Malaysia > By boat to Pulau Tiga

In the morning Mount Kinabalu looks stunning. The weather is clear, and the summit of the mountain stands out beautifully against the blue sky. I leave Kundasang and drive past the entrance of Mount Kinabalu National Park toward the coast.

Malaysia - The highest mountain of Borneo Mount Kinabalu

At the coastal road, I turn left in the direction of Kota Kinabalu. As soon as I arrive in Kota Kinabalu, I have some time to do the last bit of shopping. I buy some sandwiches and a couple of colas for lunch. I also calculate how much money I will need for the coming days and withdraw the remaining amount from an ATM. At the waterfront, I enjoy my cola. The sun is shining and fishing boats are sailing out onto the South China Sea. It is hard to imagine that these small boats can handle the open sea. The seawater looks calm, a good sign for my crossing to Pulau Tiga later this afternoon. Through Kota Kinabalu’s fish market, I walk back to the bus. In about two hours I reach Kuala Penyu, the departure point for the ferry to Pulau Tiga. The island lies ten kilometers off the coast. A few years ago, it became known through the American television program Survival Island. This was the very first show of its genre and was filmed on Pulau Tiga. Two fast speedboats are ready to take me to Tiga Island, each powered by no less than 300 horsepower. To be safe, I’ve wrapped my luggage in plastic and kept my poncho handy in case water splashes over the bow. Once we leave the harbor, it proves to be necessary. The boat heads straight into the wind.

Malaysia - The jetty of Survival Island Pulau Tiga

High waves lift the bow up before crashing it down again onto the water with a loud smack. Spray blows across the aft deck. Soon I am quite wet. Since I’m only wearing a T-shirt and swim shorts, I don’t bother with the poncho. Because of the waves, the trip takes longer than usual—the boatman can’t go full speed. After forty-five minutes, the jetty of Pulau Tiga comes into view. As we approach the lee of the island, the waves become smaller, and the skipper accelerates. Neil welcomes me to Survival Island. He hands me a welcome drink and explains the facilities on the island. All meals are included and served buffet-style in the open-air restaurant. The cottages are all located near the beach and the clear blue water. What a wonderful place to end my holiday.