September 2019 – Travel + Lifestyle + Architecture Blog

A Brief Two-Days Visit to Tawau and Lahad Datu,Sabah

Published on September 8, 2019June 20, 2021 by iamjosemanuelLeave a comment

Last August 26 to 31,2019, twenty five active bloggers and influencers from different ASEAN countries gathered in Kuala Lumpur, to participate in the Malaysia ASEAN Influencers and Key Opinion Leaders programme (MAIKOL 2019). The 6-days programme offered the participants a fun and engaging ‘Experience Malaysia’ activities and cultural exposure, aiming to promote Visit Malaysia 2020 tourism campaign.

The highlight of the activity was to let the participants see and experience Malaysia beyond the metropolis of Kuala Lumpur. On day 03, all twenty five bloggers and influencers were sent as solo travelers or in pairs to different provinces across the country, given the freedom to make their own itineraries for 2 days at the assigned place. I was particularly assigned to visit Tawau and Lahad Datu, which is located on the east coast of Sabah.

Airasia flies from Kuala Lumpur (KLIA2) to Tawau Airport daily. Direct flight takes three hours. Lahad Datu is a scenic 2-hours drive from Tawau.

Exposure: Lahad Datu, Sabah, Malaysia

Lahad Datu is a coastal town located on the east side of Sabah, mainly living on palm oil and coco agri-business. The town is surrounded by vast plantations. As such, green is everywhere. Probably the greenest province I’ve visited so far. Population is relatively small, at around 27,000. The people here are generally Muslim Malay and a fraction of Chinese-Malay. The town centre is relatively small, very walkable and full of life during the late afternoon. Seafood Destination. As a coastal town along Denver Bay, seafood here is downright fresh and cheap. The seafood market is definitely a feast.
Rainforest Visit. Aside from being a Palm growers’ town, Lahad Datu is also the gateway to Danum Valley Conservation Area, one of Malaysia’s most well preserved and protected rainforest and home to the most precious birds and mammals of Southeast Asia. Danum has over 200 species of trees found in just one hectare, making it one of the richest rainforest in the world. A visit to Danum viewing park offers an overlooking view of Denver Bay and Lahad Datu coast.

For rainforest tour bookings, visit the official site https://www.amazingborneo.com (Photos of animals attached by Borneo Safari Tours).

Photo by Borneo Safari Tours

Exposure: Tawau, Sabah, Malaysia

Tawau is the third largest town in Sabah, after Kota Kinabalu and Sandakan. The town is currently at its high time on industrial development. Commercial and hospitality facilities are booming. Tawau’s main product is Palm Oil. This coastal town boasts a well-established road network from the highland plantations to port.

Tawau Chocolate Industry. Blessed with fertile land, Tawau is also known for tobacco and cocoa produce. Tawau is said to be one of the best source in the world for raw chocolate material. Teck Guan Cocoa Museum is a must visit in Tawau. Also a good place to find local products; from organic body wash to export quality 70% pure chocolate bars.

Leisurely Stroll Around the City Centre. Tawau City Centre is full of color. The mid-rise commercial district is painted with burst of colors. Al-Kauthar Mosque is one of the most instagrammable locations in the city, with its perfectly-shaped green dome.

Rainforest Trekking. Tawau is also known as the gateway to some of Sabah’s most well preserved rainforests and nature conservation area. One of this is the Tawau Hill Park. It’s a 60 minutes ride from town center. Tawau hill park boasts some of the tallest natural rainforest trees in the world.

Here’s a Video Blog preview shot during my visit to Tawau Hills Park.

Other Nearby Places to see. Tawau itself is not that popular among tourist, though many arrive daily at Tawau Airport to travel via Semporna (3 hours drive east) to the fabulous diving spots around the islands of Sipadan and Mabul. I didn’t have the luxury of time to visit these islands. For more info on diving activities, just google “Amazing Borneo Tours”.

Where to Stay in Lahad Datu: My-Inn Hotel, Lorong Bandar Perdana 6, 91100 Lahad Datu, Sabah, Malaysia

Where to Stay in Tawau: L.A. Hotel, Jalan St Patrick, Bandar Tawau, 91000 Tawau, Sabah, Malaysia

Airasia flies from Kuala Lumpur to Tawau daily. Check schedules here.

Highlights of Malaysia ASEAN Influencers Programme (MAIKOL 2019)

Published on September 7, 2019June 20, 2021 by iamjosemanuelLeave a comment

The programme was spearheaded by Tourism Malaysia of the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture (Malaysia). They participants were hosted and sponsored by Sunway City Kuala Lumpur, with Airasia as partner airline.

