by the sights and sounds. 

Torch - on the night walk we were asked to only shine our torches on the boardwalk - so no need for more than a normal small torch which would also be useful if the lights failed in your room.

In the lodge rooms there are not many electric points and one is used for the mosquito plug in tablet each evening. I took a two way adaptor so I could use the plug in and charge my camera battery at the same time. (All sockets took typical UK 3 pin plugs)

Ants - I have a habit of sitting with both elbows/arms leaning on the table or when standing, leaning against the wall or on posts/rails etc. Just be aware that insects, ants/red ants may be making their way up, down and along and will take umbrage at being squashed - I ended up with no mossie bites at all but a neat collection of itchy ant bites/stings on my arms! 

Clothes - the combination of DEET, sun creme and sweat! can stain clothing (especially whites). You don't need an extensive wardrobe in the jungle. Most trips are done in a boat - consider whether you need to cover your shoulders against the sun, wear a hat. Males and females wore (longish) shorts, crops or long trousers on the different trips, with some ladies opting for sleeveless tops, otherwise short sleeved tops and shirts, some wore long sleeves in the evenings or used light shawls. Lightweight, natural, quick drying materials are preferable. We were luckily not greatly bothered by insects in the evenings but the general advice is to spray insect repellant and cover up after dusk.

Footwear - The itinerary suggested walking boots. In reality I wore my proper walking boots once, on the first rainforest walk where the ground was a bit uneven in places. I also had normal trainers with a good grippy sole and wore these or well soled walking sandals on all other walks. In my opinion the trainers would have done for the first walk too. On the boats and around the lodges sandals were fine - boardwalks could be a little slippy if wet or in the mornings

Rain gear - it did rain on and off but mostly after we had completed our trips. We had rain during one of our river expeditions but it was still very warm - most people wore very thin ponchos - they are easily available in Borneo - I bought mine at the Sepilok Orang Utan centre and it cost 5 Ringgits - about £1. Great fun trying to pull them on and more than one of us ended up with the hood at the front, even at the second go! Worth thinking about a Dry Bag to pop your camera into. In Singapore I would suggest do as the locals do and just use an umbrella - I used mine as both sunshade and rain protector - I had bought a silver collapsible brolly to take to Singapore 5 years ago and used it this time too.

Longer hair! Don't forget clips, bands or scrunchies - much cooler with hair tied up off shoulders and back.

Swollen ankles - even some people who do not usually get swollen ankles ended up with puffy ankles and feet in the heat and humidity. Apart from the usual advice to drink plenty and try and put your feet up when resting, it seems this is just one of those things. If you have strappy sandals or laced shoes you need to be able to loosen them - some of us ended up in flip flop, fit flop, minimal sandals. Several of us (male and female) had foot/lower leg massages during our stay in Kota Kinabalu with differing results - be aware in the hotel spa they throw in a vigorous shoulder and back massage as well. I have used Frio ankle bands in the past - same cooling theory as my insulin transport bags. Also wrapped my ankles and feet in cold wet hand towels! Good news is once back in the UK summer my ankles immediately returned to normal!!!!!!!

Dehydration - it was hot and humid - but we all managed reasonably well. I got used to literally dripping sweat! The hotels and lodges supplied 2 free bottles of water each day and water was always available on the coaches and some boat journeys. Both lodges had tea and coffee available all day and evening, plus drinks to purchase. Many people took Diarolyte or similar rehydration sachets daily. I understand it helps to sip water at short intervals as well as drinking plenty of water, tea etc. I now have the taste for both Sabah tea and green tea. The gift shop at the tea plantation had lots of types of local tea - make great souvenir presents. Our tour manager in Sri Lanka last year advised drinking Coca Cola (original not diet) as this has a good balance of sugar and salts - it seemed to do the trick - my doctor was horrified!

Remember to take a small tube of sun lotion on the day/boat trips - especially to re-apply on your face - and nose in particular!

Finally - I had the most wonderful time in both Sabah and Singapore. I trust you will enjoy this amazing holiday!

Julie White
(Member)
Thank you so much Kedi,

Your tips are excellent. I will definitely get some lens wipes over the weekend.

Thank you for taking the time to write tips for both destinations.

Regards Julie

Toni2909
(Member)
This is fantastically helpful, thanks. Together with the reviews already posted (thanks to all of you) I now feel really prepared for the packing experience! I'm so glad you all had what sounds like an amazing time, and I look forward to my trip in November. I guess the conditions will be different, but I am sure the experience will be equally brilliant.

