The Mini Bus or Bas Mini of Sabah, East Malaysia

Wawasan Terminal: mini buses

Visitors from mainland Malaysia or West Malaysia will be disappointed with the poor transport system in Sabah. This is why mini bus or bas mini in Malay is the king of the roads. It plies almost everywhere in Sabah. It's actually a van converted to carry passengers.

It won't leave the terminal until it's full. There are no designated bus stops. You can hail one from anywhere you happen to be.

To add to the confusion, small buses are also called bas mini.

In Kota Kinabalu, all bas mini end up at the Wawasan Terminal next to the Wawasan Plaza (nice foodcourt on top floor)

Wawasan Terminal: destinations are indicated at the top.

Bas mini fares are reasonable eg I paid RM 1.50 for distances of 4 to 8 km. The City Bus also starts here. It does a circuit of the city for 50 cents (free for senior citizens or in Malay, Warga Emas). If you are only 54 don't pretend to be one (akan datang lah)

TIP: Want to save some ringgit from the airport to the city? Just walk out to the main road 5 mins away, and wait for a bas mini. Hop in when one comes along, and hop out at Wawasan (fare: RM 1.50) Regular cab fare is about RM 20. Trying to save every cent? Ok , walk to the city - only 4 km away. By now you should have realised that bas mini is attracted to anything on two legs.

Manukan Island, Sabah, East Malaysia Part 3/3

World War Two bombs found on Manukan Island

Over high tea the other day, a friend asked, "I don't fancy the idea of being BBQ in the sun so what's else is there to do on the island."

"Go and look for bombs,"I said. "You'll become famous."

 

Trail up a hill

"Or walk up the hill. It's only 1.5 km, and it's an easy walk," I continued. I saw two monitor lizards about a metre long crossing my path. Monitor lizards are vain creatures, always emerging from the undergrowth when I'm near them. The bird life on the hill also attracted my attention. I came across a group of Thais armed with cameras and tripods. They said they were looking for wild forest fowl.

 

This sign greets you at the top of the hill.

 

The sunset from the top of the hill is supposedly jaw-dropping. Can you guess what's the yellow speck in the picture? Click on the picture to enlarge it. Don't cheat. Make a guess first.

Best place in Kota Kinabalu for a drink, meal or satay?

Pub service personnel along Kota Kinabalu waterfront.

Do you know the best place for a drink or meal in Kota Kinabalu? It's along the waterfront behind the Arts and Crafts market. A beer and Thai food was the perfect way to end a day of exploration for me. The magnificent sunset was a bonus.

KK's waterfront

It's happy hour time but still early for KK folks. Only people like me would be wandering around here at this hour.

Satay (BBQ meat)

Never heard of "stomach satay", have you? Which stomach parts? Intestines, liver or just the stomach? Guaranteed to be stomach-churning stuff. Yuk!

Stunning girls of Sabah, East Malaysia

Girl in Black (GIB)

 

Girl in Black's colleagues

On the way to Sandakan in eastern Sabah, I stopped for a meal at this remote restaurant. I approached GIB but she was preoccupied with her cell phone.

Me: What do you have today? (I spoke in Bahasa Malaysia or Malay, the national language of Malaysia)

She gave me a thumbs up, and continued chatting on her phone.

Her colleagues: She's talking with her boyfriend.

They giggled and laughed.

Me: No wonder.

GIB: They're lying.

Her colleagues: Yes, every day she's on the phone.

GIB blushed and giggled.

GIB: Marry them.
Me: Ha, ha, they're too young for me.
More giggles and more laughter from her friends.
GIB: No problem.

My eyes rolled heavenwards, beseeching Providence for guidance.

From my chat with these people I learned that their monthly salary is between 400 to 500 ringgit. (US $116 to 146)

(In South-east Asia, it's not considered rude to ask a person personal questions as long as your concern is sincere.)

Sabah Tourism, Sabah, East Malaysia

Need help?: The friendly and helpful Sabah Tourism staff will answer all your queries on travel in Sabah. The huge map of Sabah is eye-catching and innovative.

Magnificent building: Sabah Tourism office is housed in this magnificent old building in Jalan Gaya. It has lots of glossy and comprehensive tourist literature and maps to help you plan your travels in Sabah. They are all on display (not hidden like in some countries), and you're free to take as many as you wish (but, please, not to build up your home library, ok?)

FYI: Jalan Gaya is packed with budget accomodation, restaurants and coffee shops. In 5 mins you can walk to the seafront from here.

BTW, this blogger is not commissioned by Sabah Tourism to write glowing accounts of Sabah tourism.

Sepilok Orang Utan Sanctuary, Sabah, East Malaysia

The world famous orang utan sanctuary (in Malay meaning man of the forest) is about 45 minutes by bus from Sandakan. It cares for orphaned and injured orang utan before releasing them into the wild. I arrived just in time for the first feeding session at 10 AM.

 

 Evolution has been kind to this guy otherwise he'd be swinging from the

trees.

 

The well-maintained sanctuary's premises. They include an exhibition room, AV room, ticketing office naturally and a canteen. And leeches! (Tell you more later.)

Sarawak, East Malaysia

This exceeded my perception that Sarawakians are laid-back people.