|
Bajau Fishing Village (Penimbawan):
Duration: 1/2 Day
Almost all the tourist in Kota Kinabalu are going to the fishing village
of Mengkabong. It is a half daytrip which if I have to do it, I
rather be sick or cancel it. Dirty village with non-friendly people. Of
course, I am not friendly if hundreds of tourists are passing my
doorsteps daily.
Therefore, I go to another village which is in my opinion not spoiled
yet. But, not everybody can go there. You have to be stable on your
legs, because we are walking over unstable wooden bridges and are using
a very small boat (over an inland lake).
Let me bring you to the village of Penimbawan, one of the unique things
to visit near Kota Kinabalu. There is no road leading to this village
and the only way to reach the village is by using a small wooden boat
and cross an inland lake (10 minutes). Big groups with tourists can not
reach the village because of the small and expensive boats (yes, they
charge me RM50 for the boat !). Also there is no electric and water
supply The city is built on stilts above the water and 75% are still
original wooden walls and roof. The people are from the Bajau and are
very friendly. They know me and often make a nice short talk, or when
there is celebration like a wedding, we are immediately invited. Also we
visit the local school and the village is crowded with young children
when the school has a break or in holidays.
This whole experience, smelling the wood from the kitchen fires, hearing
the silence and voices coming out of the village, takes
approximately a 45 minutes but the impression in your mind last forever.
No worry's about what's going on in the world, only the question what's
for dinner.
After visiting this village we go to Tuaran and see what's on sale in
the daily market. Also time for a Chinese pagoda. On the end I treat you
with a beautiful view over the Mengkabong lagoon, not many tourist saw
that before you. It is a Chinese cemetery, but a very expensive one. Here
it is where we end our trip and I will bring you back to your hotel or
resort.
This tour is only done with me as your
guide, so limited available. |
