Fun things to do in State of Sabah

The hike up to Low's Peak from Laban Rata was no exactly easy. We woke up at 2am in the morning and set-off for the hike up to Low's Peak to catch the marvellous view of the sunrise at 2.30am. There were many many hikers and all of us formed a line and it was quite interesting to see a long long stream of lights leading up to the summit (created by the torch lights of hikers).

Some areas were pretty dangerous. You will pass by Sayat Sayat to register yourself before you reach the very very steep rock surfaces. We rested so many times as we summit. On average, you will need some 3-4 hours to reach the Low's Peak.

Well, when I finally reached the top, I saw the daybreak, followed by the sunrise. I forgot all the "pain" and all I could remember now is the sense of satisfaction I got and of course the nice scenery. Oh, and the cold cold wind when I reached the top too.

The Rungus are a sub-group of the Kadazan-Dusun, Sabah’s major indigenous people. However they speak a different language and retain distinctive customs, dress, architecture, oral literature and some of the state’s most talented artisans.

Their homeland, in the northwest corner of Sabah in Kudat district, about 160 kilometres north of Kota Kinabalu, is relatively easy to access with your own transport, but is far from the regular tourist trail. It’s difficult to imagine why the region has remained so untouched for so long as it is enchantingly picturesque. Apart from the cultural fascination of the Rungus and their traditional lifestyles, there’s an entire coastline of wonderful deserted beaches, just waiting to be explored, as well as the old port town of Kudat, that for a brief period served as the state’s colonial capital.

(Extracted from web link.)

My Experience
Getting there to Kampung Bavanggazo was not easy. Oops, before that, obtaining the contact number of the places was already difficult. (Now I know I can just email to Sabah Tourism for any information. They do reply emails.) When my friends and I reached the Long House, we were greeted by the daughter of the owner. She is Agnes. She runs the place. We were the only tourists staying overnight that day. Agnes, being a very nice guide, brought us to the nearby village, told us a lot about the Rungus Culture and its people. The Long House itself is cooling as it is made of wood. Indeed an experience not to be missed.

See my Accommodation Tip for more informtaion

This place is HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.

The islands around Kota Kinabalu are charming and picturesque. The five islands of Pulau Gaya, Pulau Sapi, Pulau Manukan, Pulau Mamutik and Pulau Sulug and the surrounding seas covering a total area of approximately 12,185 acres have been designated as the Tunku Abdul Rahman National Park. (I only went to Manukan Island.)

Crystal-clear waters are just a ten-minute boat ride away from Kota Kinabalu. For the better part of the year, the seas are usually very calm in the mornings. A journey to the islands by speedboat would be an exhilarating ride across a smooth shimmering surface. Those wishing for a quiet holiday will find peace and tranquility especially during the weekdays when there are few bathers around. Water skiers would likewise find the seas of Pulau Mamutik, Pulau Manukan and Pulau Sapi excellent because of the gentle waves.

Three hundred years ago a warrior and headhunter lived in a village on the slopes of a river near Kota Kinabalu. He was part of the biggest indigenious group of people in Sabah: the Kadazan-Dusun. All these years later, the legends and true stories about this tribe are being told by the direst descendants of the warrior. It's very strange to realize that the girl that guides your tour is a relative of a legendary headhunter. Her grandma used to act out serious and important rituals for the spirits. She herself even says to have contact with spirits. Believe me, when you hear her stories, you almost feel them.
Of course the village is made for tourists, but I must say it was quite interesting. And we were the only two people there at that time. We even had a few traditional dances performaned just for us.

Should you have a bit of money to spare and really want to dive somewhere special in Sabah, I would suggest the island Sipadan. Pulau Sipadan is a little oceanic mushroom sitting 34 km out of the coast from Semporna and can be reach by one of the dive resorts’ boats. The longer you are on the water the more curious you’ll get, until your eye catches a tiny dot on the horizon. It has a green hat of trees and forest and has a beautiful underlining of a white beach that goes all around the little piece of land. You’ll walk around it in half an hour.
There are several dive resorts on the isle. More that you would think imaginable, but I found it not disturbing. My advise is to go to Borneo Divers. They have the best spot on the isle, exactly in front of the drop-off and with a nice wooden bar that’s situated above the water. Cabins are basic, but you’ll be out diving all day anyway.
Be prepared to see loads of turtles!! After a few days you will not even turn your head anymore to look at one… But the most special aspect of the diving at Sipadan is the amazingly steep and deep drop-off, just a few meters from the beach. It falls 600 meters into the ocean!
Further possible sightings: nudibranches (my personal favorite), hammerheads, leopard sharks, and of course all the other colorful beauties that we usually find on the reefs.
Not only in the water but also on land there are some wonderful creatures: turtles again, huge lizards and coconut crabs…
Truly wonderful place on this big earth!

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you can go by boat from kota kinabalu jetty harbour either to gayana eco resort or to bunga raya for swimming, snorkelling, relaxing
Gayana Eco Resort rests at the edges of a lush coral reef island off the coast of Borneo. 52 overwater villas are architecturally designed to enhance the sounds of the surf below while capturing the enduring vistas of Mt. Kinabalu on the horizon. At its heart, the resort is about protecting our precious Marine Ecology, and the only property with an on-site Marine Ecology Research Centre passionately propagating endangered Giant Clams and restoring natural coral reefs; where guests of all ages participate in restoring vibrant life back to once damaged ocean floors.
Bunga Raya Island Resort is a romantic and luxurious jewel set on a coral reef island off the coast of Borneo. A secluded island hideaway of 47 timbered villas, the resort is framed by white sand beach on one side and the centuries old virgin jungle on the other. Hillside private villas reflect the simplicity of the Borneo architectural style

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even you are not able due to lack of tiness and not willing to climb up to kinabalu it is a pleasure to see the landscape up to mt. kinabalu park entrance and to see the botanical garden of mt kinabalu

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Occupying an area of 280 acres it is one of the largest wildlife parks in Malaysia.
It is home to a fascinating and varied collection of tropical animals comprising mammals, birds and reptiles. These animals live in large enclosures designed to be like their natural habitat. Water is used as barriers wherever possible, together with low fences and walls camouflaged with vegetation.
we were fascinated of the animal show, also that sunbear, probiskey monkey and other local animals were real near to see..just pity that orang utan were out of home at our visit