Homestays in Sabah

Long Pasia Homestay, Sipitang

An interesting and unique way to really get to know the place you are visiting is by participating in a homestay programme. Staying for a night or more with the local families will give you the experiences of the culture and lifestyle of the people that lives in the homestay area. Every district in Sabah have provided homestays for locals, and foreign as well as domestic tourists. By just visiting the places of interest is not enough to get the knowledge and experiences, therefore, through the homestay programme, it helps you to fulfill your desire to expand knowledge in terms of culture and traditions by providing packages where you are able to stay, eat, participate in activities where the local people do. 

to Melangkap Homestay, Kota Belud

Each district in Sabah has its own charm and attractions. Some of the homestays will let you explore the wildlife, some of the homestays have beautiful gushing waterfalls, and some of them offers you an opportunity to study historical sites. All the availability and opportunities given by homestay are different upon their different culture and lifestyle. Most importantly, every person you meet will have a story to share because every homestay in different district offers different activities, story, and experiences, all you have to do is just choose. The homestay programme are always open for you to come. 

In Sabah, there are many homestays available in every district. For example:

Papar :               Koposizon Homestay Papar

Kota Belud:       Tanginambur Homestay, Melangkap Homestay, Tanak Nabalu Homestay

Kudat:               Misompuru Homestay

Tambunan:        Tambunan Village Homestay

Penampang:       Penampang Village Homestay

Kundasang:       Walai Tokou Homestay, Mesilou Atamis Homestay

Kiulu:                Mitabang Homestay

Kinabatangan:   Miso Walai Homestay, Bilit Homestay, Balai Kito Mayu Homestay

Long Pasia:       Long Pasia Homestay

Misompuru Homestay, Kudat

Don't miss the fun in joining and participating the cultural dance, music, traditional foods, costumes wear of the locals, the every day activities, and many more fun activities from the homestays that could give you an unforgettable moments and experiences. Have a visit to our blog for more info about each homestay available in Sabah on my next story. 

Pom Pom Island

The journey from Tawau to Semporna by road takes approximately one hour and from Semporna to Pom Pom Island is around 45 minutes by boat. Pom Pom Island is a scattering islands surround the dramatic hilly islands of Bogaya and Boheydulang, both are part of the rim of an ancient volcanic crater inundated by the sea. These two islands of northeast of Semporna have been gazetted as the Tun Sakaran Marine Park, together with 6 smaller surrounding island. A little further to the east and southeast od Bodgaya, outside the Park boundaries, other tiny, flat sandy islands dot the limpid Sulawesi Sea, including Pom Pom, Pandanan, Timba Timba and Mataking. 

Pom Pom Island is a home to two dive resorts, one, a large well-appointed resort with spa, and the second is more simple dive lodge. At Pom Pom Island, divers are able to explore as many as 40 dive sites on the fringing and patch reefs within the region, including Mantabuan and Bodgaya with the Park. Most of the diving is macro which includes turtles and small rays, that is sometimes seen, frogfish, butterfly fish, and small fish such as cardinal fish. There are also black coral and barracuda that could be seen at Mantabuan's reefs. The equipments for diving are all prepared by the resort and all you have to do is bring your sunglasses and sunscreen, and pull on your wet suit. The Pom Pom Island Resort's professional instructors and staff will assist you both above the water and below and they will guide and show you the wonderful underwater life along with the available amazing marine macro life. 

Talang-Satang National Park

Talang-Satang National Park is Sarawak's first marine protected area. It covers an area of 19,414 hectares and was gazetted in 1999 to with the purpose to enhance marine turtle conservation in Sarawak. The Park encompasses the coastline and waters surrounding four islands which are Pulau Talang-Talang Besar and Pulau Talang-Talang Kecil (located off Sematan), and Pulau Satang Besar and Pulau Satang Kecil (located off Santubong). These small islands are surrounding by patches of shallow coral reef that provides shelter and resting grounds for sea turtle that come ashore to lay their eggs. Three of the island's park which are Talang-Talang Besar, Talang-Talang Kecil, and Satang Besar are also known as "Turtle Island". 

Turtle Conservation

Marine turtles face a number of threats that could affect their species. The threats that the turtles faces are entanglement in fishing nets, habitat destruction, water pollution, collection of turtle eggs, boat strikes, predation of eggs and hatchlings by birds, monitor lizards, civet cats, other wild and domestic animals, poaching for meat or shells, and also ingestion of marine debris such as plastic bags. Therefore, the state government carries out turtle conservation programmes in the park.

Releasing baby turtle to the sea

The Sarawak Forestry manages the national park and set up a number of hatcheries for the turtles. During the peak turtle nesting season which is from May to September, the park wardens monitor the beached for turtle landings. They remove the turtle eggs from the nests and place them in the hatcheries to avoid threats that could threatening the extinction of turtles. After 40 to 60 days of the turtle eggs incubation, the young hatchlings are released and scamper across the beach to the sea.

