Marine Protected Areas in Sabah to be gazetted

KOTA KINABALU: Efforts are now underway to submit for the State Cabinet consideration additional areas throughout Sabah that are to be gazetted as Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) and this will definitely go beyond the 10 percent threshold recommended by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).

Assistant Sabah Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Pang Yuk Ming said Sabah currently has about 1.02 million hectares of MPAs.

As had been announced by the Minister of Tourism, Culture and Environment, Datuk Seri Panglima Masidi Manjun, during the Pacom Conference recently, Pang said the waters around Mantanani would soon be submitted to the State Cabinet to be gazetted as a MPA.

“This move is the first among many more to come in efforts to meet IUCN recommendation for all nations to have at least 10 percent territorial waters to be conserved through MPAs,” he said in a statement yesterday.

Pang, who chairs the Sabah Anti Fish Bombing Committee, lauded the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) on its seizure of close to 50 pieces of explosives used for fish bombing during a raid on five pump boats at Mantanani Kecil in Kota Belud recently.

“I would like to dearly congratulate the MMEA Sabah and Labuan branch under the capable leadership of First Admiral Mohd Zubil Mat Som and Kota Kinabalu MMEA director, First Admiral Adam Aziz, on the seizure.

“This latest apprehension will surely go a long way to safeguard the waters around Mantanani, which is currently a hotspot for tourism activities,” he said.

Continue reading at: Marine Protected Areas in Sabah to be gazetted

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3 Sabah islands to be gazetted as marine areas

KOTA KINABALU: The state government is in the process of gazetting Mantanani, Mengalum and Sipadan islands as total protected marine areas.

State Assistant Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Pang Yuk Ming said the initiative was in line with the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) recommendation to have at least 10 per cent of  protected marine areas by 2020.

“It is difficult to have three marine areas to be gazetted by 2020 as the process will be long. 

“However, the state government has already prepared the documents (for the gazettement of those waters),” he said, adding that the gazetting of Mantanani waters would be tabled in the next cabinet meeting.

Pang said the process for Mengalum would be discussed next year and status of Sipadan, renowned as one of the world’s top dive sites, to be discussed in 2019.

Once the three sites are gazetted, marine areas will make up 13 per cent of Sabah, exceeding the IUCN recommendation.

Sabah now has more than one million hectares, or 7.6 per cent, listed as total protected areas.

The Tun Mustapha Park off Kudat waters, Malaysia’s largest marine park, was the most recent gazetted area.

Pang added that his ministry was also encouraging hoteliers and seafood restaurants to sell sustainable seafood to their clients.

He said they could buy from suppliers who adopted good practices, such as fish farming and fishing using the right nettings, among others.

Continue reading (Incl. Pic) at: 3 Sabah islands to be gazetted as marine areas

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Mantanani Island may become Sabah's next marine park

KOTA KINABALU: Mantanani Island, a well-known site for recreational diving off Kota Belud, and its surrounding areas have been identified as Sabah’s next potential marine park.

Sabah Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Seri Masidi Manjun said the state government aims to turn 10 per cent of Sabah’s waters into protected marine areas.

He said the government has identified several potential areas to achieve that goal.

“The United Nations has invited us to gazette at least 10 per cent of our ocean and we have gazetted 7.6 per cent, with the current size of protected marine parks in Sabah at two million hectares.

“I’ve asked my assistant minister (Datuk Pang Yuk Ming) to form a committee to look into the possibility of increasing the size of these marine parks so that we can comply with the 10 per cent requirement.

“We have ample amounts of areas that we can eventually turn into parks and we have identified several. This reflects the good conservation policies that the state government has started and continued to implement.

“We are actually looking at Mantanani and we are seriously considering turning (Mantanani) into a protected marine park,” he told reporters after launching the Maritime Environmental Security Workshop 2017 here, today.

Masidi, however, said this would take some time as the plan depends on the government’s engagement with local residents, district office, and other relevant quarters.

He said the ministry is in the midst of preparing the necessary technical requirements before bringing the proposal to the state government’s attention.

Continue reading (Incl. Pic) at: Mantanani Island may become Sabah's next marine park

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BeneathTheMeadow: Kota Kinabalu ¦ Mantanani Island

This is my second time to Kota Kinabalu (a.k.a. Sabah), most of my trips are circling around Southeast Asia and the most common thing you can find there are tropical islands.

