This blog is dedicated to those who admire wildlife,adventure & culture here in Sabah Borneo 'Land Below The Wind'.From the highest Mountain Kinabalu to the deepest sea of Sipadan Island.
The island, shaped-like knife, has a beach that stretches up to 2.500 metres. The fact, that this thin island has never been commercialized, secures its hidden secrets from great number of divers and thus giving you a private but full enjoyment to the tropical island. Unfairly blessed with age-old shipwrecks and critters inhabiting in and around it.
The island promises the most diverse marine life with visibility up to 40 metres. Many species of rays flutter around like blue spotted ray and marbled sting ray amongst large schools of fish.
Besides that muck diving is excellent with the quiet existence of imperial shirmps, jaw fish ribbon eels, seahorses, pink-eyed gobbles and the jaw-dropping blue ringed octopus, amidst nudibranch of all sorts.
Mari Mari Dive Lodge, Mantanani Kechil Island
TOUR SCHEDULE. Time Itinerary
0715 hrs Pick up from KK hotel and transfer thru a comfortable coach or van to Kuala Abai Jetty, Kota Belud. Estimated travel time will be 1 hour & 45 minutes. 0930 hrs Arrival at Jetty and then depart to Mantanani Island. Mantanani consists of 3 islands namely Pulau Mantanani Besar, Pulau Mantanani Kecil and Pulau Lungisan. We travel 1 hour going to the small (kecil) island shaped like a knife with a beach stretching up to 2,500 meters.
1030hrs Upon reaching starting point, top of the line equipments will be provided to the guests. After gearing up, dive briefing will be given by a certified MARI MARI PADI divemaster and begin to the 1st dive. Dive at leisure until 2nd dive. 1300hrs Back to the island for the sumptuous hotplate & grilled Lunch. 1400hrs Recoil to snorkeling and other island leisure activities. 3rd Dive can be extended to professional divers. 1500hrs Depart back to Kota Belud Jetty. Upon arrival, board in coach and proceed back to Kota Kinabalu.
0630hrs Drop off at hotel. -End of service. Tour includes: Return transfer, diving equipments & briefing, English speaking guide, Hot Grilled Lunch, Insurance.
THINGS TO BRING: FOR DIVERS: Payment / Service Voucher > Please bring along your logbook & diver Extra pocket money certification card. Insect repellent Sun-block lotion Change of clothes Towel Cap / Hat
Remarks: 1. Participant must be physically fit as this tour is for those who love adventure. 2. Liability Release Form MUST be signed and understood by the participant before the tour commences. 3. Age limit for diving is 12 years old and above. 4. Please let us know if you have dietary request, e.g. vegetarian. 5. Please provide Passport number and full name for security reasons.
Here i am at the enterance Mari Mari Cultural Village.You can stop at enterance the used canopy walk or drive through in.Before enter make sure register first & get a ticket at counter.
With me is 'The Man',the Mari Mari Cultural Village was his idea after few years studying what else can "kita tipu org putih"(jokes).The idea came out after visiting cultural village such in Sarawak, and also in New Zealand,Kemboja,Vietnam & others several countries.
We will be welcome by dancers at the village.
The villagers also welcome us with their traditional custom tribe.
DJ Sadar post at one of tribe house 'Runggus Longhouse'
Located along the Sungai Kinabatangan, our lodge is the only trace of civilisation within the proximity. Be prepared to get all misty eyed over the surreal lush greenery, intended to be left untouched for your viewing pleasure. It is, of course, free to indulge yourself with nature’s most promising scenery.
Staying in Nature Lodge Kinabatangan, you will pass through a little village known as Kampung Bilit ~ where the people’s lives are simple and absolutely remote from the outside world.
You will be welcome by friendly staf at the Nature Lodge Kinabatangan.They also part of villagers Kg.Bilit.
Pickup at 7.30 am transfer 2 hours to Kinabalu Park.Visit the exhibition Centre & Mountain Garden.Then transfer to Hot Spring.Free & easy own activities. Includes:-Return transfer,enterance fee,lunch Exclusive:-Conservation fee at Poring
Once arrive at Kinabalu Park Headquaters
View from above on way to Kundasang.You can see along the road start at Kinabalu Park & on the way to Poring Hot Springs.