VISITING PULAU SATANG BESAR

Pulau Satang Besar

Pulau Satang Besar is the largest among the park's island. It is open to visitors and accessible by boat from Santubong or Damai Beach. The entrance fees and tickets to the park can be purchased on the island. There is a small information centre near the beach and visitors also able to view the turtle hatchery. The beach in Satang is known as one of the best beach in Sarawak and it is possible to snorkel on the nearby reef if there is good visibility. There are privately own chalets in Satang Island for visitors to stay overnight. 

VISITING PULAU TALANG BESAR

Sea Turtle Adoption Programme

Turtles take priority over tourists at Pulau Talang Besar, therefore access to the island is restricted to researches and national park staff. However, you can visit the island as a volunteer on Sarawak Forestry's Sea Turtle Adoption Programme. This volunteering allows volunteers to spend 4 days learning more about turtles and able to take part in a range of activities such as beach patrols to locate turtle landings, monitoring of nesting activities, tagging and measuring turtles, transferring eggs to the hatchery, releasing hatchlings, and also data recording. The volunteer programme is open during the peak turtle nesting season which is from May to September.

The New Ringgit Malaysia 2012

Bank Negara Malaysia is the central bank of Malaysia. In the year of 1967 to 1972, the Bank Negara Malaysia issued the first Ringgit Malaysia for RM1, RM5, RM10, RM50, and RM100. In the year of 1968, the Bank Negara Malaysia issued another banknotes for RM1,000. The overall design of the banknotes are similar where the banknotes have the portrait of the first DYMM Yang-di-Pertuan Agong which is the first ruler of Malaysia and all the banknotes have the words of "Bank Negara Malaysia" in it and was signed by the Governor of Bank Negara Malaysia, Tun Ismail bin Mohamed Ali. 

In the 1972, the currency maintained the same design but the changes made into the currency are the malay spelling system on the currency. For example, for the notes of RM10 spelling which is "SA-PULOH" changed to "SE-PULUH". In the year of 1982, the printed banknotes was signed by the new Governor of Bank Negara Malaysia which is Tan Sri Aziz bin Hj Taha. During that time, Bank Negara Malaysia also issued another two types of new banknotes that valued at RM2 followed by RM1, RM5, RM10, RM50, and RM100. Due to financial crisis in the year of 1998, the banknotes valued of RM500 and RM1,000 were withdrawn from circulation. 

1967 - 1972

1972 - 1976

1981-1984

In this year of 2012, as promised by the Government and the central bank, the new banknotes issued on July 2012 which consists of RM1, RM5, RM10, RM20, RM50, and RM100. The new 2012 banknotes inspired by the distinctive features of Malaysia which includes the elements of Malaysia's natural treasures, culture, and heritage. The new banknotes has the theme of "Distinctive Malaysia" where the features of the new currency are created according to traditional look in the art and craft, natural wonder, flora and fauna, and the economy. The 2012 Malaysia currency retain the portrait of the first Seri Paduka Baginda Yang-di-Pertuan Agong, the national flower which is the Rosa-Sinesis Hibiscus that is also known as "Bunga Raya", the words "Bank Negara Malaysia" who are the issuing authority of the banknotes, and also the patterns of traditional woven fabric which is known as the "songket". All these items can be seen in the background and edges of the new 2012 banknotes. Each banknotes has their own patterns according to the theme of "Distinctive Malaysia". 

For example: RM100 - Mount Kinabalu and pinnacles rock formation of Gunung Api Valley

                     RM50 - Oil Palm and Biotechnology

                     RM20 - The Hawksbill and Leatherback Turtle

                     RM10 - Rafflesia

                     RM5 - Rhinoceros Hornbill

                     RM1 - Wau Bulan (Moon Kite)

7th Sabah International Folklore Festival 2012

Some of the Scarecrow

The Sabah Cultural Board is organizing the International Folklore every year and this year, 2012, the Sabah Cultural Board is organizing the 7th Sabah International Folklore at the Sabah Cultural Centre, Penampang for about 2 weeks (8-17 July 2012). Before the Folklore festival begin, there is a scarecrow making contest held at the Sabah Cultural Centre Penampang organized by the Sabah Cultural Board. The contest are open to public and students. All the finished scarecrow created by contestants will be keep by the Sabah Cultural Board and used to display around the Cultural Centre for the tourist's view.

