Bag Snatched in Borneo: A Thief Derails My Dream Jungle Adventure
I'd been warned about the cheeky orangutans at Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre in Borneo—they could swipe a hat or wallet faster than any pickpocket. After hours of watching them swing through trees and scamper along platforms, I relaxed with a drink outside.
We were carrying most of our trip money—over $500 USD—for an epic rainforest adventure along the Kinabatangan River, featuring proboscis monkeys, monitor lizards, and night safaris on crocodile-filled waters. The boat to the jungle camp departed that afternoon.
My friend's sudden yelp startled me. It wasn't part of her banana-munching orangutan impression. 'Your bag—from your lap—is now with that man speeding through the gate!'
I chased him, but even a smoky 1970s Mercedes taxi could outpace my legs, sore from climbing Mount Kinabalu the day before.
Instead of river cruising, I spent the day with the local Chief of Police, who extolled polygamy's virtues (his third wife brought lunch) while documenting the theft: all my cash, two passports, plane ticket, cheap sunglasses, and camera.
Our wildlife adventure canceled, my friend and I scraped by in Kuala Lumpur, awaiting my Australian passport replacement from the government. What a letdown.
A year later, an exotic Malaysian letter arrived. Translated, it revealed they'd caught the thief—he'd been jailed six months. They offered to return my $5 sunglasses.
Lonely Planet produced this content for our partner, Visa
Has an unforeseen event ever derailed your holiday plans?
