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Kinabatangan River Cruise boat at sunset

Kinabatangan River: Borneo’s Best Wildlife Experience (& How to Do It)

The Kinabatangan River cruise in Sabah was the highlight of our two-month stint in Borneo. We saw the Big 5: orangutans, proboscis monkeys, pygmy elephants, hornbills, and crocodiles, plus some other weird and wonderful wildlife. It’s an activity worth flying across the world for and surprisingly easy and affordable, all things considered. This post may […]

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Why I Don’t Recommend the Kota Kinabalu Bus to Sandakan

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Taking the bus from KK to Sandakan was a mistake. It seemed like a smart way to make the most of a long journey, and I assumed it would be cheaper than flying. It wasn’t. But by the time I’d found this 12-hour bus adventure that stopped at hot springs, a rafflesia flower garden, and

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Kota Kinabalu islands, Manukan Sunset Point

How to DIY a Kota Kinabalu Islands Day Trip

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The Kota Kinabalu islands are one of the city’s main tourist attractions. While you can go with a tour, it’s also possible to DIY a trip and save some money. I found it difficult to get info about getting to and from the islands, so here’s everything you need to know about planning your own

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aloSIM Review: An eSIM With a Free Phone Number

The Best Flight Booking Sites (& 3 You Should Avoid)

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I’ve been booking international flights for years, and to cut to the chase — there’s no single magic tool that’ll always get you the cheapest fare. Anyone who tells you otherwise is lying! Instead, the savvy move is knowing which tools are good at what, and which ones to chuck out entirely. Here are the

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Crossing the Street in Kuching (a Traveller’s Survival Guide)

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Kuching is a great riverside city, but it’s also the least pedestrian-friendly place I’ve ever been. I walked nearly everywhere during my two weeks there, and almost got hit by two different cars. (One per week!!!) I came away with a new appreciation for life and some tips for how you can cross the street

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Why I Love a Wise Card for Malaysia: Spend, Pull Cash, and Save on Fees

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Malaysia is far from being a cashless country, so knowing how to manage your money as a tourist helps you avoid foreign transaction fees and poor exchange rates. Of the multi-currency cards out there, Wise is the strongest option for Malaysia specifically, because it lets you hold ringgit directly in your wallet (Revolut currently does

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Long Term Travel Packing Tips: 5 Small Items for a Big Change

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Packing a few little things can make a big difference when you’re travelling long term. You already know about noise cancelling headphones, packing cubes, portable chargers. But here are a few things you won’t find on every generic list of packing essentials: post-it notes, S-hooks, a Google Chromecast, a multiboard, and a length of rope.

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Sipitang Express Bus from Brunei to Kota Kinabalu

How to Get from Brunei to Kota Kinabalu via the Sipitang Express Bus

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Travelling from Brunei to Kota Kinabalu is more fun on the Sipitang Express Bus. It’s not often that I’d recommend a long bus ride — I’m in my 30s now and happier to spend a little more money to be comfortable. But taking the bus was not only affordable, it meant we got 7 new

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