MALAYSIA AIRLINES (MAS) & SABAH TOURISM BOARD INVITE TO SABAH

I was part of a team of 12 press people from S'pore invited by MAS and the Sabah Tourism Board to Sabah for a familiarisation tour. After a 2-and-a-half hour ride over some 160 km from Kota Kinabalu, we arrived at the Kuala Penyu (Malay for a turtle-resembling river-mouth) Jetty to board a launch for the 30-minute ride to Pulau Tiga, made famous by the reality TV series "Survivors". Our tour also involved a whirlwind visit to parts of KK. You can catch me in "I survived Pulau Tiga!" and "Sabah's Novelties" in the Oct 08 and Dec 08 editions respectively of Food & Travel - Kitchen Culture published by Key Editions Pte Ltd.

Sabah Tourism is targetting people with yachts to sail there and enjoy the maritime activities which it can offer. This yacht is anchored off Pulau Tiga.

Rustic cottages in which guests are accommodated on the island. There are clean and comfortable beds, toilet with hot water, air-con and/or ceiling fans. The rate for twin share is RM320 per pax per day which also covers three main buffet-style meals, tea break and non-alcoholic beverages. Ala carte food can be separately arranged. Tiger beer goes for RM8 per can.

Nice stretch of beach for strolling along or for a dip. This stretch is also used for snorkelling.

The cool inviting waters of Pulau Tiga. This stretch of beach is ideal for swimming but do look out for lurking sting rays which bury themselves in the sand.

The sign that welcomes all to Pulau Tiga, now called Survivor Island because the first in the reality TV series "Survivor" was held on the island in the year 2000. In the background is the base camp in which the reception and dining areas and other common amenities are found.

Kim Siong (foreground) was the pioneer in our team to check out the mud bath. Later, 10 others joined him and they had a mud of a time! The Russian lady behind couldn't persuade her gallant man to go in. The mud volcano is a highlight of the island. Most visitors will make the 1.2km jungle trek up-hill to wallow in its warm mud.

Is the Russian lady trying to do ballet in the mud pool? Now you might wonder what is so great about dipping in the volcano mud pool which can take 12-15 people comfortably. As Sabah lies in an oil-rich area, the mud is rich in several types of minerals extremely therapeutic to our skin and hair. The main component, approx 55%, is silica while magnesium, calcium, bromine and boric acid are the other principal components. Don't worry guys, the bromine in it won't render you impotent as its proportion is insignificant!

When the survivors played out their episode here, they were grouped into two tribes and this icon represents one of them. They now serve to welcome visitors to the island.

The icon of the second tribe. The tribes were named Tagi and Pagong and they were merged into Rattana after initial members were voted out.

Jetty to Pulau Tiga or fondly Survivor Island after the first series of the reality show was played out here in the year 2000.

The sun is preparing to call it a night, after which, you will have to take out your insect repellent or you will have many mossies and sand flies for companions.

Sunrise over Pulau Tiga. It's seldom that we get to experience such peace, quiet and serenity!

One of the other Pulau Tiga occupants, which share the real estate with us. This guy probably had his tail chopped off in a WWF bout.

Survivor Bar has been so named after the first episode of the Survivor series was filmed here. As the only watering hole on the island, it is the favourite venue for a beer or whiskey or to jam, catch up and while the evening away.

200 horse power takes one to Pulau Tiga or back in 30 minutes.

Sabah veggies not only taste sweet and crunchy but make excellent contrast when captured in an image!

As it was in the last trip when I stopped at a Tamparulli market on the way down from Mt Kinabalu to look for beef noodles, this time on the way back from Pulau Tiga, we stopped at the central market of another town, Papar, to look for local kueh (cakes).

This stall sells the stuff I was used to in my kampung days so I had to try the fried ubi keledek (middle tray). Two pieces for 40 sen!

Papar Town Centre. Life is not fast paced something we are not accustomed to.