Kota Kinabalu is a developing city, hence the living pace is really slow and chill, which is a perfect place for vacation.

The Mantanani Island we went to is quite different from all the other beaches I have been to before, fewer people and watersports, more silence and relaxation.

The blue sky and the clear water is a perfect match, surely is an eye candy.

The water is very see-through but not as many fishes compared to beaches in Phuket.

In Phuket, you can see fishes when there is water, they will come in groups to bite you, thinking you as food.

However, I am a snorkeling-lover so we took a speedboat away from the island to explore the sea anyway.

There are many fishes once the sea level reaches around 10m and they are all very fascinating.

Continue reading (Incl. Pics) at: BeneathTheMeadow: Kota Kinabalu ¦ Mantanani Island

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Snap, Travel and Pop: Borneo - Sun, Sea and Cement

When we signed up for three months volunteering we never expected to be working anywhere quite like Mantanani island off the coast of Borneo.

Mantanani could be described as a true paradise; white sandy beaches, clear blue sea, coral reefs, great weather etc etc. Heaven on earth.

So why have we traveled half way around the world for Camps International to send us volunteering in a community that is living in a place where most of us aspire to live?

Surely the people of Mantanani should be the ones coming to England and helping us make our lives more like theirs.

Well, the islanders do have to suffer a few hardships.

• Electricity: A diesel generator provides electricity between about 18.30 and 05:00 only but is subject to frequent blackouts or not coming in at all.

• Schooling: It’s hard to attract good teachers to the island’s primary school which has led to a high failure rate in the kid’s final exams. Although at a subsidised 25RM (about £5) a year it’s still incredibly good value. As for secondary school, there isn’t one on the island so any children showing academic promise will need to go to a boarding school on the mainland – not something all islanders can afford.

• Tourists: There are now a number of holiday resorts opening up on the island which are bringing a larger and larger amount of (mainly) Chinese tourists each day. Whilst this helps the local economy (and gave us a place to buy cold beer), it is having impacts on the island community; coral reefs are being destroyed, the islanders are losing control of parts of their island and the Chinese are pooing in the village streets.

• Infrastructure: Minimal to no sanitation (sewage or garbage) infrastructure. The week we arrived the island had just got their first mobile network tower, but there is no fibre optic broadband. There is no hospital/doctors surgery.

• Supplies: For anything but fish, it’s a long boat ride to the mainland.

So, it was with these issues in mind that we set about our volunteering to make this a true paradise.

Continue reading (Incl. Pics) at: Snap, Travel and Pop: Borneo - Sun, Sea and Cement

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Bitten By The Travel Bug: An Island Day Trip Close to Kota Kinabalu - Sepanggar Island

Fishermen walked past me, tourists with large bags and brightly coloured bathers wandered past me and boats at Jesselton Point began to fill; all heading to different islands in search of sun, snorkelling or sleep (yes, there are hotels on some of the islands just off Kota Kinabalu!). I was people watching, picking up freshly baked Malaysian delights and a fresh coconut on the way.

Sabahan’s are known for being relaxed and easy-going. After a few weeks travelling through Indonesia, it was nice to be told that the only thing I had to do was “relax and enjoy life“. I was off in search of some quality island time at Mari Mari Sepanggar Island.

Welcome to Mari Mari Sepanggar Island

Set a 15-minute boat ride from Jesselton Point, you’ll be docking at Sepanggar Island. This private island has recently been opened to the public who come through local business, Mari Mari who also run lodging on Sepanggar Island and nearby Mantanani Island.

Each day, just a few dozen people are allowed to visit the island. When I visited, there was eight of us, including one family and a couple who had stayed overnight on the island, plus the staff, on this island paradise.

For a half day trip, it’s great! Escape from the bustle of downtown Kota Kinabalu to the white sandy beaches, fishing, snorkelling and diving opportunities, and a jungle walk. Hammocks strung between trees  call to you to come nap, beach volleyball and a few other games to play, but trust me – you’ll be distracted by the bright aquamarine coloured waters.

Should you want to stay overnight, the island offers basic rooms at a very reasonable price. There are a sprinkling of hill chalets and one spacious beach chalet. All of them have views of the beach and cityscape beyond.

