In this issue

 

FREE Calendar 2008

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Learning Bahasa

Conversation (E) - Perbualan (B)

E: What are the facilities in the hotel?
B: Apakah kemudahan yang terdapat di hotel itu?

E: I'm not feeling well
B: Saya rasa kurang sihat

E: Where is the nearest clinic that I can find?
B: Di mana letaknya klinik yang paling dekat?

 

Borneo eZone Committee

Advisor:
Albert Teo
Board of Advisors:
Baton Bijamin & Susan Soong
Text:
Willie Ki
Layout:
Laurah Misaha & Verus John
Photos:
Albert Teo, Theo Allofs, Willie Ki, John Chin, Mulu National Park & Landrito M. Lerado
PRODUCT UPDATE  

14D/ 13N Romance in Borneo

Valentine's Day is over but everyday is a Valentine's Day when you set foot on Borneo with your loved one. Pearl white beaches, translucent sea water, fascinating cultures, huge lush green rainforests and elusive wildlife in their purest form are the chapters for a love story on Borneo. Unveiling our new package, we are delighted to assure you heaps of funs and memorable experience as you explore alluring Borneo with your loved one. Sooner or later, you will discover that your adventure in Borneo, like any other highly-rated romantic destinations is uniquely an unforgettable chapter to be added to your love memories.

Full itinerary available here.

PERSONALITY OF THE MONTH

Dr Reza Azmi

Dr Reza Azmi, was born in Kuala Lumpur but spent most of his formative years in the UK. Dr. Reza's connection with the Kinabatangan began early in his career as a volunteer with WWF Malaysia. The project looked at the relationship and use of forest resources by local communities living along the Kinabatangan River. This was the start of a 5-year fascination with the Kinabatangan - the floodplain forests, the history of the people and also the changing economic influences on the region.

One of the other early projects that Dr. Reza has worked on has been the website, www.wildasia.net, an internet portal on natural areas in Asia. Developed in 1998, the site currently draws in over 6,000 visitors per day and has been voted Best Tourism Publisher by Tourism Malaysia two years in a row (2004 & 2005). Since 2004, Dr. Reza has also been instrumental in conceptualizing Wild Asia's Responsible Tourism Initiative – an initiative to promote sustainable tourism in destinations by working with tourism operators and engaging travelers. The initiative was highlighted by APEC in 2006 as one of the "Best practices in Sustainable Tourism".

Dr. Reza continues to be close to the Kinabatangan. He was part of the production team of the internationally acclaimed BBC Planet Earth documentary series. This assignment took Dr. Reza back to the Kinabatangan for several months to be part of the filming of the natural history of Gomantong Caves. Last year, he returned to the Kinabatangan as a judge for Tourism Malaysia's annual awards. There will be more trips ahead as there is a pilot project looking at natural corridors being planned for the Kinabatangan. Dr. Reza hopes that this would be a return of sorts – as a way to bring back the learning's gained since those early days of floodplain exploration in the Kinabatangan.

As a tribute to Dr. Reza's contribution in conservation, Sukau Rainforest Lodge dedicates room No. 8 to him. Read other personalities here

STAFF PROFILE

John Chin - Tour Guide

Based in Kota Kinabalu, John Chin or better known as JC joined us in 2001. JC has excellent communication skill and with career in guiding spanning over 7 years, JC has developed very convincing communication and public relation skill. JC has his unique personal interpretation skill on the tour and he is able to capture his audience's interest with the amount of facts he emphasizes.

JC specializes in outdoor and adventure tours, particularly trekking tours in Crocker Range and Maliau Basin. He helped finding new routes for trekking tours such as the 4 days/ 3 nights Crocker Range and the 6 days/ 5 nights Maliau Basin trek.

JC's burning passion is to go the extra mile in delivering clients' satisfaction by anticipating clients' needs and wants during the tours. "I believe life is not measured by the amount of breath you take, but by the moment that takes your breath away. In other words, I'm committed to do the things that are of my passion, especially guiding. Hence, fulfilling and exceeding the needs and wants of guests is uppermost in my mind", he said.

