Tourist Attractions in State of Sabah

Upon arrival to Turtle Island we were told if we wanted to film we would need to pay for a camera and video licenses. We paid for both, I think it was about 45 RM. So you can imagine how annoyed we were when the turtles came into shore, we were told to put away our cameras. Not only were we told but it was shouted at us aggressively. We were not using a flash or light with either camera. So why everyone was ohhing over the turtles we were left standing there wondering what we had paid for. Near the end of the night we were allowed to take one photo of the baby turtles. Had we been told this we would not have paid. We understand that having tourists on the Island is to raise money to help the turtles but still this does not entitle them to rip people off!

The opening times are very strict at the Mountain Garden at Mount Kinabalu, so make sure you know them well and leave the garden on time. The gardens are open every day 9am, 12pm and 3pm. I think it is open for an hour every time, but I am not sure about that. What is certain is that the garden closes at 4.00pm sharp! Hahaha, it says so on the sign, so don't forget to read that important message!

Ooooops! I guess they were not kidding with that 4.00pm SHARP sign! It is 1 minute past 4 and this is what we find..... a closed gate..... a big lock..... and HELP! We are on the wrong side of it!!!!

Hahaha, it was a bit of a hilarious moment, but also a bit worrying at the same time. How to get out of this place! For the first time I noticed that there was this big fence around the garden, eeeeeks! ;-))) But rescue was on the way! The guard came back after a few minutes to release us from our garden prison, LOL :-)))

I stayed on Manukan Island for two absolutely miserable nights. At first I thought the water would be beautiful and the lodge rustically pristine. However, the day trippers over ran the island leaving dirt and debris everywhere. The bathroom in the lodge was disgusting, and the electricity was turned off for 12 hours everyday turning the room into a hot box crawling with unseen beasts. There is only one place to eat on the island and the food was horrible. The sewage often backs up, and you are forced to consume lousy food while sniffing human feces. Simply lovely!

Unique Suggestions: Do not go to Manukan Island!

Fun Alternatives: Find a beach away from the marauding hordes of tourists.

this tourist trap was an inconvenient public convenience at the `comfort stop` in Nabalu, a little town on the way to Mt Kinablu
it consisted of tin hut with a couple of planks balanced over an open sewer, it cost 5 ringits

paper was not supplied, and the aroma was err.........unique

Unique Suggestions: hold your breath, and dont even consider it if your balance is less than perfect
believe me, you do NOT want to slip here, believe me you have to be REALLY desperate to even consider it

Fun Alternatives: as you drive through the country look for a bushy area and stop there, OK so its easier for men but when you gotta go, you gotta go.....
check for creepy crawlies first