11 JAN-MANUKAN &SAPI ISLAND

Today,we splited into 2 group, one to KK adventure park, another one went for island hopping.Being a "beach person",I;d choosen the island trip, along with Joel and Qi Yi.

Full of anticipation, we reached Jesselton Jetty and we were met near the pier by a sales rep and told it would cost 17 ringgit for a boat ticket and 10 ringgit for snorkelling equipment.From my last sabah trip, I'd witnessed the beauty of Manukan island, thus,I eager to go there again. We were also advised that Sapi Island was the best for snorkelling and a real island paradise.

So, we decided to go Manukan and Sapi island.THe boat fees was RM 27 for 2 island, with RM10 for mask and RM5 for lifejacket. Joel came out with this brillant idea of renting it from the boat, in that way we wouldnt need to rent twice in different island. National park fees cost another RM6.

Secluded island we found at the other side of the island.
Good location to sun bath-naked=].The guys in pic was Qi Yi

TUNKU ABDUL RAHMAN PARK

Tunku Abdul Rahman Park was named after the first illustrious Prime Minister of Malaysia. The park is made up of five beautiful islands and is a well-known sanctuary where peace and tranquility prevails. Tunku Abdul Rahman Park (TARP) about 3 Km off Kota Kinabalu covers an area of almost 5,000 hectares that includes the five islands immediately in front (west) of Sabah’s capital city, Bandaraya Kota Kinabalu See map below). The park’s islands possess mangrove areas, coastal dipterocarp forest, sandy beaches an attractive coral reefs. Visitor facilities on the islands of Sapi and Gaya are fully operated by Sabah Parks. Facilities on Mamutik, Manukan and Sulug are operated under concession arrangements to private companies. The diverse population of corals support hundreds of species of colourful coral dwelling fish and invertebrates and are intermingled with several species of mollusks including giant clams. Octopus can also be found here. Sponges and crinoids are found intermingled with corals or near coral patches and so are several species of marine algae (seaweeds). In or near the habitats created by these one finds a wide variety of interesting creatures including photographers’ favourites such as nudibranchs, lionfish, shrimp, lobsters, anemones, anemone fish, sea horses and a host of others. (why didnt i see those!) Sapi Island During very low tide, you may even visit two islands on one day. From Gaya Island, you can walk over to Sapi Island via the connecting sandbar. Only a mere 25 acres in size, Sapi Island has one of the best swimming and picnic spots in Tunku Abdul Rahman Park, highly popular as a center for water sports activities. It is also famous amongst tour operators handling island BBQ tours. Manukan Island Doubled the size of Sapi Island but small nonetheless, Manukan Island is only 51 acres in size and used to be the site of an old stone quarry before World War II. Currently, Manukan Island is home to the park's HQ (the former HQ was located at Camp Bay on Gaya Island). If you are missing all the creature comforts of home, then Manukan Island is the place for you. This island is one with all the comfortable trappings including cute tropical timber chalets, restaurants, swimming pool, tennis court, and even a marine exhibition center. Because of this, it is no wonder that Manukan Island is one that has the highest number of visitors to the park. Of course, with it having the longest stretch of beaches amongst the rest of the islands remains its main attraction. If you are at Manukan Island, you must go on the 1.5 km trail. Along this trail, you will go past forest and be able to enjoy the breathtaking scenery of the city of Kota Kinabalu. Do go and check out the fish feeding at the jetty as well. Here, divers will get to swim with the fishes. Mamutik Island If Gaya Island is the biggest island on Tunku Abdul Rahman Park, then you must not miss Mamutik Island. It is the smallest isle on this park and also the most convenient one to visit, as it is located the nearest from Kota Kinabalu. You can stay at this popular spot overnight. You can also rent diving equipment and pick up diving courses on this island. If you are up to it, it will be great to check out the trail on Mamutik Island. The view at the end of the trail will show you the surrounding seas and reefs, and a fabulous scenery it is too! Sulug Island Swimmers will love the small 20-acres Sulug Island. Well-known for its great swimming spot, Sulug Island is actually a small rocky island with a long sand-spit that faces east. Right now, there are restaurant and diving facilities here. This is the perfect place for a getaway! from http://www.homeaway.com.my/desttarp.htm

View from Manukan Island

We dived in the glorious sea once we settled our stuff. The view under the sea is overwhelmingly beautiful, sunlight gleaming through the sapphire-coloured sea; with lovely corals and thousand of little fish. Its the most magical sight!
In fact, the sea water is 3 tone LIGHTER than Pangkor's.
As coral reef is one of the most biologically diverse habitats in the world, and also host to variety of marine life,we had to stop frequently in order to find whether there are fishes hiding inside the corals. There're times when I saw a sapphire-coloured medium size fish( in chinese they call it "parrot fish', which was super yummy if you steam it), but they kept saying I was hallucinating!

I could have sweared that fishes at Manukan are partly mutant, owing to fact that their main food is BREAD. From my last trip to Manukan, one of my friend brought raisin bread and whole wheat bread to feed the fish. NONE OF THOSE FISH ATE IT. Somehow they had develop delicate taste bud and are very picky at food. Bizzare huh?
Even the minuscule shark eats bread!
I tried it myself. As I was snorkelling, i swam past a flock of fish; i raised my hand toward them, one tiny little one 'approach" me, examine whether I'd any bread, and swam away as fast as they could. MATERIALISTIC FISH! *where's my bread!*

Trail..look carefully....it belongs to...


gigantic lizard! (i didnt see it for myself.. got it from web)

mutant monkey....



Dinner at open air night market, situated beside Filipino market with Christy, a friend from KK Adventure.She recommended mee Bakso, a local famous dish from Indo.
Indulge in the richness of aromatic, mildly spicy and thick beef soup, balanced by sharp clean taste of cabbage ; while chewing its tangy meat.

Walked around seafront esplanade-shopping @ warisan square-playing mafia @ starbuctk(while eating chicken wings during the "everyone go to sleep")-long but enjoyable walk back to akinabalu while the KK town asleep-

Gosh, i miss all those moment.