|
 Known
as 'The Land Below The Wind', Sabah, the second largest state in
Malaysia occupies the northern tip of Borneo Island. It is the eastern
gateway to Malaysia with direct air links to Brunei, Hong Kong, the
Philippines, Singapore, South Korea, Indonesia and Taiwan.
Sabah’s
74,500 square kilometers of land area is dominated by one grand feature,
Mount Kinabalu, the highest mountain in Southeast Asia. More than half
of Sabah is forested. With over 40 % of the land designated as Forest
Reserve and National Park, Sabah is one of the world’s treasure houses
of wildlife. The island also provides superb diving and snorkeling
opportunities, gorgeous beaches, and wonderful hiking trails.
Sabah
state capital, Kota Kinabalu is a modern sprawling town conveniently
situated by the South China Sea maintaining its natural beauty. There is
an interesting blend of European, Malay and Chinese culture with a
collection of old Chinese shop houses, traditional market places set
amongst several high-rise buildings and new shopping areas.
From cities to jungle
heartland, the people of modern day Sabah, comprising of 32 different
ethnic tribes, often wow visitors with their exceptional friendship and
traditional customs.
ECO-TREASURES
DISCOVERED IN BORNEO
Deep in our hearts, we all dream of a
tropical haven - pure, green and pristine. At the same time, unspoilt
and untouched by the problems of modem life still.
Welcome to Sabah, the land of
eco-treasures, where you can climb to the awesome peak of the highest
mountain in the region. Play with the Orang Utan, "the wild man of
Borneo", in the largest such sanctuary in the world. Admire the
Rafflesia, the largest flower in the world in rainforests that are
millions of years old. Dive into some of the world's best underwater
wonderlands.
You will also meet some of the
friendliest, warmest people in the world. And join in their colourful
festivals and traditions that will take you back centuries.
If you yearn for the exhilarating sense
of adventure, Sabah is the perfect place for jungle trekking, cave
exploration, white-water rafting, mountain climbing or deep sea diving.
Your taste for exotic culture will be more than sated by the numerous
ethnic customs and celebrations which include living in longhouses and
the potent rice wine called "lihiing" or "hiing". You can of course just
laze all day on a secluded beach or tee off in a championship golf
course in any of the many world-renowned holiday resorts.
So why dream of eco-treasures when you
can experience the wonders of it all?
WHERE TO
FIND IT?
Sabah sits at the tip of Borneo, the
world's third largest island. Its coastline of 1,440 km (900 miles),
washed by the South China Sea on the West and the Sulu Sea and Celebes
Sea on the East, encloses an inland area of 74,500 sq.km (29,399
sq.miles).
Lying just north of the equator, Sabah
enjoys a sunny tropical climate where it's summer all year round. Daily
temperatures range from 74 to 90 degrees Fahrenheit (23 to 33 degrees
Centigrade), with cooler weather up in the mountains.
A land blessed with nature's most
bountiful treasures, Sabah is also known by the famed romantic name of
"The Land below the Wind".
THE CAREFREE
PEOPLE YOU MEET
What kind of people lives in the land of
eco-treasures? The answer is all kinds, colours and creeds. The
population of about 2 million comprises over 30 different races speaking
over 80 local dialects. The beautiful thing is all these diverse ethnic
groups live together harmoniously while at the same time preserving
their own culture, traditions, festivals and customs, to make Sabah a
multi-culturally exotic experience unlike any other.
The largest ethnic group, the
Kadazans/Dusuns, make up about a third of the population. These are the
prosperous agricultural rice producers of Sabah, although in recent
times, many have fond success in modern professions. They are well known
for their unique customs that feature female priestesses called
"bobohizan" presiding over still practised ancient rituals.
The Bajaus are skilled fishermen as well
as good rice cultivators. They are also experts in rearing ponies and
water buffaloes. Dubbed "The Cowboys of the East", they are renowned for
their horsemanship. Catch them every Sunday and on festive occasions at
the picturesque Kota Belud 'Tamu" when they deck decorated ponies.
The Muruts reside mainly in the
hinterland where many still live in traditional communal longhouses.
Once feared for their head hunting, the Muruts are great hunters with
spears, blowpipes and poisoned darts. It is a rare treat to join one of
their weddings, famous throughout the land for their elaborate displays
of bride wealth, dancing and feasting.
Probably the most popular festival in
Sabah is the "Pesta Kaamatan". This is a Harvest Festival of the
Kadazans/Dusuns. Other festivals include Hari Raya, celebrated by the
Muslim community and Chinese New Year celebrated by the Chinese.
Sabah presents the traveller with the
highest challenge in Borneo - Mount Kinabalu, rising majestically into
the sky at 4,095.2 m (13,432.26 ft). With its granite massif dominating
the surrounding landscape at the peak, often shrouded in mists and
clouds. Mount Kinabalu has an awesome mystique all its own. No wonder
that long ago, the Kadazans/Dusuns named it "Aki Nabalu" or "home of the
spirits of the dead".