Toni

Jaya
  • (Member)
(Member)
Hi Diane

You have done a wonderful job in giving all these tips - in fact you have covered almost everything. Future travellers are going to find all these handy tips very useful. I took mosquito repellent with me, but only used it once. I came back without a single bite!

Jaya

jonah
  • (Member)
(Member)
Hi Kedi.  Glad you had an amazing time and thanks for the tips which are useful for any trip to hot humid countries.

Cheers

Taffy
  • (Member)
(Member)
Hello fellow polar bear explorer!

Always appreciate tips on what to take with me on my holidays. Stops me packing stuff that I just won't use & leaves plenty of space for lots of souvenirs, this is very helpful thank you.

Not doubt we will report in following our holiday, but I'm hoping we get to experience all the wildlife you were lucky enough to see, minus the insect invasion!!! ?

ChrissieJ
(Member)
Thanks for this really informative post Kedi. I found it very useful. So pleased to hear that we won't need to take malaria pills.

Really looking forward to the trip now!

kind regards

Chrissie

BGray
  • (Member)
(Member)
Hi Kedi,

Brilliant tips, which I agree with entirely!  Between the three reviews and all these helpful hints this must surely make those going on the Borneo tour the most prepared ever!  

It was lovely to meet you on the tour and I hope our paths cross again at some stage.

Best wishes,

Bob

BGray
  • (Member)
(Member)
Oh - and for those who have read Jaya's reply above - she is one of the lucky ones who doesn't get bitten.  Some of the group got dozens of bites, so be sure to bring plenty of DEET (I brought two cans) and apply it liberally morning and evening - even doing that I managed to get two bites on areas I had missed (the top of my foot and a finger - the little blighters are unreal!!).  It is horrible stuff to use but still better than being bitten to bits!  If you are worried about a skin reaction, bring plenty of Piriton with you - I use it to avoid pricky heat (and even taking four pills a day I still did get a bit of a heat rash!).  These precautions are a bit of a pain but the experiences make it all worthwhile!

Cheers,

Bob

annie130
(Member)
That was so helpful, thank you! I'll forget the walking boots and look out my torch and binoculars tomorrow...
1981Kedi
  • (Member) (Topic Starter)
(Member) (Topic Starter)
:huh:  How could I have forgotten - toilets! All hotels and lodges had full sized UK style toilets with a standard flush - hurrah! Elsewhere there was usually a mix of UK style and squatties. If I remember correctly there was one place with a bucket and scoop flush!  Some missing seats. Cleanliness in some was not great but the main issue was the amount of water on the cubicle floors. So be prepared to roll up long trouser legs if necessary. Toilet paper provided in all hotels/lodges and most restaurants. Elsewhere it was always a good idea to be prepared with a personal supply. Hand washing facilities varied. Hand wipes a very good idea. Some toilets required a small payment - say 30 sen (cents). There were regular comfort stops on the longer coach journeys. All in all nothing too scary and some facilities had wash basins open to the local jungle which was worth a photo!!
1981Kedi
  • (Member) (Topic Starter)
(Member) (Topic Starter)
'BGray' wrote:

Oh - and for those who have read Jaya's reply above - she is one of the lucky ones who doesn't get bitten.  Some of the group got dozens of bites

Bob

Thanks for adding this Bob - I didn't even see a mosquito and they usually all come to the feast! I used a 50% DEET spray, concentrating on all exposed areas. I also carried a DEET based roll on, which I used as a top up around wrists and ankles when out for long periods and single pack DEET based wipes - easy to pop in a bag or pocket, especially useful for getting round the back of the neck, top of the feet and toes - hands too. I did take an After Bite pen which is mainly bicarbonate and ammonia, as well as Jungle Formula Bite and Sting Relief spray, which I used on my ant bite/stings, along with anti histamine ointment.

The first evening home I was aware of something chomping painfully on the side of my knee - didn't stop to identify it, squashed it - it crunched a bit - still have the lump today! Wonder if it came home in my suitcase!!!!!!

Jaya
  • (Member)
(Member)
Hi Diane

Maybe you did bring the creature in your suitcase. I brought a few wings and a couple of dead flying moths!

Jaya

smudger1
(Member)
Hi

Loved the review, cant wait for November. Could you let us know any details on the currency front. How much should we take in local currency and what foreign currency should we use and denominations. I ususally take dollars and keep them in low denominations for things like gratuities. Is there any etiquette on tipping and things?

