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 Golf is just one of the options available for guests at Sutera Harbour, a resort in Kota Kinabalu. But if your supply of Titleists runs out and you’re hunting for a different adventure, Sabah on Malaysian Borneo is the place to be. Malaysia’s second largest state is on the northern tip of Borneo and shares the island with Sarawak, Brunei and Indonesia’s Kalimantan. The state of close to 3 million people is a melting pot of indigenous groups, where more than 30 ethnic communities speak approximately 50 languages, including English. It’s also a potpourri of ecological wonders, where visitors can climb peaks, visit an orangutan sanctuary, hike through rainforests, explore caves, raft on rivers or explore the depths of the South China Sea. “The people are open and friendly and the natural beauty of Sabah is very special,” said James Chew, vice chairman of the Sabah Tourist Guides Association. “There is so much to do, see and explore.” If Borneo sounds familiar, it could be because it’s the third largest island in the world with a coastline of about 900 miles, but it more likely rings a bell because it was the the site of CBS’s first edition of “Survivor.” “Many visitors still ask about that,” said Chew, who was hired to help the crew set up and was involved with the production throughout the shooting. “I do have stories to tell,” he said with a chuckle. “Let’s just say that, after a while on an island far from home, things started to heat up between participants on both sides of the camera.” But it doesn’t take much for things to get steamy in Southeast Asia, where the air is thick and the tropical climate is typically hot. A good place to use as a starting point for a visit to Sabah is Kota Kinabalu, the state’s capital city of approximately 420,000 people that was granted city status in 2000. Construction is evident throughout the city as it rebuilds from the ruins of World War II. The contrasts can be stark and vibrant, as modern infrastructure and ancient tradition blend into the scenery at nearly ever turn. A point of emphasis for tourism has come in the realms of resorts and golf, with developers taking advantage of the area’s fertile and diverse landscape. “As we continue to add to our luxury lodging and recreation options, particularly golf, we feel that we will soon become known as one of the top places to visit in Asia,” said Humphrey Ginibun, marketing manager of the Sabah Tourism Board. “We are very proud and excited about what is happening.” Sutera Harbour is Sabah’s first fully integrated resort, with two hotels offering more than 950 rooms for guests. The 384-acre property also is home to 27 holes of golf, 14 restaurants and bars, two ballrooms, multiple recreational and sporting options and an expansive 104-berth marina, which can be used to visit the many small islands in the area. Weaving its way throughout the resort is the Sutera Harbour Golf & Country Club, where water hazards and spectacular views of the marina, beachfront and Mount Kinabalu are seen throughout the layout. Another golf course option with lodging is Dalit Bay Club & Spa in Tuaran, about 30 minutes from the shopping and commercial district of Kota Kinabalu. But there is plenty to do at Shangri-La’s Rasa Ria Resort, which is situated on 400 acres of tropical vegetation that abuts the South China Sea. The resort has 330 rooms, 18 holes of golf, a nature reserve, numerous watersport options and tours to attractions such as Mount Kinabalu and the Sepilok Orang Utan Sanctuary. While no lodging options are on the property at Borneo Golf & Country Club in Bongawan, a visit to the Jack Nicklaus-designed course about a 45-minute drive from Kota Kinabalu is worth a visit. The course’s seaside layout is natural and rugged on the front nine, with tropical vegetation surrounding most fairways. If your game isn’t quite up to par and the heat is on early in the round, hang in there, because cooler breezes from the South China Sea await you after the turn at the 11th hole, with the next seven holes skirting the sandy beachfront and natural lagoons. The contrast in nines is a quaint synopsis of the array of sights, sounds, contrasts and openness seen and felt in this portion of Borneo. “Diversity is evident everywhere in Sabah,” Chew said. “We are a diverse blend of cultures in harmony with each other and nature, with something for all of our people and visitors to explore each day. Everyone is welcome.” SG Cultural sights and outdoor adventures are plentiful in Malaysian Borneo. Depending on your interests and stamina, here are a few worth checking out: • Kinabalu Park: At nearly 13,500 feet, Mount Kinabalu is the main attraction at the park, which is less than a two-hour drive from Kota Kinabalu. The view from the top is spectacular, but if that’s out of your reach, there are plenty of sights and pleasures along the way, including the Poring Hot Springs, a natural health spa in a rainforest setting. • Sepilok Orang Utan Rehabilitation Centre: The largest such center in the world is in one of the most accessible wildlife regions in Southeast Asia. • Sabah Agricultural Park: The Native Orchids Centre on the grounds has 400 of the 1,500 orchid varieties in the world. • Turtle Island Park: The protection of the green and hawksbill turtles is the main reason for the park’s existence, and a variety of turtles come ashore each night. • Kinabatangan River: Probiscus monkeys can be seen on the lower part of the river, and at least 50 mammal species inhabit the wetland areas along the shore. • Danum Valley: The region’s rainforest is 140 million years old, and the Maliau Basin has the highest concentration of waterfalls in Malaysia. • Gomantong Caves: Numerous species of rare and colorful birds call the intricate cave systems home. • Tuku Abdul Rahman Marine Park: The concentration of five islands only 15 minutes from Kota Kinabalu by boat is a favorite of visitors who want a secluded picnic setting or a place to hike or dive. • Heritage Village: Fruit trees, herbal gardens, swinging hanging bridges, traditional houses and cultural shows are part of the visit. For the extra curious and adventurous, skulls taken by past head-hunting tribes are on display in one of the village’s longhouses. • Ka’andaman Traditional Healing Garden: Massage, relaxation and regenerating techniques utilized at this quaint spa in Kota Kinabalu include the ancient arts of Tui Na, Shiatsu and Rwo Shr. Don’t ask. Just try one. To learn more about the listed sites or the opportunities for travel in Malaysia, visit tourismmalaysia.gov.my or sabahtourism.com. For more about the highlighted resorts, visit suteraharbour.com or shangri-la.com. |
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