SOLO BACKPACKING-Discovering Sabah-Semporna and Mabul

Day 3: 20 July 2008

A Journey to remember...

The bus reached Semporna at about 4 a.m. The whole place was still dark. Lots of people was waiting for us to give us a ride for a sum of money. The jetty was just around the corner but I neither knew the direction of the sea nor had map with me (since i missplaced my stuff!). So the best was to ignore them, join the crowd and wait for sunlight.

Unfortunately they take NO for an answer and kept on bugging us. The moment they knew we were Malaysians, the more they chatted with us till there was glimpse of sunlight. Finally, at about 6 a.m. they gave in and departed. Luckily, they manage to tell me the direction of the sea as I only have them in my memory.

Along with us was another tourist, Claire who was also heading to the same destination. She was just hanging with the other two tourist avoiding the local’s harassment. The moment it was bright enough for us to walk, we headed straight to jetty with vision on my head and by simply asking for direction. Claire was so glad she was with us as it made her journey less scary.

Semporna's Bus stop

The loads people carry in the bus

Scuba Junkie was jut 2 minutes away and the reception was actually waiting or us to check in. The dorm cost us only RM15 each and it served breakfast. But unfortunately the place was fully booked so Claire has to go else where to find her accommodation. We simply waited till 7 a.m for our breakfast, which was more, like a feast.

Backpackers dream.. For RM15 each, Scuba Junkie provided us crammed mix dorm consisting of 10 beds, a heater bathroom and yummy American breakfast..what more a backpacker need :)

Our American breakfast consisting of egg, sausages, baked bean, hash brown, bread, coffee/tea, cereal, banana and even oats...

Later we went to Scuba Junkie office to acquire about our snorkeling trip to Mabul which I booked inadvanced. It cost us about RM80 for whole package inclusive of snorkeling things. There were almost 20 of us and half of them are staff. And all staff was whites except for the boat navigator.

The journey to Mabul took us about 45 minuets and it was scenic. The water was crystal clear with white sandy beach. It was like paradise. Out of 20 only 3 (including us and Kimberly-which is not her name so I just made up) went for snorkeling. We were dropped of at Mabul’s main jetty with no guide and luckily with lifejacket!

We didn’t waste any time and quickly jumped into the sea. There weren’t many fishes, but the corals and star fishes were spectacular, bright, colorful and real! Imagine spotting a blue starfish! Unfortunately there was something wrong with Kimberly’s mask that she had to stop but we continued till we got tired.

I died and went to paradise: MABUL ISLAND

We headed to Mabul Island ..the journey took us approximately 45 minutes in rough sea..cool!

The Snorkel to Remember..

To cut the long story short, we went for second snorkel and later third snorkel (between the second and third jetty) with Kimberly. The spot was best known for turtles.

Unfortunately, the water level there was really low, we were only inches away form the corals and fishes. It was dangerous. Guna not knowing how to control her self accidentally touched the spiked coral and hurt herself. We had no choice but to end our snorkeling and get back on the boat. It was long way back to the boat, so instead of swimming I snorkel all they way. Fortunately for me, it turns out to be the best snorkel of all time. I actually swam together with lots of beautiful bright colorful fishes that was just inches away from my nose, and my arms and my legs. The best part ever was to see real life turtle swimming happily below me. Sigh I thought I died and went to heaven. Sigh!

We quickly headed to the jetty to ask the Scuba Junkie instructor for help but to no vain. Many told different things but at the end, it was said that the spikes was not poisionous but best removed. So Guna sat quietly clipping away the remainder of the spike.

Also provided with free lunch ..noodles, rice and curry

The village....

The locals...

Their house...

Their transportation.. self made sail boat

We ate our lunch and went for our finally snorkel at the same spot, hopping to see turtles again. I jumped in first and followed by Kimberly. Guna stayed back looking for the missing mask under the sea. The water level was so strong. In just couple of minutes, we were drifted away to the third jetty. Realizing that, Kimberly and I quickly swam back to the boat. But it was so difficult as the current was so so strong and kept on pushing us back. Moreover, the boat could not approach us as the water level was really really low. So we had to choice but to swim. Kimberly was near by, so she quickly managed to get to the second jetty and was picked up by the boat.I on the other hand was stuck far away and was trying my level best to swim across the strong tight and made it to the boat. Never in my life have I swam like that. Moment later we picked up all the remaining divers and headed back to Semporna.

Mabul Cafe: Perfect Closure for a Night at Semporna..

It was pouring heavily so we waited till 8 p.m to get something to eat. Upon the recommendation by Scuba Junkie staff, we headed to Mabul café for dinner. The food was delicious and the price was reasonable. But the best part was their desert. Yummy!!!

We ended our day in Mabul Internet cafe printing my return tickets an dchecking mail. We were so tired, went back and slept.

My yummy fried Kew Teow

Guna's Chicken chop..

The yummy dessert...ice blended mango sago..

Yucky dragon fruit drink..not sweet at all and tasteless..

Note:

Accomodation

Scuba Junkie is not as posh as x plorebackpacker, but its cheap (bed as cheap as RM15), serves good breakfast and operates snorkeling and diving (snorkel is about RM80 ++) to all Island at semporna. Highly recomeded for backpacker!

PO Box 458 Block B Lot 36
Semporna, Semporna Seafront,
Sabah, 91308 Malaysia

Tel: +60 89 785372
Fax+60 89 785372
mobile phone+60 019 5846572

web: http://www.scuba-junkie.com/

Transportation:

To/from Semporna: 9-10 hrs, 58 MYR. Dyana Bus, leaves twice daily from Inanam station around 7:30AM & 7:30PM. Shuttle from KK city to Inanam is 1.50 MYR, 20 minutes, departs from bus station on Jalan Padang

Eat:

Mabul Café & Seafood Restaurant
Lot 39 & 40, Block G, 1st Floor,
Semporna Seafront New Township,
91300 Semporna
Tel: +6 089781785

reffer this blog: http://nicolekissdiet.blogspot.com/2008/03/mabul-caf-semporna.html