Unforgettable vacation in Sabah Region - East Malaysia in Borneo Island

with Sutera Harbour Resort Hospitality

Motaz Othman 

Islamic Tourism Media

Sabah Region – Borneo Island – Malaysia

A trip into a piece of paradise on earth, that’s the few words to explain and talk about our trip to Sabah Region in East Malaysia which was really a nice visit and wonderful vacation that we will not forget it for years to come, it started when I received an invitation from Sutera Harbour Resort through my friend Mr. Joachim Fischer, Director of Business Development. Our trip started immediately after Asean Tourism Forum in Brunei on the 29^th January 2010, where we took Air Asia 20 minutes flight to reach Kota Kinabalu in Sabah Region East of Malaysia in Borneo Island. Ms. Lillian from Sea Quest Tours was waiting for us in the Airport, and only 10 minutes we arrived to Sutera Harbour Resort where we welcomed by a traditional music played by Malaysian musician.

Before I forget, let me describe the view of Sabah Region and Borneo island from the Air, the view was totally covered with Green Jungles and rainforests, from the air, you can see the Sabah beaches washed by the South China Sea north of Borneo island, in fact I expect a nice vacation even before landing as I met with Mr. Rob Tan, Director of sales and Ms. Victoria, the sales manager in their stand during ATF in Brunei and I’m still remember what Rob told me, he said come you will enjoy.

A welcome drink and a delicious barbeque dinner offered to us and our friends Suat Tore and Ozzy Tore from Turkey the publishers of FTN News, we were welcome during the dinner by Mr. Ravi Velu, the Chief Operating Officer of Sutera Harbour and top executive managers, the barbeque was tailor made for us,  many kinds of sea food include a very delicious Salmon and shrimps, also meat and chicken, soft drinks and sweet was also offered to us from the chef, that was the welcoming dinner that I felt that we will have an excellent food during my trip and that’s what happened, and as you know, eating well means feeling well and sleeping well as all the food is fresh, light and delicious.

Our room in Magellan Sutera resort was facing the sea, where all rooms have a balcony, the rooms are big and well furnished, pillows are excellent, I’m always saying that Hotels and resorts should take good care of pillows before anything as travelers will change their beds and they need a good pillow.

The next day in the morning Ms. Lillian our guide took us to Poring Hot Spring through a very green and beautiful scenes road, its around 100 miles from the city where we experience trickling and walking on a 41 meter height ropes that connects huge trees, seeing below the rich green land , after lunch  we reached to The Kinabalu Park, Malaysia’s First World Heritage Site, where private luxury villas in the middle of the Park built to offer tourists a warm accommodation inside the Park facing mountain Kinabalu managed by Sutera Harbour Resort, the majestic summit of Borneo island. The time was almost 5 p.m, I phoned the reception asking for the availability of Spa and massage services, the answer was we can ask for that, two ladies came, one Malaysian and the other from Phillipine where a one hour excellent massage was offered to me and to my wife Asma for a very reasonable price. Followed by a unique dish in the restaurant which is the Steam Bot, and let me explain about it, they put chicken soup under boiling water and then you start putting the shrimps, meat, vegetables in the boiling chicken soup and eat it once its ready, it was also delicious meal and as its only boiled so you will not feel heavy and your light dinner gives you more relaxing to sleep well. The Villas are just wonderful, imagine facing the great mountain in a 1500 meter height where the fresh air is filling your chest and where you wish to take some fresh air with you back home. Inside the villas, you can turn the fire place where the friendly people came and make it ready for us, the rain shower inside the bath together takes all your tired.

In the morning, a visit to the museum inside the park showing the history if the mountain and the place, followed by a visit to the Kundasang War Memorial and Gardens where Australian and British prisoners dies during World War 2.

On our way we stopped in the city for some shopping, big malls offers you everything,  here that you can find very good textiles from good trade marks in a better prices, in addition to all what you think to buy. Back to Magellan Hotel and back to our rooms for a one hour rest followed by a river cruise where we saw the Proboscis monkey, long talied macaques, silvered leaf monkey’s, kingfishers eagles and some rare sighted otters and crocodile’s. Followed by a very rich Sea Food meal.

The Third day, we where in a meeting to take the boat towards Manukan Island, its only 15 minutes with a safe boat we reach the island, imagine a small island with very clean sands and full of Coconut and palm trees. Swimming in the sea and then relaxing under the huge trees is unforgettable experience, a barbeque lunch was offered to us include delicious kinds of sea food such as Lobsters, Salmon, Caboria and other kinds of sea food, here in the island Sutera Harbour are taking care of the accommodation and offers  a totally wooden villas in different sizes for guests.

The Sutera Harbour is also connected to a Golf Resort, just few minutes walking from Magellan Sutera Harbour, where you can drive your car and enjoy your game, also in the resort you can enjoy The wonderful Spa, once you enter, a cup of tea will be offered to you and ladies offered you 4 kinds of oil to choose from depending on your skin, a bowling club and lot of facilities that makes your stay in Sutera Harbour a relaxing one. During sun set, you can enjoy a cup of Sabah Tea facing the sea with traditional songs.    

As a Middle East person, I strongly believe that Sabah Region is really a paradise for tourist, the food, the green, the fresh air, the nature, the Flora & Fauna, The Eco-treasures from mountain high to ocean deep, meet with Orang utan, also known as the wild man of Borneo,  the palaces, hospitality, the beautiful ladies, the friendly and nice people, shopping, the good service and good infrastructure, the Sutera Harbour accommodation whether in the city or in Kinabalu Park, or in Manukan island are all designed to you to enjoy and a fantastic trip.

Malaysia in general is well known for the excellent services for everybody and in particular for Arabs and middle east people, I strongly recommend tourist whether families or honeymooners to come and enjoy as Mr. Rob told me before I start my trip.

Sabah Region is really a wonderful place to spend a vacation, my trip was short as for sure there are a lot to see more.