Travel Sabah Borneo

Where you can go around Kota Kinabalu city

2008-09-05T00:59:00.000-07:00

I live in Kota Kinabalu city for almost five years now and there are several places that I think quite good to visit.

1. Signal hill - Its about 15minute hike up hill from "Padang Merdeka". Its a hill where there is a viewing platform. From the platform, you see the bird's eye view of the city. You can even see the five islands on the South Chine Sea. Gaya Island is very obvious just infront of the city. Best to come around 5pm for sunset view.

2. KK night market - The night market is located in Kampung Air near the Court Building. Its start open around 6pm and close around 1030pm.It is a place where people can bargain for the price. Mostly sourvenirs, t'shirts, watches, jewelleries(Pearls), leather belt and few others thing sold there. It is open every day in the evening.

3. Sabah Museum - Open every day from 9am to 5pm. About 10minute drive from city center. There will an entrance fee for visiting the museum. There are two section at the museum people can visit. The main building and the heritage village.

4. Gaya Street Sunday Market - Held every sunday at Gaya street. The road will be close and people start to setup stalls on the street. Start at 6am finish around 2pm.

Still few more to listed down here. This post will be continued soon.

Photo Safari Itinerary #1

2007-07-22T16:02:00.000-07:00

6 days 5 nights Photo Safari Borneo Package

Danum Valley (BRL) /Sukau Kinabatangan/Gomantong Cave/ Sepilok

Day 1 Lahad Datu / Danum Valley

Meet at Lahad Datu airport or hotel lobby and proceed for 2.5 hours drive to Danum Valley. Check-in at Borneo Rainforest Lodge. Afternoon Nature orientation walk and night walks. Dinner and Overnight lodge (L, D)

Day 2 Danum Valley / Borneo Rainforest Lodge

Spend this day in pursuit of the endemic and endangered wild Orang utans, Bornean Gibbons, Maroon langurs around BRL, we venture out morning and afternoon to photograph some of the oldest rainforest and wildlife in the area. After dinner, get prepared with headlamps, we trek or drive to the darkness of the forests search of nocturnal mammals and frogs Overnight lodge.( B.L.D )

Day 3 Danum Valley / Sukau

After lunch, proceed for 5 hours drive to Sukau. Check-in at River Lodge, after dinner, night river safari on boat in search of estuarine crocodile, owls, civets, leopard cats etc. Overnight River lodge (B.L.D)

Day Sukau

4 & 5 Two full days are spent with river cruises in the morning and afternoon in the vast wetlands of Kinabatangan. Proboscis monkeys, hornbills, kingfishers, egrets, pig tailed or long tailed macaque and Borneo’s snakes can be photographed from the boat. Good chance of seeing Borneo’s elephant and wild Orang utan. After dinner, night river safari in search of crocodile, owl, leopard cat etc. Overnight River lodge. (B, L, D)

Day 6 Sukau / Gomantong Cave / Sepilok

After breakfast, explore one of the biggest limestone cave in Sabah, the Gomantong Cave, which is home to millions of bats and edible nest swiflets.

Proceed to Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre and stop for lunch along the way. Close range with the Orang utans gives good close-up shots.

Later transfer to your onward flight or check-in at hotel. (B, L)

End of service.

Includes: twin-sharing accommodation, english-speaking Guide, boat and vehicle transportation, meals as mentioned on the itinerary.

No. of person : Minimum of 2 person / Maximum 8 person per trip

Note: Aerial Photography by Helicopter are available upon special arrangement.

Contact

jaldpru@yahoo.com

Poring Canopy Walkway

2007-07-03T08:49:00.001-07:00

If you haven't update yourself with a recent news
about the canopy walkway in Poring Hotspring, I
posted these photos for you to view. The park

ranger taking out
the rope, net, planks
and ladder on the 1st
bridge after the
1st platform was
destroyed by the
big fallen branch,
slightly above the
platform. So at the
moment visitor
has to start from
the original ending
platform for the
walk and must return
back to where they
started. This way
cause visitor have to
wait for their turn
to go on the bridge.
The original starting platform was now has put down
and move to another different place. The branch was

fell from a big tree,(arrow).
Soon there will be another
two bridges will be added
to existing bridge. The work
placing the cable and rope
has already been started
so may be it will be another
2 month to finish and open
for public visitors. At the
moment people have to be
patients for the condition
that they had to wait for
a turn to go on the bridge
by waiting for people to
come back 1st from
crossing the bridge.