One of the main appeals of Sepanggar Island is the opportunity to go snorkelling to see some of Sabah’s brightly coloured fish!

The coral at Sepanggar Island is little worse for wear near the island due to the proximity of the city, local villages and boat use in the area. If snorkelling if important to you, I’ve been told that the waters at Mantanani Island is a little further away (around 45 minutes by boat) but offers much better diving opportunities with visibility of around 30 – 40 metres!

Meeting the locals

Sepanggar Island is home to a mix of animals and (temporary!) humans. Many of the staff who run day-to-day operations are locals from the nearby village and the guides often spend nights there. Then there are the animals.

As I sat on the deck to dry myself off before lunch, I couldn’t help myself and patiently waited for the cats to approach. One was so busy cleaning herself that she looked up in surprise mid-lick.

Continue reading (Incl. Pics) at: Bitten By The Travel Bug: An Island Day Trip Close to Kota Kinabalu - Sepanggar Island

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10 Places in Sabah You Must Visit When You’re There or You’ve Wasted Your Trip

From its concrete jungle city centre to its nature and wildlife treasures beyond- Sabah gives you the best of both worlds! If you didn’t already know, Sabah is a huge state (second largest state in Malaysia) and there’s tons of amazing places to visit there!

So unless you’re on a very, very long vacation in Sabah, there’s only so much places you could cover! That’s why I’ve narrowed down the long list of places to visit in Sabah to 10 must-visit places during your limited stay in Sabah instead.

Sabah Museum

I know, I know. Am I serious? Well, you bet I am! Being a local myself, I didn’t visit the state museum until just recently (yes, guilty!). I was surprised to see how well facilitated it was and there’s so much to see and learn there. The museum is also the best place to go to learn more about the state itself. There’s things from culture and ethnicity to zoology and science and technology!

Filipino Market

Also known as the night market in Kota Kinabalu, this is where you go to get souvenirs. Some of the things you can find there are local handicrafts, fresh water pearl accessories, dried food stuff and seafood products. It’s often crowded at the market but it’s something every tourist should experience once in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah.

Sunset Bar, Shangri-la Tanjung Aru Resort

They say Sabah has one of the world’s most beautiful sunsets you will ever experience. Well, they’re right! And one of the most common and popular places to catch the spectacular sunset scene is at Sunset Bar. Picture this: You’re sipping on cocktail while feeling the warm ocean breeze on your face, and you find yourself watching then sun slowly disappearing under the vast horizon. That’s sort of what it’s like, only better.

Desa Dairy Farm, Kundasang

To get there, it will take about 2 and a half hours to 3 hours from KK city. So, you can either plan a day trip to go there or stay the night in Kundasang instead (lots of accommodation around). The Desa Dairy Farm is Sabah’s own little New Zealand. The breath-taking scenery and cool fresh air will make you feel like you’ve entered intoa foreign country (I was fooled too). The cattle farm consists of Friesian cows (the black and white ones) which are the highest milk producers. Also, try their ice-cream. OMG.

Island Hopping

Okay, I say ‘island hopping’ because there’s so many islands here in Sabah but the most popular ones include Sapi Island, Manukan Island and Mantanani Island. So, instead of going to just one of these during your visit in Sabah, you can choose to go island hopping and visit a few at once! Sand between your toes, salt in your hair, island breezes and sun kissed skin. Ah, that’s the life!

Continue reading (Incl. Pics) at: 10 Places in Sabah You Must Visit When You’re There or You’ve Wasted Your Trip

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Sam Around the Worldd - Borneo

Borneo the land of orangutans, magnificent national parks, UNESCO world heritage sites, white sandy beaches, tropical islands, long nosed (proboscis) monkeys, gigantic caves and so so so much more!

It’s hard to describe this place in words, this magnificent place has so much to offer and it was so much more than I ever could have expected.

My sister Kirsten and I were heading to Borneo with our Mum Kerry to celebrate her upcoming 60th Birthday.

Initially we were arriving, climbing Mt Kinabalu (the tallest mountain in South East Asia) and then joining an intrepid tour for 10 days.

However due to the earthquake and landslide that occurred in Borneo earlier this year the mountain was closed and our plans had to change.

We were left with a few days at the start of our trip which we had no trouble filing.

Upon arrival at Kota Kinabalu airport we picked up a taxi and headed to the luxurious Shangri La Rasa Ria resort.

