On The Road Again: I Hit It “Hard” This Time

One of my favorite activity besides scuba diving is long distance driving. I’ve spent quite a number of hours driving to destinations hundreds of kilometers away from my hometown Kota Kinabalu, the capital city of Sabah, Malaysia.

Lahad Datu town in the East Coast.

When I got back from being a part time Instructor at Layang Layang Island Resort on the 4th August 2009, I hit the road again and I hit it “hard” this time. I visited 5 towns in 5 districts around Sabah within 7 days period.

Visited towns/districts (excluding Kota Kinabalu – the starting & ending point):

5th Aug. > Lahad Datu, East Coast of Sabah
6th Aug. > Sandakan, East Coast of Sabah
7th Aug. > Kota Kinabatangan, East Coast of Sabah
8th Aug. > Back to Kota Kinabalu
10th Aug. > Kota Belud, West Coast of Sabah
11th Aug. > Kudat, North of Sabah,
12th Aug. > Kota Merudu, North, Sabah
13th. Aug. > Back to Kota Kinabalu, home sweet home.

The road trip this time was slightly different because I was traveling with another companion – my brother in law. In the past I’ve done most of my trans-boarder or within the state driving alone in my own car. All of this long distance driving took place around Sabah, Brunei and Sarawak – all on the mystical island of Borneo. And most of these trips are only for my own pleasure and enjoyment – when I am not swimming with the fishes in the sea.

Typical Sight: A Hut In The Middle of Rice Field OTW to Kudat.

What I like most, out of all those trips, is to be able to see different people, different places, the many interiors’ unique names, the wildlife, the signage in shops and public places and the culture; even though I am part of the people. And the food too. On top of that it is the heart-capturing view of each of the places: the panorama and vivid colors along the way that would captivate every single traveler to this beautiful tropical land.

It was quite amusing when I saw, in one of the hotels, the “Zoom Malaysia” banners; a campaign ad by the government to promote domestic tourism destinations. I have been – and still am – actually voting for that promotion and to be honest I am thrilled with that feeling.

For travelers to the state of Sabah, your entry point will be the state capital – Kota Kinabalu. Most of the places I’ve been to, in this article, have their own unique attractions. A visit by land or air is possible. But to see the interior part, overland tour by taxi or bus or mini van will be the best options.

Clean and safe accommodations are easy to find in all of the towns at a very affordable rates. Local foods, Chinese foods, fresh seafood outlets are all over place. Fast food outlets are also available.

Here are some of the photos I made from the recent trips. Most of these were taken while on the move. When I wasn’t the one on the wheel.

To see the rest of the photos, please visit my facebook account. You should be able to access them or otherwise please add me as a friend so that you can see them after confirming your friend request.

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A bush area was on fire on the way to Kudat.

Sandakan Yacht Club, Sandakan

Houses On Stilts In Sandakan

Old Rice Processing Mill, Kota Belud

Local Product "Jagung Bakar" is famous on the Northern districts of Sabah.

Related posts:

1. Submerging Into The Unknown In Borneo: Lawas Exploration Dives
2. Top 3 Diving Destinations: Dive BORNEO (Malaysia)