It's time for a good long ride again (Sabah ride no 7), well after December 2023 ago & this time I'm doing it with the love of my life! Below is the schedule that I have planned throughout the trip:
Kuching – Sabah Couple Ride 28/5- 5/6/2026 (7- 9 hari)
28/5 Khamis (483 + 200 km) 8 jam
Sarikei – Lawas (booked place in Lawas)
29/5 Jumaat (189 km) 5 jam 22 minit
Lawas- Sipitang- Beufort- Papar- Kota Kinabalu- Kundasang
*booked & paid tpt tggl d Kundasang
30/5 Sabtu (269 km) 5 jam 16 minit
Kundasang- Pekan Beluran- Simpang Check Point Sandakan- Sandakan
31/5 Ahad (305 km) 5 jam 29 minit
Sandakan- Lahad Datu- Semporna
*1st day stay jak hotel rehat, 2nd day island hopping (check out), abis ya terus Gerak ke Tawau
1/6 Isnin (106 km) 1 jam 52 minit
Semporna- Tawau (Sup payau & seafood- lobster)
*The Dream hotel
2/6 Selasa (344 km) 5 jam 44 minit
Tawau- Kalabakan- Restoren Rimba Rasa Tibow- Sook- Keningau
3/6 Rabu (179 km) 3 jam (Limbang- Miri 3 jam)
Keningau- Tenom- Sipitang- Lawas- Limbang- Miri
4/6 Khamis (459 km) 7.5 jam
Miri- Sarikei
5/6 Jumaat- rest at Sarikei
6/6 Sabtu- back to Kuching
The logo for the ride that I created in the Nimbot sticker maker apps. This is meant to be printed so me & my wife can stick them anywhere we wanted during the ride. In this post I'll keep you updated especially on the sticking parts!
This is how chatgpt did it for me for the first time. A bit cowboyish to me.
This is when I changed the command or prompt to something more interesting, more Borneo tribal vibes & seriously I like the way it turn out!
And finally this is when I asked the AI to colour the logo based on the theme. Turns out stunning. CA is my name or initial & PJA is the short form for my wife's name. This ride was meant only for the two of us for the whole week, I've been planning this trip or ride for years since I still got my honda RS150. Now I have upgraded my ride to a 250 cc scooter, this ride should be more comfortable & enjoyable than it was planned before with the moped bike.
This is what I need to scan to ride through Brunei Darussalam. It's compulsory especially for those planning to drive or riding motorcycle to register themselves & the vehicles they're using in the websites that have been provided by Brunei. There are 2 basically which is the EESBrunei & the INRS website (this site will give you e-arrival cards)
This will generate you the QR code as what shown above. Most important thing is you will have to click all the checkpoints related to Brunei territories that you will pass through.
And this is for the e-arrival cards. There are two of us meaning we need 2 different e-arrival cards for the purpose. Some say this is no longer compulsory but of course I don't want to get into troubles later if suddenly Brunei immigration need this to be completed first before entering their beautiful country. Also in this website we need to declare the amount of money that we have in hand.
This is how it looks like, no pdf no nothing just the official record in the website itself once users logged in. Just make sure you take a screenshot of this part in case you needed it, also make sure you always remember the password to log in into the website.
This is additional declaration that we need to fill out before going through Brunei that I just found out tonight (27 May 2026) from one of the whatsapp group that I joined.
A very simple website, you only need to log into it using your phone number or email address, the easiest way is using email as you will receive verification code for first time user. As far as I'm concerned, I only need to answer 2 questions, an open ended questions of either YES or NO. You can also add other travellers only using one account & one email address like I did with my wife. Please make sure you save the details so they can be used in the future.
After you are done answering the simple questions don't forget to click the declaration and that's it, your declaration has been recorded. Again make sure you take a screenshot in case you'll need it at the border later.
Once verified you'll get a copy of the declaration in a form of pdf files.
Looks like you'll getting individual copies of the health declaration even though only one person fill out all the information of the travellers in the website.
If they ain't important, they ain't gonna go inside this blue container! Sometimes you missed the minor stuffs that are equally important as the major ones & this is my technique of not forgetting them, put them in one place, label it & make sure they can be seen clearly.
