acrosstheSTRAITS
acrosstheSTRAITS
Poring Canopy Walk - Tree top canopy walk Poring Hot Spring, Sabah, Malaysia
Mount Kinabalu - The highest mountain in Malaysia
An aerial view of Male, Maldive. The capital of Maldives.
A turtle cruising the cool waters of Sipadan Island
Sipadan Island
Enjoy the breathtaking view of the slopes, rivers, valleys and vast areas of rainforest blanket
the expanse of the surroundings. An adrenaline seeker’s paradise, Sabah offers a surfeit of
nature-related activities that one will be spoilt
for choice with. To start off, take an hour ride
from Semporna to Sipadan Island located off
the eastern coast of Sabah. A jewel embedded
in the Celebes Sea, the island’s infestation with
schools of Barracuda, Bumphead Parrotfish and
Big-Eye Trevally, is revered for its top notched
scuba diving experience that will beguile even
the most seasoned of divers. Get intimate with
their species of stingrays and sharks as it is an
opportunity of a lifetime that should not be
missed. Catch the Green and Hawksbill Turtles
which breed there and uncover an undersea
limestone cave where the remains of the lost
and drowned turtles reside. The microcosm of
marine life here renders this island a spot in the
top ten best dive locations in the world. Entrenched in the sea are massive caves and an
immense amount of aquatic life to match. As
Sipadan Island is now a protected site, be sure
to book your slots early to have a go at diving
in wondrous marine habitat. To get there, hop
on an hour’s flight to Tawau from Kota Kinabalu
Weekendin 146
The beautiful sunset along the coast of Sabah
and embark on another hour’s drive Semporna Springs. The open air Japanese-inspired baths,
where a 40-minute trip on a speedboat entails. known for its hot sulfuric minerals, is a popular tourist destination among many. Possessing
therapeutic traits such as curing skin ailments,
Kinabalu National Park
the experience will be more than just a refreshTo take things down a notch, visit the coveted ing dip. Put on your trekking boots and brace
Kinabalu National Park – the tallest mountain in yourself for a hike on the 41-metre tall canopy
South East Asia, which offers a picturesque view walk and get a bird’s eye view of the enclosing
of the all-encompassing virgin forest. Declared canopies. Behold the beauty of the Kipungit
as a World Heritage Site by the United Nations and Langanan waterfalls as the placid surge of
Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisa- waters reverberate through the serenity of the
tion (UNESCO) in the year 2000, a walk through forest.
the reserve will blind you by a combination of
more than 6000 vascular plant, orchid, fern, Ne- Shopping
penthes, Rhododendron and Rafflesia species.
Not only famed for its composition of greenery, Stop by the Handicraft Market in Kota Kinabalu
it will be more than just a walk in the park as you and delve into slew of handcrafted pieces. The
will be greeted by a diversity of animal life. For market is a paradise for the most ardent lovers
those who have a desire for greater adventure, of handicrafts and its plethora of ornate handscaling Mount Kinabalu will be a feat off your made jewelry and wood carvings are definitely
bucket list. At a peak of 4095 metres, the pano- a crowd-pleaser. Take home an exotic wooden
ramic view amplified by the dazzling sunrays mask to add to your living room or intricatelyis a rare sight to behold. Due to its popularity, made apparel for an ever-lasting memory.
it is advised to make reservations 6 months in Delving into an assortment of crafts will be an
advance. Standing at 3800 metres above sea intriguing exploration for the young and old
level, the adventurous can opt for a climb on alike. Unlike the monotony of the conventional
the world’s highest and Asia’s first Via Ferrata on shopping mall, you may even unravel traditionMount Torq. Half an hour away from the Kina- al musical instruments amidst the crowd and
balu Park Headquarters, you may want to bask masses of handicraft there. Towards the north
in the beauty of the tropics in the Poring Hot of Kota Kinabalu, lies the quaint setting of Jes-
selton Point Waterfront where dining and retail
shops line the streets. Fishing enthusiasts can
also head out to the jetty for a catch. After a laborious day outdoors, grab a drink and immerse
yourself in the Sabahan breeze while the stunning sunset emblazons the sky. A 15-minute
drive away from the city, befringed by sprawling paddy fields and houses unique to the province, is Tamu Penampang, a blend of age-old
and modern stalls and bungalows. Opened on
Thursdays and Fridays, it will be shopping galore as the tables are laid with local produce
and skillfully-made products. Have a quaff at
their famous rice wine and pickled wild mango.
The more adventurous can morsel a bite at their
sago worms. Chaw their local foodstuff at Gaya
Street on a Sunday morning and be greeted by
a variation of flowers, local produce, batik sarongs and relics amongst the overhanging umbrellas. After a dive at Sipadan Island, be sure to
visit Tawau for their eminent dried foods or drop
by Sandakan for their quality bird’s nest that are
harvested in Madai and Gomantong Caves.
Kota Kinabalu Market Hallway
Historical Value
Known for its rich and diverse archives of cultural and historical events. Join in the hour-long
Sandakan Heritage Trail which features a selec-
Poring Kipungit Waterfall
Children sitting on a badly maintained jetty in Usukan Bay
147 Weekendin