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Going Places March 2024
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What to do in Tawau for 24 hours
Tawau, the entry point to Sabah’s eastern coast, beckons with a myriad of experiences, spanning rainforest escapades, island-hopping and Bornean seaside immersion. Adjacent to North Kalimantan, Tawau shares cultural affinities, dialects and culinary preferences with its Indonesian neighbour. Much of Tawau’s population can trace its roots to Indonesia, specifically the Buginese, Banjarese and Javanese communities, providing visitors with a taste of “Little Indonesia”.
While Tawau’s town centre exudes tranquility, it serves as a hub connecting to Sabah’s thrilling tourism offerings. Two hours away, the town of Semporna opens doors to renowned diving destinations like Mabul, Sipadan and Mataking. Kunak, another town in the Tawau Division, acts as a gateway to hidden gems such as the Madai-Baturong Forest Reserve and Tabawan Island, an emerging scuba diving hotspot renowned for pearl farming.
Saturday
6am
Market temptations
Part of Tawau’s charm lies in its marketplace – it offers a glimpse into the lives of the Bugis, Banjar and Tidung people and their culture. Pasar Tanjung Tawau (Tanjung Market) is one of Malaysia’s biggest indoor markets, with more than 6,000 stalls offering wet and dry produce, accessories, clothes and a food court.
While you’re here, sample some of Tawau’s signature breakfast dishes such as nasi kuning(turmeric yellow rice usually served with fried tuna, or chicken drumstick and sambal) or mee tauhu (fried noodles served with stuffed tofu in gravy). Tawau Town
8am
Peak adventures
If you love being at one with nature, Tawau Hills Park is a must-go. Gazetted as a protected water-catchment area, this park is home to many deep-water pools, natural hot springs and waterfalls such as the Table Waterfall, a popular picnic site. Should you plan to stay longer, Tawau Hills Park has basic chalets and hostel-type accommodation. There are plenty of nature trails to explore here, as well as two of the highest peaks in Tawau located within its boundaries. Tawau Hills Park
10am
Choco-lot of history
Did you know that Tawau is one of the biggest cocoa producers in Malaysia and the world? Learn more about Tawau’s humble beginnings as a major cocoa producer and witness how your favourite chocolate treats are made at the Teck Guan Cocoa Village. This cocoa village also offers a package including a cocoa-infused lunch set. Quion Hill Miles 15 Balung Apas
Noon
Flavours and finds
Situated near the Tawau Tanjung Market, the Tawau Centre Bazar is another of Tawau’s best-known open markets. This shopping mecca consists of a handicraft market, a fruit and vegetable market and a fish market. You can get plenty of souvenir items here, as well as popular Tawau snacks like the highly addictive amplang crackers (a type of fish cracker ubiquitous in Tawau). Amid the bustling market, you will also find stalls selling Tawau satay and ABC desserts (ais kacang or shaved ice). Tawau Town
3pm
Echoes of history
The Tawau Bell Tower is the oldest historic structure in Tawau, constructed during the Japanese occupation to commemorate the signing of the armistice agreement. After that, visit the Confrontation Memorial, another Tawau monument from the country’s history. This structure, portraying a defiant-looking soldier, pays homage to local soldiers who lost their lives during the Indonesian-Malaysian Confrontation between 1963 and 1966. Old Post Road, Tawau Town
6pm
Elevate your evening
Established in 2019, The Peaks observation deck is a relatively new attraction in Tawau that showcases Tawau’s remarkable sunset view, which is relatively unknown except to locals. The Peak allows visitors to enjoy a panoramic view of Tawau at 1,200ft above sea level, surrounded by awe-inspiring nature. This place also offers a camping ground, should you decide to sleep underneath the stars! 605 Tawau TV Station Rd
7pm
Fin-tastic feast of fresh flavours
Like everywhere else in Sabah, Tawau is well known for its fresh seafood, thanks to its strategic location being surrounded by the Sulu Sea to the east and the Celebes Sea to the south. Popular restaurants in Tawau include Sri Titingan Seafood Restaurant and Kedai Kopi Yum Yum. Highly recommended dishes include charcoal-grilled squid, kamheong (sauce made from a mix of spices) clams and wet butter prawns. Sri Titingan Seafood Restaurant, Tb 3638 Wisma Jin Ho, St Patrick Rd, Tawau Town; Kedai Kopi Yum Yum, 234 Dunlop Rd, Tawau Town
9pm
Sip and socialise
Enjoy a relaxing drink surrounded by the breathtaking sea view and calming night sky at the Tawau Yacht Club. One of Tawau’s oldest social and recreation clubs (founded in 1962), this club doesn’t just offer a place for yachting, but also regularly organises themed social events, such as Harvest Festival night and ballroom dancing night. Tawau Yacht Club, Jalan Tanjung Batu
Sunday
8 am
Road trip to Semporna to go island-hopping
If you’re staying longer or are okay with a bit of a drive, take a road trip to Semporna and hop on a boat to one of its beautiful islands and resorts. Mabul island is situated 45 minutes away from Semporna mainland via speed boat and it offers many backpacker and water bungalow accommodations to suit your budget.