Service day before the ride on the 22nd May, I changed the engine oil, gear oil & filter. Went to the service center quite early before 8 thinking they are opened already but their operation time starts at 9.Well it's always good to arrive earlier, early bird gets the early worms. Also today me & my small family are leaving to Sarikei at around 2 pm so I don't think I get enough time to get everything done in the strain of times.
This guy is doing it like it should, including checking the tyre pressures, blowing debris from the disc brakes, cleaning the excessive oil from the filter.
For the time being I'm using whatever the products recommended under warranty because clearly I don't want to void it.
After every services remember to check whatever you need to check for example the milage for next service. What happens here the staf took the wrong milage from the one that I have resetted rather than the original mileage, so instead of 4015 km, he took 2290 km. The next service supposed to be at 7K & not 5K plus, so I whatsapp the service center informing them this & they admitted that they made a mistake. I told them that once the mileage reaches 7K I'll come for service, case closed.
It's bag fitting time! This was the first bag that I wanted to use for stuffing me & my wife clothes & all. This bag is really huge with 2 big compartments & surprisingly it can accommodate all of our stuffs.
But there's a but, this bag is too large I can put it under the seat but it cannot be closed, I would put it as too chubby. So I need to come up with a different plan or bags.
And instead of using only one chubby bag that won't allow the seat to be closed I use 2 bags, one bag for my wife, the 15 liter & another one is mine, the 12 liter.
Well, they work & I'm so damn happy! I can close the seat & there's a few more rooms to put something like the tool bag or a back up fuel bottle.
The fuel container that I got from my father in law in Sarikei. I was asking him whether he kept any 1-2 liters bottle or container or something close to a jerry can that I can use to put emergency fuel & he showed me this & I thought this is perfect, not too big & not too small, should get me extra 1 or 2 liters more. I kept a cap that goes under the main lid at home & once I tested this container with the cap it goes like a gloves & the cap will ensure the fuel not spilling while in the under seat compartment.
Tools goes in the orange bag with the rest of the items like the tubeless kit & 2 different kind of cable ties. I got a pump too & it stays separately under the seat & I really hope that I will not need to use it through out the ride, insya Allah.
My setup for Monday the 25th May as I will ride from Kuching to Sarikei. Insya Allah everything will go well.
This is how tomorrow will start for me, I already reset the odometer to 0.0 km on the trip part & basically after the 2nd service the other day I'm going to start off from 4022 kilometers.
My first stop which is my in laws house at Kampung Seberang Sarikei. As for today I'm doing solo, the weather is good when I left Kuching at 5 a. m. The riding is very good, seat feels really comfortable and Alhamdulillah I don't feel tired especially on my back & shoulders (so far). The foot space is good too, just perfect for my height & I don't feel any tiredness too both feet.
Mileage for today from Kuching, well I'm going to spin around in Sarikei for the next two days and on the 28th I shall resume riding with my wife.
This is my final storage setup, it seems well but a bit fit every time when I try to close the seat. Good thing I brought along a foldable bag & that bag is going to be the storage for a few more light items like our sandals & hats and that's going to be my wife's task to carry it on her bag along the ride.
This is my navigation setup, one on the left is during hot shiny days & on the right is for rainy days, I kept the waterproof phone case in my waist bag & in case I needed it I'll make a good use of it.
Left Sarikei at 4 in the morning & this was oir first quick stop to stretch our body. This is before we reached Tatau area for fuel stop.
Alhamdulillah what a great weather! Amazing morning riding with us along.
At Petros Tatau. It was around 3 bars of petrol left in the indicator & it's time to make it full bars again. We had to qada our Subuh prayer here because there's no other place before this station suitable to do the morning prayer. Soon after Tatau we headed to Bintulu and the next fuel stop should be at Petronas Bekenu, Miri.
We are at Bintulu already & it's time to head to Miri.
One more quick stretch stop for around 10 minutes.
At Petronas Bekenu for a coffee break & refueling! This was around 9:36 a.m.
God of thunder power! Soon after this we continue the ride to Miri before entering Malaysia-Brunei borders.
Setting up map to Sungai Tujuh, Miri, Brunei & Lawas here we come! All I can say if you're using pan borneo road from Bintulu this is more to straightforward or maybe you'll need to refer to the maps for only a few minutes, the rest the signboards will guide you good until the international border.