Day 01

The activity kicked off at Kuala Lumpur. Day 01, the arrival day, was all about introduction, preparation and briefing over a sumptuous Malaysian dinner with the officers and major sponsors.

Day 02

Day 02 was a highlight, as the participants spent one day to enjoy Sunway Lagoon Amusement Park. Among the popular rides were the river rapids and scream coaster. Day 02 afternoon was spent at the Sunway Lagoon, which is the world’s largest surf pool to date. Check out the complete Sunway Experience and short video blog by clicking here.

Day 03

The main assignment of the activity was to let the participants see and experience Malaysia beyond the metropolis of Kuala Lumpur. On day 03, all twenty five bloggers and influencers were sent as solo travelers or in pairs to different provinces across the country, given the freedom to make their own itineraries at the assigned place for 2 days. A number of participants took the intercity train to Kedah, Ipoh etc. Two participants explored Sarawak. Reggy (Indonesia), Sam (Cambodia) and I flew to Sabah. I was particularly assigned to visit Tawau and Lahad Datu, which is located on the east coast of Sabah. My flight took three hours per way by Airasia direct.

Tawau, Sabah

Beautifully set at the east coast and facing Celebes Sea, Tawau is the third-largest town in Sabah, after Kota Kinabalu and Sandakan. Tawau is a fast developing industrial town, mainly sourcing on Palm Oil industry. Blessed with fertile soil, Tawau is also popular for their cocoa products, which is said to be among the best chocolate raw material producers in the world. Apart from its industrial image, Tawau is best known as the gateway to some of the most well preserved rainforest and conservation areas in Malaysia (in the world actually). It is impossible not to notice its lush green hills and flat lands as the plane is descending. Among the highlights of my Tawau Trip was a quick half day trek to the Tawau Hills Park rainforest and see some of the tallest rainforest trees in the world up close. A trip to the popular Teck Guan Coco Museum is also worth mentioning. I hoarded boxes of chocolate drinks, as they are perfect giveaway to friends.

At the entrance way of Tawau Hills Park.

If given more time, it would have been nice to drive two more hours to Semporna and the other beach resort-islands, which is said to offer one of the best diving and snorkeling sites in the world. For tours, you may get in touch with Sabah booking though their official website by clicking here.

Day 04 – Lahad Datu, Sabah

View of Denver Bay as seen from Danum Valley Field Tower

On my day 04, i was assigned to explore Lahad Datu, which is around + 2 hours drive by land. Lahad Datu is a humble town, also sourcing mainly on the palm oil industry. On my way to my assignment, I dropped by Danum Valley Conservation Area Field Centre. Danum Valley is a 438 square kilometres tract of relatively undisturbed lowland dipterocarp forest in Sabah, Malaysia. It is one of the richest rainforest in the world, having more than 200 species of plants/trees in just one square hectare. Danum Valley is also home to numerous exotic Southeast Asian birds, pygmy elephants, the elusive Sumatran Rhino and Bornean Proboscis monkey. I wasn’t able to see the animals at their natural habitats as they are located 60 km deeper into the forest. However, I was able to see the vast green lands and the breathtaking view of Denver Bay from the 7 storeys high field centre tower. Lahad Datu is located right at the coastal line of Denver Bay, which can also be seen from the tower.

As a coastal town, Lahad Datu is abundant on fish and seafood. It was a delightful experience seeing fresh catch at Pasar Ikan Fish Market. Some catches there are actually not available in my country. I enjoyed the freshest grilled fish dinner at Jalan Mawar, which is located just at the opposite of the fish Market.

Check out my Tawau and Lahad Datu video blog preview below.

Day 05 – Kuala Lumpur Night Tour

On day 05, I flew back to Kuala Lumpur to reunite with the group. We also scheduled a quick late afternoon tour to KL Tower. Highlight was seeing Kuala Lumpur cityscape while inside a glass box, that is 420 meters above the ground level. Such a memorable experience it is. By night time, we headed to the Petronas Twin Towers for dinner and leisure.

Day 06 – Hari Merdeka, Malaysia’s Independence Day

Day 06 was an early call, as we were invited to attend Malaysia’s 62nd National (Independence) Day. The event, which was held in Putra Jaya, was packed with locals taking pride on the nation’s celebration of freedom.

