Travel in Sabah
Layang-Layang Island
If total isolation is what you really want, then don’t plan any holiday other than one on this atoll that houses the only dive resort in Sabah – Layang-Layang Island Resort. With regular flights from Kota Kinabalu (the only way in and out of here), it boasts breathtaking reefs and a host of beautiful marine citizens, making it one of the top ten dive locations in the world.
Sipadan Island
If Sabah is popular for one thing, it must be their beautiful islands in their blue-green waters. Sipadan needs no introduction and is one of the most talked about diving locations in Malaysia. Due to its size, only 120 divers can visit the island at any one time to enjoy its underwater scenery.
Gaya Street, Kota Kinabalu
Essentially a flea market, this street is cordoned off between 6.30am and 1pm on Sunday mornings when many come out and put up huge umbrellas to sell their wares here. More than anything else, you will see the Sabahans at their best, some in traditional costumes selling indigenous wares and foods.
Food
Try Sabah’s own offerings, such as hinava, a raw fish salad. When in Beaufort, tuck into Beaufort Mee at Restoran Beaufort or Ngiu Chap or mixed beef noodles, which is a signature dish of Sabah.
White water rafting, Padas River
The river here has numerous rapids that offer a different adventure at every turn. Bear in mind to ensure all safety precautions are met and look out for your fellowmates for a memorable and fun outing.
Sepilok Orang Utan Rehabilitation Centre
One of the most endangered of Malaysian wildlife species, the orang utan, is found only in Borneo and Sumatra. Its existence is constantly threatened by forest fires, felling of trees, poaching and illegal hunting. Visitors to this centre, which was opened in 1964, can see how orphaned and injured orang utans are cared for and nursed back to health, besides being rehabilitated after the trauma of being in captivity.
Danum Valley Conservation Area
This is one of the largest, most important and best protected expanse of lowland forest in South-East Asia. Embedded in a large forest concession here, one can participate in the community forestry programmes, eco-tourism sites and two of the region’s largest rehabilitation projects. Tourists can stay at the Borneo Rainforest Lodge and enjoy fun activities like bird watching, night walks and drives, and rare glimpses of the Bornean Pygmy Elephant, the Sun bear and the Sumatran Rhino.
Gomantong Caves
The largest limestone outcrop in the Lower Kinabatangan area, Gomantong Hill consists of nine caves, which are popular as the valuable swiftlets’ nests are farmed here. Among the sights to look out for are the precarious narrow network of ladders that dangle from the ceilings of the caves and how the collectors nimbly climb from one ladder to another to collect the prized delicacy.
Sandakan Heritage Trail
This tourist activity takes you to the most important and interesting sites in the rich history of Sandakan town. Among the sites are the 100-year old Masjid Jamek; the Pryer Memorial, a granite structure erected to honour the founder of Sandakan, William B. Pryer; the Tourist Information Centre and the WWII memorial. Climbing the Stairs with a Hundred Steps leads to a beautiful view of Sandakan town and bay. It also leads to the Agnes Keith House. From here, you go to the English Tea House and to places of worship: St. Michael’s and All Angels Church, Sam Sing Kung (Three Saints) Temple and Goddess of Mercy Temple. It is 100 years of history in one hour!
Borneo Rainforest
This is the first and largest lifestyle hypermall in Malaysian Borneo and it offers the unique opportunity to transport yourself to the ancient Borneo civilization by strolling on a replica of Sabah’s illustrious Tamparuli Hanging Bridge in a lush rainforest setting. Experience the traditional kampung lifestyle and join in the fun with the famed indigenous dance as well as traditional rituals, such as the Magunatip (warrior dance). You can also try authentic Sabah foods here, besides a hands-on experience of batik painting, jewellry beading and rattan basket making.
If total isolation is what you really want, then don’t plan any holiday other than one on this atoll that houses the only dive resort in Sabah – Layang-Layang Island Resort. With regular flights from Kota Kinabalu (the only way in and out of here), it boasts breathtaking reefs and a host of beautiful marine citizens, making it one of the top ten dive locations in the world.
Sipadan Island
If Sabah is popular for one thing, it must be their beautiful islands in their blue-green waters. Sipadan needs no introduction and is one of the most talked about diving locations in Malaysia. Due to its size, only 120 divers can visit the island at any one time to enjoy its underwater scenery.
Gaya Street, Kota Kinabalu
Essentially a flea market, this street is cordoned off between 6.30am and 1pm on Sunday mornings when many come out and put up huge umbrellas to sell their wares here. More than anything else, you will see the Sabahans at their best, some in traditional costumes selling indigenous wares and foods.
Food
Try Sabah’s own offerings, such as hinava, a raw fish salad. When in Beaufort, tuck into Beaufort Mee at Restoran Beaufort or Ngiu Chap or mixed beef noodles, which is a signature dish of Sabah.
White water rafting, Padas River
The river here has numerous rapids that offer a different adventure at every turn. Bear in mind to ensure all safety precautions are met and look out for your fellowmates for a memorable and fun outing.
Sepilok Orang Utan Rehabilitation Centre
One of the most endangered of Malaysian wildlife species, the orang utan, is found only in Borneo and Sumatra. Its existence is constantly threatened by forest fires, felling of trees, poaching and illegal hunting. Visitors to this centre, which was opened in 1964, can see how orphaned and injured orang utans are cared for and nursed back to health, besides being rehabilitated after the trauma of being in captivity.
Danum Valley Conservation Area
This is one of the largest, most important and best protected expanse of lowland forest in South-East Asia. Embedded in a large forest concession here, one can participate in the community forestry programmes, eco-tourism sites and two of the region’s largest rehabilitation projects. Tourists can stay at the Borneo Rainforest Lodge and enjoy fun activities like bird watching, night walks and drives, and rare glimpses of the Bornean Pygmy Elephant, the Sun bear and the Sumatran Rhino.
Gomantong Caves
The largest limestone outcrop in the Lower Kinabatangan area, Gomantong Hill consists of nine caves, which are popular as the valuable swiftlets’ nests are farmed here. Among the sights to look out for are the precarious narrow network of ladders that dangle from the ceilings of the caves and how the collectors nimbly climb from one ladder to another to collect the prized delicacy.
Sandakan Heritage Trail
This tourist activity takes you to the most important and interesting sites in the rich history of Sandakan town. Among the sites are the 100-year old Masjid Jamek; the Pryer Memorial, a granite structure erected to honour the founder of Sandakan, William B. Pryer; the Tourist Information Centre and the WWII memorial. Climbing the Stairs with a Hundred Steps leads to a beautiful view of Sandakan town and bay. It also leads to the Agnes Keith House. From here, you go to the English Tea House and to places of worship: St. Michael’s and All Angels Church, Sam Sing Kung (Three Saints) Temple and Goddess of Mercy Temple. It is 100 years of history in one hour!
Borneo Rainforest
This is the first and largest lifestyle hypermall in Malaysian Borneo and it offers the unique opportunity to transport yourself to the ancient Borneo civilization by strolling on a replica of Sabah’s illustrious Tamparuli Hanging Bridge in a lush rainforest setting. Experience the traditional kampung lifestyle and join in the fun with the famed indigenous dance as well as traditional rituals, such as the Magunatip (warrior dance). You can also try authentic Sabah foods here, besides a hands-on experience of batik painting, jewellry beading and rattan basket making.
MOHD ADHA MOHD ZAIN (ADHA ZAIN)
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