Good thing is, no climbing experience is
required to conquer the peak of Borneo, if you take the main route to
the summit. Watching sunrise at the top has been described by travellers
everywhere as a life-enriching experience.
Mount Kinabalu is the main attraction in
Kinabalu Park, which is less than 2 hours' drive from Kota Kinabalu. The
road cuts and winds through lush countryside dotted with traditional
village houses to give you an unforgettable scenic journey. Once in the
Park, rejuvenate your body and mind at the Poring Hot Springs, a natural
health spa where you can relax in open-air Japanese-style baths amidst a
tropical rainforest setting.
ADVENTUROUS ON THE GROUND
The rainforests in Sabah are some of the
oldest in the world. Exotic flora and fauna abound, wild orchids of
every imaginable hue. Pitcher plants that gulp down insects and flies.
And of course, there's the Rafflesia, the largest flower in the world.
Jungle trekking here is an opportunity of a lifetime to marvel at rare
flora Take a river boat ride and catch the unique Proboscis monkey with
its long pendulous red nose calling out to its males. But the star of
the rainforest here is undoubtedly the Orang Utan, also known as the
"wild man of Borneo". You wilt find them swinging through the forest in
Sepilok, the world's largest Orang Utan sanctuary.
Sepilok is only 15 minutes' drive from
the east coast town of Sandakan. In this sanctuary, Orang Utans that
have been abandoned by their mothers, or were formerly in captivity, are
rehabilitated until fit enough to be returned to the wild. Watching
these charming and entertaining mammals during feeding time is a sheer
delight.
From Sandakan too, you can lake a two to
three hour boat ride to The "Turtle Islands Park where you marvel at
rare turtles laying their eggs. You can even stay in comfort in modern
chalets at these islands if you yearn to explore them further.
SPECTACULAR AT THE BOTTOM
For those who like to swim, snorkel or
laze all day on a quiet, less crowded beach of pure white sand under
bright blue tropical skies, the five outlying islands of Kota Kinabalu
await to capture your heart completely. Only about 15 minutes away by
boat from KK, these off-shore islands have crystal-clear waters, sunny
beaches and beautiful corals. If you go island hopping, you will find
the beach of your dreams in one of them.
Back on mainland Sabah, you can explore
many stretches of white, sandy beaches where the glorious, tropical
sunset with its riot of colours is something not to be missed.
For the true diving enthusiast, the
island of Sipadan, located off the east coast of Sabah, needs no
introduction. Praised by the as one of the best diving spots in the
world, Sipadan is the only oceanic island (meaning not connected to the
continental shelf) in Malaysia rising 2.000 ft (600 m) on a limestone
pinnacle that "mushrooms" out near the surface. The abundant and
stunning marine life will thrill and amaze you no end.
Another divers' favourite. The Layang
Layang Atoll is located 165 miles north west of Kota Kinabalu.
Oval-shaped and blessed dive, snorkel, fish to your heart's content and
then climb back on land and watch the thousands of migratory birds
nesting there in this nature lover's paradise.
Other islands that have equally enchanted
the diving fraternity are Mabul Island, known as home to the world's
best "muck dives", a discovery that is gaining in popularity, and
Langkayan Island, for its colourful world of macro marine life in over
20 dive sites that never cease to fascinate all visitors.
DO YOUR OWN THING IN THE LAND OF ECO-TREASURES
You have a special interest in mind?
Whether it is jungle trekking, mountain biking, white-water rafting,
cave exploration, mountain climbing, deep sea diving and fishing, Sabah
will more than satisfy the adventurer in you.
For the sports orientated, there are
tennis and golf on land, and if you are into watersports, you can
windsurf, water-ski or go yachting in the vast South China Sea.
Culture buffs will have a fine lime
venturing into the interior where you can visit traditional longhouses,
join in the centuries-old festive celebrations, or experience the "tamu"
(local market place).
These are just a few suggestions out of
limitless possibilities in your pursuit of pleasure in the eco-treasures
of Sabah, where you can throw all your cares to the wind and indulge in
your every whim and fancy.
WHAT TO EXPECT
In a land where its eco-treasures are as
diverse as heaven and earth, the choice of accommodations is as endless.
From 5-star resorts by leading hotel groups that offer you the latest
amenities and facilities, to comfortable lodgings fro the budget
conscious, they all feature Sabah's common aspect of warm hospitality.
Signature championship golf courses
surrounded by serene vistas greet the avid golfer, whether amateur or
professional, a challenging game is guaranteed. Other facilities include
a world-class marina for sailing enthusiasts, and the endless island
accommodations available are always well equipped to provide all you
need for snorkelling or diving. The wide spectrum of sports facilities
ensures a vibrant holiday with activities to fill your every second.
Gastronomic pleasures wait with the
spectacular variety of cuisine offered, from continental to local. In a
state with over 30 ethnic groups, your palate will be tickled by the
wondrous flavours found, whether in delicacies served by the top hotels
or by the night market. Local favourites with preparation techniques
that are as unusual as its names will fascinate you, while for elegant
dining, gourmet meals by award-winning chefs are served at fine
restaurants.
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