State of Sabah Local Customs

  I am lucky to capture this :D
by hamgu77
 
  • I am lucky to capture this :D
      I am lucky to capture this :D
    by hamgu77
  •   "the Catch"
    by balhannah
  • Save tissue
      Save tissue
    by kyoub
  •   Local Customs
    by stevemt
  • No pork, but plenty of beer..
      No pork, but plenty of beer..
    by cachaseiro
 

Reviews from VirtualTourist Members

Snap it if you can!

by hamgu77

This info is more of suggesting of photography.after the airplane took off, depend on which side you sit, look out of the window.. check if you can see this picture (see my attached photo) .. this 'smiling face' are the 3 islands that you hopped during the snorkeling !

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Eco friendly shower

by kyoub

You will not find this type bathroom just in Sabah but all over Asia.The first time we had one, we kept going in the small bathroom, coming out shaking our heads. There was no shower that we could see.After further investigation we did see a shower attached to the wall. We also so a small box that must be the water heater. We turned it on and we had hot water and a shower.There was a hole in the floor for the water to drain out.Water heater is very small and hangs on the wall, thereby saving you valuable floor space.

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Party

by denna

It's part of the kadazan culture to drink whenever there's a party. Drinks can be the local wine- few of them,wine, beer,whisky or brandy. If somebody offer you a drink, just drink a sip if you don't normally drink. It's not polite not to take what is being offered to you. But if you really must decline, do it politely or ask somebody to help you to drink.

Shake Hands

by denna

I think Sabah people like to shake hands..when you meet them AND when you leave them.Hug and a kiss is acceptable only if you are close with them-normally among relatives and close friends. SOME muslims don't shake hands especially the ladies but don't feel offended by it.

Additional State Holidays 2007 - Sabah

by SLLiew

Sabah was obtained by the North Borneo Company from the Sultanate of Sulu (Philippines). Hence there are no hereditary kings. Sabah joined Malaysia not on Merdeka Day August 31, 1957 but later on September 16, 1963 called Malaysia Day.Sabah has a large Christian community and hence Good Friday is observed as a State holiday.The State Governor is appointed to serve as the Head of State. 6 April 2007 Friday Good Friday (Sabah, Sarawak only)30 & 31 May 2007 Wedesday & Thursday Keamatan Festival (Labuan, Sabah only)16 September 2007 Sunday Malaysia Day & Birthday of Sabah State Governor

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Food Parties

by Pieter11

If you are invited to a party in Sabah, make sure you go there with a very empty stomach, because a party here is basically about only one thing: food! It doesn't matter if you get there at 18:00 or at 23:00, the food will always be there, ready to be eaten.The food is served in a buffet, you can take whatever you like, but make sure that you try everything. And only one full plate of food is never enough! Be prepared that you are expected to eat at least two rounds, but even better three or four! After those four rounds it's time for some quality talks or karaoke of course...

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Tiger Beer

by Pieter11

A big part of the inhabitants of Sabah are Muslims, and so they don't drink alcohol. But another big part are Christians, and when you see them having a party it seems like they drink for two!The local beer of Malaysia is Tiger Beer and it is the biggest Asian beer brand. At a night of partying with the Christian part of the Sabahans, many liters of the beer is consumed.

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Karaoke

by Pieter11

Everywhere in Asia karoake is extremely popular. Malaysia is not different from that. In any CD-shop you will find lots of karoake-CD's. Some of them in English, but most of them in Malay. It's nice to sing along with the English songs, but it's even much more of a challenge to try to follow the Malay songs.

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Friendly People

by gnh

You can most assuredly get friendly responses to your queries for directions etc.Taxi drivers, bus drivers, hotel staff, restaurant waitresses are of a different category altogether when compared to those of West Malaysia, especially the larger cities of similar size.

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Point with your thumb

by Firestar24

Apparently, in most of Malaysia - including Eastern Malaysia, it's considered rude to point with your forefinger and instead you should refer to things with your thumb. It's quite easy once you get used to it and Jonathan and I continued to do this for about two weeks after we came home. We asked a friend in KL why pointing with your forefinger was considered rude and he muttered something vague about ' the finger that points at a person has four pointing at himself'.... still a mystery then! Anyone care to help me out?Also beware of pointing at things with your feet, which is considered extremely bad manners - seems silly to mention until you think of it - if goods were displayed at ground level and something catches your eye...... It could happen!

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Top 3 Hotels in State of Sabah

Shangri-Las Rasa Ria Resort  Kota Kinabalu

 19 Reviews and 1281 Opinions  We were happy to see our hotel pick up waiting at the airport for us on arrival. 45 minutes later we... 

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Sabah Hotel Sandakan  Sandakan

 5 Reviews and 175 Opinions  I stayed in this hotel for 2 nights for work. It is a 4-star hotel with nice swimming pool. When I... 

 Hotels in Sandakan

Sipadan-Kapalai Island Resort  Pulau Sipadan

 1 Review and 241 Opinions  Fell in love with this place especially my water bungalow. It's huge with comfy beds, big bathroom... 

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Reviews and photos of State of Sabah attractions posted by real travelers and locals. The best tips for State of Sabah sightseeing.

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Questions and Answers

ozzana profile photo

Q:  Hello everybody... Can I seek help here? I intend to visit Sabah with family? However I need to know what good activities can... 

thegreynomad profile photo

A: Visit the Head hunters village, the Saturday morning markets and the Island's. There are more than one market, but the enclosed ones are pretty hot and stuffy, so may... 

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