There are only two states left in Malaysia that I haven't set foot in: Sabah and Kelantan. I recently got the chance to finally cross Sabah off that list. After six years without an organized company trip, they decided to bring it back in 2024. Initially, the plan was to go to Da Nang, Vietnam, but due to the ongoing "Cuti-cuti Malaysia" campaign, it would seem counterintuitive—and perhaps a bit hypocritical—for the Malaysian Association of Hotels, the country's most prominent hotel association, to orchestrate its staff trip overseas.
We landed and stayed in Kota Kinabalu (KK). I must say, KK wasn't as busy as Kuching. There was less traffic, fewer people walking the streets, and I suspect the city is much smaller. We stayed at the Pacific Sutera Hotel, a five-star luxury hotel overlooking a beautiful harbor where ships and yachts come and go. This hotel was built on a man-made island, and the rooms were spacious enough for the three of us. While our bosses attended their meetings, we enjoyed a buffet lunch at the coffee house and had some free time until dinner. The boys and I chilled by the beach, watching the sunset, before heading out for a Chinese seafood dinner in the city center.
The next day was exciting because we were going to spend the whole day in Kundasang. The journey took nearly three hours by bus, and the temperature there was comparable to that of Cameron Highlands, at an elevation of 1,800 meters above sea level. The bus brought us to vans, which we then took through steep hills. Our first stop was the Desa Dairy Farm, where cows imported from New Zealand are raised. When they say Kundasang is the New Zealand of Malaysia, they aren't kidding. The view is breathtaking: endless fields of grass, black-and-white cows grazing, and trees sparsely dotted around, with foggy Mount Kinabalu in the backdrop. You can feed baby cows with bottled milk, buy dairy products from the shop, and enjoy freshly made gelato in the cool mountain air. I just wish I had taken more photos.
Next, we headed to the ATV adventure located not far from the dairy farm. We arrived at a shack where all the ATVs were parked. After registering our names and putting on helmets, elbow pads, and knee pads, we received a 10-minute briefing from an employee. We lined up our ATVs on the roadside with a few other groups, and for safety reasons, we rode in a single line, with one guide at the front and another at the back. We navigated dirt roads and gravel paths, passed through villages and forests, and enjoyed beautiful scenic spots. After about 30 minutes, we reached the endpoint where we could snap photos and chill. While there wasn’t much special about this spot aside from the magnificent view, I consider this short ATV adventure to be the highlight of the whole trip. It was my first experience riding an ATV, and it was awesome!
We then had a late lunch at a tea plantation before beginning our journey back to KK. We arrived just in time for dinner at a lovely Chinese seafood restaurant featuring cultural performances by the natives. I volunteered to participate in a dart-blowing challenge on stage, where we blew darts to pop hanging balloons. Thankfully, I managed to pop my balloon, while everyone else did too!
The following day, we visited the Mari Mari Cultural Village. This fascinating tourist attraction showcases the five major indigenous tribes in Sabah: Kadazan-Dusun, Bajau, Murut, Lundayeh, and Rungus. It was educational and fun, allowing us to see different cultures, architecture, and clothing. The Muruts are notoriously known for their headhunting history; they used to behead rivals, enemies, and even members of their own tribe to prove their manhood and instill fear. A man could only marry after presenting a human head to gain respect. They believed that when a hunter beheaded someone, that person's soul belonged to him, giving him power and keeping evil spirits at bay. Although they no longer practice this tradition, you can still see real human skulls placed in and around some Murut households. Can you imagine living in a time when taking a wrong turn in the jungle could mean certain death by beheading?
Entering the Murut section of the cultural village was tense. Our guide warned us not to make eye contact and to behave humbly. The eldest in our group had to speak with their chief at the gate before we were granted permission to enter. As they spoke, two other tribe members appeared to inspect us, wearing serious, almost angry expressions. One of them yelled something in their language, and I was sweating like crazy. After a lengthy discussion, their chief finally agreed to let us in. They had huge longhouses with prop skulls placed around them. In the mid-area, we performed a jumping dance with some of the tribe members, who turned out to be quite friendly.
Once we exited the Murut territory, we found an outdoor hall filled with chairs and a stage, where we enjoyed performances from all five tribes, accompanied by live traditional musicians. It was fantastic, and I highly recommend it. After the performances, we moved to a dining area right beside the hall for a buffet lunch featuring authentic Sabahan cuisine. I was particularly impressed with the roasted chicken, which had a smoky flavor I had never tasted before. I forgot to ask how they prepared it, but it was incredibly delicious. It's unique experiences like this that I look forward to when traveling.
Next on the itinerary was the Filipino Market. This place was massive, with dedicated buildings for groceries, arts and crafts, and clothes. There’s also a section for street food at night. I explored as much as I could, breaking off from the group to find t-shirts for my kids, as we had only an hour. Unfortunately, I didn’t find any good, cheap t-shirts. Although I heard you could bargain, every shop I visited had their t-shirts priced at RM20. It seemed like the prices were fixed, suggesting a tight-knit community agreement. In the end, I bought only a big pack of the famous Sabahan snack, Amplang, before returning to the hotel.
After a few hours of freshening up, we headed out for a sunset dinner cruise on a boat. With a white theme planned in advance, we all dressed classily in white. We departed from the harbor behind the hotel, and as the boat began its journey, we marveled at its beauty. The bottom deck featured a dining area with a stage for a live band, while the buffet spread was the centerpiece of the hall. One floor up, we found the main deck, which had a huge room with black-tinted windows (probably the cockpit). The rooftop area was surrounded by long couches, perfect for enjoying the view, the wind, and just relaxing. It reminded me of Jho Low's party yacht! The food was great, the band was fantastic, and the vibe was dreamy and luxurious. It was one of the most beautiful sunsets I’ve ever seen. We had a great time; some sang, some danced—it was a night filled with sweet memories. By the time we returned to land, we were both full and exhausted, and it was immediate bedtime for most.
The next day, we checked out at 10:30 a.m., made our way to the airport, and caught the 12:30 p.m. flight to KL. Sabah was amazing, and I had a fantastic time. Now, the only state I haven’t been to yet is Kelantan, which I plan to visit in the near future. Cheers!
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