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17 Jul 2018
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When the rain threatens they guys scramble to lower the rain covers until the brief downpour has passed. Day 1 I think they went up and down a dozen times.
 IMG_3008 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr
 Borneo-8 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr
It was lovely motoring up river with the jungle views. We came across tropes of proboscis monkeys and even a wild orangutang.
 Borneo-9 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr
 Borneo-10 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr
 Borneo-11 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr
 Borneo-12 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr
 Borneo-19 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr
 Borneo-30 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr
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17 Jul 2018
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Our first stop was at Tanjung Harapan just before 3. Here you walk a short distance thru the jungle on a dirt path to the feeding area. They supplement the food of the orangutan in the National Park for the previously captive, born wild, and wild as well.
 Borneo-13 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr
 Borneo-14 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr
 Borneo-15 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr
We will moor on the docks near here tonight and go for a trek in the jungle to see scorpions, tarantulas, and birds nesting.
 Borneo-24 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr
 Borneo-25 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr
 Borneo-23 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr
 Borneo-26 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr
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19 Jul 2018
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19 Jul 2018
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After lunch it was up stream further to Camp Leaky for 2 pm. There were orangutan here, but also the hard to see Gibbon ape and the not so rare wild pig.
 Borneo-38 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr
 Borneo-52 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr
 Borneo-40 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr
 Borneo-42 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr
 Borneo-43 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr
 Borneo-44 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr
 Borneo-45 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr
 Borneo-46 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr
 Borneo-48 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr
 Borneo-51 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr
The rare pitcher plant
 Borneo-39 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr
 Borneo-53 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr
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19 Jul 2018
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19 Jul 2018
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We made it back to Kumai by 2 pm and they dropped us to the hotel.
 IMG_3033 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr
We had agreed to go with Anwar to his old English school tonight to practice conversational English with the students at the Genius academy. What a fun night and the students were very enthusiastic. They even treated us to sate yam.
 IMG_3048 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr
 IMG_3046 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr
 IMG_3044 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr
 IMG_3043 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr
 IMG_3041 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr
 IMG_3049 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr
 IMG_3053 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr
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19 Jul 2018
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Spoiler alert
We left Leipzig on our bikes May 2017 and we arrive back to Frankfurt on Saturday... and then on to Montreal.... What a ride. We had a lot of help along the way and so THANK YOU for that!
 Screen Shot 2018-07-19 at 19.27.22 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr
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20 Jul 2018
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We are on a mission now to get to the Malaysian border in 678 km (12 1/2 hours on Google) The locals say it takes 10 hours by car.
 Screen Shot 2018-07-13 at 17.19.51 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr
We set out under cloudy skies, but actually this was the best day we have had on Borneo and we did not have even a drop of rain. We planned to go about 1/3 of the way to the border, but because of lack of services we had to be flexible. We were also not sure just how long it would take.
 Screen Shot 2018-07-04 at 18.21.17 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr
 FILE0559 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr
The traffic is pretty minimal and the road in good condition. The curves and arched perfectly for high speed cornering and we could keep an average of 70 km/h. This means we made it to Penginapan Louis in 295 km at 1330. It was super hot and humid and this town is tragic. There are a couple of very sketchy places to stay. We had stopped at a kiosk and bought some ramen noodle soups.
 FILE0569 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr
 Borneo-63 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr
 Borneo-64 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr
 Borneo-65 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr
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20 Jul 2018
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We decided to press on and make the miles as our next destination is 2 hours from here. There is literally no tourist infrastructure here at all and the next town with hotels is 151 km away in Belai Berkuak.
 Screen Shot 2018-07-04 at 18.21.44 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr
The scenery all day is just palm tree from the palm oil plantations. The gas stations are also very far apart we saw one at the junction with the main road when we left this morning and finally found one after 200 km.
 FILE0596 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr
 FILE0597 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr
We arrived to town and checked out the “hotel the Virgo” at the far end. This may only be 20$, but with no window and the smell like a wet basement I had to pass. It may also have been the lack of a shower except the bucket full of water to flush the toilet or the general grimness. Plus the guy who showed me the room seemed totally disinterested. We rode back to the other place we had seen on arrival. It was actually cheaper, but no prize either. The attendant was at least keener.
The lobby like many Indonesian hotels of this class has a large TV always blaring some annoying program at MAX volume that can be heard through the place and this was no exception. They will usually turn it down at least briefly if you ask. I have had it by 10 pm most nights and usually can get them to turn it off for the night or 6 am at least.
The room is tiny and grimy with a squat toilet and a cold tap shower. They do not put sinks in the room and brushing into the squat toilet is just …. Looking forward to civilization again. At least the air con worked and with the tiny thin blankets they gave us we managed to get a decent sleep.
 Borneo-66 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr
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20 Jul 2018
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We spent our last Rupee on gas and then hit the border zone. When you arrive to the Indonesian side there is no signage and no one stopped us. We decided to park just before the kiosks and then when to the right side kiosk to ask where to go.
