Title: 2 Months in Sabah for JKR’s TSR Project 2003.
When: October – November 2003
About The Trip:
Purpose: Traveling around Sabah while working on JKR’s TSR Project.
Days/Nights: 61 Day 60 Nights (2 consecutive months)
Arrangements: Travel Agent / Self-guided Tour
Route: KUALA LUMPUR – Kota Kinabalu SABAH ( 6 nights) – LABUAN (1 night) – Kota Kinabalu SABAH – Ranau SABAH (3 nights) – Telupid SABAH (18 nights) – Kota Belud SABAH – Beluran SABAH (17 nights) – Sandakan SABAH (7 nights) – Kota Kinabalu SABAH (4 nights) – Sapi Island SABAH – Manukan Island SABAH (2 nights) – Kota Kinabalu SABAH (2 nights) – KUALA LUMPUR
Traveling Method & Time:
Kuala Lumpur – Kota Kinabalu = aeroplane (≈ 2 hours 35 minutes)
Kota Kinabalu – Labuan = express boat (≈ 1 hour)
Labuan –Kota Kinabalu = express boat (≈ 1 hour)
Kota Kinabalu – Ranau = a rented car (≈ 1 hour 40 minutes)
Ranau – Telupid = a rented car (≈ 1 hour 40 minutes)
Telupid – Kota Belud = a rented car (≈ 3 hours 15 minutes)
Kota Belud – Beluran = a rented car (≈ 3 hours 40 minutes)
Beluran – Sandakan = a rented car (≈ 1 hour 15 minutes)
Sandakan – Kota Kinabalu = a rented car (≈ 5 hours)
Kota Kinabalu – Sapi Island = a rented car (≈ 3 hours)
Sapi Island – Manukan Island = fast boat ( ≈ 15 minutes)
Manukan Island – Kota Kinabalu = fast boat ( ≈ 10 minutes)
Kota Kinabalu – Kuala Lumpur = aeroplane (≈ 2 hours 35 minutes)
Details:
Kota Belud situated 70 km northeast of Kota Kinabalu is popularly known as the “Land of the Cowboys of the East”. Kota Belud to me is one of Sabah’s most scenic and culturally rich districts – a melting pot of cultures and customs with a blend of the largely Muslim Bajau community and the many tribes of the Kadazandusun and the Irranun. To this day, the Kota Belud tamu (Sunday open market) still exists and continues to maintain its role as a venue for the people of the various communities to meet and trade.
The best time to view Kota Belud’s striking cultural potpourri is during the grand Tamu Besar which is carried out annually. It is actually Sabah’s biggest open-air market where farmers, fishermen and vendors offer their best produce and wares for sale to the public.
During this auspicious occasion, unique customs and traditions of the Bajau community are showcased. All the tribes will come out fully donned in their respective traditional costumes for three days. Some other activities include the Buffalo Parade Competition, Buffalo Ring Race Competition, “Ngandar Parai Jata Kerbau” Local Tradition Sport Competition, Buffalo/Horsemen Flag Race Competition, Buffalo Gunny Sack Race Competition & Net Ball Horsemen.
For a wild, wild, East experience with a Bornean twist, a visit to Kota Belud during Tamu Besar is definitely a must while you are in Sabah.
Image Gallery:
A Sabahan woman in Bajau ethnic traditional costume @ Kota Belud, Sabah
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