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News > Alumni News > Greetings from Kota Kinabalu

Greetings from Kota Kinabalu

I left the UK in 2010 with family and my home is now Kota Kinabalu in Sabah, Malaysian Borneo. It's a small, cosmopolitan city with a growing expatriate community.
23 Jan 2015
Alumni News
James Burns and Family
James Burns and Family
Originally, I had an amazing job operating search and rescue training for park rangers and guides in remote parts, like Maliau Basin (aka The Lost World) and Danum Valley. Now managing a boutique luxury villa (www.hibiscusvillaborneo.com) in a relatively remote area of the country and have recently constructed a beach chalet (www.hibiscusbeachretreat.com) with hopefully more on the way next year. 

I also tried to make a rugby comeback (rugby is an emerging sport here) but failed miserably with too many nagging injuries from my old rugby days and time in the British Army after WBS! I now play badminton (yes, unlikely for an ex-prop forward!) and cycle. My running days are over too, I leave that to my wife who is successfully competing in marathons around SE Asia.  
My two children have settled into Kinabalu International School, where my wife works as Marketing Officer. It reminds me a little of West Buckland because it's small, with a great community feel.  

My niece and nephew go to Blundell’s. My nephew recently took pleasure in saying they beat WBS at rugby..."It wouldn't have happened in my day," was my reply!

It was nice to hear that my niece, at a post-match tea, saw my name as a Fortescue Medal holder! 

Sabah is a great place to visit with tropical islands, coral reefs, virgin rainforest and of course Mount Kinabalu. If any OWBA or current school parents and pupils are planning to visit then I'd love to hear from you.

James Burns (86-95C)

 
 

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