I first heard about the Rasa Ria Resort in Borneo on a travel blog called Camels & Chocolates. I don’t know many (any?) people who have been to Borneo, but I remember seeing Kristin’s Borneo posts from her honeymoon years ago and they are a great resource as I plan my own travels on the Malaysian part of this island.

While I would’ve loved to actually stay at this resort, it’s far out of my price range. So I do the next best thing — book a couple nights at a great hostel in Kota Kinabalu (Masada Backpacker), the second largest city in Borneo and about a 45 minute drive from Rasa Ria. Then I plan to spend most of the day exploring the resort grounds… which will be allowed because I’m technically there for the orangutan viewing, an activity open to non-guests. I don’t think I’ll have access to the pool but we’ll see about that.

The owner of the hostel actually drives me to the resort in the morning and picks me up after sunset. He charges quite a bit less than local taxi drivers and acts as sort of a tour guide along the way, even kindly stopping on the side of the road when I see this view and just HAVE to take photos:

Okay, detour over — on to Rasa Ria.

This post will focus on the impressive grounds of the resort and I’ll write about the orangutan viewing experience tomorrow. Here’s the main pool…

Pretty impressive, right? I’m not ashamed to admit that I’ve brought my bathing suit along and when the opportunity presents itself, I duck in a bathroom to change and emerge playing the part of hotel guest. I’m convincing enough that a hotel employee offers me free poolside ice cream (I politely decline so as not to feel even guiltier for using their facilities free-of-charge). And then I make friends with some other couples in the pool… and sidestep questions about exactly where I’m staying in the hotel.

Lest you think I’m a total moocher, I plan from the beginning to write a post and share photos from this exceptional property, thereby providing publicity and perhaps drumming up future business for Rasa Ria. They just don’t know about that part of the equation as I wander around pretending to be a guest.

It’s Happy Hour at the beachside bar! I order the Orangutan Special (rum, banana, orange, and coconut creme) and the Borneo Cooler (lemonade, strawberry, and raspberry juice).

I also nosh on some chicken satay, my favorite dish from this part of the world.

I sip and eat and listen to these musicians perform Western numbers (think Elton John and Louis Armstrong… an eclectic mix).

I make my way down to the beach for sunset — it’s quite an event at Rasa Ria and guests line the beach in anticipation.

Check out these strong beams of sun emanating across the sky:

The only problem with viewing sunset is a cloud formation blocking the horizon.

The sun appears to drop right behind the clouds and after awhile I give up and go back towards the hotel.

They light up the tiki torches around the resort. The entire place is gorgeous in soft dusk light and I rush around to grab a few more photos.

I’m preparing to leave when I glance back towards the skyline and realize I gave up on sunset too soon — the clouds have dissipated and I catch the last moments of a colorful display.

If you can afford to splurge on a night at Rasa Ria, make it a priority. You’ll enjoy every minute. It’s pretty far out of town so there’s not much to do other than stay in the resort, but the grounds are giant and sprawling — I didn’t see half of it. They have lots of water sports and nature activities open to guests, as well as spa services and more pools, plus several restaurants on the property. I think three nights here would be a great start to any Borneo vacation.

And I haven’t even shared the best part yet — the orangutan rehabilitation program at Rasa Ria. More photos from that experience coming tomorrow!