Sabah Malaysian Borneo

Every Sunday morning, the length of Gaya Street is closed off to traffic to make way for the Fair. Shop for anything under shady trees and over-sized umbrellas, like batik sarongs, fruits and flowers, arts and craft, footwear, antiques and souvenirs, cakes, even pets and herbs!. This is the best place to experience the cross-section of the local population when entire families enjoy a Sunday outing.

The Gaya Street Fair is on every Sunday from 6.30 am to 1.00 pm

Getting There

A short stroll from anywhere around the city or take public transport into town. (City Bus)

• Located at The Grace Park, Sembulan
• The Monument to commemorate the aircraft crash which killed the Sabah's fifth Chief Minister, Tun Fuad Stephens and six other important ministers.
• Incident happened on 6 June 1976
• A popular park amongst local for seating outs plentiful og leisure activities.

The Borneo Art Gallery is situated within walking distance from the heart of Kota Kinabalu City.

Extra InformationLocation : Suite 2.28, 2nd Floor, Complex Asia City, Jln. Asia City, Kota Kinabalu

Tel/Fax : 088-280707

Email : info@artborneo.com

Website : www.artborneo.com

The state-of-the-art marine museum is yet another addition to the Universiti Malaysia Sabah campus.

Established in 1995, the Borneo Marine Research Institute (BMRI) is aimed to promote education, research and training in conservation and sustainable development of marine resources, and a rational deployment of biotechnology.

Situated within the Borneo Marine Research Institute (BMRI) Complex adjunction to the Sepanggar Bay area, this aquarium and marine museum boasts one of the best aquarium facilities on the Borneo Island.

Among its facilities are the free standing exhibition tanks, live open water reef exhibition centre, live shallow reef exhibition centre, mangrove walk, contemporary Marine and Maritime Museum, Multimedia Interactive Information Kiosk, and Sipadan deep dive diorama.

The UMS Aquarium and Marine Museum is open every day except on Wednesdays and public holidays. Visiting hours are from 9.30am – 12.30pm and 2.00pm – 4.30pm.

Getting there

UMS is located about 3 kilometers away from the heart of the city (approximately 10 – 15 minutes drive away). Information regarding available public transportation is as follows:

Wawasan Bus Terminal - take bus to UMS or No. 5A (RM1.50 per person)

Taxi - within city center (*RM 20.00)

Extra information

Contact:

Universiti Malaysia Sabah
Aquarium & Marine Museum
Locked Bag No. 2073
88999 Kota Kinabalu

Tel: 6088 320000 Ext 2590 / 016 286 3697

Fax: 6088 320261

Email:bmru@ums.edu.my

Web: www.ums.edu.my

Contact person: Mr. Kennedy Aaron Aguol, Public Relation Officer

Atkinson Clock Tower

This Clock Tower has the distinction of being the oldest standing structure in the whole of Sabah that survived the destruction of Jesselton town during World War II. Till today, it still serves to keep the city's time.

The Atkinson Clock Tower is managed by the Sabah Museum under its Antiquity and History section.

• This building was build in 1903.
• 1956, the lights of this Clock Tower was used as navigation by local ships evening in Jesselton.
• Francis George Atkinson, the first district officer of Jesselton died of Malaria at age of 28, His mother Mary Edith Atkinson of England build this tower in 1905, in memory of her son.

Kota Kinabalu or formerly known as 'KK'

Kota Kinabalu, formerly known as Jesselton, is the city capital of Sabah as well as the capital of the West Coast Division of Sabah. Strategically situated in the Northwest Coast of Borneo Island, facing the South China Sea and Tunku Abdul Rahman Park on one side, and set against the backdrop of Mount Kinabalu; this beautiful ‘Nature Resort City’ stretches for miles along the coast and towards the inland.

Affectionately known as KK or Api Api by the locals, Kota Kinabalu is a popular tourism getaway and a major gateway into Sabah and Borneo Island. Apart from featuring a number of tourism attractions in and around the city, Kota Kinabalu is also one of the most thriving industrial and commercial centers in East Malaysia.

KK City Waterfront

• Kota Kinabalu or 'KK' (Jesselton) as it is popularly known is a pleasant Borneo surprise, set between luch tropical hills and the South China Sea.
• KK is the state capital of Sabah and a resort city of exciting contrasts-vibrant, serene and hassle-free, with modern infrastructure and many attractions.
• KK was granted city status on February 2nd 2000. It is the Eastern hub and gateways to Malaysia.
  

