After 3 really great days on the mainland of Borneo, a very special hotel stay was on our program: the Sipadan Kapalai Dive Resort located in the middle of the sea.
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The transfer to our resort
Our flight within Borneo from Sandakan to Tawau with a small propeller machine from Maswings took about 45 minutes. Arriving at the Airport in Tawau we were already waiting and we discovered a sign of our hotel right away. The anticipation increased. Together with some other guests we drove first the approx. 80 kilometers bumpy route to the port of Semporna – past dozens of palm oil plantations. When we arrived at the port, our luggage (as well as provisions for the hotel) were loaded onto a speedboat. After we had already checked in on land, the journey started – with the destination: Kapalai.
The Sipadan-Kapalai Dive Resort
Sipadan Kapalai Dive Resort is located on Kapalai Island, in the middle of the ocean, about a 45-minute boat ride from the mainland. Kapalai itself is actually a small sandbank that only protrudes out of the water at low tide.
On Kapalai, the Sipadan-Kapalai Dive Resort was built on stilts, the structure of which resembles a typical village of the Malaysian Senzigeuner. 50 water bungalows line up along the individual jetties. All bungalows have a private terrace with sun loungers and a fantastic view of the sea – passing and emerging turtles included.
Our water bungalow
The rooms are large and typical of the country. Especially the daily sunset on the private terrace was impressive, because at this time there are dozens of turtles at the resort and always appear loudly in front of you.
All travelogues from South-East Asia (2013)
In this holiday through South East Asia we travelled through 5 different countries. Starting with our flight to Hong Kong (China), then on to Bangkok (Thailand), to the million metropolis Singapore, then into the jungle to the UNESCO World Heritage Angkor Wat to Siem Riep (Cambodia), on to Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia) and finally to the island of Borneo (Malaysia). An unbelievably fascinating journey with an incredible number of impressions and experiences.
China: Hong Kong - Explore tourist attractions & things to do China: Hong Kong - Peak Tram & the viewpoint from Victoria Peak China: Hong Kong - Ten Thousand Buddhas Monastery & the Big Buddha
Thailand: Elephant Camp – Bathing with elephants in the Khwae Noi River Thailand: Kanchanaburi – The Tiger Temple Wat Pa Luangta Maha Bua Thailand: Bangkok – The Royal Palace, Wat Pho & Wat Arun Thailand: Ayutthaya – The Temples & Ruins of the UNESCO World Heritage Thailand: Ayutthaya – The Elephants at the Royal Elephant Kraal Village
Singapore: Chinatown, S.E.A. Aquarium & Sentosa Island Singapore: A day trip to Singapore Zoo Singapore: Marina Bay Sands Resort & the Infinity Pool
Cambodia: Siem Reap – Hotel, Old Market & the Butterfly Farm Cambodia: Siem Reap – The temples of Angkor Wat
Malaysia: Kuala Lumpur – The Petronas Twin Towers Malaysia: Kuala Lumpur – The Batu Caves & the Aquaria KLCC
Malaysia: Borneo – Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre Malaysia: Borneo – Proboscis Monkey Labuk Bay Sanctuary Malaysia: Borneo – Gomantong Caves & Jungle Elephants Malaysia: Borneo – Diving at Sipadan Kapalai Dive Resort Malaysia: Borneo – The Sipadan Kapalai Dive Resort