Semporna - Jewel in the Eye - Family Trip : Day 1

 18 - 21 December 2019

This is a long overdue post. I would want to put it here as a remembrance to the beautiful moment we had together. 

The trip was planned way ahead. It was Matta Fair 2019, sometime in April. It was our first visit to Matta Fair ever. People had been telling that you can get a best bargain going to Matta Fair, so, we try our luck. Our plan was to go to Europe. Unfortunately, all the trip to Europe offered by all the travel agents do not coincide with my semester break. Ans it was impossible for me to get a leave for holiday if the semester in on. Therefore we opted for local. And Semporna caught our attention. And it was already during our way out of the exhibition hall that we decided for this. It was ARBA Travel that attracted us. We booked for only the two of us, as the promoter was persuading us to grab the special offer. He claimed that we can still get the benefit of the Matta Fair offer if we decided to add more participants later. So we agreed.

After coming home, then only we decide on wether to bring the kids along or not. As we need to check their schedule before making decision.

i- Kakak - checked 👍  (she was still unemployed during that time)

ii - Kak Ngah - checked 👍  (she had similar schedule with ibu, just that, that week is supposed to be her study leave week, and we are taking her on vacation 😅😅  .... well, she needed the break)

iii - Hakim - checked 👍  (he barely completed his SPM papers)

All checked, and Ayah paid for all the members.

18 December 2019

It was the wee morning on the 18 December 2019. We took the first flight to Tawau, as we had a long travelling to be done later on road and by sea. We parked our car at the Putrajaya Public parking, and took a train to KLIA. We are going on MAS today. As a token of gratitude, ayah sponsored each of us a First class cabin for the trip. Thank you Ayah, and may Allah grant Ayah with more rizqi. 

The trip was smooth. It took about 2 hours or more from KLIA to Tawau. We landed at the Tawau Airport as scheduled and was picked-up by a van operator to be transported to Semporna. All are arranged by ARBA Travel. And from today onwards we will be dealing with this ground travel operator. From The journey will take about another 1 and a half hour. Together in the van were tourist from China. And during that time Covid19 was just in news, Alhamdulillah Allah protected us all. 

From the jetty as the boat was departing

We reached Semporna town and were taken to a restaurant not far from the jetty. They took care of our luggage. And we were told to place order for our lunch at the restaurant and the travel agent will pay for it (it is already part of the package). After a while, we were called to board a boat that will ferry us to Mabul Island. Our stay for the night. Approaching the jetty we were so amazed with the clear water at the jetty despite sadly rubbish were visible floating around. Now we understand why they call Semporna the gem island.

Together with another family of six, we headed to Mabul Island on an approximately 45 minutes speedboat ride. During our boat ride, suddenly rain was pouring, and the ride became a bumpy ride and we were soaked wet. What an experience.

As we approached the Mabul Island, we were again amazed with the crystal clear water. Subhanallah. I cannot find any better words to describe this magnificent Allah's creation. We stayed at Arunghayat. It was above the water accommodation. The accommodation was comfortable. Not luxurious. Who needs a luxurious hotel room when you are going to spend most of your time outdoor. No TV, no airconds. I gave a 3.5 star for the cleanliness for a small motel as this. The stay was so relaxing. 

 

Arung Hayat

We were informed that a guide will come to take us to a walk around the Mabul Island. This small island housed a masjid, school and a sundry shop. If you have a sudden crave for instant noodle, you know that you can get it from here. You can bring your own instant noodle or 3-in-1 drinks as they provide hot water at their in-house cafe.

The school for the islander

The beautiful sandy beach 

   

The walk around the village took us not more than one hour. We were brought to the luxurious Mabul Island Resort for a sight seeing. And we walked around the neighbourhood too. Then we head back to our place and stay relaxing the sea beauty from the deck of the cafe waiting for the sunset. As we sat there, we saw the walks of life of Mabul Islanders and the boatsmen. The children were skilfully paddling their ways selling goods to the tourist.

 

Selling the fresh seafood products. The lobsters are still alive.

If you wish to eat the fresh lobsters, or crabs or any other seafood products, you can purchase it from the Bajau Laut people from their boat. And later you can get the cook at the cafe to cook it for you at a certain charges.

The sea urchins

 

 

  

Excited at the sight of the starfish. 
Hi Patrick ! 😀

Try to spot the moving creature.

Yes, it's the baby octopus.

     

From the deck at the cafe. We enjoyed our time. It is truly a family bonding time.

 

The sun is getting ready to set

One Happy Family

Wait for more excitements on Day 2 onwards. But I do not have many photos because most of them are captured on the GoPro.