It was my second day in Kota Kinabalu and I was thinking to
visit Labuan Island before I headed to Brunei for my flight back to the
Philippines. The bus from KK to Brunei will take more or less 10 hours and I
can’t do it anymore since I took that bus from Brunei to KK. The weather in Borneo
is really hot and there are 4 borders to cross, its very tiring route.
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Labuan Express Tiga bound to Labuan Island |
I went to Jesseltson Port just 5 minutes’ walk from Hotel Grandis
where I stayed for 2 nights to buy a ticket to Brunei via Labuan Island on the
next day and I pay 60 Ringgit and extra 5 Ringgit for a 1st class
seat to Labuan.
Ticket Booth for Brunei via Labuan |
I'm roaming around the pier and nothing an interesting, my planned
was to do an Island hopping in Gaya and nearby island, since there’s a lot of
tourist on that day I decided to cancel it because I will not enjoy the tour.
The next morning I wake up around 6am to fix my things before I
take my breakfast since the departure time of the fast craft is 8am sharp. I
check out by 7:30am, 30 minutes before the departure and walk going to the
pier.
Ticket booth for the Island Hopping |
I headed to the security check and board the fast craft after. The
journey to Labuan will take 3 hours passing by the Tunku Abdul Rahman Park
Island. The sea was so calm and we arrived in the Duty Free island of Labuan
around 11am. There’s 2 more hours to stay in the island buying some Duty free
items like chocolates it is very cheap compared in KK and Brunei.
Jesseltson Terminal Hall |
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My Ticket to Brunei via Labuan |
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Approaching Labuan Island |
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Inside the Fast Craft in First Class seat |
I walk around to look for a food to eat with my heavy luggage
full of my things and souvenirs. The weather on the island is around 34 deg. And
it is very hot. J I went back to the pier around 12:30pm. I paid 5 ringgit
for the Terminal fee and boarding pass.
Welcome to Labuan Island |
While falling in line in the immigration booth one of Malaysian IO
noticed me and start to interrogate in the nice way asking me what I will do in
the Brunei because they know that Brunei is nothing special to offer to the
tourist, I said to him that I will transit back to the Philippines, He asked my
plane ticket because he makes sure that I will transit only. I was so nervous
that time, but I keep myself calm and chill as we talk casually after he asked
me again if I have a money, I said yes, he relied how much? Can you show to me?
I get my wallet to show him that I have enough US dollars to support my transit
in Brunei.
Labuan Express Tiga |
After we ended our conversation as I am approaching in the Immigration
booth, he told me that we will secure that you will arrive in Brunei safe as
the Bruneian IO will ask you a show money, have a safe Journey back home.
I am the last passenger who board the fast craft. The fast craft
that we used from KK to Labuan change into a small one with economy class only.
The journey to Serasa pier, in Muara will take 1 hour. While in the trip I was thinking
that the transportation from Serasa to BSB is very difficult since there is no
fix time that the bus will arrive.
Dataran Labuan |
My seatmate barrowed my pen as we fill-up the arrival form, after
that I opened a topic regarding to the bus going to the Brunei Airport, he is a
Malaysian lived in Kuala Lumpur and he has a project in the airport of Brunei. After
one hour we arrived at Serasa pier and bid goodbye to each other, but when left
the fast craft he approach me that he can give a ride all the way to Brunei
Airport. Yay! I said sure, Thank you so much, I got a passport stamped and
there is no more question in the Bruneian IO as I present my onward ticket to the
Philippines.
Labuan Ferry Terminal |
I waited Mr. Jung because he gets his car, parked outside in the
terminal. In 30 minutes we talked a lot about my travels and his work and he
told me that his family is in Labuan for vacation.
He dropped me off in departure hall of the airport and bid
goodbye.
I arrived in Brunei Airport around 3pm and flight scheduled at
10pm. My former college professor picks me up around 6pm for dinner with his
son and company, after dinner we went back to the airport and we check-in into
our flight together.
Seems like to me a #bucketlist if your mission is lotsa #passportstamps! :D Hope I could visit Brunei and KK too!
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