This place looks nice

Day 24 - Gaya Island (Malaysia) to Bandar Seri Begawan (Brunei)

After breakfast we reluctantly packed up and left our lovely bungalow on the hill to get the 11am boat back to the mainland. The boat ride was very smooth and comfortable, and along the way we stopped at another resort to pick up more passengers.

From the port we caught a Grab to the airport, but we were a bit early so had to wait for about an hour for check in to open, followed by another 3 hours until our plane took off for the 40 minute flight to Brunei. There wasn't even enough time for the seat belt sign to be turned off as the flight was so short. 

Exiting the airport at Brunei it was immediately apparent that we were in a much wealthier country. Everything was clean and well kept and the cars all looked new. It was a short trip to our hotel in the city centre of the capital, Bandar Seri Begawan, where we settled in and ate a nice Indian meal at the hotel restaurant.

Island life

Days 22 and 23 - Gaya Island

Two very similar days while we relaxed on the island. After a good nights' sleep in our quiet and peaceful bungalow we walked down for breakfast in the Longhouse. Along with the decent breakfast buffet, M tried some freshly cooked Malaysian stir fried noodles, while K stuck with traditional breakfast fare like eggs and pancakes. 

On the first day K treated herself to an hour long facial while M explored, and each day we enjoyed drinks while enjoying the view from our balcony overlooking the bay. On our walks we found more monitor lizards and a few monkeys, but overall the resort was peaceful and quiet.

Unfortunately the Indian restaurant by the beach was closed for renovations, but dinner at the Longhouse was always excellent. We had satay and rendang one night for dinner but changed it up to have some black pepper beef the next night.

It was a refreshing couple of days and just what we needed before leaving Borneo to start our circuitous journey home.

 

Don't answer the door, it could be a monkey ...

Day 21 - Kota Kinabalu to Gaya Island

Off to Gaya Island today, the large island we could see from our hotel room, just 6km from the coast. We took the complimentary 12.30pm boat provided as part of our accommodation package at the Bunga Raya Island Resort. It was a smooth boat ride, although the amount of rubbish in the water was surprising. We shared the trip with a Danish couple, who said they loved Queen Mary and that she had "made their King strong".

We arrived a little early for check in so we had some lunch, then sat by the pool until our room was ready. We were taken by buggy to a lovely room up the hill behind the resort, with a beautiful view over the bay and a spacious veranda. We were told to be careful of the monkeys as they even know how to knock on the door.

K took advantage of the free weaving class where she was the only participant, and learnt to make a grasshopper from bamboo leaves. While K was doing that M went exploring, finding a giant monitor lizard which walked down the beach and into the water for a swim. 

We went down to the restaurant for happy hour to have some cocktails before a very nice dinner of satay sticks (yet again) and rendang.