Another must-visit island when in Semporna is the Bohey Dulang island. A leisurely hike to the peak of Bohey Dulang rewards you with a breathtaking bird’s eye view of the Tun Sakaran Marine Park and its gorgeous lagoon-like formation.
Noon
Opulent seafood lunch in Semporna
When in Semporna, you have to take advantage of its fresh seafood at shockingly affordable prices – worry about the calories and cholesterol later!
Ocean Treasure Live Seafood Restaurant serves up fresh Chinese-style seafood dishes such as spicy tiger prawn, steamed grouper and kamheong crab. As the name of the restaurant suggests, you can pick and choose the live seafood of your choice from the seafood tanks. The beautiful sea view is also a great plus to having lunch here. Ground Floor, Lot C1 Semporna Seafront Township 91308, Semporna
Photographs by Caritoh Ho and Shutterstock.
Discover Langkawi’s myths and legends on this magical rainforest night walk
In partnership with Dream Forest Langkawi
While Langkawi is famed for its beaches, the lush rainforest that skirts the edges of the mighty Gunung Raya mountain is also worthy of exploration – especially for those fascinated by the island’s myths and legends. Sequestered away amid the prehistoric Lubuk Semilang rainforest at the mountain’s base is Dream Forest Langkawi. An attraction like no other, this magical rainforest night walk combines storytelling and nature to bring ancient Langkawi legends to life. Here’s what awaits visitors embarking on this enchanting trail.
Enter the Portal of Dreams
At the first zone, you’ll enter through a whimsical, storybook-themed archway before witnessing a wayang kulit (traditional shadow puppet) show projected upon a bamboo-frame screen. This serves as an introduction to the magical realm of the legendary Sang Gedembai, where the subsequent stories take place.
Discover the Legend of Tasik Dayang Bunting
The next five zones you’ll travel through will tell the tale of Tasik Dayang Bunting. The lake’s name translates to “Lake of the Pregnant Maiden”. The story in these sections will follow Mat Teja’s path and illustrate his adventures, and the colourful cast of characters he meets. Fragrant bakawali flowers, lalang lights, projection mapping and even artificial glow worms come together to present the tale in a hauntingly beautiful and immersive experience.
Find the Mother Tree at the heart of the forest
By now, you’ll find yourself midway through your journey and in the heart of the forest – the Mother Tree. In this zone, you’ll experience a soothing audiovisual experience that features an ethereal soundscape and projections that illustrate the ebb and flow of life in the forest.
Take a breather at the Tree Village
Before continuing your journey, take a break at the Tree Village. Here, you’ll be able to unwind with light refreshments while strolling along the elevated pathway that takes you to the canopy of a giant ficus (fig) and century-old meranti, both tropical trees. The menu here offers a range of authentic local food and drink, as well as the signature bonfire marshmallows and hand-crafted butterfly pea tea.
Chart the rise of the Kingdom of Langkasuka
The next series of zones will feature the Tales of Merong Mahawangsa, and begin with an interactive artificial firefly exhibit that glows as visitors sing through traditional horns. You’ll then follow Merong Mahawangsa, a legendary warrior and ruler, as he battles Garuda and heralds the rise of the Kingdom of Langkasuka – now known as the state of Kedah.
Witness the epic battle of the Giants of Langkawi
The final part of your journey depicts the legend of Gunung Raya. The mountain that forms the forest’s backdrop was believed to be a giant and guardian of Langkawi. This concluding chapter of the tour tells the exciting tale through a series of interactive floor and light projections. The saga finally culminates in an earth-shattering battle between Gunung Raya and his adversary – a blockbuster finale to this epic tour through Langkawi’s myths and legends.
Origins of the Dream Forest Langkawi
Dream Forest Langkawi is the brainchild of actress and entrepeneur Puan Sri Tiara Jacquelina, president and chief dream maker of the Enfiniti Group. With the help of Malaysian experts in multi-sensory technology, projection mapping and sound production, Jacquelina and her team have created a uniquely Malaysian night attraction that presents Langkawi’s cultural heritage in a truly immersive setting.
The attraction uses energy-efficient lighting to reduce its carbon footprint; furthermore, not a single tree was cut during the development of the project.
For more information on Dream Forest Langkawi, visit their website here.