The
Arrow
show
where
the
new
bridge
will be
built. The
new
bridge will
make
the
length of the bridge even longer than before.
Work in progress for the two new bridges.

I will post again with any news about places of interest
in Sabah soon. You can bookmark my blog by simply
with press ctrl+D on your computer

::Update::

Canopy walk notice

Sepilok

2007-06-18T07:28:00.000-07:00

Sepilok, it is not a new word for many people now a day

as not just people keep talking about it but even in a
brochures people read about it. Yes Sepilok is one of
the largest rehab for Orang Utans in Sabah. It is located
in Sandakan. Sepilok is one of many conservation program done
by the Wildlife Department in Sabah. As they started
to realize few years ago that there many of the natural
habitat of the Orang Utan has been cleared for farm,
they found Orang Utan trapped in a small vegetation
surrounded by miles and miles of palm plantations.
Wildlife rangers from Sepilok will get the Orang Utan
and relocate them to another forest.
Some Orang Utan especially the young one easily

caught by local and then keep them as pets.
Sepilok will try to get these orang Utan that been kept
by the local and trained them to back to the wild.
Not all of these Orang Utan can be return back to
the wild. Orang Utan that been raised as pet can
never be return to the wild but still some can be
rehabilitate. The 43sq kilometer of protected land
has become a refuge place for some Orang Utan
that has been fully rehabilitated. In Sepilok, they
are given milk and bananas in purpose of making
them bored with it and encourage the apes to start
forage for themselves.

::I you want to visit the feeding of the Orang Utan,
you can either go for morning feeding at 0930am
or the afternoon feeding at 2pm::

::Entrance fee at Rm30 per person::
::camera fee at Rm10 per camera::

My Choice Hotel Of the Month "Magelan Sutera Resort"

2007-06-02T17:34:00.000-07:00

I did a hotel inspection recently with Nicholas Ghosh from Audley Travel around Kota Kinabalu and we inspected few hotels and for this month I decided to choose Magelan Sutera Resort to be posted in here.

What is the most impressed me was the rooms, we inspected few rooms there and we notice that most of the rooms have a separate shower. This are the most common question ask by tourist. The Bath room has a window that can be open from the inside and make it able to enjoy the view out side or watch the TV while having a bath on a bath tub.
The room that I manage to take photos was this picture below
I impressed most of the room they've showed us, but if you willing to spent few hundred dollars you can enjoy a luxury and nice accommodation.View hotel rate.

Room Facilities:

Private balcony
Satellite channels and in-house movies
IDD telephone with bathroom connection
Telephone with voicemail; dataport in suite rooms
Mini bar
Coffee and tea making facilities
In-room safe
Handicapped-accessible rooms available
Complimentary broadband usage is provided at Club Rooms and Club Lounge

Some rooms have a living room with Tv which is quite good.
The Magelan Sutera is very close to the city about 4 minute by car.
The hotel even provide a shuttle bus service.

::Post your Comment::

Kota Belud Sunday Market

2007-05-15T03:36:00.000-07:00

(Entrant of the Market)

In Sabah, weekly market is one of the main interest of the local people. The market only happen once a week. Different town have different day in a week they have their one day market. The most famous day of all is Sunday. There are three places in the west coast of Sabah has a market on Sunday. Kota Kinabalu, Tuaran Town and Kota Belud. Kota Kinabalu Sunday market located in Gaya Street where the street will be closed for traffic just for the market itself. That will be start from 6am and then end at 2pm. In Tuaran town where located about 30km North from Kota Kinabalu also start almost the same time as in Gaya Street. Tourist that stayed in Shangri-la's Rasa Ria can go to the market in Tuaran either by taxi or even they can cycled on a bike which is will take them 30minute. The third place is Kota Belud Sunday market, located about 45km North from Kota Kinabalu. Kota Belud Sunday market is the famous one among this three places. There even a tour can be organize by many Tour Operator to this Kota Belud Sunday market.

