Selamat Datang ke Sabah! (Welcome to Sabah)
History
For those of you who are fascinated by history, Sabah has a colourful past of Head hunters and Sultans, Raja’s, Princes and Pirates.
Start here and I will try and find more.
History of Malaysia 35,000BC – 1957
2000 Visit Sabah Updates
*Sabah has been chosen to host the Eco-Challenge 2000.
*Kota Kinabalu has officially been declared a city and will celebrate this occasion with much pomp and pageantry in February 2000.
December in Sabah
School Holidays – 20th November to 12th January 2000
Christmas – 25th December
Where to next
In the last issue we had a tour around Kota Kinabalu the best places to stay and the hot night spots and Islands. So now it’s time to get out of town and discover the many attractions that Sabah has to offer.
Mount Kinabalu
Kinabalu is the highest peak in South East Asia at 4,090 meters and is associated with many of the tribal legends of the region.
The origins of the name Kinabalu is also somewhat shrouded in mystery and myth. Some believe Kina-balu means “Chinese widow”. Kina being a corruption of China and Balu a widespread native dialectical term for widow.
There is the story of a Chinese Prince seeking a priceless pink pearl that was said to be at the very top of the mountain and guarded by a ferocious dragon. After a terrific battle he slayed the dragon and took the pearl, he then married a local Kadazan woman (a princess, of course). However after a time he became homesick for China and left his wife, who broken-hearted, went back to the mountain and was turned to stone.
But perhaps the most plausible explanation is that the name is derived from Aki Nabalu – meaning ‘The revered place of dead’, in local Dusunic languages.
In more recent history it has become a focal point for naturalists and adventurers alike because of it’s unique flora and fauna, as well as the challenge.
You must book to do the climb and guides are provided, you will usually start up to the huts on the first day and stay overnight. Well, half the night anyway as they get you up at about 3am to trek the rest of the way to the summit and watch the sun rise.
There are some lodges outside the park which offer the budget traveller some cheaper options for accommodation but the climb and guide fee is standard.
Poring Hot Springs
Poring is the local name for the Giant Bamboo trees that are found in abundance at the hot springs park. Here there are opportunities to trek to a canopy walkway for a tete-a-tete with the birds and the butterflies, soak in the therapeutic hot sulphur baths, trek to nearby Kipungit Falls or visit the butterfly farm.
Great place to relax and soothe the aching muscles for a couple of days after climbing the mountain.
Kudat
Take a northbound bus to Kudat passing Kota Belud, home of the Bajau Horsemen, to the northern tip of Borneo to where the Rungus tribe live in communes of Longhouse dwellings. Opportunities to see or buy the intricate beadwork and weaving of this ethnic tribe and visit the multi door longhouse where tribal elders still dress in their traditional costumes.
There are organized tours operating this trip, but the more adventurous can do it on their own. I don’t have much information on lodges or hotels there and it has been quite a while since I travelled there (Must get back and take a look).
I do know there are some nice islands off the coast of Kudat, but will have to wait for more information on who’s operating there (Check in KK).
White Water Rafting
Best to organize in KK.
Padas White Water Rafting
Head on out to Beaufort town to board a train or railcar to Pangi Dam. The excitement commences soon after a briefing on safety and rafting techniques. You will be equipped with safety helmets and life vests for the adrenaline pumping ride through Sabah’s Wildest Rapids of the "Padas", the Malaysian way of saying "Hot". Opportunities to see local villages and ride on Borneo’s ancient and only railway passing the Padas Gorge. Lunch at Padas Lodge, a rustic abode by the riverside where your rafting ends.
River Rafting
You will be transported to the sleepy town of Kiulu in the Tamparuli District where a selection is made by the river guide for a suitable starting point. Upon arrival, you will be instructed on the use of the equipment and briefed on safety and rafting techniques.
The ride down one of Borneo’s scenic rivers over gentle rapids passing lush green jungle forests, Dusun orchards and villages. River Grade: 1 to 2.
All these areas are easily reached from KK and can be done as day trips except the mountain and Kudat.
I know I said I was going to include Sandakan in this article, however there is so much to do, and places to visit on the East Coast that I will cover as much of it as possible next month.
Happy travels!
In the meantime, you can visit Peter’s website at Seafest Inn and Setarawarni Tourism S/B Semporna.
Arrival
As most travellers start their journey to Sabah from Kuala Lumpur, you should check with your travel agent on how to get to Kota Kinabalu, the Capital of Sabah.There are direct flights from Seoul, Tokyo, Hong Kong, Taipei, Manila, Brunei, Singapore, Kuala Lumpur and Kuching.
Sabah Tourism provides a lot of information on things to do places to stay,local cultures and activities.
Accommodation
Depending which guidebook you happen to be using there are many places to stay. For the budget traveller there are the backpacker lodges between Rm15 – Rm30. For the more affluent travelers there are some good deals to be had at Hotels and resorts!
Communication and Transport
The communication system is provided mainly by TELKOM Malaysia and although it is very efficient their public phones usually don’t work especially in the rural and remote areas.
Internet cafes are mushrooming, and are cheap. In some of the remote areas they can be a little hard to find but if you ask around, seek and ye shall find.
Buses and taxi’s are abundant. In KK, the Capital, taxi’s have meters and buses are marked, but in the more remote areas it is best to negotiate the price.
Entertainment
In KK, there is plenty of nightlife and restaurants to please all. Ranging from English style pubs, night clubs and disco’s as well as Karaoke. Also a great variety of cuisine starting with the local coffee shops and food stalls, with Malay, Indian, Chinese, and great seafood.
Helpful Links
The Author
I am an Australian and I have lived in Malaysia, Philippines and Indonesia and have travelled in these regions extensively for the last 15 years on company expense accounts and as budget backpacker.
I now reside in the small coastal town of Semporna on the East Coast of Sabah with my wife and two sons.
We have an interest in a small diving & Island tours business and a backpacker lodge providing budget diving, Island camping, village tours to Sipadan, Mabul and the Islands of Darval bay.
I have links with many tour operators in Sabah for jungle trekking and wildlife expeditions, etc. I can also help if you need information on entry requirements to Indonesia and the Philippines from Sabah.
I have a diploma in freelance journalism, have run cattle stations in Australia, been a commercial diver, oil field trash, worked for corporate America, managed tourist resorts in Asia, fishing projects in Nicaragua, deckhand, yacht deliveries and been down and out in Cebu.
I hope this may qualify me to add some points of interest about this wonderful part of the world that is just now starting to be discovered.
I hope to be able to bring you interesting items of news, events and culture from all over Sabah.