-Land transfer (Kota Kinabalu-Kinabalu Park-Timpohon Gate-Kinabalu Park-Kota Kinabalu)
-1 night stay at one of the Mountain Hut (Dormitory)
-Meals as stated (1B/2L/1D) i. 1 pack lunch (balsam cafe) Day 1 ii. 1 dinner (laban rata restaurant) Day 1 iii. 1 breakfast (laban rata restaurant) Day 2 iv. 1 lunch (balsam cafe) Day 2
-Mt. Climbing Permit, -Mt. Climbing Insurance -Mt. Guide -Certificate of Achievement -Main entrance fee to Kinabalu Park
Transfer from you hotel at 7.00 am to Kinabalu Park Headquartes.Arrival register & briefing by mountain guide info about trails,safety and others about climbing.
Registeration counter.Take your id pass here & coupon meals.
Dont forget to take your pack lunch at Balsam Cafe.Used your coupun u get it at registration counter.
Mountain guide will brief you about safety,rules & others about climbing the mountain.
Map shown the trails climb Mount Kinabalu.Click the map for larger view @Copyright Sabah Travel Guide
From left myself,Sharul(The Beach Lodge) & Clarice (Imperial Hotel)
Canopy walk.Only available at Mesilau trail.
Climbing up !!
Stop at the shelter having a pack lunch
On the up you can see the porter carrying good stuff to Laban Rata
Ironman Mt.Kinabalu. "Sabah boleh bah!!"
Arrive at Laban Rata hut.
Once arrival at Laban Rata go to the reception counter to check in.Free & easy.Dinner will be serve at Laban Rata Restaurant at 17:00 until 19:30.
Grocery counter at Laban Rata
Dinner time at Laban Rata restaurant buffet style.Remember restaurant closed at 19:30
Domitory bed.Available with heated & non heated.After dinner sleep early wake up 02:00 finish the summit
Bathroom
Toilet & shower with hot water(until 20:00)
It`s 02:30 ready to finish the summit.It dark used torchlight.Dont forget to bring camera along.
Last sign at KM8 (3929 meter)
My mountain guide Nizam Laukung Abdullah
Finally reach on the top
A view from the KM 7 you can see on the way down.Click for larger view.
At Sayat-Sayat point,register to claim the certificate when u arrive at Kinabalu Park.
Going down.Breakfast waiting at Laban Rata Restaurant.
Here at Gunting Lagadan.Accomandation domitory non-heated but with cooking facilities.
Breakfast
Breakfast available at 07:00 until 10:30.After breakfast check out & going down to Kinabalu Headquaters
Going down.
Final stairs before end at Timpohan Gate
At the final gate Timpohon.Wait for the shutle pick you & drop at Kinabalu Park headquaters.
Lunch at Balsam Cafe.Must arrive here before 16:30.
Say bye & thanks for climbing Mount Kinabalu.Pick up transfer to Kota Kinabalu is 15:00 to 18:00 hours.
7.30am: Depart for 2 hours drive to Kinabalu Park HQ known for its diverse range of flora and fauna and the majestic Mount Kinabalu. 9.30am: Arrive at Kinabalu park. Register for the climb at the Park HQ and proceed to Timpohon Gate, the starting point of your mountain scaling trip. One extraordinary sight is that you will notice the change of vegetation from Oak and Chestnut to mossy forest and eventually to alpine vegetation when you finally reach your overnight based at 2,800m. 2.30pm: Arrive at Laban Rata. Check in at Hostel. Free & Easy 6.00pm: Dinner served at Laban Rata Restaurant
Day 2 (Breakfast / Lunch)
At 0230 hours, you start ascending to the summit of Mount Kinabalu (4092.5m) above sea level. This will allow you to catch the spectacular sunrise and beautiful photographs at the summit called Low's Peak. 8.00am: We will return to Laban Rata Resthouse for breakfast 10.00am: And descend to the Timpohon Gate. 1.00pm: Arrive at Timpohon Gate. Transportation will await you and bring you to the Park Headquarters to collect certificate of achievements. 2.00pm: Lunch served at Balsam Restaurant. 2.30pm: Back to Kota Kinabalu.
Package Inclusive: Transfer return between each destination, Climbers permit,Certificate, Entrance fees, Insurance, Mt. Guide, Accommodation, Meal on Day 1 (Pack Lunch, Buffet Dinner) & Day 2 (Buffet Breakfast, Buffet Lunch)
What to bring: Suitable walking shoes and Sandals, Warm clothing Windbreaker / Raincoat / Change of clothes, Drinking water high energy food (chocolates, raisins, nuts, glucose) First aid kit, Basic Toiletries, Binoculars, Camera for unforgettable moments