ECO-TREASURES DISCOVERED IN BORNEO

Borneo ( comprises of Kalimantan,Sarawak and Sabah ) is the third largest island in the world, located north of Australia, at the geographic centre of Maritime Southeast Asia. Politically, the island is divided among three countries: Indonesia,Malaysia and Brunei. Approximately 73% of the island is Indonesian territory; the Indonesian name for the island, Kalimantan, is used in English to refer to the Indonesian-controlled territory. The Malaysian states of Sarawak and Sabah (East Malaysia), in the north, occupy about 26% of the island. The sovereign state of Brunei , located on the north coast, comprises about 1% of Borneo's land mass.

Borneo is surrounded by the South China Sea to the north and northwest, the Sulu Sea to the northeast, the Celebes Sea and the Makassar Strait to the east and the Java Sea and Karima Strait to the south.

To the west of Borneo are the Malay Peninsula and Sumatra. To the south is Java. To the east is the island of Sulawesi (Celebes). To the northeast is the Philippines.Borneo's highest point is Mount Kinabalu in Sabah, Malaysia, with an elevation of 4,095 m above sea level. This makes it the world's third highest island.

Borneo is also known for its extensive cave systems. Clearwater Cave has one of the world's longest underground rivers. Deer Cave, thought to be the largest cave passage in the world, is home to over three million bats, with guano accumulated to over 100 metres (330 ft) high.

Straddling the equator and dominated by luxuriant rain forests,Borneo as the third largest island in the world,its territory apportioned unevenly between three countries of Malaysia,Indonesia and Brunei.A tropical paradise with unspoiled,endless white sandy beaches,the oldest and most bio-diverse rain forests on earth and an abundance of natural wonders.

As can only be expected,21st century Borneo is a fast changing place,but despite the fast pace of change,indigenous culture remains ingrained in the various lifestyles of Borneo's inhabitants.Beyond the Malay dominated town and cities,life still revolves around the longhouse and the river.For the visitor,it is the legendary hospitality of Borneo's tribal peoples,as much as the magnificent rain forests themselves,that make the island such a magical place to encounter.

Sabah sits at the tip of Borneo,the world's third largest island.Its coastline of 1440 km ,washed by the South China Sea on the West and the Sulu Sea and Celebes Sea on the East,that encloses an inland area of 74,500 sq.km.Lying just north of the equator,Sabah enjoys a sunny tropical climate where it's summer all year round.Daily temperatures range from 74 to 90 degrees Fahrenheit,with cooler weather up in the mountains.A land blessed with nature's most beautiful treasures,Sabah is also known by the famed romantic name of "The Land Below The Wind".

Deep in our hearts,we all dream of a tropical haven.Pure,green,pristine,at the same time,unspoilt and untouched by the problems of modern life still.I just want to share with you on what I have discovered at Sabah-the land of eco-treasures.Where you can climb to the awesome peak of the highest mountain in the region.Play with Orang Utan ,"the wild man of Borneo",in the largest sanctuary in the world.Admire the raflesia ,the largest flower in the world rain forests that are millions of years old.

If you yearn for the exhilarating sense of adventure,Sabah is the perfect place for jungle trekking,cave exploration,white -water rafting,mountain climbing or deep sea diving.Your taste for exotic culture will be more than sated by the numerous etchnic customs and celebrations which include living in longhouses and the potent rice wine called"lihiing" or "hiing".You can course just laze all day on a secluded beach or tee off in a championship golf course in any of the many world -renowned holiday resorts.

HOW TO GET THERE ...?

Kota Kinabalu ,the state capital is the modern gateway to the rest of Sabah.Direct flights between Kota Kinabalu and the regional capitals of Kuala Lumpur,Singapore,Tokyo, Osaka, Hong Kong, Taipei,Guangzhou ,Xiamen,Manila and Balik Papan, Indonesia,make Sabah easily accessible to travelers everywhere.

Nowadays,Kota Kinabalu has developed into a thriving modern city.Places of interest include the state Musuem ,the state Mosque,the Gaya Street Fair held every Sunday morning and the "Pasar Malam" where you can polish up your bargaining skills.Nearby are the popular Tg.Aru Beach ,quaint water villages and idyllic off-shore islands.Kota Kinabalu and its surrounding are well served by world class holiday resorts and hotels for a relaxing private retreat or large business conference.

AWESOME AT THE TOP!

Mount Kinabalu is the main attraction in Kinabalu Park,which is less than 2 hours drive from Kta Kinabalu.The road cuts and winds through lush countryside dotted with traditional village houses give you an unforgettable scenic journey.Mount Kinabalu ,rising majestically into the sky at 4095 m and Mount Kinabalu has an awesome mystique all its own which long time ago,the Kadazan or Dusun people named it "Aki Nabalu" or "home of the spirits of the dead".The Good thing about Mount Kinabalu is ,no climbing experience is required to conquer the peak of Borneo,if you take the main route to the summit.Watching sunrise at the top has been described by travelers everywhere as a life-enriching experience .

ADVENTUROUS ON THE GROUND

The rainforests in Sabah are some of the oldest in the world.Exotic flora and fauna abound.Wild orchids of every imaginable hue.Pitcher plants that gulp down insects and flies,the rafflesia ,largest flower in the world.jungle trekking here is an opportunity of a lifetime to marvel at rare flora anf fauna.

Take a river boat ride and catch the unique Proboscis monkey with its long pendulous red nose calling out to its mates.But the star of the rainforest here is undoubtedly the orang utan,also known as the "wild man of Borneo" .You willfind them swinging through the forest in sepilok,the world's largest orang utan sanctuary.Sepilok is only 30 minutes drive from the east coast town ofSandakan.In this sanctuary,that have been abandoned by their mothers or were formerly in captivity are rehabilitated untilfit enough to be returned in to the wild. Watching these charming and entertaining mammals during feeding time is a sheer delight.

From Sandakan too,you can take two to three hours boat ride to the Turtle Islands Park where you marvel at rare turtles laying their eggs.You can even stay in comfort in modern chalets at these islands if you yearn to explore them further.

SPECTACULAR AT THE BOTTOM !

For those who like to swim,snorkel or laze all day on a quiet,uncrowded  beach of pure white sand under bright blue tropical skies,the five outlying islands of Kota Kinabalu await to capture your heart completely.Only about 15minutes away  by boat from Kota Kinabalu,theseoff-shore islands have crystal-clear waters,sunny beaches and beautiful corals,If you go island hoping,you will find the beach of your dreams in one of them.

For thr true diving enthusiast,the island of Sipadan,located off the East coast of Sabah,praised by the internationally renowned  diver as one of the best diving spots in the world.,Sipadan is the only oceanic island in Malaysia rising 2000 ft on a limestone  pinnacle that"mushroom" out near the surface.The abundant and stunning marine life will thrill and amaze you no end.

Another diver's favorite,The Layang-Layang Atoll is located 165 miles North West  of Kota Kinabalu .Oval shape and blessed  with clear blue waters,you can also windsurf,sail a catamaran,dive,snorkel,fish to your heart's,then climb back on land and watch the thousand  of migratory birds nesting there in this nature lover's paradise.

Other islands that have equally enchanted the diving fraternity are Mabul Island,known as home  to the world's best "muck Diving" a discovery that is gaining in popularity and Langkayan Island,for its colorful world of macro marine life in over 20 dive site that never cease  to fascinate you as visitors.

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