A July 2002 trip to Sabah by ManFriday
Quote: Relaxed attitude, cheap life and the most magnificent sunsets on the face of the planet is to be found in the state of Sabah, Malaysian Borneo.
Overview
Hotel
Rather good and friendly service. Rooms are situated in a standard appartement complex, so you're sharing the block with locals.
Price of rent is RM 68 for a two-person room - quite comfortable, altough you can easily find youth hostels in KK at cheaper rates.
Member Rating 3 out of 5 on October 23, 2002
Promenade Hotel Appartements Promenade Hotel Apt, Sabah, Malaysia (088) 260-888
Restaurant
A good tip is the fish - fresh from the sea, well-spiced with chili and served piping hot from the grill. Besides the usual nasi ayam, goreng and variations of mee (noodles), you can also find a huge range of deep-fried sweet deserts to cater your taste. If the excessive usage of frying oil puts you off a bit, try an aiskrim kacang. It's a refreshing mixture of shaved ice, sweet milk, red beans, sweet corn and a lot of other stuff, you'll have fun identifying as you go along. Great to cool you down after a hot day.
If you're a frequent visitor, get to know people - they're friendly and outgoing, even if their English knowledge is marginal at best. Some of the best conversation I had was a mixture of English, Malay and a large amount of sign language!
Member Rating 4 out of 5 on October 23, 2002
Local Market Marketplace, Seaside Sabah, Malaysia
The place can be packed around lunchtime, as it seems to be one of the favourites of the local office workers.
Member Rating 4 out of 5 on October 24, 2002
Jothy's Curry Lot 1, G9, Api-Api Centre Sabah, Malaysia (088) 261-595
Attraction
Dive trips are a full-day-out to one or two of the five islands of TAR Marine Park and include 2 dives + full equipment rental. There is ample opportunity to take a snorkelling tour, during your surface rest between dives. The divemasters are well-versed in the ways of the local marine life and excellent guides.
As an added bonus, Jeffrey Hong is an underwater photographer, able to add some great shots of your underwater adventures to your picture album.
Last and best of all, the staff is not partial to a happy night-on-the town after a hard day's diving. Two thumbs up!
Borneo Action Diveshop G 19, Ground Floor, Wisma Sabah Sabah, Malaysia
Member Rating 3 out of 5 on October 25, 2002
SCUBA Paradise Ground Floor, Wismah Sabah Sabah, Malaysia
ManFriday Copenhagen, Denmark