I don't believe in fate so it must be mere coincidence. I have been researching the island of Sipidan, Borneo with a view to stopping off there for a week on my way back from New Zealand to France next April. This morning, I was listening to Excess Baggage on Radio 4 and a travel writer was asked which was his favourite place on earth. He said that without doubt Sipidan is the most beautiful place left in the world for snorkeling/diving on coral. They have closed down all the resorts to protect the fragile ego-system but I have had a quote for staying on a nearby island and going over to Sipidan by boat, with a permit.
I put some money out of my pension each month into a deposit account for my travels and a week in Borneo on top of my trip to NZ would blow the lot for 2012/2013. I was disappointed last year in Phuket as there was no coral left around the island.
Now I have to decide whether to push the boat out (almost literally, except they always help me into the boat as I am such an old lady!) for what would be the holiday of my dreams.
I am also getting quotes for a week in The Pehrentian Islands, where I first learnt to snorkel in 1997. This would be much cheaper,so if the coral is still as good as it was then I will take the cheaper option.
Alphabetical girls and boys names January 2024