Destinations
Sabah: Beauty beneath the wind, more than meets the eye
Te x t & I m a g e s b y LI LY R I A N I
Me: Regatta Lepa? I get to cover THE Regatta Lepa? Editor: Yes, would you be free during the said date? Me: Yes, I would be free (Read: I stealthily began rescheduling all my confirmed appointments in the background just so that I could attend Regatta Lepa while managing to sound collected and nonchalant…)
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Lepa or lipa refers to traditional single-mast sailing houseboats belonging to the Bajau (sea-gypsies who live off-coast Sabah). Since many have moved onto the mainland and left their sea-faring lifestyle, the lepa are now used as fishing boats or to transport goods. Regatta Lepa is an annual regatta festival in Semporna presenting their beautifully decorated lepa. This is the time when the Celebes Sea is filled with flotillas of 5-metre lepas donned in beautiful and vibrant decorations, pimped up to covet the title as ‘Most Beautiful Lepa’. One fascinating activity during this regatta is the reenactment of a rescue mission by Eastern Sabah Security Command (ESSCOM). Regatta Lepa Festival Around town This is the time when the sleepy town of Semporna comes to life in full force to celebrate the Regatta Lepa festival, and business owners enjoy brisk business from the abundance of tourist flocking their quiet town. You will be surprised to find that the town is full of activities, from cultural performances to Lepa Beauty Pageant to craft markets to performance by Siti Nurhaliza, and more. The lepa owners go all out in decorating their boats. They don’t only use streamers and flags; some of them are even dressed in traditional attire to present us with local dance and song. The rescue mission reenactment staged by Water Rescue Unit under the Fire and Rescue Department of Malaysia and ESSCOM was impressive. The latter reenacted the hostage crisis in Sipadan, and spectators cheered when
ESSCOM boat came and freed the ‘hostages’. It was like watching the Malaysian movie PASKAL in real life, with Sabah’s own superheroes at work. #TravelTips • Spend at least three days in Semporna as there are activities everywhere and every day. • Allocate seven to 10 days to cover the outskirts of Semporna.You will never regret it. • Book your accommodation three to six months prior to the event day as there are not many hotels in Semporna. Well, since you are already in Semporna, don’t just stop there! Go outside Semporna and discover other destinations in Sabah. The following are some of the worth checking out.
