To mark the 2011 London International Dive Show (LIDS) this weekend, 26 & 27 March, Symbiosis is pleased to offer discounts on one week dive cruises aboard the Celebes Explorer as follows:

Booking period: from now until 30 April 2011 only

Travel period: 27 March 2011 to 26 February 2012.

* 7D7N package: $200 disocunt = $1,615
* 6D7N Package: $185 Discount = $1,508

The following fees still apply:
* Sipadan Dive Permit: $13 per person per day
* Semporna Jetty Fee: $3 per person per trip

Contact Symbiosis Custom Travel now to book

AirAsia is to launch direct flights to Balikpapan, East Kalimantan, Indonesia, from 12 January 2011. It will offer three flights weekly departing from the LCC Terminal in Kuala Lumpur to Sepinggan Airport, Balikpapan on Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays.

Mostly surrounded by sea, Balikpapan is an important center of the petroleum, mining, and timber industries. There are myriad of attractions in Balikpapan such as the beautiful Melawai and Manggar Segarasari beaches, Bekapai Park, Wanawisata Garden, Agro Tourism Garden, Crocodile Teritip Breeding Farm and shopping centers.

In addition to that, you can also visit neighboring attractions such as the Orang Utan sanctuary at Semboja Lodge, floating market at Banjarmasin, diving at Derawan islands, canoeing while witnessing species of monkeys and caves along Kandilo River and much more.

To celebrate, AirAsia is offering an all-in fare from RM58 for bookings between 8 – 15 December 2010 for travel between 12 January and 10 November 2011.

Borneo has amazing birdlife, and the inaugural Sabah Birdwatching Festival would be a great opportunity to learn something about them.

Contact Symbiosis Expedition Planning about making a trip to attend the show next month and perhaps trekking into the forests to look for some birds yourself!

See poster below:

Normally the Malaysian Borneo states of Sarawak & Sabah are blessed with abundant rainfall, but presently they are undergoing an exceptionally dry spell

Sarawak

Bako National Park is experiencing an extreme shortage of water, which means that, as far as visitors are concerned, there may be insufficient water for showering or for the toilets. As things stand, we do not recommend any overnight stay at the Park.

The water levels on the Lemanak River and the Batang Ai are reported to be very low. We are cutting new trails and offering alternatives, however travellers to these areas can expect delays in getting to some of their destinations in these areas.

Poor visibility has caused some disruption to flights getting in and out of Mulu. Expect an increase of travel time within the Mulu National Park.

Sabah

As in Sarawak, the air remains slightly hazy however, hopefully, conditions will improve with the rains expected to arrive next week.