Lahad Datu and Semporna are only some 40 nautical miles apart in one of the most scenic areas of Sabah, Malaysia. Many villages and spectacular islands and reefs separate the towns.
Lahad Datu is an important Malaysian port in the eastern part of North Borneo.
It has been known for trade with China from the 9th century, then Spanish and Portuguese also discovered Lahad Datu.
The area was divided between the Sultan of Brunei and the Sultan of Sulu since the 15th century.
Predominantly Kadazan population has been joined by many nations when British North Borneo Charted Company started to trade in the 1880s.
It usually is money that starts wars and Lahad Datu is not doing too badly in the trade.
So it could have been one of the reasons that the self proclaimed contemporary Sultan of Sulu invaded Sabah in March 2013.
The Lahad Datu and nearby Sempurna suffered the loss of 56 lives.
Now, 6 months later the area is still fragile as tourism is concerned.
Lahad Datu is a stepping point to Danum Valley Forest Reserve which is home of orangutans and rare Sumatran rhinoceros among many bird species and other wildlife.
Continue reading (Incl. Pics) at: Eternal Travels - Lahad Datu and Semporna, Sabah, Borneo
..
