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| New Sabah-Kalimantan cross-border corridor | Daily Express. |
By Masri Sareb Putra
You know, Borneo has always felt like this giant, green puzzle with borders that people have crossed for ages, no matter what the maps say. But when it comes to Sabah in Malaysia leading the way to Indonesian Kalimantan, the real magic kicks off with those gutsy travels from the past.
Way before anyone dreamed up adventure tours or viral jungle hikes, folks from Sabah were making the trek driven by faith and a whole lot of determination.
In the 1970s, Catholic missionaries from the Mill Hill crew turned these rough journeys into stories that stick around today, pulling in travelers who crave a bit of history with their hikes.
Let's stroll through this overlooked piece of Borneo's past; it's got that cozy mix of old-school charm and tips that could light a fire under your next getaway.
Sabah's Bold 1970s Missionaries and Their Crossings
Man, the 1970s were wild times everywhere, and Borneo was no exception. Sabah hummed with activity from British Mill Hill Missionaries who'd been building roots there since the 1800s, putting up schools and lending a hand in those dense jungles.
Then politics stepped in; the Malaysian government, leaning heavy on Muslim leadership, started clamping down on Christian work.
A ton of these missionaries got shown the door from Sabah and next-door Sarawak. But they didn't just bail out. Nope, they shifted gears and headed to West Kalimantan in Indonesia, teaming up with Capuchin groups near Pontianak. The plan? Keep the good work going with education and community vibes, just across that invisible line.
These weren't cushy road trips, mind you. Picture jolting overland rides or dicey boat jaunts down snaking rivers, dodging heavy rains and whatever animals crossed your path. These travelers hauled more than just religious texts; they packed know-how, fresh ideas, and a slice of European style for those out-of-the-way villages.
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| Bertus Visschedijk, MHM. |
One guy who stands out is Pastor Bertus Visschedijk, a Mill Hill priest hailing from England who wound up in West Kalimantan. He jumped into teaching English at SMA St. Paulus in Nyarumkop, a reliable Catholic school dating back to the early 1900s. But he kept it fun too; Bertus was a soccer fanatic, training teams and calling games that pulled everyone together. Tales like his really hit home, showing how these trips blended big goals with simple joys, creating ties that ignored any border.
Truth is, this kind of movement wasn't fresh ground. People in Borneo, think Dayak and Lun Bawang communities, have been slipping across those lines forever, trading stuff and sharing legends without batting an eye at today's boundaries.
The missionaries simply latched onto those timeless routes, hiking old footpaths or paddling longboats that outdate any asphalt. It highlights how Sabah's edges with Kalimantan have always been soft, shaped by waterways and peaks more than any rules.
Sabah's Old Vibes That Still Echo in Today's Trips
Skip ahead to 2025, and those missionary paths from Sabah? They're far from forgotten; they've grown into killer experiences for folks bold enough to try. SMA St. Paulus in Nyarumkop keeps chugging along near Singkawang, its rooms buzzing with the same energy Bertus boosted. You can drop in on spots like that for a casual look around, letting the history sink in amid the warm tropical air.
That feeling of togetherness?
It's still going strong through family connections and joint festivals, especially in areas like Sarawak's Kelalan Valley that bleed into Kalimantan. Fresh takes include projects like Heart of Borneo, aimed at safeguarding those ancient woods the pioneers pushed through. And with new setups like the Sabah-Kalimantan connection rolling out, zipping around is a breeze compared to the old days.
Sabah Tips for Following Those Paths Yourself
Got that travel bug biting? Launch from Sabah's Tawau, snag a quick ferry to Nunukan in North Kalimantan; it's about three hours of waves and wide-open views. Push onward by road to Tarakan or dive deeper inland.
For a solid history angle, catch a bus from Sarawak's Entikong border to Pontianak, and carve out time for Nyarumkop (shoot them a message first to see about visits).
Keep your pack simple: tough boots, mosquito stuff, and a go-with-the-flow mindset. Bunk down in Dayak family spots for genuine talks over tuak rice wine. Plan on $50 to $100 daily for transport, food, and beds. Heads up: Peek at visa details; quick border passes are usually easy.
Sabah's history with Kalimantan isn't tucked away in books; it's the pulse of what's out there now. From hunting waterfalls to soaking up local tales, these routes dish out memories that last.
Ready to lace up and go?
