Cast off beyond the ordinary with our travel adventures that dive deep into the heart of every destination. From vibrant coastal towns to misty mountain peaks, we explore not just the places—but the culture, history, and soul behind them. For our journeys by boat, see the Log category.
In Tolitoli, the harvesting of cloves is a skill because clove branches are delicate, making the trees dangerous to climb.
Why Are Cloves So Expensive? Clove Harvesting In Tolitoli Read Post »
No private islands or luxury resorts here, in Derawan it’s rustic chalets built under the trees on the seashore, tasty home-cooking, Bintang beer, locally-grown pineapples, papayas, coconuts and mangoes, sand between your toes and no reason to dress up because all you ever need is beach clothes and flip flops.
Come Here Before It’s Too Late! Derawan & Maratua Read Post »
We were greeted with smiles and laughter in town, in the mangroves, the fishing villages; by random people in the street on foot, riding bicycles, in cars or trucks, and on scooters. We felt like A-list celebrities!
The Most Beautiful People in the World? Indonesia Read Post »
This is the most beautiful sailing ground we’ve ever found, but until Malaysia and the Philippines make the area safe, it will remain an untouched gem.
Semporna – Why Does No-One Come Here? Read Post »
Liz got out of bed and gasped in pain, she couldn’t walk. Had she broken her foot?
Hiking Borneo (With a Broken Foot) Read Post »
We had to pinch ourselves when we arrived in Sipadan to discover no-one else there. We will always be grateful for this incredible experience, undoubtedly the highlight of our cruising career so far.
The only divers in Sipadan Read Post »
Finding hotels that were ready for us, or staff who gave an actual toss, turned out to be less than easy…
Kapalai Dive Resort – Scuba Bliss Read Post »
The island was ‘discovered’ by Jacques Cousteau on his way back from the Great Barrier Reef, when SY Calypso turned a quick two day stop 50 years ago into a six week dive fest.
Sipidan – the world’s #1 dive spot! Read Post »
The Bajau Laut are stateless people, tolerated by Sabah and some of the Philippine islands but with no access to education or healthcare. It’s a simple life of fishing and bartering, and the people (despite how little they have in terms of ‘first world’ materialism) are a close and seemingly happy community.
Bajau Laut – getting to know the sea gypsies of Sabah Read Post »
OK yes, so “better than the Great Barrier Reef” is a big claim. But one of our Aussie friends on the rally said he’d never seen better diving, even in Australia…
Pesky pirates and Mabul Island diving Read Post »
Our chances of seeing them were deemed to be low by local experts who told us that they had headed hundreds of miles away. No guided tours were on offer. Undaunted and with the fatalism of all seafarers, we headed off to look for them in the small tributaries of the river.
Searching for Borneo’s pygmy elephants Read Post »
The orangutans and sub bears were uplifting, but the experience which overwhelmed us (and still brings us to tears) was learning about the WWII Borneo Death Marches at The Sandakan Memorial Park.
Death Marches – Sandakan’s beauty and atrocity Read Post »
If it’s not your own country, finding a hospital or a doctor, trusting that person’s judgement and going into the operating theatre are hurdles that as a cruiser you have to be prepared to jump.
Have you ever been taken ill abroad? What did you do? Read Post »
What’s the opposite of sailing? Jungle walking on a mountain, of course! And Gunung Mulu National Park is just the place to do it. We spent three days walking through the tropical rainforest of Sarawak in central Borneo at this
Gunung Mulu National Park Read Post »
This unforgettable day on one of the remotest places we’ve visited represents all the reasons why we sail and cruise around this unpredictable world. Good times!
Stepping back into a Medieval world – Tarempa, Anambas Read Post »