Our main draw to this resort was the Orangutan rehabilitation centre that it boasted.

The poolside cocktails, beachfront sunsets and water sports activities were all just a bonus.

Looking back this was probably my favourite place that we got to see the orang-utans, they only had two at the time we visited but this was the closest we got to get to orangutans, there weren’t too many other people and watching them swing through the trees to grab a bite to eat is something I’ll never forget!

The following day we did a tour to Mantanani Island, there has been sightings of dugongs in the waters surrounding this island so that was a big draw card.

Unfortunately we weren’t lucky enough to spot one but the ridiculously white sandy beaches and crazy clear blue waters are more than a good enough reason to visit this tropical paradise!

Continue reading (Incl. Pics) at: Sam Around the Worldd - Borneo

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Joint efforts to rid Pulau Mantanani of plastic wastes

KOTA KINABALU: Sabah based Blue Life ecoservices is working with the communities on Pulau Mantanani to rid the island of plastic wastes.

Blue Life ecoservices project manager, Iqbal Abdul Rahim stressed the necessity of the project and how it was helping to bring back dolphins and sea turtles to the island.

“The water surrounding the island used to be the home of the dugong. They cannot be found anymore. Perhaps with the improved condition, they will come back,” he said.

Aside from making things better for the marine animals, Iqbal said that the project called “Fishing for litter – recycling of marine plastic litter through social enterprise ‘Clean Coast Rangers Mantanani’” also raised the local community’s awareness on the importance of not dumping their wastes into the sea.

At the same time, it also allowed the local community an alternative source of income.

He explained that the accumulation of plastic wastes on and around the island cannot be solely blamed on the local folks.

“The island is faced by (sea) currents from various directions and brings in these wastes,” he said.

He also mentioned that the island was selected due to its white sandy beaches and clear water.

Continue reading at: Joint efforts to rid Pulau Mantanani of plastic wastes

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Responsible Travel Company Opens Community Learning Centre in Borneo

Camps International have this week handed over one of their most amobitious projects to the local community in Borneo. The Community Learning Centre has been built by teams of volunteers since 2012.

CAMPS INTERNATIONAL, an award-winning school expedition and gap year specialist based in Hampshire have been leading the way in terms of long term sustainable projects. This week saw the official opening of the Community Learning Centre on Mantanani Island off the coast of Borneo. Previous winners of the Responsible Travel awards for “Best Volunteering Organisation” Camps international have always looked at the long-term benefits of projects to a community.

Camps International Asia Director Rory Hall said “ During my 8 or so years in Borneo I have been privileged to see some great things and also to be part of constructing many buildings in rural villages.  But I have to say the CLC on Mantanani is perhaps one of the most impressive and beautiful buildings I have worked on.” The building will have multiple uses including as a village hall, kindergarten, library and meeting place for the community.

Planning for the CLC was started in the summer of 2010 with just a plot of land and a handshake with the local headman. The building is constructed using sustainable locally sourced material including the huge drift wood columns around the outside and bamboo panels that adorn the walls.

“From the outside the bamboo panelling forms a protective shell which is intriguing to the eye.” Said Rory  “from the inside the different designs of panel allow varying levels of light through, creating a mosaic or light and shadow, making the interior fascinating to just sit and be inside of.” Rory was also highly impressed with the work ethic of all involved who included: ”Interns and the permanent team from Arkitrek, the skilled local labour and every single volunteer from the schools and gap year students who have worked during their expeditions”.

Continue reading at: Responsible Travel Company Opens Community Learning Centre in Borneo

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Conserving Sabah's coral reefs through education

Kota Kinabalu: Non-profit organisation Reef Check Malaysia (RCM) is to launch a coral reef rehabilitation and education project on Mantanani Island off the Sabah west coast this month, primarily to reduce fish bombing.

The project will be undertaken with financial support from Murphy Oil Corporation, RCM said in a statement today.

Fish bombing involves the use of explosives to stun or kill schools of fish for easy collection, it said, adding that the illegal practice is extremely destructive to the coral reef ecosystem as the explosion often destroys the surrounding habitat.

"It reduces the area around the blast (typically around 20 sq metres) to lifeless rubble and recovery rates are often very slow due to the unfavourable conditions rendered from the bomb blast," it said.

