Jun 18 2010

Facts about Borneo
Borneo is the third largest island in the world located north of Australia, and south of Philippines. Politically, the island is divided among three countries: Brunei, Indonesia and Malaysia, the only island in the world that is a recognized part of 3 countries:
1) The Indonesian provinces of East, South, West and Central Kalimantan
2) The Malaysian states of Sabah and Sarawak (the Federal Territory of Labuan is located on nearshore islands of Borneo, but not on the island of Borneo itself)
3) The independent country of Brunei (main part and eastern exclave of Temburong)
Sabah, Malaysia
So let’s focus on Sabah (Land below the wind).. which is also quite a big state itself.. so places to go if you visit here? Hmmm… there are so many places you can visit if you have enough time to spend..
But..if someone ask me to choose between Sabah travel packages and Disney World Packages, I will absolutely, definitely take the Disney packages..
(Duh! I’m a Sabahan, so i can visit my own place anytime I want right..)
Ok, forget about the Disney thing.. I will list down some places that you should visit when you are in Sabah:

Filipino Market
The Filipino Market is a good place to buy cultured pearls (about RM5 each) and has everything from fake gemstones to camagong-wood salad bowls, fibre shirts and traditional Indonesian medicines. A variety of Filipino and local handicrafts are sold in the hundreds of cramped stalls, along winding alleyways which are strung by low-slung curtains of shells, baskets and bags.

Manukan Island
The island has very clear waters and an excellent venue for water-skiing and sea-sports. The beach however is somewhat rocky and swimmers should exercise some caution. There are coral beds on the eastern and the western reefs and multicolored coral fishes abound here. The best stretch is on the eastern tip of the island. There is a trail system around the island. Ideal for snorkeling, diving and swimming.

Labuan Island
Labuan is a tiny island town off Sabah’s coast that was formerly known as Victoria Town. Today, it is a hub for duty-free goods and boasts some nice cultural touches and landmarks. Because of its proximity to Brunei, Labuan attracts many visitors from there frequently as well as avid scuba divers for its rich marine life.

Mount Kinabalu, Kundasang, Ranau
The mountain and its surroundings are among the most important biological sites in the world, with over 600 species of ferns, 326 species of birds, and 100 mammalian species identified. Among them are the gigantic Rafflesia plants and the orangutan. Mount Kinabalu has been accorded UNESCO World Heritage status.

Poring Hot Spring, Ranau
Other than the natural hot spring main attraction at Poring Hot Springs, there are also other interesting areas in the park to be visited such as the butterfly farm, the Poring Orchid Conservation Centre, the tropical garden, the Poring canopy walkway, and the Rafflesia flower site.

Sabah Tea, Ranau
Sabah Tea Plantation, nestled into the lush tropical wilderness of Malaysia’s first ever World Heritage Site, Mount Kinabalu, sits on a 6,200-acre land at 2,272 feet above sea level.
It is surrounded by the world’s oldest rainforest of about 130 million years. Sabah Tea Plantation is the largest single commercial tea plantation in Borneo with approximated area of 1,000 acres endowed with an interesting plant and agriculture resources, Camellia Sinensis. It is also one of the very few tea plantations in the world that certified to produce organic tea.

Mesilau, Kundasang, Ranau
Mesilau is practically the highest point accessible to automobiles; it is surrounded by hills and is very close to the foot of Mount Kinabalu. The chilly climate engulfing Mesilau results in sparse population of trees, verdant ferns, as well as other medium-height vegetations. It is situated about 100 kilometers (2 hours 30 minutes – 3 hours away) from Kota Kinabalu.
Enjoy your visit!