"Sabah" a Kota Kinabalu Travel Page by rrajah

Sabah - Malaysian Borneo.

Blessed with a diverse culture and tradition Sabah is home to over 34 different ethnic tribes. Stay in traditional longhouses, meet decendants of fearsome headhunters and trek in the world oldest rainforest as you learn more about the tribes that dwell within.

The Kadazandusun being the largest group. In your journey meet the Kadazandusun, live as they have for centuries and learn a way of life that time kept. Venture into the domain of Monsopiad - fearsome warrior of days goneby, see reminder of his trophies - enemy skulls that still ahngs in the rafters of his decendent house.

Scale Mt. Kinabalu (4,095m) - Kinabalu Park - A World Heritage Site and home to the highest mountain in South East Asia, revered as the resting of the dead by the Kadazandusun people, Kinabalu today attracts climbers from all over the world.

Venturing north from sabah's capital - Kota Kinabalu, you will reached the District of Kota Belud, home to the second largest tribe in Sabah - the colourful Bajau community. Dub as the 'Cowboy of the East' - the Bajau people was once known as the Sea Bajaus' or Sea Gypsies. Now living as farmers, the Bajau horsemanship is well known. On sundays, visit the 'Tamu' market - a trading place and a place of gossips among the local in the surrounding area.

*** Learn more as we continue our journey around Sabah.

Welcome back to Sabah. We shall continue our journey across Sabah. Situated on the Northern tip of the Island of Borneo Sabah is blessed with a wide variety of natural attractions which make it unique to other destinations in Malaysia or South East Asia.

We will divide the State of Sabah into three different areas, the West Coast, East Coast and the Mountain range.

Starting from the West Coast where Kota Kinabalu the capital city lies. The gateway into Sabah is a modern city, which is only about 10 - 15 minutes from the Kota Kinabalu International Airport.

Kota Kinabalu as a city, is fairly new, built from the ruins of the Second World War, Kota Kinabalu today is a juxtaposition of multi-cultural and multi-racial society. Most residence called the city KK and here is where we will start our journey.

Accommodation depends largely on your budget, from International five star resorts and hotels to B&B lodges, KK offers everything. For luxury hotels/resorts try the Hyatt Kinabalu or Shangri-la’s 2 resorts. The former situated in the heart of the city is more of a business type hotel but still very pleasant and the staffs are very friendly, while the Shangri-la is 5 minutes and 45 minutes from the city respectively, both are seaside resorts. Also within the city limits (5 minutes away) you’ll find the charming twin resorts of the Sutera Habour, stay either at the Pacific or Magellan Wing. Though it is built on reclaimed land, those wanting the sun, sea and sand can get them via a ferry shuttle to the nearby (10 minutes) five islands of the Tunku Abdul Rahman State Park. Sea sports fanatics are not to miss the wide variety of sea sports offered here. Diving enthusiast can contact Borneo Divers, the oldest established dive company in Sabah.

For mid-range hotels, you’ll find the Promenade, Tang Dynasty, City Shangri-la (not related to the above) or Beverly Hotels a good choice. Further south from KK past the International Airport, you will find two charming family run beach inns, Seaside Travelers Inn and Langkah Syabas Resort, the later serving very good western food. Then we have 2 stars hotel in the city, down to several B&B Lodges, try Lucy B&B, a small homely B&B right in the city, along the Australian Place not far from Sabah Tourism Office.

Food and Beverages outlets and shops are aplenty in Kota Kinabalu, from Chinese to Continental to local cuisine; every other shop in Kota Kinabalu tends to be a restaurant or eatery. Try a typical Chinese Coffee shop and ask for noodle soup or chicken rice with local coffee.

So, lets travel further now. Starting from the Northern most point in Sabah, here lies the district of Kudat. The tip of Borneo is situated in Kudat, standing on the tip is an experience as you watch the sunset and here in Kudat, the lifestyle of the indigenous community have stood the test of time. Follow us as we stay in a traditional longhouse; visit a Gong making village and taste pure honey direct from the hive.

The Rungus tribes call Kudat their home. Living as they have for centuries, their dwelling is the fame Long Houses. Built on stilts between 5 - 10 meters and comprising of a long common verandah or living rooms, each longhouse normally has around 20 – 200 rooms. Though those truly long longhouses are gone but smaller versions of them still exist. As you get comfortable in the long houses, you will be invited to participate in the daily life of the Rungus. Farming or fishing for the evening dinner.

Over dinner, the Rungus continue with their hospitality performing their traditional dance and inviting you to participate. Watch out for the Rice or Coconut wine, it is pure spirit; sleep in one of the rooms inside the longhouse.

Departing Kudat Rungus Longhouse, we’ll stop at Kota Belud District. Here lies the heartland of the Bajau community. Famously referred to as the Cowboy of the East, the Bajau’s uses their horses or ponies for their daily farming activities. In Kota Belud on Sundays, we have the largest open-air market in Sabah – known as “Tamu”.

The market is where the local indigenous from the surrounding areas meets and gather to sell their goods and to exchange news and gossips. “Tamu” is a Malay word-meaning meeting. The highlight of the visit to the tamu will be the Buffalo auctions. Also not to be miss, the Parang (Sword) making and visiting the Bajau Horsemen in their home and riding their horses.

**(Note: On certain days when visiting Kudat or Kota Belud you might be able to see first hand the wedding ceremonies of these communities).

For birders, Kota Belud is home to several species of migratory birds. Check www.borneobird.com

Stay connected for the next part.