Destinations : Tun Mustapha Gallery Kota Kinabalu (Capital City) (Sabah Malaysian Borneo)

The Tun Mustapha Gallery opened its doors in 2006, paying tribute to one of Sabah's outstanding personalities. The late Tun Mustapha was a visionary leader who was instrumental to leading Sabah to independence. He was a freedom fighter during World War II, a nationalistic activist, an inspiring leader and Sabah's first Head of State, among many other achievements.

The beautiful gallery, located in the premises that once housed the Sabah State Assembly from 1980 to 1995, chronicles the life and times of Tun Mustapha. It offers visitors an glimpse into his triumphs and tribulations, with detailed descriptions accompanying the images displayed here.

The gallery also showcases many of Tun Mustapha personal artifacts, from medals of honour to specially-tailored suits. A torn golfing hat also sits in the gallery. According to the inscription, his beloved wife tore his hat and tossed it outside their home during a quarrel.

The hat was retrieved by their driver who kept the hat all these years and today finds its home at the gallery. Tun Mustapha was not only a golf enthusiast but a talented musician. His collection of violins can also be seen at the gallery. Another story tells of how the Japanese soldiers spared his life after hearing him play several Japanese tunes on his violin during World War II.

All these fascinating facts and various memorabilia are immortalized right here at the Tun Mustapha Gallery. The gallery also operates a souvenir shop that specializes in high quality crafts, inspired by the traditional ethnic motifs of Sabah's various tribes.

The Tun Mustapha Gallery is located at the Podium Level of Menara Tun Mustapha (Sabah Foundation Building) .

Opening hours:
8.30am to 5.00pm, Monday to Saturday
Closed on Sunday - except during School Holidays

Name of person in charge:
Mohd Iizham bin Datuk Hj Majin
Manager
Galeri Tun Mustapha

Tel: 088-326683
H/P No: 012-8305354
Fax: 088-438026
E-mail: iizham_77@yahoo.com.my

Admission fees:
Students: RM1.50
College & Higher Learning Institutions: RM3.00
Government Officials/ NGO: RM3.50
Mykad Holders (Adults): RM5.00
Foreign Visitors: RM15.00

Destinations : Tabin Wildlife Reserve Lahad Datu (Sabah Malaysian Borneo)

Imagine a close encounter with wildlife as if starring in a National Geographic documentary; and getting in touch with Mother Nature in her purest, most untouched form-Tabin Wildlife Reserve gives you this and more.

Nestled amidst 120, 500 hectares of dipterocarp rainforest, Tabin Wildlife Reserve is home to various endangered wildlife such as the Borneo Pygmy elephant, the Sumatran rhino, Tembadau and exotic birdlife. Wildlife photography aficionados and birdwatching enthusiasts will find their visit to Tabin a truly priceless experience!

Enhance your life with the experience of rainforest life as you listen to the calming sounds of nature in Tabin. Covered in euryspecies lowland rainforest, Tabin nurtures a colossal number of tropical plants; some of which are rich in medicinal and therapeutic values.

Pamper your skin by indulging in Tabin's mineral-rich mud volcanoes and salt springs. This gift of nature also serves as salt-lick for the wildlife and bird populations. Naturalists can drink in the best of nature's offering by trekking through the rainforest for a journey of 23 kilometers. Along the way, there are campsites for overnight stays.

After an exhilarating adventure, make your way to Sunbird Café to have your meal served, chill out, and share your venture experience with other like-minded visitors. Dubbed the "happening place" to eat, a must-try dish in this café would be the pakis dish-where tender tips of wild fern, a healthy vegetable abundantly growing in Tabin, are whipped to a meal of perfection. Following a sumptuous meal, sit back and relax as you sip coffee while enjoying the spectacular view of the forest and the river nearby.

Whether you're a wild adventure seeker, an environmentalist earth mother, a photography lover, an animal activist, or simply just someone looking out for something fun; Tabin extends her arms in welcome. Here, you'll get a taste of nature like nowhere else.