RCM said the project on Mantanani Island would be able to address this through two phases.   

The first involves rehabilitating areas of coral reefs around the island using a coral reef rehabilitation methodology developed by RCM and Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, and demonstrated successfully at several projects in peninsular Malaysia.   

Other than helping the surrounding reefs recover faster, this will also demonstrate that reefs are living organisms and can recover from fish bombing damage.  

The second phase will use the coral reef rehabilitation nurseries as a base for educating the local community and other stakeholders about the importance of coral reefs, and the need for their conservation.

Continue reading at: Conserving Sabah's coral reefs through education

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Dugongs at Mantanani Island - A lady you rarely see

SANCTUARY: Locals want Mermaid islands be turned into marine park to protect the dwindling dugong population

KOTA BELUD: MANY visitors willingly take a 50-minute boat ride to Mantanani Islands near here with the hope of catching a glimpse of the famous "lady of the sea".

The best time to see a dugong is between October and February, but with the population slowly on the brink of extinction, such sightings are becoming rare.

These endangered dugongs, dubbed "seacows", are semi-nomadic, travelling long distances in search of food and occasionally found grazing on sea grass near here, 80km north of Kota Kinabalu, at a cluster of islands also known as Mermaid islands.

Mantanani Paradise human resources manager Zamzani P. Amin said the last dugong sighting was last year when a juvenile was spotted feeding on the seabed located north side of the island near Mantanani Kecil. However, no proper recording was done.

"Mantanani is blessed with them, but not any more.

"The dugongs were hunted for their meat and oil, and the fish bombing frightened them away."

Mantanani Paradise, established in 2004, is the second operator to operate in the island that currently boasts more than 13 dive sites.

He said many divers especially from China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, South Korea and the United Kingdom would come during the diving seasons with the hope of an encounter with the unique marine mammal.

A recent issue of AsianDiver magazine carrying a picture of a diver patting a dugong in Mantanani helped fuel their interest.

"We will tell visitors to pray for a sighting, as the waters around Borneo are known to support a small population especially here.

"But with the dwindling population, we tell them that they would have to be extremely lucky.

Continue reading (Incl. Pic) at: Dugongs at Mantanani Island - A lady you rarely see

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Migration patterns of sea turtles in Sabah

KOTA KINABALU: The Marine Research Foundation (MRF) has deployed satellite transmitters on five juvenile turtles from Mantanani Island near here to identify the critical migration routes and near-shore habitats favoured by the turtles.

The study will eventually drive management and conservation activities for the turtles.

This work is funded in part by the Shell Malaysia Sustainable Development Grants programme, the Forestry Bureau of Taiwan, and the Mohammed bin Zayed Species Conservation Fund, said Dr Nicolas Pilcher, executive director of MRF, a non-profit conservation agency based in Sabah.

“Marine turtles in SE Asia are threatened through habitat loss and indirect capture in fisheries, and are in dire need of conservation action. With long maturation periods and low survival, they have extremely slow replenishment rates, and a population which has been depleted can take several centuries to recover.

“Understanding the needs of the turtles depends heavily on an understanding of the extent of habitat use and distribution, which can only be determined through complex research projects involving at-sea population dynamics, genetics, and satellite tracking,” he said.

By tracking marine turtles through the SE Asian region, MRF aims to raise the collective awareness of their plight and to provide the concrete linkages at an international level on which Malaysia may develop conservation agendas linked with other neighbouring countries to which turtles migrate, including Indonesia, the Philippines, Taiwan and Vietnam.

Juvenile green turtles were captured during two recent research trips to Mantanani, and Sirtrack PT102 Satellite transmitters were affixed using a silicone base secured with fibreglass matting and resin following capture, measurements, laparoscopic examination and genetic sampling.

Continue reading (Incl. Pic) at: Migration patterns of sea turtles in Sabah
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Mantanani Island Paradise

Chalets at Mantanani Besar Island

Guest briefing on arrival at the restaurant

Pulau Lunggisan, one of islands in the Mantanani chain,
is unapproachable due to strong currents

Fishing boats anchored at Mantanani village

Thatched roofs and tall coconut trees keep the chalets cool inside

By Wanderlust

Many of us dream of taking the perfect vacation on a luxurious island paradise but the cost for such a trip can be very intimidating. Flashy brochures flaunt pictures of white sandy beaches, golden-hued sunsets, crystal clear seas and swaying coconut tress to entice you. But what if you can get all this at a fraction of the cost? Creature comforts such as air conditioning, hot showers and gourmet meals take a back seat at this island paradise because the best part of it all can be enjoyed regardless of package price.

