The island of Borneo (Indonesian name Kalimantan), the very name of which already evokes images of mysterious pirate treasures, inter-tribal wars and decorated natives, is divided between three states - Malaysia, Indonesia and Brunei. The Malaysian part, in turn, is divided into two states - Sabah and Sarawak, which occupy about 30% of the island. Sarawak is called the "land of the rhinoceros bird" because this amazing animal lives only here. It is the largest state in the country. Nature has endowed it with an amazing beauty that amazes everyone who comes here. Ice did not reach the territory of Sarawak during the global cooling, so the same jungle that covered the earth at the time when dinosaurs roamed it has been preserved. It gives its guests the opportunity to immerse themselves in this jungle, to communicate with local tribes, for thousands of years do not change their way of life, and some of them saw tourists only five years ago.

Getting to this diving <Mecca> will not be difficult: the capital of Kota Kinabalu has direct air connections with many capitals of Southeast Asia and almost all capitals of Malaysia. Besides, Kota Kinabalu himself also deserves your attention. This is the same place to which the beaten stamp "city of contrasts" fits. To the skyscrapers and high-rise buildings of the modern capital here "stuck" <long houses>, the traditional dwellings of some tribes inhabiting Borneo. One of the most beautiful places in the city is the central embankment, where it is always noisy and crowded. Architectural and ethnographic enthusiasts are also advised to visit the Sabah Museum, which houses a large collection of archeology and ethnobotany, including reproductions of traditional houses and bird-hunting grounds, the State Main Mosque, Chinese and Hindu temples, and a masterpiece of modern architecture. .
Sabah is a region for active recreation. Kota Kinabalu, the state capital, even has a special extreme sports office that offers rafting on the mountain rivers of Kiulu and Padas, jungle safaris, mountain bike trails, climbing programs, kayaking and many other entertainment for those who doesn't like to just bask in the sun.
But most satisfied with the trip to Sabah climbing enthusiasts. Mount Kinabalu rises in the heart of the state, the highest peak between the Himalayas and New Guinea, reaching 4,100 meters. It is one of the youngest mountains in the world, it "appeared" only a million years ago, and is said to continue to grow. On its slopes, on an area of 767 square kilometers is a reserve of the same name - a paradise for botanists and just nature lovers. The goal of all tourists here - a snow-covered area at an altitude of three and a half thousand meters, from which at dawn you can see almost the entire state of Sabah with its hills, valleys and a brilliant strip of distant surf. Moreover, the top can be conquered by almost every tourist who has normal health and is fond of hiking. Climbing up its slopes, it is interesting to observe changes in the plant world: the jungle is replaced by oak groves, oaks give way to coniferous forests, it is replaced by alpine meadows, and at the top you can see only curved trees and shrubs. Unlike neighboring Indonesian territories, where many species of vegetation have simply disappeared due to deforestation, Sabah has preserved a rare flora: giant water lilies, the world's largest flower rafflesia, reaching 170 centimeters in diameter, about a thousand species of orchids, many of which are nowhere else. do not occur.
On the eastern outskirts of Kinabalu Park is a natural health complex with hot springs Poring Hot Springs. Here, at a height of 480 meters in the thickets of bamboo grove set a number of baths, which receive healing water from the nearest source. And at an altitude of two thousand meters among the dense thickets of rhododendron is a camp, which is paved with footpaths, electricity, and from below, from the valley is fed by pipeline filtered water.
A tour to the top of Mount Kinabalu usually takes two days with an overnight stay, the cost of the tour - from 120 dollars. In addition to the money to visit the reserve requires a special permit: tourists must register their route with the Sabah State Tourist Office. This is done at least a week before the start of the walking tour. In addition, at the entrance to the reserve, tourists pay a <park fee> in the amount of 10 Malaysian ringgit. Here they pass <biological> control: it is forbidden to bring foreign animals and plants into the territory of the Kinabalu reserve. For those guests of the park who rise above two thousand meters, the park administration allocates a companion, but to pay for his services - about $ 25 a day - will be the group itself. If desired, tourists who do not want to "bend their backs", for $ 15 a day can take a carrier. But you do not need a security guard: predators are not found in the park, and self-defense is enough to have a flashlight to drive away annoying bats at night.
Animal lovers are especially eager to Sepilok - a small town located 40 minutes of summer northeast of Kota Kinabalu. This place is famous for the fact that here is the world's largest orangutan reserve. It is located in a forest reserve covering an area of 11 thousand acres. Here are in the treatment of orangutans, who were injured in deforestation, or were in captivity in European zoos. After recovery, they are released.

Islands and beaches

However, the review of local attractions is not over yet, because you have not yet met the inhabitants of the local waters. This is best done in Tunku Abdul Rahman Underwater Park. The reserve consists of 5 islands (Mamutik, Manukan, Sapi, Gaya, Sulug), covered with lush tropical greenery and surrounded by coral reefs. The islands are a 20-minute boat ride from Kota Kinabalu, covering an area of almost 5,000 hectares. On the three islands of the park there are hotels and chalets, which hospitably invite those who dream of a vacation with a fishing rod, sailing, scuba diving. meters. It is located 300 kilometers northwest of Kota Kinabalu and offers its guests exceptional opportunities for diving and snorkeling. Visibility in these waters is 55 meters, and underwater you will be accompanied by hammerhead fish, stingrays, eels, sea turtles - a completely diverse fauna that has never felt human influence. You can observe this same marine fauna on the Tertl Islands, located off the northeast coast of Sabah. In the coastal waters there are plenty of famous green and humpback turtles, which throughout the year go to the desert beaches of the islands to lay eggs.