Surrounded by the South China Sea to the west and the Sulu and Celebes Sea to the east, Borneo is a veritable Eden straddling the Equator. The longhouse villages in the mountainous interior afford some of the best insight into indigenous culture and the planet’s third largest island is a mix of thick, impenetrable jungle, idyllic sun-kissed islands, mysterious caverns and soaring mountain ranges. The island’s got such a rich cultural bounty that you’ll be utterly spoilt for choice when it comes to retail bargains – traditional handicrafts and cultural souvenirs are especially popular in remote areas but if you’re looking for modern goods, bigger cities such as Kuching and Kota Kinabalu are your best bet.