Jacqkie | Travel and Lifestyle

Sabah is really on the world's map these days. You can't walk a mile without seeing a tourist frolicking through their phones getting their bearings these days. Which is actually alright, I just hope we are aware of the sustainability of things. Which also makes something about a road trip, so refreshingly untempered. Something about going away to somewhere (even though it is still towards a touristy area) feels incredible. Maybe it's the scenic drive. The more engagement with your surroundings, and the chatter you enjoy with your family and friends in the car. The independence in exploring a new place, instead of going in and out to a place you see so much in pictures. The four of us decided to travel to Kota Belud and stay overnight at Cabana Retreat because one of us is heading to the big city Singapore to work. Kind of like a farewell, and that I almost forgot it was the Ramadan month, so Fat can't eat during the day. I was also still very sick, coughing my lun...

I started off my 10 day break with a day trip to Mantanani. I wanted to visit Mantanani for THE LONGEST TIME, but couldn’t get around doing so all these while, either I haven’t saved up enough or basically, just haven’t got the weekends to spare it with.   Some folks call it the mermaid island because of the dugong sightings underwater – which is seriously magical. Some folks even say you could catch a glimpse of dolphins. They’ve had photos with it, but I personally have never seen them before.  Ladies and gentlemen, I would like to share with you why this trip was important.    If you see the map above, I’ve yellow squared Mantanani Island in comparison to the journey from Kota Kinabalu. If you’re not a map kind of person, that is --- quite far. Not Sipadan (Tawau, Sandakan, Lahad Datu kind of far) but far enough to be a put off to some locals at times. Previously, you’d have to drive up north for approximately 1.5 hours, or take a bus...