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Beautiful Borneo Sabah

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Jewels Of Sabah

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Rest, Relax, Revive

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Spa’s Good List

The Best Dishes

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Beautiful Borneo Sabah

a guide to discover the unseen place in Sabah

Situated on the beautiful island of Borneo, Sabah is one of the thirteen states which Malaysia is made of. Sabah is the second largest state in Malaysia and shares the island of Borneo with Sarawak, Brunei, and Indonesian Kalimantan.

Sabah is richly blessed with nature diversity, unique cultures, fun adventure, beautiful beaches, and fantastic cuisines for the adventurous taste

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buds. We have it all, from the world’s largest flower - the Rafflesia, one of the highest mountains is South East Asia Mount Kinabalu, to one of the world’s top dive sites Sipadan Island.

Not only will you be amazed by the places to see and things to do here, you will also be treated with unique Sabahan hospitality.

Explore the unique culture and tradition of Sabah and get ready

to experience sweet memories.

Borneo is the third largest island in the world and is located at the centre of the Maritime Southeast Asia.

This island is divided between Indonesia, Malaysia and Brunei.

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Kinabalu Park Kundasang Kinabalu Park was gazetted as the first State Park in Sabah in 1964 and declared Malaysia’s first World Heritage Site

by UNESCO in the year 2000 for its outstanding biological attributes. A sprawling 75, 400 hectares, this melting pot of natural wonders is larger than Singapore.

Also the Centre of Plant Diversity for South East Asia, the Park boasts more than 5,000 vascular plant species,

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an estimated 1,000 orchid species, 621 fern species, nine Nepenthes species, 29 Rhododendron species and two Rafflesia species.

The Park has no shortage of fauna as well, being home to some 90 lowland mammal species, 22 montane mammal species, 21 bat species, 326 bird species, 62 toad and frog species and a large population of the 850 butterfly species that occur in Sabah.

Out of the 29 bird

species that are endemic to Borneo, at least 17 are confined to the mountains, notably Mount Kinabalu.

These include subspecies of the Red breasted Treepartridge, Crimsonheaded Wood-partridge and Mountain Blackbird. Such diversity is truly the makings of a naturalists’ paradise!

Gombizau Honey Bee Farm Kudat

Gombizau Honey Bee Farm is located in Matunggong, a sub-district 43 kilometers south of Kudat town, where one of the economical activities for the village community is honey bee farming. There are over a hundred bee cages in the bee farm.

Founded over ten years ago, this bee farm produces honey both for the consumption of the

local people as well as to be sold in bottles for those who are akin to the sweet taste of raw honey.

For many generations, the people of Kampung Gombizau has been consuming raw honey as it is believed and has been proven to possess remedial properties; other than being able to lend its superior taste to food when used in cooking.

Here, visitors will be able to observe how a bee farm is managed. They will often get a taste of raw honey straight from the honeycomb. Other than that, there are also rubber trees planted at the bee farm.

Therefore, visitors can also witness the traditional method of rubber tapping and rubber rolling.

Sepilok Orang Utan Sanctuary Kundasang The Sepilok Orang Utan Rehabilitation Centre was set up in 1964 to rehabilitate orphaned baby orang utan. Set in the lush 4,300-hectare Kabili-Sepilok Forest Reserve, the Centre under the administration of the Wildlife Department of Sabah attracts tourists and researchers alike, giving them the opportunity to watch the orang utan up close in their natural habitat.

A boardwalk leads you to a viewing gallery and feeding platform where

the apes are fed milk and bananas twice a day at 10.00am and 3.00pm by rangers. Feeding time also attracts long-tailed macaques to the area.

While orang utan rehabilitation is still the primary goal at Sepilok, it also focuses on public education on conservation, research and assistance on other endangered species such as the rhinoceros.

Visitors are restricted to

walkways. Some orang utan have become familiar with people but touching them is strongly discouraged, and while the apes are naturally shy and gentle, the more mischievous ones may try to grab your camera or hat, in which case you should call for a ranger as trying to wrestle the 200 pound apes may not be a good idea.

