Long nose, large belly, fireflies, Christmas tree lights, mangrove swamp and endangered species? Have you heard of them? Sounds familiar right? How about Proboscis Monkey and Dutch Monkey? Hmmn… seldom heard about them, huh? Don’t worry.. We can always visit them in Borneo, Malaysia. In Sabah itself, this species can be found in specific area particularly the area that rich with mangrove vegetation namely Kinabatangan, Klias, Garama river and Sandakan district.
Proboscis Monkey or also identified as Dutch Monkey or Long Nosed Monkey is one of the endangered monkey species that can be found in Borneo mangrove swamp. Male monkey has a long protruding nose and short nose for female. They have a large belly and reddish brown in color.
Those who are interested in visiting them, in Borneo we have plenty of agency and operator performing the tour. Apart from viewing this Proboscis Monkey, you can also view fireflies and mangrove forest. I guarantee you that you will be witnessing the most spectacular scenery. Don’t forget to bring your precious camera, binocular and wear your outdoor cloth, snickers as well as mosquito repellant because we’ll be traveling by boat.
Check out this interesting site for more details and tour packages. Most of the packages provide tea break upon arrival at the jetty and a wonderful dinner after the cruise.
“A Mirror of Paradise”, that’s the depiction given by most tourists and the local people who visited here after experiencing their spectacular vacation in Tempurung Seaside Lodge. This awesome place located in Kuala Penyu, Sabah approx. 2 hours drive from Kota Kinabalu city centre and about 20 minutes from Klias Wetland. I will write another story regarding Klias Wetland or also known as the Proboscis Monkey’s sanctuary in my forthcoming post.
The lodge is actually sited on top of the jungle hill overlooking the South China Seas. I have to convey you this.. When I reached this place for the first time, my heart was actually stop pounding. Boy, this is… wonderful! I never seen a beach that’s so beautiful. Gosh… I’m not sure how to express my feeling but I did took some photographs which can make my story short. The picture will tell you almost everything.
Just bear in mind that, this is one of the fantastic place to visit either with your family, with friends or only the 2 of you (the loving and romantic couple). They provide accommodation, restaurant, beach front, internet, telephone, and of course some interesting activities for you. All you need to do is to check out their website for more details or might as well to book up reservation for your brief vacation. Why not check your calendar and start planning? Have a wonderful vacation!
I believe each and every country has their own unforgettable history. Even we ourselves have our own story, our background and personal or family history. “Death march” or else “Prisoner Of War” (P.O.W.) are no longer a strange phrase for most of us. Our world has suffered numerous forms of alteration, starting from the major natural disasters to the biggest and dreadful occurrences of man made war.
Today’s topic would be one of the most tragic World War II untold story however important history for the nations of Sabah, Australia and British. During the year 1942–1945, there were some POW Camps in Sandakan (in the East Coast of Sabah) approx. 260 km away from Kundasang, Ranau. To cut the story short, the Japanese has conducted 3 forced marches for the purpose of repositions and as coolie laborers to Jesselton (now is Kota Kinabalu). They didn’t reach Jesselton but only halt at Kundasang, Ranau and most of the Australian and British servicemen died due to illness, starvation, malnutrition, torment and extermination by the Japanese soldiers.
A memorial structure was built at Kundasang Ranau in order to commemorate the significant history. At the memorial entrance, there are some photographs and names of the victims who perished during the death marches.
Let them not depart from Thine eyes, keep them in the midst of Thine heart. (Prov IV. 21)
Those who wish to feel the nature and wildlife of Sabah, Tawau division would be one of your ideal place to visit! For divers and those who are nature lovers, you’re going to love this place. Okay, lets see what Tawau division has to offer us:
1. Lahad Datu District
- Tabin Wildlife Reserve
- Borneo Rainforest
- Danum Valley (Lembah Danum)
2. Semporna District
- Bukit Tengkorak Archaelogical Museum
- Kapalai Island
- Sipadan Island
- Mabul Island
- Mataking Island
- Tamu Semporna
3. Tawau District
- Balung River Eco Resort (Agrotourism)
- Madai Caves
- Baturong Caves
- Shan Sui Golf and Country Club
- Tawau Hills Park
The list is just a list. From the list, we can only read various names of interesting places in Tawau division. Visit and personally experience the place is another great thing. I’m sure it would be one of your memorable experience while visiting those places.
Sandakan division located at the East Coast of Sabah, which occupies approx. 20% of the Sabah’s entire population. This division has the largest area compare to the other 4 divisions. Literally, we have another major town in Sandakan division including the harbor, airport and of course numerous places of interest.
The list below are part of the tourist destinations that we have in Sandakan division which also consist of Beluran and Kinabatangan districts:
1. Sandakan Division
- Beluran Market (Tamu Beluran)
- Agnes Keith House
- Jamek Mosque
- William B. Pryer Monument
- Stairs with 100 steps
- Goddes of Mercy Temple
- Sam Khung Chinese Temple
- Sandakan War Memorial Park
- Malaysian Fountain Centre
- Tourist Information Centre
- Batu Sapi Heritage Park (Taman Warisan Batu Sapi)
- St. Michael Church
- Turtle Islands Park
- Sandakan Heritage Museum
- The English Tea House and Restaurant
- Labuk Bay Proboscis Monkey Sanctuary
- Lankayan Island
- Sandakan Crocodile Farm (Taman Buaya, Sandakan)
- Libaran Island
- Sepilok Orang Utan Rehabilitation Centre
- Gomantong Cave (Gua Gomantong)
- Sukau
- Batu Tulug Archaelogical Museum (Muzium Arkeologi Batu Tulug)
- Maliau Basin Conservation Area (Kawasan Pemuliharaan Lembangan Maliau)
The above tourist and local popular destinations has their own uniqueness based on their originality and category. Some are historical sites or memorial, part of them are cultural or heritage product, market, islands as well as nature and wildlife.
If we glance through my first post in this blog, we knew that Sabah has 5 divisions. Kudat, West Coast, Interior, Sandakan and Tawau divisions. I’ve listed down some of the tourist attractions within Kudat and West Coast divisions in my previous post and now lets carry on with the Interior division of Sabah. These are amongst the significant and fantastic places that we have in Interior Sabah :
1. Tambunan District
- Mat Salleh Memorial Monument (Tugu Peringatan Mat Salleh)
- Mahua Waterfall (Air Terjun Mahua)
- Rafflesia Information Centre (Pusat Penerangan Rafflesia)
- TrusMadi Forest Reserved (Hutan Simpanan TrusMadi)
2. Keningau District - Crocker Range Park (Taman Banjaran Crocker)
- Pusat Peranginan Batu Punggul (Pinnacle or Batu Punggul Resort)
- Keningau Market (Tamu Keningau)
3. Tenom District
- Murut Cultural Centre (Pusat Kebudayaan Murut)
- Ontoros Antenom Memorial
- Sabah Agriculture Park (Taman Pertanian Sabah)
- Train station to Padas White Water Rafting at Padas River
- Tenom Market (Tamu Tenom)
4. Sipitang District
- Long Pasia
5. Kuala Penyu District
- Pulau Tiga Park (Survivor Island)
- Tempurung Seaside Lodges
- Kuala Penyu Market (Tamu Kuala Penyu)
6. Beaufort District
- Starcevich Memorial Monument (Tugu Perigatan Starcevich)
- Garama River also known as Garama Wetland (Sungai Garama)
- Klias River also known as Klias Wetland (Sungai Klias)
- Train station to Padas White Water Rafting at Padas River.