(making Traditional Pan cake called "Panjaram")

All three places sell almost the same thing or goods. But the market in Kota Belud is more traditional where there is still many people wearing traditional clothing especially the elderly folk. As for my experience I would prefer to go to Kota Belud as because of photo opportunities is so good. There many different tribe will be there and there is mix between old and new trend.

(Bajau women Selling anchovies)

The Sunday market in locally called "Tamu" as its mean meeting, because the Tamu is a meeting place for many different tribe which is been practiced for many years. Sunday is the for the people in Kota Belud area to meet, to exchange goods and as well as to update them self with a latest news. Kota Belud area has more than ten different ethnic people and all of them doing different thing for a living.

(Selling Traditional cakes and pan cake)

The Bajau doing Fishing and also farming and the Dusun doing farming on the hill area where they grow few different crops like hill rice, pineapple, bananas and sweet corn and few other tribes doing different things. So the Sunday market is the place where they can meet each other and trade their goods where it used to be barter system and now currencies is used most for the trading in the market.

(Traditional food made from coconut sugar and rice flour also called "Kuih Cincin")

So if you are planning visiting Sabah, make sure u had some time to visit the Sunday market. I would most recommend for any photographer who like taking picture of people and culture.

(Anchovies)

Wifi Upperstar KK

2007-05-07T02:19:00.000-07:00

Upperstar Kota Kinabalu is one of a coolest place to hang around.
Its open from 5pm - 1am. You can order drinks like soft drink, beer, liquor and coffee.
If you want to use your laptop here, the password is: upperstar2222
See you there!

Monsoon

2007-05-05T06:53:00.000-07:00

At the moment monsoon season is in Sabah but most likely
the amount of rain is less than some certain time of the year.
it is advisable to bring along rain coat or an umbrella when
ever going on a tour or outdoor program. You will experiencing
warm rain during your stay in Sabah(for European).
It is nice to cool down after having a hot day. but of cause
not during the tour. Have a nice day.

Kinabalu Park

2007-05-05T06:26:00.000-07:00

Start from hotel in Kota Kinabalu at 0730am, drive to the park which take 2 hours journey. Make few stop along the way for photo stop (if weather permitting) and also stopping at the Nabalu Market for toilet and souvenir shopping. Then proceed to Kinabalu Park and visit the exhibition hall for little bit info before visiting the rest.
Join the guided walk conducted by the park ranger at the Mountain Botanical garden, where visitors can see some rare collection of orchid, medicinal plant and a rare pitcher plant (1 hour). After lunch watch a video show at the visitor center then back to hotel.

A combine tour of Kinabalu Park and Poring Hotspring can also be arrange but this tour will be a little bit rush due to limited time available for day trip. At the Hotspring, usually visitor will experience the canopy walkway and also the hotspring bath(time permitting).

Backpackers

To get to Kinabalu park, travelers can get a bus that going to Sandakan or Tawau that depart from Kota Kinabalu. Make sure to tell the bus conductor to stop the bus when arrived at the park. Fare around rm10-15.
There are hostel inside the park and also few low budget lodges can be found around outside of the park.

Rungus Longhouse Tour

2007-05-05T06:05:00.000-07:00

Rungus is a tribe belongs to the largest group of Kadazan/Dusun ethnic. They mainly found in Kudat and Bengkoka Peninsular (North Sabah). The tour normally starts from the hotel around 7am and drive to the north of Sabah about 3 hours. Normally there two longhouse can be visited, the Longhouse that people still live in it (little bit modern) and the Longhouse that visitors can stay overnight (original building material). The Longhouse is a good place for picture opportunities. Few other places will be visited is the Gong Making Village, Honey Bee Farm Village. Lunch usually at the local restaurant near by. After lunch proceed to the Tip of Borneo (optional) drive about 45 minute. Beach at the Tip Of Borneo is the beautiful beach in Sabah where white sandy beach and crystal clear water. Drive back to hotel another 3 hours and arrived around 5pm.

