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 200-hectare 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.

Where to stay

When in Mabul, opt to stay in any one of these excellent resorts:

1. Borneo Divers & Sea Sports (Sabah) Sdn Bhd
2. Explore Asia Tours Sdn Bhd (Sipadan-Mabul Resort)
3. Seaventures Tours & Travel Sdn Bhd
4. Sipadan Water Village Resort Sdn Bhd

* Resort rates may vary

How to get there

From Kota Kinabalu, take a 55-minute flight to Tawau and enjoy an hour’s drive to Semporna. From here, Mabul is another 45 minutes by speedboat. Be sure to pre-arrange transportation with your respective resort/dive operator.

Kinabalu Park

The gateway to the top of Borneo ! Kinabalu Park is located at 1, 558 metres above sea level and is approximately 2 hours bus ride from the State Capital. The park covers an area of about 754 sq. km with altitudes ranging from 600 metres up to the summit of Mount Kinabalu at 4,095.2 metres.Popular for its cool climate among the local people, Kinabalu promises to enchant naturalists with its rich flora and fauna. It carries lowland, mountain and alpine vegetation on a scale that is not seen elsewhere between the Himalayas and the New Guinea. It boasts to having the largest flower in the world - Rafflesia and more than 1500 species of orchids in its vicinity.

Mount Kinabalu is the majestic center piece of Kinabalu Park and is also the highest mountain in Southeast Asia. The majestic mountain has a fascinating geological history. It began approximately a million years ago when the granite core lying beneath the earth’s crust was solidifying. This granite massif was later thrust upwards through the crust to the surface. Subsequent erosion removed thousands of feet of overlying sand and mud stone, thus exposing this massif. During the Ice-Age, glaciers running through the summit plateau smoothed it out, but jagged peaks that stood out above the ice surface remained unaffected by these cosmetic touches and retained their extremely ragged surfaces. Today, the allure of this awe inspiring mountain and its great heights act like a powerful magnet and challenge, which attracts eager climbers from all corners of the world. About 30,000 people scale the mountain each year, including more than 10,000 foreigners. Despite its intimidating size, Mt. Kinabalu is the one of the easiest mountains in the world to climb. No special skills or equipment are needed and each year, thousand of visitors climb to the summit of Mt. Kinabalu’s Low Peak. Keep in mind, however, that the ascent is a physically tough and challenging climb, requiring a minimum of two days to reach the summit.

Atlantis Beach Vacation

Located on Paradise Island in the Bahamas, the
Atlantis Paradise Island offers so many activities
that it's probably one of the only resorts in the
world where you'll need a map to even get around!

The accommodations here range from moderately
priced to very expensive. Families on vacation
here should consider staying in the Coral Towers,
which is the most centrally located tower at
Atlantis. The Coral Towers is also closest to the
Predator Lagoon and the Lagoon Pool as well.

Atlantis Paradise Island Resort is also packed with
activities for guests of all ages. The eleven
pool areas, miles of sandy beach, and Neptune's
Water Toys Hut give guests access to many water
based activities. Neptune's provides non motorized
water sports which include water bikes, pedal
boats, kayaks, and even snorkeling equipment rentals.

Parents will adore

Atlantis has two different programs for children,
the Aqua Tots program and the Discovery Channel Camp.
The Aqua Tots program was designed for children 3
years old and up, while the discovery camp is for
kids 4 - 12 years old and ranges from a 1 hour
program to one that includes lunch and even dinner.

Kids love

All kids love the six different water slides and
the marine exhibits. This can keep kids busy for
hours and hours, and are pretty fun for the parents
as well. In order to enjoy the slides, kids must be
at least 48 inches tall.

A beach vacation at Atlantis is something your
entire family will love. There is something here
to keep everyone occupied, from the beaches to fun
on the slides. If your family enjoys the best of fun
and the beach, Atlantis is something your whole
family will enjoy - and love coming back to.

Choosing Travel Accomodation

There are many things to consider when choosing your travel accommodations. The decision could make your trip fun or a disappointment. Choosing the right hotel is a must. Most travelers spend more time in airline ticket reservations and bargains but less time in choosing the right accommodations. Thus they may end up on the wrong side of the bed during their stay.

To get the most out of your hotel accommodations, remember to book as early as possible and make your dates more flexible. Hotels that specialize for business people will consider weekends as off season. Family vacationers could tap into these special packages during weekends. Primarily, you should choose your hotel based on name, amenities, features, price, packages and location.

Here are some considerations in choosing your best travel accommodations:

1. Accommodations should be family-friendly. Always ask if your hotel offers children activity areas with educational and fun activities supervised by duly-trained care-givers.

2. Your hotel should provide a swimming pool for children, daycare service, crib rental and child-proof electrical outlets.

3. Stay in a hotel that has electronic room-key cards and has a security viewer installed on their doors.

4. Make it a priority to choose a room on the upper floor.

5. If you're the one who likes to spend more time in your hotel room and the balcony, you should ask for the available amenities and the conditions of the surrounding environment.