Getting There
By Air

Daily flights connect Kota Kinabalu to Lahad Datu. Flight duration is about 1 hour. From Lahad Datu, a 1:15 hour drive, part of it on gravel road, will take you to Tabin.

By Road

• Kota Kinabalu to Lahad Datu (7 hours)
• Sandakan to Lahad Datu (4 hours)
• Tawau to Lahad Datu (4 hours)
  

Contact
Tabin Wildlife Holidays Sdn Bhd
Lot 11-1, 1st Floor, Block A, Damai Point,
Jalan Damai, 88300 Kota Kinabalu

Tel: +6088 267266 (reservation and inquiries)
Fax: +6088 258266
E-mail: enquiry@tabinwildlife.com.my
Website: http://www.tabinwildlife.com.my

Destinations :Mai Aman Kinarut / Papar (Sabah Malaysian Borneo)

“Mai Aman” in Kadazandusun not only brings literal meaning but, also a fond remembrance to the memories of a man, to whom the villagers of Kampung Gana in Papar referred to as “Uncle Aman”.

Through the legacy of his late father, who was a well-known and much loved and respected school teacher in the village back in the 1950’s, Mai Aman Resort was conceptualized and established among the village community by its founder and owner Datuk Verus Aman Sham.

Situated on 30 acres of lush green spurs of hills, valleys and forested ridge, this humble and homely resort is located 35 km south of Sabah’s state capital, Kota Kinabalu City.

A leisurely 40 minute drive will take you to the resort’s property, 700m off the Penampang-Papar Highway, which forms part of the Trans-Borneo Highway, in Kampung Gana in the District of Papar.

Guests arriving at the resort have a choice from a variety of different types of accommodation to stay in. The resort, which can cater to more than 50 guests at any one time on double and/or twin-sharing basis, offers the following types of accommodation:

§ 5 rooms at the ‘Guvas Country Rest House’

§ 11 rooms and 1 mini-dorm at the ‘Kondiu Hostel’

§ 5 rooms in 2 contemporary Kampung Chalets

§ Camping grounds

In addition, Mai Aman has 2 large fresh water fish ponds for recreational fishing or fish feeding, a natural wetland and lush forest ideal for eco and biodiversity educational programs and activities.

Getting There

Mai Aman can be reached via a 40-minute drive from Kota Kinabalu. Guests can either take the cab or a bus from the city. But due to the rather remote location of the resort, it's more advisable for guests to rent a vehicle.

For More Information

Address :	Kampung Gana, KM40 Old K.K - Papar Road, Sabah, Malaysia Booking Office: Sanggup Management Corporation S/B Lot 2-B1, Level 2, Central Shopping Plaza, Jalan Banjaran 88200 Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia
Phone :	+6088 914486 / 019-8508679 (Mr Robert - Resort Manager) / 262729 (Booking Office) / 012-8340395 ( Mr David - Marketing
Fax :	+6088 915273 / 211670
Email :	maiamanresort@hotmail.com
Website :	www.maiaman.com

Destinations : Sandakan Memorial Park Sandakan (Sabah Malaysian Borneo)

This site commemorates a tragedy and atrocity which struck Sandakan between January and August 1945. The Memorial Park witnessed the death of approximately 2400 Australian and British prisoners of war held by the Japanese in the Sandakan POW camp, within the sight of Allied victory in the Pacific war.

Situated about 11 km outside of Sandakan, the former site of the notorious WWII prisoner of war camp now locates the suburb of Taman Rimba. The clearly sign-posted Sandakan Memorial Park is well maintained and beautifully landscaped, which makes it ideal for solitary soul-searching strolls.

The park also includes a small museum that serves as a memorial to the thousands of Australian and British who lost their lives in the hands of the Japanese during WWII.

The memory of WWII is emphasized by the rusting remains of an excavator and a generator and a boiler which still lie in their original positions near the steps leading up to a small Commemorative Pavilion.

A must-see for history enthusiasts.