Outdoor Development Centre Kota Kinabalu ( Capital City) For a decent rush of adrenaline, stress relief and sheer fun, gather a bunch of friends and get geared up for some paintball action at the Outdoor Development Centre (ODEC) in University Malaysia Sabah (UMS).

Located some 10 to 15 minutes away from the heart of Kota Kinabalu City, ODEC is by far the largest paintball utility in Sabah. It beckons paint commandos to have a field day playing Recball (a non-tournament

game), Speedball (a game wherein teams play in closer proximities and the only barriers are man-made bunkers), and Woodball (a game played in a more natural setting and broader boundaries).

A game of paintball takes approximately 5 to 15 minutes and players have the liberty of choosing between a diversity of scenarios— Total Elimination, Save the Prisoner, Capture the Flag, and the works.

To minimize impact and bruising, be sure to clad

yourself in thick clothing, covering as many parts of the body as possible.

The minimum age requirement for this game is 10 years old, and as long as one is fit enough, there’s no age limit to this game. A caveat those with respiratory and cardicular health problems should take extra precautions.

ODEC is open daily from 8am to 5pm. Reservations are to be made two weeks in advance.

JEWELS OF SABAH

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EXOTIC ISLANDS YOU MUST VISIT

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MABUL ISLAND Mention Mabul Island and visions of swaying coconut trees and idyllic water villages come to mind. And that’s just above the water.

Located only about 15 minutes by speedboat from the famous Sipadan Island, Mabul has gained its own recognition as one of the best muck-diving (a term used to describe limited visibility dives at shallow sites with usually sandy bottoms) sites in the world.

Mabul is a small oval shaped island fringed by sandy beaches and perched on the northwest corner of a larger 200hectare reef. The reef is on the edge of the continental shelf and the seabed surrounding the reef slopes out to 25–30m deep.

Mabul is also renowned for its amazing array of macrolife, making it an underwater photographer’s dream location to capture some of the

rarest ecological species on film. Flamboyant cuttlefish, blue-ringed octopus, spike-fin gobies, frogfish and moray eels are just some of the spectacular critters you will encounter beneath the waters of Mabul.

Although all the excitement is underwater, you can always set your scuba gear aside for a day to laze on Mabul’s soft sand to work on your tan.

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Looking for a secluded island to just kick back and relax? Hop on a Pom Pom-bound speedboat from Semporna and let your serenity journey begin!

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An island with a laid back and casual ambience—as the name alludes—Pom Pom is situated circa 45 minutes away from Semporna. Apart from the gorgeous glittering white sandy beach that surrounds it, Pom Pom Island is also filled with lush green mangroves that keep it shady and cool.

Simply climb into a hammock to enjoy the beautiful sea view with a good book and a glass of pina colada, or get into your bathing suit and enjoy a dip in the clear aquamarine water.

Either way, you can’t go wrong in Pom Pom. Being one of Semporna’s many dive havens, scuba diving aficionados can also spend the day underwater fawning over the vivid marine lives.

POM POM ISLAND

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LANKAYAN ISLAND Lankayan, a tiny jewel-shaped island located on the northeastern coast of Sabah, is part of the Sugud Islands Marine Conservation Area (SIMCA) and is surrounded blue-green waters and coral reefs. It is also one of Sabah’s top diving spots.

The availability of jungle interior and interesting diving attracts both divers and non-divers alike to Lankayan.14 dive sites including the Lankayan Wreck, all only minutes away from the island, offer magnificent displays of marine life ranging from giant grou-

pers to tiny ribbon eels.

Enormous whale sharks are regularly sighted between March and May, and the island is also a nesting site for green and hawksbill turtles. You can watch as the baby turtles are released back into the sea.

The Langkayan Island Dive Resort has sixteen attractive wooden chalets with beach fronts and the common dining area extends to a sundeck jutting out to the beach.

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Make your way to the district of Kuala Penyu and hop on a boat to Pulau Tiga! The island’s claim to fame is none other than being the first ever ‘secret’ location for the hit reality series, ‘Survivor’.