Overnight Trip

People can stay overnight at the longhouse where there will be a cultural performance by the villages itself at night. Dinner and breakfast is included in the overnight package

Kota Kinabalu City Tour

2007-05-05T05:58:00.000-07:00

The tour begin with a visit to the signal hill for a bird’s eye view of Kota Kinabalu City and also the marine park just in front of the city. Then drive to Likas area where stopping at the Sabah Foundation Building located right the end of Likas Bay (photo stop). Visiting Likas area including a photo stop at the city mosque then proceed to Chinese Temple visiting for about 15 minute. Finally the last place is the State Museum. Then back to the hotel.

::Duration 3 hours::

Backpackers

(To Museum)
Follow a mini bus that going to Penampang from City. Stop at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital bus stop.
Return back City, just follow the bus going back city from other side of the road.
Fare usually around 70 sen – Rm1.00

May 2007 (Sabah Tourism)

2007-05-03T06:40:00.000-07:00

Event Listing

Tabin Wildlife Photo Hunt
May - July 2007
Tadau Kaamatan (Harvest Festival)
May 2007
Sabah Fest 2007 – Cultural Extravaganza
03 - 04 May 2007
3rd Sabah International Folklore Festival
05 - 15 May 2007
Patterns and Colour of Sabah
10 May - 04 June 2007
Sabah International Fishing Tournament 2007
10 - 13 May 2007
Harvest Festival for Kota Kinabalu City
13 May 2007
Sabah World Museum Day 2007
18 - 23 May 2007
Harvest Festival (Sandakan)
19 May 2007
Harvest Festival Golf Tournament
20 May 2007
Harvest Festival Regatta 2007
26 - 27 May 2007

Climbing Mount Kinabalu

2007-05-02T23:27:00.000-07:00

Few things need to prepare..Passport, torch light, extra cloth,chocolat bar. What to pay is climbing Permit rm100(foreigner) Rm30(M'sian), guide rm70(can be shared with other climbers in the group), insurance rm7, transport rm15 and most important accomodation at rest house price (TBA) . It is best to climb between month of Jan-march..For between month of April-July usually very windy and cold(rain).

Backpackers Lodges address and contact

2007-04-16T07:58:00.000-07:00

Kota Kinabalu City Area

Asia Adventure Lodge
112, Gaya Street,
88100 Kota Kinabalu
No. of Rooms: 2 Dorms + 1 Room
Published Rate: RM17.00 - RM22.00
Phone: +60 88 255661
Fax: +60 88 255661
Email: asiaadventurelodge@yahoo.com.my

City Park Inn
No.2 Jalan Pasar Baru,
Kampung Air,
88000 Kota Kinabalu
No. of Rooms: 10
Published Rate: RM18.00 - RM60.00
Phone: +60 88 260607 / 260608
Fax: +60 88 262609
Email: cityparkinn@yahoo.com
Website: http://www.borneo-online.com.my/cityparkinn

Travellers' Light Backpackers Lodge
Lot 19, Lorong Dewan (Australia Place)
88000 Kota Kinabalu, Sabah
No. of Rooms: 3 Dormitory (6 & 8 pax) & 3 Family Room (4 pax)
Published Rate: RM20.00 - RM85.00
Phone: +60 88 238877 / Mobile: +6012 8282870 / +6012 8282817
Fax: Nil
Email: lexande@streamyx.com
Website: http://www.travellerslight.com

Borneo Global Backpackers
Ground Floor & 1st Floor, Lot No 29
Karamunsing Godown, Jalan Karamunsing
88000 Kota Kinabalu Sabah
No. of Rooms: 24
Published Rate: RM20.00 - 58.00
Phone: 60 88 270976 (Reception)
Fax: 60 88 270975
Email: borneogb@streamyx.com
Website: http://www.bgbackpackers.com
Sepilok B&B
Jalan Sepilok, Off Mile 14
Jalan Labuk, P.O. Box 2082
90723 Sandakan Sabah
Tel : 089-534050
E-mail: nbp@tm.net.my
Rate : Rm20- 60

Book your ticket with Air Asia

2007-04-16T07:11:00.000-07:00

Australian Place

2007-04-16T06:36:00.000-07:00

I have wrote before about one coffee shop called
"Kopitiam" where its exactly located at the Australian
Place in Kota Kinabalu. The Kopitiam was famous among
local people where young people and even an old folk
come to this coffee shop to hang around. The youngsters
come to this place with their laptop to use Wifi.

