Adam Lai is travel enthusiast who runs a travel website about Sabah, Malaysia. In this interview he talks about what makes Sabah and Malaysia a special city and country to visit and the ins and out of the internet travel business.
Travelling is your passion. How did it all start?
It all started when I first visited Bangkok and I realised I enjoyed planning my own trip. I feel much more relaxed and comfortable when I am travelling and I plan at least one overseas trip every year.
Your website is a treasure trove for anyone who is looking for travelling tips about Sabah. What is the concept behind this website?
When I moved back to Sabah I realised that all my friends and people from other states of Malaysia didn’t know much about Sabah. I tried to gather more information about travelling around Sabah but I didn’t find much useful information. So, I thought, why don’t I just apply my photography skill and show the world the beauty of Sabah through my eyes. The purpose of the website is to show potential travelers what to expect when they come to Sabah.
What are the three main attractions of Sabah?
The most popular attraction is a visit to Mount Kinabalu, the tallest Mountain in Malaysia and Borneo Island standing at 4092m high. Sabah also boasts one of the most popular diving sites in the world; the name Sipadan is popular among divers. The third attraction in Sabah is probably Sepilok Orang Utan Sanctuary where the orangutans are rehabilated and then released into the wild.
What local festival do you recommend for people coming to Sabah?
The biggest festival in Sabah is the Harvest Festival which takes place each year on the 31st of May. The Harvest Festival is celebrated by the Kadazan by giving thanks to the rice gods. Agricultural shows, exhibitions, cultural programs, buffalo races, and other traditional games are held during this festival. There is much merrymaking and feasting with rice wine flowing freely throughout the festivities.
Could you briefly suggest a 3-day itinerary for Sabah?
There are many day tours from Kota Kinabalu city. Travellers can allocate one day for island hopping at Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park – which consist of five islands located just 10 minutes from Kota Kinabalu City center. Late in the evening you could watch a beautiful sunset from Kota Kinabalu waterfront.
On the 2nd day, spend some time walking around Kota Kinabalu city and visit the Handicraft Centre or famously known as Filipino Market for some souvenirs. Join a half-day Klias Wetland River cruise if you’re interested in seeing Proboscis Monkeys in their natural habitat. The tour starts at 2 pm with pickup from hotel and ends at about 9 pm.
On the 3rd day, visit the floating mosque and take a tour to Mari Mari Cultural Village where you can experience the traditional life of five different tribes.
Apart from Sabah, what other places in Malaysia should prospective travellers consider visiting?
For nature lovers, travellers should also visit Sarawak where the world famous Mulu Cave is located. For island lovers, take a visit to Langkawi Island.
There are so many travel websites out there that it has become quite difficult for new projects to last. What makes your website special?
What makes us special is the fact that we use a lot of photograph to put our point across. A photo is worth a thousand words. We also constantly update our articles so that our readers can accurate information about Sabah.
What plans do you have for the future? Are you going to reach out to other cities in Malaysia or countries in Asia?
We are currently planning a pocket guide for travellers to Sabah. So, next time you come to Sabah, remember to grab our guidebook!