TAKE ME TO THE BEACH

Mari Mari Backpackers Lodge is located at Mantanani Besar Island which is part of a cluster of three islands north of Kota Belud. The journey there starts with a bus ride for about 1 hour 40 minutes to Kuala Abai and from there, another 45 minutes by boat to Mantanani. Mt Kinabalu, like a sentinel that you can see from almost any point along the west coast, loomed above Kuala Abai and created the perfect backdrop as we made our way to Mantanani.

The boat ride was pleasant if not slightly choppy as we crossed the open sea towards our destination. Be prepared to be bowled over at you approach the island. As the sea gets shallower, the water takes on an incredible turquoise hue and is absolutely crystal clear. The contrast with the almost blinding white sand on the beach was just so stunning. Driftwood of all shapes and sizes line the beach with stands on casuarinas and coconut trees at its back.

As you step off the boat and onto the island, you instantly feel relaxed and all but ready to jump into the nearest hammock with a cool glass on pina colada in your hand while Bob Marley gets the reggae beat going on in the background. Well, it didn’t quite happen this way but it was not that far from the truth either.

The accommodation is a cluster of wooden stilted chalets with thatched roof and a seating area underneath where you can laze in a hammock or curl up in a chair with your favourite book. You get uninterrupted views of the gorgeous sea and mountain range in the background as the ocean breeze keeps it cool and comfortable. As for your pina colada option, please bring necessary ingredients with you.

KEEPING IT REAL

You can opt to stay at a twin-share chalet with attached or common bathroom. There’s also dorm style accommodation (4 persons) for families or small groups. The lodge gets its electricity supply from a nearby village which comes on between 6pm and 6am but the chalets are adequately cooled thanks to their thatched roofs and shady coconut trees nearby. The restaurant with its beach sand floor and Bob Marley who comes on after 6pm in the background, serves simple fare for breakfast, lunch and dinner with free flow of coffee and tea. Board games and a small library of books (mostly in German) and magazines can be found here for your recreational pleasures.

But what visitors come here for is either to dive or simply unwind in the beautiful surroundings with a smattering of light activities to break up the lazy days soaking up the sun on the beach. Dive and snorkeling trips are organized daily to nearby Mantanani Kechil Island where coral gardens bloom and multi-coloured tropical fish dart about. You can hire a sea kayak and paddle out to view island and its surroundings from a distance.

Photography enthusiasts will love how Mother Nature unfolds the many colours, nuances, and moods of the island’s breathtaking scenery throughout the day. Activities are charged separately so you can decide what activities to do and how often you’d like to take part. This makes it really affordable for those who just want to spend time doing nothing more strenuous than turning over for an even tan or showing up for meals at the restaurant.

There is a fishing village some 15 minutes walk from the lodge where its inhabitants come from the Ubian tribe. The people are friendly and children constantly greet you with a “hello” or “what’s your name?”. The best place to get to know a village and its people is to head for a coffee shop or sundry shop. You can buy some snacks or have a coffee and strike up a conversation with the locals. An elderly lady spoke of the three generations of her family who have lived on Mantanani and how they had to rent the land they lived on by calculating the value of coconut trees growing on the land. There is no agriculture on the island and the coconut trees simply act as land demarcation markers. Many more generations have lived on the island but the lifestyle till today has changed little. The villagers still depend on the sea for their living as evidenced by the covered fishing boats that go far out to harvest the riches of the sea.

Mantanani has the idyllic setting of a typical tropical island paradise. The natural landscape is stunning, the ambience quiet and relaxing and with just enough cultural attributes to complement the already rich natural tapestry of the island. Mantanani feels like a lifetime time away but is hardly the isolated island it once was. It is accessible under three hours from the city, all the basic amenities are available and its main attraction is nature itself. There is no large infrastructure to obscure the picture postcard views and if you are keeping a tight hold of your wallet, this is the best place to live the island life at a very affordable price.

Source: New Sabah Times 'In' Sites

NOTE: Photo Copyright to New Sabah Times
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