6. Depending on whether you're on a private or business trip, ask your hotel about the availability of laundry service, hair dryers, coffee makers, newspapers, free meals, fax machine, bar, cable television, parking, shuttle service, internet connection, etc.

7. The hotel property layout and its location may speak more of its surrounding environment. Noisy locations such as construction on adjacent property, car traffic and noisy waterfalls are not specified on hotel flyers. So be sure to ask about it.

8. Beautifully landscaped surroundings with trees, flowers and inner courts also enhance your travel pleasure. Moreover, gift shops and restaurants all add up to a wonderful travel experience.

9. The location of your hotel with respect to main attraction is equally important. It could save you money on taxi and bus fare.

10. Make sure that the room service is provided 24 hours a day.

11. Check out the room itself. Is it brightly colored or classical? It sets the mood of your travel.

In order to get the most out of your travel, whether for business or family vacations, be sure to know everything about the hotel you are planning to check in to. Ask friends and relatives who have been there. Don't just depend on the hotel's webpage which is undoubtedly biased. Having to stay in a hotel which you don't like could ruin your trip.

Travel Preparation

The world has changed a lot in the past century. Thanks to the invention of airplanes and high-speed trains, today's world is wide open to travel. In a day's time, we can travel to the other side of the world without using our entire life's savings. We also have a number of options open to us to help us plan our travels, and choosing wisely can help save time and money.

1. Travel Agents.

Many people have the misconception that using a travel agent entails paying a fee. Nonsense. In actuality, most travel agents receive commissions from the vendors (airlines, hotels, tour agencies); they are the ones paying the fee, not you. A travel agent has access to deals that often are not available anywhere else. He or she can help take the headache out of planning, allowing you to sit back and relax while the logistics are plotted out. Another bonus is that travel agents often include travel insurance in their packages, to ensure that you are getting what you paid for.

2. Internet.

With the widespread use of the world wide web, travel prices have gone down considerably. Using travel sites like Orbitz, Expedia, and Travelocity, buyers can find lower rates than ever before for airfares, hotels, and package deals. The downside? Truly finding the best travel deals often requires a lot of time and patience as you compare rates with other sites and with direct booking. Another downfall is that you can't always find availability at these lower rates, but it is nice to plan right at home.

3. Guidebooks.

Tried and true, travel guidebooks are a traveler's best friend. Seasoned travel writers research and compile guidebooks based on their own experiences, and who better to give advice than someone who's been there, done that? Depending on your preferred level of luxury, you are sure to find a guidebook to meet your needs. Best of all, travel guidebooks are often available at your local library-for free!

4. Booking Direct.

Sometimes travel companies will offer special deals to customers who book directly. This is especially true with tour and cruise companies who advertise travel deals to repeat customers. You can often find rates as low as half-price (or lower) if you book at the last minute. If you have the flexibility and the determination, this may be the way to go.

In any case, travel opens up our eyes to worlds our forefathers never could have dreamed of visiting. Whether you travel around the globe or just a city away, a little careful planning and an open mind can allow for an experience of a lifetime. Happy travels!

Borneo Attraction

Attraction in Borneo

If you are planning for a great holiday in your wildest dream, then you should include SABAH in your travel itinerary. Sabah is a Malaysia state located on the northern portion of the island of Borneo. It is the second largest state in Malaysia after Sarawak, which it borders on its south-west. It also shares a border with the province of East Kalimantan of Indonesia in the south. Its state capital is Kota Kinabalu, formerly known as Jesselton. Sabah is known as Sabah, negeri di bawah bayu, which means ‘Sabah, land below the wind’, because of its location being just south of the typhoon prone region around the Philippines.

The attractions in Sabah, among others, include the following places:

KINABALU PARK & PORING, KUDAT, SEPILOK ORANG UTAN REHABILITATION CENTRE, DANUM VALLEY, MABUL ISLAND AND KUALA PENYU.

Survivor Island Pulau Tiga

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 forthe hit reality series, ‘Survivor’. Hence, many refer to Pulau Tiga as Survivor Island. 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.

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

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.

Getting There

Kuala Penyu is 120km from Kota Kinabalu city. Take a bus from the Segama overhead bridge (next to the Post Office) and a one way-trip will cost you approximately RM18.00. A taxi ride from the taxi stand next to the Merdeka Field should cost around RM180.00 (up to groups of four) per way.

North Borneo Orang Utan

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.

For the more adventurous, there is trekking through mangrove forest. As this is under the Forestry Department, you will have to get a permit from them before trekking the 5km trail which runs through Sepilok Laut. You can also arrange for a boat return or accommodation in chalets in the forest.

Getting There

If you are not on any tour, public buses and taxis are available from Sandakan town. The Labuk Road Bus Company vehicles depart from the front of the Sandakan Town Council (Majlis Perbandaran Sandakan or MPS) from 6.00 am onwards. Fares are RM2.10 one way, but it will only stop at the junction to the Centre. You will have to walk about one and a half km in. You can hire a taxi for a return trip for about RM100.00 negotiable. The distance between town and the Centre is approximately 23km.