As an experienced guide, JC is generous with information sharing. "Training junior guides are responsibilities of the seniors. We would like our junior guides to be on par with us so that we all can work on the same path at the same pace". On the other hand, JC also credited the reservation team for a great teamwork. "I likened our work relationship as 'symbiotic' relationship. We support each other and communicate on regular basis to reduce possibility of communication breakdown, which could lead to problems during tour".

At leisure, JC would travel extensively to learn other cultures of the world and his experience is usually captured using his special talent in photography.

HAPPENINGS

Conservation Fellows Officiated Room

Dr. Reza Azmi, one of our Conservation Fellows officiated his room No. 8 on 25th February. Dr. Reza from Wildasia is a conservationist with enormous contributions in Sukau.

New Vans

Borneo Eco Tours has acquired 3 eight-seater vans for its operation, rest assured that our guests enjoy more comfortable tours and transfers.

Best Adventure Travel Companies on Earth Ranking for Borneo Eco Tours

Borneo Eco Tours was listed as one of the 'Best Adventure Travel Companies on Earth' by National Geographic Adventure. Each of the 158 companies was asked to complete a comprehensive 28-question survey in Education, Sustainability, Quality of Service, Spirit of Adventure and References categories.

Elephants Sighted!

Elephants were spotted for a number of days in Sukau toward the end of February. They were about 20 elephants in the herd, sighted during morning, afternoon and even during night cruise. The elephants have a seasonal migration pattern thus spotting the elephants is a rare experience for our Sukau visitors.
INFO ZONE

Gunung Mulu National Park

Gunung Mulu National Park in Sarawak is the most studied tropical karst area in the world. The 52,865-ha park encompasses seventeen vegetation zones with over 3,500 species of plants recorded. The second highest point in Sarawak, the 2,377m high Gunung Mulu is located in this park. At least 295 km of explored caves offer a spectacular sight, home to millions of cave swiftlets and bats. The Sarawak Chamber, 600 m by 415 m and 80 m high, is the largest known cave chamber in the world.

There is also a large diversity of fauna species that include deer, monkeys, giant porcupine, civets and hornbills, but sightings of wildlife in the park are surprisingly limited. Many animal species are timid or nocturnal, have excellent camouflage abilities or live high in the rainforest canopy.

For the adventurous, there are some superb jungle treks and mountain hikes, including the challenging trek to view the Pinnacles - 45 metre high, razor sharp limestone spikes that sit majestically on the slopes of the 1,682m high Gunung Api. The geology, which consists of a combination of alluvial clays, sandstone and limestone formations, further adds to the variety and specialization of the park's biology.

Borneo Eco Tours is offering Mulu Caves Promo till June 2008. Seize this opportunity to visit the UNESCO's World Heritage Site at affordable rate! Details of promotion can be viewed here

References:
  • www.forestry.sarawak.gov.my
  • whc.unesco.org
  • www.mulupark.com

    • GUEST FEEDBACK

    "Overall well organized, exact time schedules and pick ups. Friendly, knowledgeable tour guides and good drivers".

    Felix & Mona Bjorklund, Finland, Jan 2008

    "Tours were very good. You have very well educated and trained staff. Winston was like a favorite college professor. He has amazing knowledge and life experiences. He spent over 2 hours with us on a great nature walk".

    Perry Fotopoulos, The USA, Jan 2008
    WHY YOU SHOULD USE BORNEO ECO TOURS AND SUKAU RAINFOREST
    LODGE?  

    Network of offices. As a specialist on Borneo since we opened in 1991, we make it our priority to have a strong network of partners operating throughout Borneo including Sabah, Brunei and Sarawak. We also own and operate our own multi-international ecotourism award winning lodge, Sukau Rainforest Lodge.

    To read other reasons why you should use us, please click the following links:
  • Borneo Eco Tours
  • Sukau Rainforest Lodge

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