At Permyjaya Shell fueling for the final time before entering Brunei straight to Lawas. This was after 12 pm & good thing this station provided tables & chairs for customers to chill out for a while before continuing their journeys. We sat for a while, got ourselves good drinks & some snacks to top up the energy.
Entering the ICQS Sungai Tujuh for the next parts. Traffic was okay maybe due to the 2nd day of Hari Raya Korban.
At Malaysia-Brunei border in Sungai Tujuh, Miri. Malaysian immigration first & then checking in to Brunei immigration.
Entering Brunei border. This are the old stations that are longer in use for years but I don't understand why Brunei didn't do nothing about this area, I really think this place should be cleared long time ago to make way to something more efficient & effective.
This is not so new stations just a walk away from the old ones. All the required business at both borders went smooth Alhamdulillah. The weather is good too all the way as predicted on the first day.
I took the chance to ask my wife to take some pictures of our reflection from Brunei immigration station before entering their territories heading to Lawas. Alhamdulillah today was a good day!
Welcome to Kuala Belait or K.B Brunei. It's going to be hours of straight route starting from this point & Insya Allah we should be ready.
Lawas here we go baby!
Not far after the border the roads are on maintenance for new asphalt, this part of the road reminding me of Kalabakan, Sabah & I told my wife this is Brunei's version of Kalabakan moon face road.
After more than an hour ride my wife ask me to pull up aside because both of us need a good break & body flex.
My lovely co driver needs some flex too. Well we tried to stop somewhere earlier but there's no place to do so because I told my wife we just can't simply stop besides the highways as it might be illegal & we could face legal issues with Brunei. I tried to stop at a petrol station but I missed the entrance therefore I can't just simply do a U turn so I just continue the journey till we met this under bridge space.
One of the majestic mosque during our way to Lawas through out Brunei.
Allahuakbar! Entering the bridge all the way to Lawas, saving a lot of time because we are not entering Limbang any more and maybe on our way back we'll take & create some good memories there Insya Allah.
What a beautiful & magnificent bridge this is & again the weather is awesome and we really enjoyed our time on this bridge, there's no need to rush as Lawas is very not far away, around 30-40 minutes more.
Yeah baby! Lawas we're coming to you! This is after checking out from Brunei immigration & checking in to Malaysia border.
The place we gonna crush tonight! Hotel Perdana just in the heart of Lawas. Great weather in Lawas! Some restaurants are still closed due to the holiday. There's one restaurant just next to the hotel's entrance & there's another one on the same row & it's open.
Gonna get a good bath & go for some good food downstairs.
The restaurant just below the hotel, good food but the soup was hell salty!
Saw this sign just near the restaurant! Maybe in future I can give it a try!
That's the ride can be seen outside the room's window, looks pretty safe to me because the moped parked near my ride is not locked at all & that's a good sign!
View from the outside of our room for tonight. It was raining late in the afternoon while we are sleeping.
It's time to pack up & leave Lawas.
My machine is ready to go!
They only have mee goreng that morning for breakfast & that's what we're having to get morning energy.
Breakfast for the champions! Alhamdulillah it was a good food, tastes good too.
Great weather to start the 2nd day & this is Lawas waterfront! I wasn't supposed to ride & park my scooter there but since it's really early & since this is the only moment I got so I took the risk & it was worth it!
One for the road before heading to Kundasang & stay a night there. A great day, a great start Alhamdulillah praise to Allah!
Fueling at one of the Petronas in Lawas before leaving to Sindumin, Sabah. There are many vehicles also fueling & some of the pumps are not operating making the process a bit slow because of waiting line.
On our way to the border of Sarawak & Sabah specifically Sindumin.
Queuing to enter Sabah, I noticed there's a lot of Brunei people also using the holiday to visit Sabah. In front of me is a van from Brunei that I believed is used to carter people or visitors from Brunei. All of them were asked to present their passports individually by Malaysian immigration officer maybe because they're too many of them in that large van.
Entering Sindumin through Pos Kawalan Imigresen Merapok, the nearest part of Sabah to Lawas, Sarawak.
Welcome to Sabah sign, the sign being used for centuries, perfectly hand drawn by great artist from Sabah. This is a part of Sabah is known as Sindumin, and I think this place is the most undeveloped aside of having a police and immigration camp as soon as you leave that legendary 'selamat datang' sign.
