Kota Kinabalu and Gaya Island, Sabah, Borneo (the Mountain View Villa, the Rainforest Spa and the War Memorial)

I couldn't find my way to Kota Kinabalu. Each time I tried it just felt wrong, but friends I'd made on the way kept telling me, "It's worth it." Just one last flight, one last booking, one last push to one last part of Malaysia.

It was worth it, every last step, every penny, to be here.

Although I started writing these mini-guides to share the hotel, spa and the rest, the retreat in a box I dreamt of when I first began Pearl Escapes, they are also just stories, for the unadventurous adventurer, as well as the keen explorer, we each have our own way of experiencing life.

From the Amazon Best Selling author of the "Camino de la Luna" series and the Pearl Escapes guides.

"You will come away feeling as if she was sharing with you personally and will want to read more of her life adventures."

"To me, you are a hero... You have learned to take something negative in your life and make it a positive... a gift to others. It doesn't get any better than that." Susan Jeffers