By Miia Folkes, Year 13

Borneo, Borneo, Borneo… Where shall I begin?

It is only right I start with the cliche phrase: this truly was a once in a lifetime experience, but there’s no denying it— Borneo was unforgettable. It was filled with ups and downs, adventures, cultural immersion and most importantly; lifelong memories.

I wish I could share every detail of the trip, but for now, I will focus on my highlights. We arrived in Kuching, spending the first few days settling into our home for the next two weeks; exchanging money, checking out the best local food spots and most importantly acclimatising to the heat!

Our first endeavour and arguably one of my favourites was our visit to the Semmengoh Wildlife Centre where we were able to visit Orangutans in a semi-wild environment; let me tell you, they were real characters! Being able to observe my favourite animals was an incredible experience, seeing how playful and cheeky they were. Following our visit to the Orangutans, we had an eventful few days in Kuching City, learning about the importance of cat statues and all of the beautiful things Kuching has to offer.

 

 

From there, we trekked through Bako National Park, where we battled the heat and sweat, but the stunning views and encounters with mischievous macaques trying to steal our sandwiches made it all worth it!

One of my highlights was our stay at Tanjung Datu National Park, where we worked alongside locals to support turtle conservation efforts. We built new facilities for the sanctuary in scorching heat, but the hard work paid off when I got to hold and even name a baby turtle. The experience reached a magical moment during ‘turtle time’ when we were woken to witness a live turtle birth – something I will never forget.

 

 

We also celebrated birthdays whilst away, which was a great bonding experience, particularly due to the difficulties of spending such a special day away from home. We got to see some beautiful beaches, cool off in the sea and enjoy sunset boat rides. We finished the trip off back in Kuching, where we took a cooking class with Indah, we learned to make traditional Sarawak dishes like Laksa chicken and Gula Apong chicken. The food was so delicious, I had to purchase the ingredients to remake at home.

 

 

From the beauty of the rainforests to the rewarding work at the turtle sanctuary, this journey deepened my connection to nature, culture, and the essence of conservation. Borneo was an eye-opening experience that transcended the confines of a traditional school curriculum. It equipped me with vital skills in leadership within unfamiliar environments, which I aspire to carry forward. Most importantly, Borneo has inspired me to seize every opportunity that arises, even when it means stepping out of my comfort zone. I am immensely grateful to NGHS for their unwavering efforts in organising this trip and providing me with incredible experiences that may have otherwise remained beyond my reach! I encourage all students to embrace the trips available; the experiences are truly unique, creating lifelong memories.