Hence, many refer to Pulau Tiga as Survivor Island.

plenty to see and do here: spend the sunny days swimming or snorkeling in its surrounding clear waters or go kayaking.

Divers can explore its underwater treasures (diving courses are available).

Located just 10km off shore on the West Coast of Sabah, you can enjoy a day trip to the island but many recommend spending at least a night or two.

Pulau Tiga is also famous for its therapeutic natural volcanic mud. Looking for some wildlife? Say hello the island’s famous residents: snakes! Facilities on the island include a restaurant and camping site.

The island has two resorts, Pulau Tiga Resort and Borneo Survivor Resort (see contact details). There’s

PULAU TIGA

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SIPADAN ISLAND The internationally famous island of Sipadan lies five degrees north of the equator in the Sulawesi Sea (Celebes Sea). Lying 35km south of Semporna, on Sabah’s mainland, like many tropical islands it is thickly forested and surrounded by sandy beaches.

Sipadan is an oceanic island and was formed by living corals growing on top of an extinct undersea volcano, which rises

600m from the seabed.

The residential schooling barracuda and big-eye trevally, which often gather in thousands forming spectacular tornado-like formations, are one of the highlights of every diver’s wish-list.

With the possibility of seeing pelagic species such as mantas, eagle rays, scalloped hammerhead sharks and whale sharks, each dive at Sipadan is a highly anticipated event.

It is not only the big fish that amaze divers coming to Sipadan, the macro life is equally mesmerizing. Garden eels, leaf scorpion fish, mantis shrimps, fire gobies, and various pipefish are guaranteed at various dive sites.The diversity and abundance of marine found at Sipadan gives it its reputation of being one of the ten best dive locations in the world.

Shop & Swipe Originally named Bond Street, Gaya Street located in the Kota Kinabalu Central Business District has been the centre of business for over a hundred years.

The wooden shops with nipah roofs are long gone but here is where generations-old family businesses are still thriving passed down from father to son.

Every Sunday morning, the length of Gaya Street is closed off to traffic to make way for the Fair. Shop for any-

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thing under shady trees and over-sized umbrellas, like batik sarongs, fruits and flowers, arts and craft, footwear, antiques and souvenirs, cakes, even pets and herbs!. This is the best place to experience the cross-section of the local population when entire families enjoy a Sunday outing.

The Gaya Street Fair is on every Sunday from 6.30 am to 1.00 pm

Rest,Relax,Revive Koposizon Homestay Papar Coordinator: William Lee P.O.Box 146, 89608 Papar, Sabah.

Mobile: +6019-8622901 Tel: +6088-917388 Email: koposizon_homestay@hotmail.com URL: www.papagahomestay.com

Taginambur Homestay Coordinator: Robert Maisin Sendelun W.D.T No. 11, 89159 Kota Belud, Sabah.

Mobile: +6010-9348616 / +6014-6795795 Tel: +6088-976454 Email: sendelun@yahoo.com

Walai Tokou Homestay

Coordinator: Mr Kohadie Watiman Block B, Lot No.2, Kundasang Sedco Complex P.O.Box 594, 89308 Ranau, Sabah.

Mobile: +6019-8602270 / +6019-8011790 Tel: +6088-888166 Email: koch_homestay@yahoo.com URL: www.walaitokou.homestay.com.my

Balai Kito Mayu Homestay Coordinator: Mr Datu Md Ahbam Bin Abulani P.O.Box 3109, 90730 Sandakan, Sabah Mobile: +6013-8699026 Tel / Fax: +6089-568472 Email: ahbamabulani@yahoo.com

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Sureta Harbour Golf & Country Club Kota Kinabalu (Capital City) In the midst of the luxurious Sutera Harbour Resort complex is the Sutera Golf Course, a magnificent 27- hole par 72, 9351m championship golf course designed by Graham Marsh. It comprises the Lake 1-9, heritage 10-18 and Garden 19-27 and is a ‘masterpiece’ that combines nature with ingenious architecture to create a first-class course.

Words from the man himself.