 Borneo-67 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr
 FILE0664 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr
He directed us to the left side kiosk where the customs agent completed out carnets. He came out to check the VIN and then stamped the forms. You then have to go inside the large immigration building. (It is brand new a carbon copy of the brand new one we went thru in Timor). You have to put your jacket thru the X-ray machine, but not all our luggage??? Then you walk over to the Immigration officers. The signage is digital and comes up in English. Sara was stamped out asap, but Daniel’s agent was all in a fluff about why we had Indonesian visas. Back to the story about the land crossing and no visa on arrival….. finally he let him go. You show your passport with the exit stamp to the guard and then drive thru to the Malaysian side.
 FILE0667 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr
 FILE0668 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr
 FILE0672 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr
 FILE0674 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr
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20 Jul 2018
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Contributing Member
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Here on the Malaysian side is it a bit more obvious and there is a guard to direct you to pull up to the row of kiosks under the cover.
 FILE0677 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr
 FILE0680 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr
 FILE0686 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr
We made it to the agent and had our passport entry stamp just before 2 busses arrived. Phew! Then you ride around this area by the road to the left and park just before baggage inspection. Here on the right at the end is the customs office and they processed the carnets for us. The last thing to do is go to the police office located a few doors back. Here they will issue you with a permit to drive in Malaysia. Then it was 41 km on perfect road to Serian.
 Borneo-68 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr
 FILE0688 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr
We had found a transit inn in the city, which was clean and cheap. There was also a laundry next door! This is not fancy, but the Hilton compared to last night. So nice to be back in Malaysia where it is civilized. The drivers are polite and follow the rules even the scooters. There are more cars than scooters here and of a better quality and standard. There is not garbage all over the place. Many people speak some English here so life is a lot easier. The food is so much better and not so spicy. We are pretty bagged after the last few days and rested up by going to sleep early.
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20 Jul 2018
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Today we had to wait until 9 anyway for the laundry and so we could sleep in as well. Since we can not face another Asian breakfast we just had iced coffees with condensed milk! We are headed to Sibu in 341 km.
 Screen Shot 2018-07-06 at 20.26.29 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr
It is hot and cloudy so humid and this does wear you down. The entire way is a construction zone and there is essentially nothing else along the road. The towns are not even on it, but 5-10 km off the main road. There was a small collection of kiosks after 200 km and we stopped for a snack and a cold drink. There was finally a gas station at 250 km. After leaving Serian at 915 we finally arrived to Sibu at 230. It is very hot and it was a long day.
The bikes are filthy and chance would have it there is a car wash just beside the hotel. We pigged out on a big Chinese meal at the Ark cafe just down the street and then did not need dinner. This guest at the hotel was looking very cool!
 Borneo-69 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr
We have a very big 405 km day today to Miri. This puts us near the Brunei border and there is essentially nothing else before that.
 Screen Shot 2018-07-06 at 20.26.53 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr
It was again a construction zone the whole way with the first 160 km taking 4 hours. We stopped for some cold drinks and fuel and to top up the oil. The last 255 km did go faster as there was less roadwork stoppage of traffic. We managed to get that done in another 4 hours. The hotel we booked has a very popular cafe just across the road. This is a western style sports bar complete with a massive  selection and very good food. We spent a fair amount of time here this afternoon and then returned to watch the world cup and the place was mobbed.
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20 Jul 2018
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Today we are setting out only 158 km, but this will put us in our 84 th and last country of the trip Brunei.
 Screen Shot 2018-07-06 at 20.27.22 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr
Leaving town you follow the signs to Immigration and this leads you on the back roads to the border zone. You have to cross a toll bridge to access the border (1Ringet for a moto).
 FILE0707 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr
You then have to follow the signage to the border drive thru kiosks. Here they stamp your passport with a Malaysian exit stamp, but you do not need to deal with the carnet. We were out in under 5 minutes.
 FILE0741 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr
 FILE0744 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr
 FILE0747 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr
 FILE0753 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr
You then follow a circuitous route about a km to the Brunei border area.
 FILE0773 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr
 FILE0775 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr
 FILE0779 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr
 FILE0794 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr
Here there are again kiosks are drive thru and they stamped out passport and we were again out in 5 minutes. You then drive to the customs kiosk, where they had been searching cars, but they just asked us where we were going and said have a nice trip.
 FILE0803 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr
 Brunei by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr
 Brunei-2 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr
 FILE0808 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr
 Brunei-2 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr
 Brunei by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr
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20 Jul 2018
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Contributing Member
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You then leave on a two lane road, but within 25 km there is a toll booth (1 B dollar = 3 Ringette) and the rest of the way is a 4 lane divided road. There is nothing to see along the way.
 FILE0826 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr
 FILE0831 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr
We are headed to the capital Bandar Seri Begawan or BSB. Brunei is not what we expected really. The capital is eerily deserted and slightly grubby. There are a number of huge buildings that all look abandoned. We had booked in here two nights since we wanted to arrive to Sabah on Monday to get the shipping sorted. It is pretty hot here and you really can only be outside in the evening.