The Australian Place also got few lodges and backpackers
that pulled many budget travelers from all around the
world. Borneo Backpacker is exactly above the Kopitiam
cafe. And Travel Light Backpacker just behind it.

When coming to Kota Kinabalu and it happen to be you
staying at any of the backpackers lodges around there,
don't forget to visit the "kopitiam Cafe" and try their
Charcoal Bread. You will know the history about the
Australian place in that coffee shop. All displayed on
the wall...

Join the Kota Kinabalu City Heritage walk to learn more
about the history.KK Heritage Walk is a walking tour
that conducted by Grace Leong to find out more you
can visit http://kkheritagewalk.com/

Klias And Garama Trip

2007-04-13T18:20:00.000-07:00

Interested in doing some easy boat trip search for the Proboscis Monkey? Klias River is one of the place visitor can go boat cruising in search for this special primate. The monkey is one of few endemic mammals in Borneo, where only few places in Sabah can be easy access by tourist to see this monkey. Klias River is one of the easiest places to visit. It is only take about two hours drive to get there. The place was located south of Kota Kinabalu in Beaufort District. Tourist can either do the Klias River by just a day trip or staying overnight. Which is also possible to do where there are a few lodges has been setup for visitor to experience Klias. The Proboscis Lodge offers place to stay where from budget room to private room where bathroom are attach include air-condition. For day trip, their itineraries usually start at 1300hours pick up from their hotel in Kota Kinabalu then drive to Klias Proboscis Lodge Jetty. Light refreshment will be serve before depart for the river cruise at 1600hours. The durations of the boat trip normally about 3 hours and a half, where they will search for the Proboscis Monkey and other wildlife until sun down. Binocular are essential for this trip and a telephoto lens for anyone planning to take better picture of wildlife. When darkness comes, tourist will have a chance to witness the amazing flickering of thousands of tiny light on the mangrove trees created by the Fireflies. Back to the Jetty by 1930hours and dinner is serve at the Proboscis Lodge. After dinner then drive back to Kota Kinabalu. For the visitors who planning to stay overnight at the Proboscis Lodge, their itineraries is different from the day trip.
Usually for overnight trip is it departing around 1300hours from Kota Kinabalu and drive to Klias. For this trip instead of one boat trip, they will do two-boat trip where the first one is in the afternoon soon after arriving at the Proboscis Lodge and the second one they do it in the morning the next day. The fire flies trip usually done on the first day.
The food at the Proboscis Lodge mostly mix between Malay food and little bit of Chinese. They usually serve in buffet at many different choices of food. The restaurant was just where the jetty was. They also got a bar that serve soft drink and cold beer in a bottle. Klias is good for anyone who wants to get away from the city for a day or two. Trips are very relaxed enjoyable. Anyway insect repellent is very essential when going on this trip. For more info you can send your e-mail to Josie

@mosphere Fine Dining

2007-03-31T05:36:00.000-07:00

The Atmosphere Restaurant that located at the 18th floor of the Tun Mustapha Tower in Kota Kinabalu is one of the fine dining places in Sabah. The Restaurant offers not just a delicious food but also the beautiful view of the scenery surrounding that area in 360 degree. Where the floor of the restaurant will turn complete to 360 in 1 hour. Giving Their guest to an experience dining while enjoying the view of Likas area.

Welcome Travellers

2007-03-27T04:44:00.000-07:00

Hi, I've just finish setting up this my new blog about Sabah.
So please visit this page often to get up date news about Sabah.
You can post comment or ask any question about traveling in
Sabah. Thank you