KK City Satellite Image (Click image to enlarge)

To download KK City Street Map click HERE

Weston Town

One of Sabah's hidden treasures, Weston Wetland is a fantastic getaway for the nature-lover. Make your way to the small town of Weston. Your boat ride to the Weston Wetland Retreat begins from the 100-year old jetty by the village.

The lodge is an establishment built in the heart of Weston's swamp area, offering plenty to see and do. Lodging is basic and dormitory-style; a wooden ‘longhouse' with common bathrooms. Go on a river cruise in search of the elusive Proboscis Monkey, cheeky macaques and flying fox. Along the way, learn crab-catching the traditional way.

A hike along the nature trail will lead you to many exotic pitcher plants growing wild. In the evening, enjoy a home-cooked meal at the Kingfisher Lounge, built on stilts and offering a panoramic view of the wetlands. When the lights go off, it's show time! Hundreds of fireflies light up the trees, illuminating the stillness of the night. Another must-do activity? Star-gazing.

The brilliant night sky dazzling with stars will be a sight not soon forgotten right here at the Weston Wetland.

• Weston is about 2 hours drive south from Kota Kinabalu. The journey takes you through other seldom-ventured towns, such as the rice bowl of Papar and the cozy Beaufort.
• The town centre consists of mosque, a school and a row of shops.
• There is a 100 year old jetty near by the village which used to be a large ships used to dock here buck in Weston's heyday when the town was a hub of merchant activity.

Getting There
Weston is a two-hour drive from Kota Kinabalu and only 20 minutes from the district of Beaufort. Transportation arrangements can be made with the operator of Weston Wetland Retreat, Borneo Eco Stay

Rates
Please contact Borneo Eco Stay for rates

Thomas L. Starcevich was awarded the Victoria Cross for his bravery and on 28th August 1947, he received his Victoria Cross medal at Western Australia where he eventually returned to farming. He is buried in the Esperance Public Lawn Cemetery, Western Australia.

You can take a Mini Bus from the Bus Station in front of Wawasan Plaza in KK City with departures throughout the day, starting from early morning. A one-way fare is RM5.00.

Taxis leave from the station at Padang Merdeka in KK.

Queen of Lepa Festival

The distinctive lifestyle of the nomadic Sea Bajau community in Sabah’s East Coast is characterized by their living on Lepa—they only come to the mainland for food, water supply and funerals..

Lepa is Bajau for single masted sailing boat which is usually made of Ubar Suluk or Red Seraya Wood. It is an ancient legacy which originates from fishing community inhabiting the coast of Semporna and the Bum-Bum Islands has long been the focal point of Lepa making.

The body of the Lepa consists of the pointed bow (tujjah), its body part (lepa), the walled-house structure (tapi) and the sago palm leaves-made roofing (kajang). The centre of the boat is called ‘pakajjangan’, the place for the oars called ‘panga’, and the stern called ‘pemalung’. A typical Lepa is 5 meters long and 1.5 meters wide. However, in competitions the Lepa sizes may vary.

Lepa uses two types of sails—the bigger sail, ‘lamak bua’an’; a name derived from a type of fish called ‘Bebang’, has one concave end resembling a fish’s mouth. The smaller sized sail is called ‘lamak kapis’ and is rectangular shaped. Lepa usually has colorful sailcloth made from medium weight cotton—heavier fabrics can sever the topes and break the mast during strong winds.

The Lepa would be ornately decorated with colorful decorative cloths such as ‘tipas-tipas’, which is a triangular shaped sambulayang, or ‘panji-panji’, which is rectangular shaped for festivities and weddings. Sets of traditional instruments called ‘tagungguh’ will be played on the Lepa for cultural shows.

For the Bajau people, Lepa possesses many uses apart from as a fishing vessel and as a means of transportation. It is also utilized for wedding venues and cultural performances. Nowadays, the practice of this traditional lifestyle is slowly dispersing with modernity. Few modern Bajaus use the Lepa today as many of them migrated to the mainland. Nonetheless, Lepa remains a symbol of tradition and a precious legacy for the Semporna Bajau community.

Witness a thrilling parade of flamboyant Lepas competing for the title of most beautiful. Other exciting events include a lineup of Sea Sports and the Lepa Queen pageant. Don’t miss it!

Map location of Semporna, Sabah

• 2 hours drive via the coastal highway Kota Kinabalu / Beaufort, towards the southwest of Sabah.
• There are 3 take-off points which consist of Garama, Klias and Bintuka.
• Hop in the boat to cruise in comfort through the tranquil serenity of mangroves, nipah palms, scrubs and secondary vegetation.
• Enjoy the serene setting and nature's river trail, while searching for the Proboscis Monkey and others inhabitants of the wetlands.