BORNEO PRACTICALITIES

Key Facts

Borneo is comprised of the Malaysian states of Sabah and Sarawak, the sultanate kingdom of Brunei and the Indonesian province of Kalimantan. This multicultural island, the third largest island in the world, is home to an enormous diversity of exotic flora, fauna and natural beauty. The extensive rainforest eco system that engulfs most of the island is one of the oldest in the world. If you want adventure, beauty, natural wonders and responsible eco tourism then Borneo has it all on its doorstep.

Area: 743,330 km²

Passport/Visa requirements

Uou will need a full British passport valid for a minimum of six months beyond your date of return. Visas are not required for full British passport holders visiting Brunei for less than 14 nights nor for Malaysia unless you plan to stay longer than three months. Non-British passport holders should check with Malaysia High Commission for documentation requirements.

Climate

Borneo, like most of Southeast Asia, has an equatorial climate which is typically hot and humid throughout the year. Rainfall is high, exceeding 4000 mm annually in certain areas. Temperatures rarely exceed 32°C (90°F) and in coastal areas where most of the cities are located; it rarely drops below 20°C (68°F) at night. Townships located on higher altitudes have much lower temperatures.

Between November till January, the North East Monsoon season begins, bringing heavy rain to the shores of Sabah and Sarawak in the Northern part of Borneo. March till September are generally the driest months due to the South West Monsoon bringing dry winds. Still, there is no sharp distinction between the two seasons and you do get occasional heavy rains in dry seasons and vice versa. For the most part, Borneo’s weather is perfect for a visit throughout the year.

Language

Malay is the national language spoken in both Malaysia and Brunei, however, English is widely spoken throughout both countries.

Money

Malaysia: Local Malaysian currency is the Ringgit (RM), largely known as the Malaysian Dollar. It is issued in denominations of 1, 5, 10, 20, 50 and 100 Ringgit notes. Coin denominations are 50, 20, 10, 5, and 1 sen (cents).

Brunei: The local Brunei currency is the Brunei Dollar (Br$) notes are issued in denominations of Br$ 1000, 500, 100, 50, 25, 10, 5 and 1. Coins are in denominations of 50, 20, 10, 5 and 1 cents. The Brunei Dollar is officially equal to the Singapore Dollar.

Religion

The official religion for both Malaysia and Brunei is Sunni Islam. There are also Christians, Buddhists and followers of various traditional beliefs. Freedom of worship is respected and churches and temples for all major religions can be found in all towns and cities.

Time

GMT + 8hrs

Electricity

Voltage in Malaysia is 220/240 volts AC at 50 cycles per second. Standard UK type three pin plugs are used.

Special Events

There are many more festivals and events that take place in Borneo but this is a short list of the main national holidays. Please note some dates do vary.

Malaysia

January 1 New Years Day
January 10 Hari Raya Quarban
January 29/30 Chinese New Year
January 31 Awal Muharram (Muslim New Year)
April 11 Prophet Muhameds Birthday
May 1 Labour Day
May 12 Wesak Day
June 3 Yang di-Pertuan Agongs (Kings) Birthday
August 31 National Day
October 21 Deepavali
Oct 24/25 Hari Raya Puasa

December 25 Christmas Day

December 31 Hari Raya Qurban (for 2006, Hari Raya Qurban is observed twice)

Brunei

Jan 28-30 Chinese New Year

Feb 23National Day Celebrations

Oct 22-24Hari Raya Haji (End of Ramadan).

Communications

There are multiple GSM networks available with full international roaming agreements with most countries. Pre-paid phone cards are readily available. Wireless Internet is available in many outlets and hotels.

Food and Drink

You can learn a great deal about a country and its people from the food they serve & eat. A diverse range of Malaysian curries, local fruits and vegetables found in no other place. Western food is also readily available at resorts & most restaurants.

Alcohol cannot be purchased in Brunei, however you are allowed an alcohol allowance to be brought in for personal consumption.

Tipping

Tipping is not customary. A 10% service charge is usually already added to restaurant bills. Taxi and rickshaw drivers will, however, accept a small tip.

What to pack

Light summer clothes are best to suit the warm, humid climate. Sandals or walking shoes are necessary for rainforest trails. When visiting mosques and places of worship it is polite to cover your shoulders and knees.