Saturday, June 30, 2012

Semporna Ocean Tourism Centre

"The name Semporna means place of rest and was given after the British quelled resistance from the local Bajaus in the mid-1880s, changing it from Tong Talun. Another story is that Semporna was called place to settle or meeting place by four admirals – Panglima Kabogan, Panglima Bum-Bum, Panglima Simunul and Panglima Abdullah."   That is what I read for a source.

It was late in the evening when we arrived at Semporna. I heard about it before, but this was my first time at Semporna.  After resting for an hour, my friend and I visited Semporna Ocean Tourism Centre.  

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 Semporna Ocean Tourism Centre was one of the main attraction in Semporna. With the unique design of restaurant and hotel floating, you would be satisfied to take photos at night.





 After few months without any leave from my office, it was such a relief to my head. The night was just too beautiful. :)
  It was an enjoyable night for me, and if we were at the same boat, take a short break from your busy life.  You'll LIKE Semporna :)

Sunday, June 17, 2012

Unduk Ngadau 2012

Congrats Ms. Melinda Louis.

South East Coast of Sabah , Tawau

It's been awhile since my last post.. Ahaaa..This is the time to update my blog.. With a cup of nescafe, it's just too perfect to start typing. :D 
Lately, I had a chance to visit the South-East Coast of Sabah. Since it was the first time I visited Tawau, my friend asked me if I want to travel by flight or bus. After a short discussion, we decided to travel along with two other vehicles. After our V6  filled with full tank of petrol, we followed the white Alza and silver Vigo. 
The road was not clear, hmmm what can I said, lorries and towing car!!..It was almost  1 o'clock  when we departed from Ranau Town. The weather was cloudy outside. But it do not matter,  I was enjoying the air-con directly to my face inside the v6
     
Raining....

At the junction, we followed the Ranau- Telupid signboard. We dropped by the Luanti Village, which was famous to anyone that want to experience the fish massage. And also Sabah Tea Garden.  My friend told me that if I wanted to know whether we arrived at Telupid, just look out through the window and see the palm oil plantation all the way until Tawau. 

My eyes were too tired and I took a nap. When I opened my eyes, our car just passed Batu 32, where the other road would be to Sandakan. Before the Maghrib prayer, we managed to stop by Lahad Datu. Then from Lahad Datu, we arrived at Tawau area almost 9 at night. Finding the place to stay was not hard when there a few hotel in that city but we was staying at my partner's family house. Everyone were to tired to enjoy their dinner. But thanks Allah, the journey was safe. 

So the next day, during the breakfast, I had tasted the Nasi Kuning. And I like it! The taste was delicious, and almost like Nasi Lemak but the different was their fish deep-fried. I took a walk after the breakfast, I realized that the city was quite big but separated by different name, for example Bandar Fajar.  As I had been told the earlier town was Tanjung. I wondered how Tawau got her name. 


This was actually what I read from an article :
The name Tawau itself an enigma: the earliest reference to site of present town was Tanjung. Some sources suggest that the Suluk traders called the place Tawao, a misnomer of Davao on Philippine Island of Mindanao. The most credible origin of the word Tawau is attributed to the Tidung, who called the place Tanah Tidung with the word Tanah corrupted to Tawau. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tawau)

There were lots of attractiveness that I can saw here. The sea view was fascinating. Most of the roundabout  were decorated by sea creature such as prawns and crabs.   Tawau Hills National Park, Bukit Gemok, Tawau Cocoa Village, Shan Shui Golf & Countrt Club, Tawau Tanjung Market and also Maliau Basin were among the attractions.

I must recommend Sabindo Hawker Centre which is located along the waterfront of town centre for delicious and reasonable prices cuisine. That night  I tried their famous Nasi Lalap.. Together with avocado juice, I left the stall with full stomach. :) Oya...For those that want to buy something like dried seafood, go to Tawau Tanjung Market. Souvenir?  Yes, there were few stall selling souvenir.