Also do you have any recommendations for hotels in and around Heathrow for meeting fellow travellers the night before.

Cheers

Ian

BGray
  • (Member)
(Member)
Hi Ian,  

I bought euro (as I live in the eurozone) and there was no problem changing euro, sterling or dollars on this tour - either in the hotels or money exchanges.  The rate in the hotels wasn't great however.  They usually give you a range of notes so I wouldn't worry too much.  Most meals were included, so you don't need a lot. Obviously you will need to pay for drinks, souvenirs etc and a couple of meals.  If you're doing Singapore it's B&B unless you do the excursions, some of which included meals.  Food and drink are more expensive in Singapore than in Borneo.  I budgeted around £300 each for Borneo and Singapore and that worked out well.  There is an ATM in Sandakan at the hotel but there are no money change facilities in the lodges.

Hope this helps!  Have a great time,

Bob

Hils
  • (Member)
(Member)
Hi Ian,

I took US dollars on this tour - you get a better exchange rate for high denomination notes. As mentioned in one of the reviews, you can change money outside the hotel in Kota Kinabalu (turn left outside Horizon hotel, and cross the street) and also in Singapore, there are loads of money changers in the mall opposite the hotel. Your Tour Manager will advise on tipping coach drivers etc. I also took £50 worth of local currency for both Borneo and Singapore. Be advised - Singapore is expensive!

Hope you enjoy a fantastic trip.

Cheers,

Hils

Hils
  • (Member)
(Member)
Hi Ian,

Forgot to say - Premier Inn, Bath Road (there are 2, so not the Terminal 5 one) at Heathrow. Keep checking every day on their website to get the best rate - it can range from £49 to over £100!

Cheers,

Hils

daphnemca
(Member)
'smudger1' wrote:

Hi

Loved the review, cant wait for November. Could you let us know any details on the currency front. How much should we take in local currency and what foreign currency should we use and denominations. I ususally take dollars and keep them in low denominations for things like gratuities. Is there any etiquette on tipping and things?

Also do you have any recommendations for hotels in and around Heathrow for meeting fellow travellers the night before.

Cheers

Ian

Hi - Don't bother getting ringits before you leave.  I took a few hundred sterling in £20s/10s (which I changed at a money exchange (no commission) near Horizon Hotel in KK, just cross the road and take left at the next street, licensed - Europa Global or something - got a good rate there and asked for small denominations of ringits.  Bring dollars if you like but means you're exchanging twice. Also used debit card in ATM in Sandakan and exchange rate was about the same.  Tour Manager will advise on tipping and in some instances she just passed an envelope round for local guides/drivers, etc.  Just gather up all the small notes you can along the way.  Hopefully you will have Erica Hadju (think she's doing Oct one).  She really made the our tour and was probably the best TM I ever had on my 20+ escorted tours with various companies.  With a bit of luck she may do Nov too.  At Heathrow I (and about 10 others on the tour) stayed at Premier Inn, 15 Bath Road (on the Hoppa route).  Don't pay the normal online booking rate of £100+, wait for the Supersaver of £49 (sometimes as low as £35) - I waited a few weeks and got it.  About 6 of us went to the Three Magpies, left out of the hotel, walk 20 mins, and it was v. good, the others ate at the Hotel.  Keep an eye on the forum nearer Nov re what hotel people are staying at.  D.

smudger1
(Member)
Hi all

Many thanks for the responses. Very sound advice from you all. I think I'll just take Sterling sounds more cost effective and use the Money exchanges or ATM. Sounds like 15 Bath road is the place to go, my nephew is a manager for premier inn so I should get a good rate (hopefully) although £35 is a bargain if I can get it.

Looking forward to hols now...once the vaccinations are done.

Many thanks once again.

Ian

Toni2909
(Member)
'smudger1' wrote:

Hi

Loved the review, cant wait for November. Could you let us know any details on the currency front. How much should we take in local currency and what foreign currency should we use and denominations. I ususally take dollars and keep them in low denominations for things like gratuities. Is there any etiquette on tipping and things?

Also do you have any recommendations for hotels in and around Heathrow for meeting fellow travellers the night before.

Cheers

Ian

Hi Ian

I am on the November departure to Borneo, and have booked into the Premier Inn on Bath Road for the night before we fly. Happy to meet in the bar for a drink and/or dinner?

Toni