Centrally located in the heart of Kota Kinabalu City and just 10 minutes from the International Airport, it offers both day and night golfing. Its

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signature hole is the 24th par 4, 330m (Garden Course) with the challenge provided by the sandy waste and the ocean which comes precariously close to the undulating green.

Other facilities include a driving range, putting green, chipping and bunker practice area, Resident Pro, Pro-shop, buggy rental, locker rooms with sauna facilities and a golf club house. In-house guests at the Sutera are allowed cross-signing privileges.

Getting There Its central location makes

it easy to reach from anywhere around KK City, if you are not an in-house guest. You can use any taxi. Fare depends from where you board, and can start from RM12.00

Mount Kinabalu Golf Club Kota Kinabalu (Capital City) Tee off in dramatic style with Mount Kinabalu as your backdrop with the cool crisp air greeting you right here at the Mount Kinabalu Golf Club. Situated on the Pinosuk Plateau at 1,500 meters above sea level in Kundasang.

Mt. Kinabalu Golf Club is the highest golf layout in Sabah.

Designed by Robert Muir Graves, the golf course boasts a breathtaking landscape made up of sprawling farmlands and rolling hills.

Many golfers agree that this 18-hole course is both physically and mentally challenging with its ever-present winds, steep slopes and surrounding mists.

With occasional thick fogs, some even say it feels like you’re playing in the clouds!

One of its notable holes is the 14th, par 3, 142 meters, which features a gushing river at the bottom of a deep ravine.

curate shot from the elevated tee across the Mesilau East River to land on the green perched on the edge of a cliff.

Facilities include a clubhouse, golfers’ lounge, practice putting and chipping green, golf shop, rental of buggy, golf shoes and golf sets, and caddy service.

It is a true test of skill once you get here: you will need an ac-

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BEST dishes for your taste bud

Delicious noodles for your craving

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1 Bak Kut Teh

The name bak kut teh literally translates ‘pork bone tea’.

At its simplest, it consists only of meaty pork ribs in a complex broth of herbs and spices.

A bowl of bak kut teh may also be served with offal, varieties of mushrooms, lettuce, and pieces of dried tofu.

2 Ngiu Chap

3 Mee Goreng Tuaran

Be sure to try the famous ngiu chap, which means ‘mixed beef’.

Consisting a combination of minced beef balls, beef slices, tripe, tendon, tongue and other parts of the cow or buffalo, this signature Sabah dish is usually served with noodles in a delicious beef broth.

Mee goreng, or fried noodles is a universal favourite. In Sabah, there is a special kind of mee goreng called mee Tuaran (Tuaran being the name of one of the districts in Sabah). Mee Tuaran noodles are made of batter of egg yolk and flour, which gives the noodle a yummy egg aroma when fried. It is usually cooked with local vegetables, such as the sawi, as well as various meats or seafood, and eggs.

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Mandara Spa The Magellan Sutera 1 Sutera Harbour Boulevard, 88100 Kota Kinabalu, Sabah Malaysia Website: www.suteraharbour.com Tel: +60 88 318 888 (ext. 4) Fax: 60 (88) 317 777 E-mail: Malaysia@mandaraspa.com

Rafflesia Spa 2nd Floor, Block B2-01, Warisan Square, Jalan Tun Fuad Stephens, 88000, Kota Kinabalu, Sabah.

Website:http://www.rafflesiaspa.com/ Tel/Fax:+6088-448128

Hakod Oasis Spa

Ka’andaman Spa Mabul

Lot A-01-09, 1st Floor, Block A, Warisan Square, Jalan Tun Fuad Stephens, 88000 Kota Kinabalu, Sabah.

Km 8, Hongkod Koisaan, Penampang Road P.O. Box 30115 88700 Beverly Hills Plaza Penampang, Sabah,Malaysian Borneo

Telephone: +6 088 487 700, +6 088 487 701 Fax: +6 088 487 702 Email: hakodoasis@yahoo.com Website: www.hakodoasis.com

Tel: (6 088) 721 008 Fax: (6 088) 724 008 E-mail: info@kaandamanspa.com.my Website:http://www.kaandamanspa.com.my/

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