That warm and sunny Sunday was our final day in Borneo. We packed our bags, had a last look at the food market on Gaya Street, and after a quick lunch, started our long journey home.

Gaya Street Food Market

Lunch

We had Dim Sum for lunch in the Horizon Hotel Cafe.

Flight to Kuala Lumpur

The taxi, arranged by Wendy Wu Tours, came at 2 pm and drove us the short distance to the Kota Kinabalu airport to catch the 17.45 Malaysian Airlines flight to Kuala Lumpur airport in Malaysia. Duration of the flight was two hours and forty minutes.

The 11 hour flight to Istanbul with Turkish Airlines was at 23.25. we had unattractive snacks and drinks at the Aspire Lounge at Kuala Lumpur airport.

We arrived in Istanbul at 05.20. The UK departure terminal at Istanbul airport is a long walk and a train ride away. Again, we used the Aspire Lounge to wait for the Turkish Airlines 09.55 flight to Manchester.

Flight to Manchester

The flight landed in Manchester 12.10. Our taxi was waiting at Terminal 2 to drive us home to Harrogate.

The time in Borneo was pleasant. Of the target mammals – Orangutans, Pig-tail and Longtail monkeys, bearded pigs and Pygmy Elephants were seen. Two new birds – Collard Kingfisher and Red & Black Broadbill were added to the Life List. We missed the Rhinoceros Hornbill.

Published 3 June 2026