Stopping by my wife's friend house at Bongawan territory to tell him that we were here, that guy is becoming a husband today meaning unfortunately we can't see each other.
This is a very grand restaurant, by the looks of the setting I believe many people coming to this place to eat, the waitresses also wearing same outfit making the place appears more exclusive.
That his house & all other houses in this surroundings are families or siblings. Well we were here last year during our drive with my in laws to Kundasang especially where we stayed in Mesilou for around 4 days.
A quick stop for some refreshments at Ijat's uncle restaurant just near his house. He was not around because that day was his big day, he's having a wedding at his ib laws.
If you are travelling solo or on one bike I recommend you to stay at this place, the O London Hotel in the heart of Sandakan. The room is not to fancy but it's enough.
The best part is that the hotel allows you to park your bike in the gated area just beside the hotel & the gate will be closed at night time, now that's what I call safety & security.
The lobby of the hotel, very simple. The staff is friendly too.
This is the view from our room on the 2nd floor, I can say this part of Sandakan is the old town & according to the staff or maybe the owner there's a new town at Batu 4 if I'm not mistaken & the new generation is focusing more on that part. The owner is 66 years old Chinese guy born & raised in Sandakan.
The plat number popped off while I was unpacking the bags, luckily it happened here in front of my eyes & I quickly went to the nearest store to get a good double tape & fix this before we went out to eat.
Ready to go & like brand new!
Breakfast here today before leaving to Semporna.
Breakfast for the champions in Sandakan!
Wisma Sandakan with old vibes styling
I believe this mosque was here before most of the big buildings around it, placed on a high ground. Good things the city centre will never miss any prayers call.
And of course the main event! It's time to head out to Semporna now! Island hopping here we come!
From Semporna at around 6 p.m & reach Tawau at around 8 p.m & this is the place to stay that I booked earlier a day, Pertama Lodge
The room is very big for 2 person with a reasonable price. The thing is I forgot to take pictures of our room.
Early morning shot at this trademark spot. A rider will never miss the opportunity to take some pictures here especially because there nowhere else like it.
A need for early energy before heading to Kalabakan & Keningau especially as we are going to stay there for the night before going back to Miri, Sarawak the next day.
The place we're staying tonight in Keningau.
That's our room for tonight just in front of the bike, very strategic & the best part is my scooter is just under the roof in front of the hostel's counter.
Inside the room, very cosy and clean.
I took the change to wash my machine at carwash nearby in Keningau.
Just look at what Kalabakan roads have done to my scooter.
The rear part looks nasty too.
Shampoo time! This cost me RM8.
Fresh looks before leaving for Miri tomorrow.
The next morning before leaving. Next time if I'm needed to stay here I will choose this place again 100 percent.
It's time to leave Sabah, this is where it started & this is where it ends.
From Lawas we go straight using the same way we arrived through out Brunei longest bridge. First I asked my wife if she wanted to go to Limbang & we decided not to go to Limbang to save more time.
Just arrived! What a long day today!
Good price, great location!
Met new friends from India & Singapore visiting Miri, had good long conversations especially about places to visit in Malaysia especially in Sabah since me and my wife just got there.
Finally arrived safe at Sarikei at around 4 pm on Thursday the 4th of June. That's the mileage 3363.5 kilometers from Kuching to whole of Sabah & back to Sarikei at my in laws. Well we'll see the final mileage once I get back to Kuching.
Home sweet home! The weather is amazing today from Sarikei to Kuching. I had a couple of stops, first to put my cap inside my enormous waist bag & for the 2nd time to fuel up at Petronas Sri Aman at jalan Buntu.
I estimated from Sarikei to Kuching my time was 3.5 hour, the weather really helping me out a lot Alhamdulillah praise to Allah.
And this is my final mileage, 3739.6 kilometres from Kuching to the whole of Sabah back to Kuching again. This is the first time I'm riding solo with my wife & I'm so glad I did it for my 8th time since 2011/2012. I'll never forget this moment that I spent with my wife along the journey, what an amazing ride this was for me & I hope she's feeling the same too.
The lobby of the hotel, very simple. The staff is friendly too. 