Photo by Glen Santillan of Escape Manila

Day 06 was also the last day of the programme. All participants, organisers and sponsors enjoyed a night of fun and sharing over a sumptuous Malay-themed buffet. The programme was concluded by the announcement of the creative contest winners. The most creative photo was awarded to Abigail Javellana of Our Awesome Planet, Philippines, and the most creative video was awarded to PK of Cambodia.

Abigail of Our Awesome Planet’s winning piece

The contest winners

MAIKOL 2019 was indeed a remarkable experience for my blogging career. During the 6 days activity, I was able to find a deeper appreciation of Malaysia, its people, its land, its unique flavours and valued culture. The activity also earned me cultural exchanges, friendship and bonds with the other participant, as well as with the ever hospitable Tourism Malaysia hosts. ASEAN brotherhood and camaraderie lives on.

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Airasia flies Manila to Kuala Lumpur daily. click here for schedules and costing.

For Sunway City Kuala Lumpur bookings, click here.

The participants from the Philippines. Ian Ray Garcia, Tia Lacson, Abigail Javellana, Glen Santillan and Joseph Lim

Revisiting Malaysia with Sunway City Kuala Lumpur

Published on September 5, 2019September 6, 2019 by iamjosemanuel1 Comment

ASEAN brotherhood and camaraderie was celebrated once again during the MAIKOL 2019, held August 26 to 31, in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The event gathered 25 influencers and bloggers from Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Myanmar, Laos, Philippines, Singapore, Vietnam and Thailand, to take part on a 6-days Experience Malaysia programme. The programme was sponsored by Sunway City Kuala Lumpur and airline partner AIRASIA. MAIKOL stands for Malaysia ASEAN Influencers Key Opinion Leaders programme, aiming to promote Visit Malaysia 2020 tourism campaign.

Facts and Highlights of Sunway City Kuala Lumpur Experience

Sunway City is the first fully integrated township of Malaysia. It was said that the location of Sunway City used to be a mining land. After the termination of operations and being unused for a span of time, the property was cleverly converted and developed to a township-complex comprised of condominiums, office towers, educational facilities, commercial centre and hotels. A lagoon-style resort/theme park with a man-made body of water was built at the centre, being the deepest part. This is the Sunway Lagoon Malaysia that we are enjoying today.

Aerial Photo credits to Sunway City Website

Sunway Resort Hotel and Spa

Sunway Resort Hotel & Spa is the 5-star flagship hotel of Sunway City. The hotel also operates the Sunway Pyramid Convention Centre, one of the largest convention centres in Malaysia.

Sunway Hotel’s entrance is impossible not to admire. The boldly detailed facade radiates a strong vibe of grandeur. The multi-levelled lotus-style canopy adds up to the rich vibe. Malay masonry craftsmanship at its best. The classic-mixed European style lobby interiors is instagrammable at every angle.

Sunway Pyramid Hotel

Sunway Pyramid is the 4-star property of Sunway City offering 564 Guestrooms & Suites. Sunway Pyramid was our host hotel for four nights during the recent MAIKOL 2019 programme. The hotel is directly connected to Sunway Pyramid Mall and Sunway Lagoon theme park.

Sunway Pyramid interiors is a fresh blend of contemporary design elements, textures and play of light.

Sunway Pyramid Mall is Malaysia’s First and only Egyptian-themed lifestyle and entertainment mall. The multi-storey commercial centre houses varied restaurant brands, indoor recreational facilities and lifestyle shops of the latest trends from local and international brands. It has direct access to Kuala Lumpur metro train and bus networks.

Sunway Pyramid Facade Photo credits to Sunway City Website

Sunway Lagoon Theme Park Complex

The complex consists of a Water Park, Amusement Park, Wildlife Park, Extreme Park, Scream Park and Nickelodeon Lost Lagoon. Among the most popular rides are the Gold Scream Roller Coaster, Colorado Splash and the 360-degree rotating pirate ship in the shape of a galleon. Also located in the amusement park is the longest pedestrian suspension bridge in the world(as per sunwaylagoon.com) at 428m length. The bridge offers a bird-eye view of the entire park 60 feet above the lagoon.

Photo by Ian Ray Garcia

Sunway Lagoon Water Park is famous for its water rides and largest man made sand surf beach. The water park can be accessed from the amusement park thru the pedestrian suspension bridge.

Here’s a quick video-blog taken during our highlighting the best moments with our accommodation host and sponsor Sunway City Kuala Lumpur.

Learn more and book your Sunway experience by clicking here.

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Airline Partner : AIRASIA. Airasia Flies Manila to Kuala Lumpur Daily. Check schedules here.