South East Sabah

It has been a long long time since my last post. I have neglected this dream spot, I know. But it's really tiring when you are working as a cheap labour, hahaha. Anyway, have just been back from a short South East Sabah Roadtrip, with my parents.

The 1st time they visited me was somewhere in end of October 2010, when they came like 4 days just to help me settle my lodging and car etc. They really came here as "labourers", Free-of-Charge ones...And they told me they really come here as servants, to clean up the newly rented house etc. Felt sorry for that but I can't help much.

The 2nd time they visited was end of February 2011, when I was tagging in a new department (means working from 6.30am to at least 10pm or more EVERYDAY for 2 weeks). And so the 3rd time (which is the current visit), I took leave 26th April-2nd May 2011. And so a roadtrip we are on, hehehe.

We took off from Sandakan down to Semporna and Tawau. My parents, specifically my father, seemed to be very interested in stopping in EVERY single small town. So we actually been to, not all, but most of the small "famous" towns, which is actually like nothing to see. Ok, I know "nothing to see" is not nice to be used, but seriously, there is nothing much to see as a Malaysian tourist. Along the way are oil palm plantations, forest, some small malay villages. You will drive pass some rivers and go through the valleys.

We stopped in Beluran, Kinabatangan, Lahad Datu, Kunak and not forgetting some small villages which I can't even bother to remember. But one thing very impressive, for me, my parents drove all the way through, and my dad is at 6 decades of life, mind you. They are very excited to visit the fish market in Sabah, because the seafood sold here are so fresh if compared to the West Malaysia, although in the end, they bought nothing :P

The Floating Resort

We went down to Semporna and stayed in Dragon Inn Floating Hotel...Was good, price reasonable and inclusive of breakfast, although it is all the same as you can see, Kaya-Butter-bread and Banana Fritters with coffee/tea. Hmm, but seriously, not that bad :) Just for your information, no wi-fi, but they do have a Dragon-net, RM6 for 30 mins and RM10 for an hour :D

Breakfast for 3 :P

One thing I am not supportive of this resort is the management of sewage. The bathing water (means your soapy water with shampoo all drained directly into the sea. Fortunately the "gold" (feces) didn't. I think this is an aspect where the government and also the resort administrators should "re-look" into, as it is very not environmental friendly. Don't you agree?

Family Room

The Bathroom

Fresh alive fish caught by children, selling to the resort's restaurant

Fish in clear bluish water

Went to Pulau Bum-Bum, RM1 per trip per person in a lousy motor-boat ride (the locals' ferry, daily transport) just at the back of the Semporna Central Market. And took a "taxi" (more like a private car, without car plate!!! So dangerous!) in Pulau Bum-Bum for about 2-hour journey costing RM105. Here we learned that the Bajau Laut are actually citizens of no country. They come and leave as they wished. They leave when they have no more fish to catch, they live with the sea. They eat only fresh-caught fish boil in water and eat only Ubi Kayu (Cassava). Communications can be an issue with the Bajau Laut. Looks like they are the real "Pirates of the Carribeans" :P

Overlooking the ocean from Pulau Bum-Bum



Crystal Clear Water

In Pulau Bum-Bum, where the Bajau Laut put up their shelter

Drying of the seaweeds, or is it sea grass???

On 30th April, took up a tour package from Uncle Chang to Pulau Mabul and Kapalai, breakfast and lunch inclusive, dinner too if you stay in Pulau Mabul Resort (Uncle Chang, hope you see this and would give us a discount next visit, doing FREE advert here!!!) *Hmmm, wonder how many people actually read my blog wahahaha*

Snorkeling and diving near these islands are splendid. I know, this statement isn't so convincing because I didn't snorkel nor dive. But hey! My dad snorkeled. And we have tourist who visited again and again just for diving. Plus, even the blinds (exaggerating!!!) know that the water here is crystal clear!!! Ok, I know my pictures sucks cause it's from a handphone camera, but that is all I have! If someone sponsors me an SLR Camera, I can prove better then wahahaha

Snorkeling Tourists


Pulau Mabul Resort

Then we headed down to Tawau on Labour's Day. And yes, we ate in the famous Mongolian Chicken Rice shop, but it isn't much of my likings :) But still we cleared up the plates. Hmm, I always thought Sandakan is the 2nd largest town in Sabah and followed by Tawau...But I think the information online is a little bit wrong somewhere... After visiting Tawau, I think Tawau should be the 2nd largest. Ok, fine, I admit, I don't really know what criteria they actually based on to judge :P

Tawau Sea View

Mongolian Chicken Rice down in Tawau


RM2 --- Shitake Mushroom & some vegetables

RM10 Chicken

RM4 --- LapCheong & Hot-dog

Tawau Wantan Mee??

Went to Tawau Hill Park, aim is to visit the WORLD Tallest Tropical Tree which is of 88-89 meters. Paid RM3 per person for entrance fee but I was in a totally wrong attire!!! White pants and ... Slipped-in-wedge shoes?! Yeah, all wrong, don't need to remind me. The muddy path...Hmm, turned back. So sorry, that my parents also turned back --- because of me...But hey, next trip I will be better prepared! But just a reminder, if you were interested in this park, it would take up a day, you can picnic/BBQ, see the waterfalls, bath in it, hike some hills in this reserved forest and also see the WORLD'S TALLEST TROPICAL TREE!!! How cool is that! Gosh, I MUST go there again in the RIGHT ATTIRE :P

Yes, look at the slipped-in-wedge shoes :(

Weather for this roadtrip isn't that sunny. Drizzling on and off. But I am glad it drizzles, at least it wasn't that super sizzling hot and that means I didn't sunburn myself and I don't get as dark as I have expected, yippie!!! Too bad for those who enjoy sunbathing, I know hehehe.

And just to let the whole world know, I drove back all the way from Tawau - Kunak - Lahad Datu - Kinabatangan back to Sandakan, with the full-of-potholes road, wahaha. My first long journey driving. I know it's not something too amazing for some of you out there. But hey, I still think it's cool for me ... hmm, ok, an achievement for me :P

To have roadtrip in Sabah is not easy, in the sense, the road is not perfect like those you have in the West Malaysia, beautifully tarred highways, not much of potholes and where it is wide and "speed-able". Here in Sabah, most of the long-journey road sucks...potholes, narrow 2-lanes (fortunately not single lane), quite winding and slopey at times. Most of the parts are without street lights and even petrol kiosk is an issue (better fill up sufficient fuel before driving). Well, not as bad actually, at least you still have the small towns on the way ... but hey, you never know, so be prepared if you can.

As an over all, I enjoyed the trip and would definitely revisit these places when there is a chance *wink*