The Sabah International Folklore Festival intends to promote culture tourism among 18 participating countries as well as to celebrate cultural diversity. This festival also acts as a platform to promote unity through music and dance where all countries with different cultural backgrounds come together to share their own pride and joy. This festival is such an enjoyable entertainment especially to those who are interested in cultural of the world. I have never know about the uniqueness and attracting music and dances of the culture of the people from different world until have put myself in front of the people that participating in the folklore. Every country entertain their own cultural dance and music. Some of the country's cultural dance makes me feel like "WOW!" because their dances are "happening" and fun. I never know that some of the country have such a great music and dance and they have strength in performing their dances and make all the audience satisfy and enjoy. Unfortunately, i am late to be there at the Sabah Cultural Centre, Penampang and i have to sit at the back and not able to capture the nice picture of the dances. However, i still happy and satisfy because i have the chances to witness the cultural diversity of the people around the world. 

At the entrance of the Sabah Cultural Centre,  there are sells of Sabahan crafts and souvenir for the tourists that participate in the festival and also for the visitors. When i reach there, one of the tourist or the international dancer is still looking at the souvenir and let me took her picture. I have experienced the colorful and unique traditional customs of the people around the world.

 

All the dances and music and culture of the participants from 18 countries are really entertaining and the most cultural dance that i really like and enjoy is the cultural dance of the Timor Leste. They have their strength in performing their dance and show the history of their dance which is "freedom". This picture is taken at the place where is sit, therefore i am not able to take the nice picture.  There are many more dances performed by each country such as Czech Republic, Finland, Indonesia, Poland, and many other international country but as i mentioned just now, the pictures are not clear and far. Next year, the Sabah Cultural Board will organize the 8th Sabah International Folklore festival. If i have the chance, i will go to the festival again and enjoy the festival and witnessing the diversity of cultural dances and music and surely i will come earlier and capture the nice and clear picture.

Klias River Cruise

On the 11th of July 2012, i went to Klias River Cruise at Klias, Beaufort which is approximately 112 kilometers from Kota Kinabalu. The journey to Klias is about 2 hours. Depart from Kota Kinabalu around 2.00 pm and reach Klias for around 4.00 pm. Witnessing the monkey's behavior and attitude and enjoying the glittering fireflies can be done through Klias River Cruise. There are 3 part of river cruise at Klias which are morning river cruise, afternoon river cruise, and evening river cruise. At Klias there are three types of monkeys that could be found such as Proboscis Monkey, Macaque Monkey, and Silvered Leaf Monkey. The Proboscis Monkey have a long nose and long thick tail and the Macaques that have a long tail. However, the monkeys and other types of animals that could be found at Klias come out according to the weather. During my visit, it is rainy and it makes the total of monkeys that could be seen is few. But, during the hot weather the monkeys will come out and sit above the tree.

 In the night there is another cruise to witness the amazing small glittering insect which is fireflies. The fireflies are multiplies in certain three that makes it looks like a Christmas light in the Christmas tree in the night. I am amazed to watch thousands of such little things that gather in a tree especially mangrove tree and glittering in the night. Too bad that the fireflies cannot be capture in the night because the surrounding is too dark and therefore, to feel and experience the amazing fireflies, you have to go there and witness it by yourself and keep it in the memories. One man in the same cruise catch one firefly that fly into the cruise and show it to me. I hold the firefly and it is so small and twinkle. 

In the morning, there is morning river cruise and there will be many creatures that could be found such as the monkeys, many species of birds, crocodiles, lizards, otter, and tree snakes. However, my river cruise is in the evening and not able to watch the other animals. After enjoying witnessing the fireflies, it is to to go home. Leave Klias around 8.00 pm and reach Kota Kinabalu around 10.00 pm.

PULAU TIGA

Pulau Tiga is an island situated within the Pulau Tiga Park that was gazetted in 1978 and located about 35 nautical miles southwest of Kota Kinabalu. Three islands make up Pulau Tiga Park, they are Pulau Tiga, Pulau Kalampunian Damit or better known as 'Snake Island' and Pulau Kalampunian Besar. Pulau Tiga is believed to have been formed by the eruption of several mud volcanoes, which with the combination of of subterranean gas pressure and expelled muddy sendiment could have built up the island to its present height of approximately 100m above sea level. 

Several speciesof mammals, numerous birds - including the rare megapode, a variety of reptiles and amphibians and hundreds of insects can be found on Pulau Tiga, making it a truly wild tropical island. It was no surprise when Pulau Tiga was chosen as the location for the first US CBS Tv Series 'Survivor'. 

With only one resort on Pulau Tiga, you can guarantee a relaxed and tranquil dive holiday. Pulau Tiga Resort offers PADI dive courses and many dive sites for the novice and experienced divers including some unexplored dive locations. A rich variety of marine life can be seen including nudibranchs, bamboo sharks, cuttlefish, marbled stingray and of course, a visit to nearby Snake Island guarantees sightings of banded sea snakes. The surrounding reefs are shallow with healthy coral and water visibilityranging from 1m to 20m.