Rindusabah

Sabah Tourism Board, together with Gaya Travel Magazine, organised an Instagram contest, starting from December 16th, 2020 until February 28th, 2021. The contest comprises two (2) categories such as ‘Best Photo’ and ‘Best Video’.

For ‘Best Photo’ Category, the first prize winner brought home one unit (1) of iPhone 12 and a 3D2N holiday package for two at Sipadan Kapalai Dive Resort, Semporna, Sabah, while the second prize winner received one unit (1) of Samsung A31 and a 3D2N stay for two at Sepilok Forest Edge Resort, Sandakan, Sabah. The third prize winner walked away with one unit (1) of Samsung A01 and a 3D2N stay for two at Shangri-La Rasa Ria, Kota Kinabalu, Sabah. 10 consolation winners were also selected and granted RM200 cash each.

The winners of the ‘Best Video’ Category, on the other hand, won one unit (1) of iPhone 12 and a 3D2N stay for two at Sipadan Kapalai Dive Resort, Semporna, Sabah (first prize), one unit (1) of Samsung A31 and a 3D2N stay for two at Sepilok Forest Edge Resort, Sandakan, Sabah (second prize), and one unit (1) of Samsung A01 and a 3D2N stay for two at Shangri-La Rasa Ria, Kota Kinabalu, Sabah (third prize) respectively.

The contest proved effective in promoting the Land Below the Wind as the go-to tourism destination, showcasing the state’s beauty and attractions through the Instagram platform. For more information on Sabah, visit www.sabahtourism.com.

First Prize: @samgowhere

WINNERS FOR #RINDUSABAH: Photo Category

Second Prize: @azreenyunus10 Third Prize: @asrulxaliff_

@joanoutdoor

@sesat_in_malaysia

@candzcanders

@husnah__ah

@yusufmadi_ @j.a.s.o.n_s.u.b.e.e @nazriphotoelements

First Prize: @sesat_in_malaysia

WINNERS FOR #RINDUSABAH : Video Category

Second Prize: @j.a.s.o.n_s.u.b.e.e

Third Prize: @khaichuin_sim

Sutera Sanctuary Lodges Kinabalu Park

Text by MUHAMMAD HASIF MOHD JELANI Images by MUHAMMAD HASIF MOHD JELANI & ED JUNAIDI

For the uninitiated, Kinabalu Park is the home of the ever-majestic Mount Kinabalu, the tallest mountain in Malaysia. It is gazetted as a national park since 1964, among the first in the country. In December 2000, it was conferred as the nation’s first World Heritage Site by UNESCO for its ‘Outstanding Universal Values’, besides being one of the most important ecosystems in the world. The park is located 1,584 metres above sea level and a home to some of the earth’s most unique flora and fauna.

Gaya Travel Magazine team members recently stayed at Sutera Sanctuary Lodges Kinabalu Park, which offers an incredible experience at Malaysia’s most celebrated national park!

Note: Before entering the park, travellers need to pay for entrance fees at MYR3 per Malaysian adult, MYR1 per Malaysian child, MYR15 per non-Malaysian adult and MYR10 per non-Malaysian child. This is not included in the room package when staying at Sutera Sanctuary Lodges Kinabalu Park.

Historically, the lodge has already been around since the very beginning of the park. However, in 2002 Sutera Sanctuary Lodges Sdn Bhd began to manage it and have done many rounds of renovation into the property we come to know today.

Sutera Sanctuary Lodges Kinabalu Park has around 40 lodges and chalets that can be categorised into 10 types namely Rajah Lodge, Kinabalu Lodge, Garden Lodge, Summit Lodge, Peak Lodge, Nepenthes Villa, Nepenthes Suite, Hill Lodge, Liwagu Suite and Rock Twin Share. Each type comes with its own perks according to travellers’ needs, budget and comfort. There is also Grace Hostel within the property’s grounds that contain 20 beds.

Our team’s accommodation unit was the 312-foot squared English-styled Nepenthes Suite with a homely and cosy ambiance that we totally love. It comes with glass door panels that allow generous natural light to come in and brighten the room. We adore the fine wood finishing on the floor and balcony area to resonate a calm and peaceful mood considering the place is rightfully surrounded by pristine nature. Should travellers feel like appreciating the park by breathing in its fresh and misty air, the balcony is a great place to do so. Since staying at the park can be quite cold especially during the night, the room is equipped with heater, making the room thermally comfortable and restful to sleep in.

Nepenthes Suite accommodates two guests who can sleep in either two separate single beds or a one king-sized bed. It has an en suite bathroom, lounge and pantry too. The suite’s normal rate also includes breakfast. There is a television inside the room as well should travellers feel to be entertained but we find it far more enriching to appreciate the property’s oxygen-rich surroundings, with all of its tropical highland glory most of the time.

There are two food and beverage outlets available on this property: Balsam Café and Liwagu Restaurant, two heart-warming vestiges carried over from previous times. Balsam Café offers buffet meals for breakfast, lunch and dinner, while Liwagu Restaurant serves Western and Asian cuisines, including steamboat, for all-day dining, including snack time. Among the recommended menu to try are wrapped chicken tortillas, spicy chicken quesadilla, Kundasang fried noodles and ayam penyet (smashed spicy chicken). The best part about Liwagu Restaurant is that it affords the view of Mount Kinabalu, so diners (us included) could not stop themselves from savouring the enchanting view while relishing their equally memorable dishes.

There is no denying that Kinabalu Park is often visited by hikers and outdoor sports enthusiasts since it is the gateway to summit Mount Kinabalu. But rest assured, there are still plenty of options for those who are not fond of such activities, making it a big plus point in staying at Sutera Sanctuary Lodges Kinabalu Park.

Among the more leisurely activities include visiting Mount Kinabalu Botanical Garden that has been opened since 1981. Originally developed for research and education purposes, the garden is now open for visitors to witness over 800 species of plants such as fern, orchid, balsam, begonia, and pitcher plant, on top of certain types of endemic wood, within its 1.4-hectare plot.

Travellers can opt for jungle-trekking as well. Kinabalu Park has around 10 nature trails, but our team only managed to cover four of them: Silau-Silau, Bukit Tupai, Mempening and Bukit Burung. Thanks to our naturalist, Elryestca Ewanie, the experience was enlightening. We learned interesting facts and details about the ecosystem within Kinabalu Park and since it is a tropical montane rainforest, the journey was not that tiring, instead it was relaxing because we trekked at our own pace.

Note: Sutera Sanctuary Lodges Kinabalu can arrange for a naturalist to guide its guests for activities around the park. However, the entrance fees (such as Mount Kinabalu Botanical Garden) need to be borne by guests.

It is such a joy to wake up in the morning just to catch the view of Mount Kinabalu sunrise as it can be enjoyed from many parts within the property’s grounds. Unfortunately, during our team’s stay, the morning was cloudy; though disheartened, we optimistically take it as a sign that we need to return soon…

In a nutshell, Sutera Sanctuary Kinabalu Park should delight travellers seeking relaxing and rejuvenating staycation. With plenty of activities and rooms to choose from, this property serves as the ideal base for adventure seekers, nature lovers, families, honeymooners or simply put, all types of travellers who want to be immersed in Kinabalu Park’s wondrous surroundings.

For bookings and enquiries, feel free to contact Sutera Sanctuary Kinabalu Park at +6 017 833 2877 or info@ suterasanctuarylodges.com.my. To find out more about the property, log on to www.suterasanctuarylodges.com.my.