Holiday Destination
Sabah is the ideal place to combine participation in the race with a holiday.
Whether you prefer adventure and adrenalin rush, an exotic nature and wildlife experience, diving at some of the world's best dive sites, climbing one of the highest peaks in Southeast Asia, experiencing the local culture and sampling the local cuisine, or perhaps "just" relaxing at a 5-star beach resort, Sabah is blessed with it all at reasonable prices.
With 32 recognized different ethnical groups, Sabah has a rich and diverse culture which is also expressed in the various cultural festivals and culinary palette available for sampling.
Formerly know as North Borneo - the Malaysian state of Sabah is situated at the northern tip of Borneo, the world's third largest island. Mt. Kinabalu, one of the highest peaks in South-East Asia at 4,100 m and a Unesco World Heritage site, rises steeply from the surrounding jungle and dominates the skyline for the entire north-western part of the state. The TMBT (acronym for "The Most Beautiful Thing") makes reference to Mt. Kinabalu and is centered out the foothills, ridges and valleys associated with the mountain. Climbing Mt. Kinabalu is normally a 2-day trip and needs to be booked in advance. Poring Hot Springs on the eastern flank of Mt. Kinabalu offers soothing sulfur baths for tired legs.
The northwestern region of Sabah is known for it's pristine beaches and the Rungus culture distinguished for their longhouses and beadwork. Sandakan, the former capital of North Borneo, is known as the gateway to the nature tourism of the East Coast region of Sabah. A large proportion of the East Coast region is mangrove forest in the lower delta of the mighty Kinabatangan river, the longest in Sabah. Tours to the Kinabatangan and it's tributaries provides opportunities for close-up encounters with some of Borneo's indigenous and in some cases endemic wildlife such as the unique proboscis monkeys, the gentle orangutans and the Borneo pygmy elephants as well as a host of other smaller and larger wildlife and birds. The Sepilok orangutan rehabilitation centre and the off-shore Turtle Islands are other popular destinations from Sandakan.
The South East coast area of Sabah centered around Semporna is gateway to the off-shore islands resorts and magnificent dive sites with Sipadan Island made world famous by Jacque Cousteau as one of the top dive sites of the world. Semporna and the surrounding seas is the centre for the Bajau Laut (or Sea Gypsies), one of only a few nomadic sea people in the world, traditionally spending most of their lives on boats and making a living off the sea and coral reefs.
In the interior, the conservation areas of Danum Valley and Maliau Basin, known as the "Lost World of Borneo", comprise some of the best places to experience the full magnificence and wonders of the tropical rainforest.
The above is just a brief overview of some of the best known tourist destinations, but there is a host of options catering for all from backpackers to 5-star.
You may get additional inspiration at for instance http://www.sabahtourism.com/
For group or tailor-made tour arrangements, you may for instance contact DOWNBELOW Marine & Wildlife Adventures who also runs a local lodge and island dive resort.