Destinations : Tamu Kota Belud Kota Belud (Sabah Malaysian Borneo)

When in Kota Belud, be sure to drop by the famous Tamu Kota Belud. This weekly market is a kaleidoscope of sights, sounds and smells as traders gather here to sell their produce.

From leafy greens to delicious local cakes, vendors proudly display their goods, enticing passersby with bargains.

Once a year, Kota Belud hosts the Tamu Besar - an annual event where people flock to this quaint district to join in the festivities. Tamu Besar - which means Big Market - is literally the biggest tamu organised throughout Sabah.

It is a time when traders come out in full force with their best goods and the local residents highlight the colourful cultures of Kota Belud.

A sight to behold is the Cowboys of the East.

Bajau horsemen dress their horses and ponies in resplendent costumes, while displaying their unrivaled horse-riding skills.

A great time to witness traditional sports such as buffalo racing and the crowning of the Sarempak/Senisip Beauty Queens. Check the event listing to see when this year's Tamu Besar Kota Belud will take place.

Held on
Sundays

Opening hours
Most ‘tamu' operate as early as 6am and close by 2pm

Getting there
Take a taxi, which will cost RM10.00 per person (one way). A bus ride from the city centre to Kota Belud town is RM7.00 per person (one way).

Destinations : Mantanani Island Kota Belud (Sabah Malaysian Borneo)

The demure island of Mantanani lies off the beaten tracks of other mainstream tourism destinations. The journey to the island begins with a two-hour drive to Kampung Kuala Abai jetty in Kota Belud, followed by another hour of riding on a speedboat.

The fun literally starts with the hour-long boat ride. Depending on the sea condition, the experience may even resemble that of white water rafting in Padas River—minus all the paddling. Don’t hesitate to ask your tour guide for seasick pills if you cannot handle the rough ride.

The term ‘diver’s paradise’ may sound trite, but Mantanani Island is exactly that and more. As you plunge into the Mantanani underwater world, you’ll be simply mesmerized by neon coloured fish in intoxicating swirls, adorable clownfish playing hide and seek amidst the sea anemones, vivid coloured finger corals waving about, and vast garden of living coral reefs.

Each dive site in Mantanani offers something unique. Other than sporadic encounters with dolphins, divers have also encountered some of the rarer underwater species such as the bumphead parrotfish, moray eel, sting ray, eagle ray, and several turtles. For underwater photography enthusiasts, the view is simply to-die-for—topped off with excellent visibility.

The sun also seems a lot prettier in Mantanani. After a whole day of diving, snorkelling or kayaking, sit back and feast your eyes on the gorgeous layers of orange hues penetrating the clouds as the sun sets. In the morning, nothing beats sitting on the jetty with your legs dangling over the water, watching the sun rising as gentle breeze caresses your skin and ruffles your hair. Be spellbound also by the magnificent view of Mount Kinabalu veiled in chiffon-like clouds and morning mist.

For more information:

Contact Traverse Tours Sdn. Bhd. at +6088-260501 /260502 (telephone), +6088-261503 (fax), or email at sales@traversetours.com for bookings and inquiries.

Visit their website at www.traversetours.com

Destinations : Kota Belud District Kota Belud (Sabah Malaysian Borneo)

Kota Belud is the hometown of the Bajau ‘cowboys’ who are Sabah’s very own horsemen. This Sabahan native group is famed for rearing and handling of horses.

The quaint and lively little town affectionately addressed by the locals as KB is also home to Sabah’s most vibrant and illustrious weekly ‘tamu’ market. The word ‘tamu’ means “meeting place”; up to this day it is very much a place where traders from the surrounding areas come together both for trading purposes and to discuss the latest events.

Visitors of the Kota Belud district will find many of Sabah’s handicrafts here, muddled up with betel nut stalls, vegetables, dried and fresh fish, sarongs, pots and pans, and Taiwan-made electrical items.

Getting There

The best day for a visit to the Kota Belud tamu is on Sunday. Kota Belud is only a little over an hour’s drive away from Kota Kinabalu. Visitors can either take a bus, rent a taxi, or rent a car/motorbike for a visit to Kota Belud.