 IMG_3114 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr
 Brunei-5 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr
 Brunei-3 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr
 Brunei-4 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr
 Brunei-6 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr
 Brunei-7 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr
 Brunei-11 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr
 Brunei-12 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr
Last edited by saralou; 5 Aug 2018 at 04:04.
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Check the RAW segments; Grant, your HU host is on every month!
Episodes below to listen to while you, err, pretend to do something or other...
2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.
"Ultimate global guide for red-blooded bikers planning overseas exploration. Covers choice & preparation of best bike, shipping overseas, baggage design, riding techniques, travel health, visas, documentation, safety and useful addresses." Recommended. (Grant)
Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance™ combines into a single integrated program the best evacuation and rescue with the premier travel insurance coverages designed for adventurers.
Led by special operations veterans, Stanford Medicine affiliated physicians, paramedics and other travel experts, Ripcord is perfect for adventure seekers, climbers, skiers, sports enthusiasts, hunters, international travelers, humanitarian efforts, expeditions and more.
Ripcord travel protection is now available for ALL nationalities, and travel is covered on motorcycles of all sizes!
What others say about HU...
"This site is the BIBLE for international bike travelers." Greg, Australia
"Thank you! The web site, The travels, The insight, The inspiration, Everything, just thanks." Colin, UK
"My friend and I are planning a trip from Singapore to England... We found (the HU) site invaluable as an aid to planning and have based a lot of our purchases (bikes, riding gear, etc.) on what we have learned from this site." Phil, Australia
"I for one always had an adventurous spirit, but you and Susan lit the fire for my trip and I'll be forever grateful for what you two do to inspire others to just do it." Brent, USA
"Your website is a mecca of valuable information and the (video) series is informative, entertaining, and inspiring!" Jennifer, Canada
"Your worldwide organisation and events are the Go To places to for all serious touring and aspiring touring bikers." Trevor, South Africa
"This is the answer to all my questions." Haydn, Australia
"Keep going the excellent work you are doing for Horizons Unlimited - I love it!" Thomas, Germany
Lots more comments here!
Diaries of a compulsive traveller
by Graham Field
Book, eBook, Audiobook
"A compelling, honest, inspiring and entertaining writing style with a built-in feel-good factor" Get them NOW from the authors' website and Amazon.com, Amazon.ca, Amazon.co.uk.
Back Road Map Books and Backroad GPS Maps for all of Canada - a must have!
New to Horizons Unlimited?
New to motorcycle travelling? New to the HU site? Confused? Too many options? It's really very simple - just 4 easy steps!
Horizons Unlimited was founded in 1997 by Grant and Susan Johnson following their journey around the world on a BMW R80G/S.
Read more about Grant & Susan's story
Membership - help keep us going!
Horizons Unlimited is not a big multi-national company, just two people who love motorcycle travel and have grown what started as a hobby in 1997 into a full time job (usually 8-10 hours per day and 7 days a week) and a labour of love. To keep it going and a roof over our heads, we run events all over the world with the help of volunteers; we sell inspirational and informative DVDs; we have a few selected advertisers; and we make a small amount from memberships.
You don't have to be a Member to come to an HU meeting, access the website, or ask questions on the HUBB. What you get for your membership contribution is our sincere gratitude, good karma and knowing that you're helping to keep the motorcycle travel dream alive. Contributing Members and Gold Members do get additional features on the HUBB. Here's a list of all the Member benefits on the HUBB.
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helps answer the question - Why Go? Inspirational stories by veteran travellers Greg Frazier (5 times RTW), Peter and Kay Forwood (193 countries), Tiffany Coates (Mongolia Mayhem) and Rene Cormier (University of Gravel Roads).
Get Ready! covers planning, paperwork, medical and many other topics! "Inspirational and Awesome!" See the trailer here!
What stuff do I need - riding gear, clothing, camping gear, first aid kit, tires, maps and GPS? What don't I need? How do I pack it all in? Lots of opinions from over 150 travellers!
break down language barriers, overcome culture shock, ship the bike and deal with breakdowns and emergencies."Just makes me want to pack up and go!" See the trailer here!
Grant demystifies the black art of Tire Changing and Repair to help you STAY on the road! "Very informative and practical." See the trailer here!
Ladies on the Loose! For the first time ever, a motorcycle travel DVD made for women, by women! These intrepid women share their tips to help you plan your own motorcycle adventure. They also answer the women-only questions, and entertain you with amazing tales from the road! Presented by Lois Pryce, veteran solo traveller through South America and Africa and author of 'Lois on the Loose', and 'Red Tape and White Knuckles.'
Cotton or synth sweat-wicking t-shirts with the cool Horizons Unlimited graphic on the front and a snappy slogan (changing every year) on the back.
Show your route on your panniers. Great conversation starter when you meet people on the road!
Motorcycle and travel books to inspire and inform you!
The definitive guide to planning your motorcycle adventure! This insanely ambitious 2-year project has produced an informative and entertaining 5-part, 18 hour video series. "The ultimate round the world rider's how-to!" MCN UK.
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