Be carried away by the sunset, the wonderful beauty of Malaysia‘s wonderful beaches, upon whose soft, smooth ground your foot may walk strongly. All the beaches glow in a mix of orange, pink, and purple colours when the sun goes below the horizon line. From crowded Batu Feringghi to secluded Rawa Island, a matchless sunset destination is to be found. The Most Romantic Beaches in Malaysia Malaysia, with its lovely beaches and lovely islands, is a honeymooners’ first holiday destination to spend their beach vacation. It’s a clean beach and a silver beach; it’s a beach that is renowned all over the world due to its beauty and tranquillity. A wonderful holiday or an adventure holiday, a flight to Penang from the UK can be your gateway to this island paradise. To make a perfect start for your Malaysian beach holiday, start with Penang. It’s a combination of sunny beaches and cultures. Langkawi: Jewel of Kedah Want to experience the sunny weather? Then visit Langkawi, the Jewel of Kedah. It is heaven on earth. The breathtaking view of the sun displaying different colours is breathtaking. Have a quiet walk at Pantai Cenang. The soothing waves sound soul-fresh winds are indescribable. View the sunset with a glass of beverage and let the elegance of Langkawi reach deep into your soul. Pulau Perhentian: Tropical Paradise Walking on the sandy beaches is so satisfying. With the sea that shines like glitter. Snorkel over colourful coral reefs. The fish in the sea will create a circle around you which is beyond expectations. The white beaches give a breathtaking view. Enter into a haven in the sea of colours, which is teeming with life. Lounge on a coconut, pass the time, and indulge. Pulau Perhentian is not a place; it’s an experience provider. Tanjung Aru Beach, Kota Kinabalu Lovely scene on a share with cooling sea wind at sunset at Tanjung Aru beach of Kota Kinabalu. Where the horizon would be a colourful rainbow that invites one onto its beach shore. Must not miss: Royal sunset photo shoot. Delicious street food here. Sand beach sunset signing walk. Entertaining warm night beach volleyball match with locals. Ice-cold beverages at beach restaurants. This beach is best for life memories! Rawa Island: Jewel of Serenity This paradise world is known as Rawa Island. Where the relief reveals nature’s unspoiled beauty in white sand beaches and blue crystal water. Rawa Island is a quiet retreat, offering a white, silky sandy beach and a blue, glinting sea for a peaceful nature vacation. So good-sized island paradise is beautiful to witness a love sunset, colour play in the horizon while the sun sets below. Batu Feringghi: Penang Batu Feringghi, Penang, is a golden palm oasis that sweeps in every direction and is the quest for adventure and peace. Day merges into dusk with hues of rapt passion enveloping the horizon, claiming a kingly rule of your saunter along the shores of sand. Relish cold tropical cocktails in the beach bars at sunset. Relish the water sports splash or just relax as gently lapping waves sensually caress your toes. Each night here enfolds you with Batu Feringghi magic. Redang Island: Water as Crystal The instant you place your foot upon Redang Island’s ground, you embrace crystal clear water that glimmers like a diamond. You dive into it, bathing in its infinity as coral reefs and friendly fish greet you warmly with affectionate arms. Amenities of this paradise are: White cottony pearly beach Blinding blue and green sea Best destination to snorkel and swim Magic sunset Relaxing atmosphere Redang Island’s beauty will be addictive! Sipadan Island: Diving and Sunset Boat cruise along picturesque Redang Island. Diving from Sipadan Island is a lifetime experience. With morning and evening diving before and after sunrise,t of unblemished beauty. Swimming in water as clear as a gem, with a riot of colours, turquoise, sea coral, and rainbow-coloured fish. Twilight on the beach colours the horizon orange and sparkles off the waves. Sipadan is not diving, it’s looking at nature in wonder. Conclusion Malaysian sunset beaches never run out of minutes. Either basking in the clean sands of Langkawi or getting submerged in the wild, frantic landscape at Tanjung Aru Beach. With over 4,600 kilometres of coastline, Malaysia effectively has an infinite array of locations. Malaysia Airlines flight ought to be able to unwind and have a relaxing, soothing journey, closer to these sea gems in comfort and confidence. Every sunset is a masterpiece that frees your imagination and wings your soul. Hold onto the sun and venture out, enjoy breathtaking sights. Bask in the postcard-picture prettiness of Malaysia’s coastline!

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In line with Hyatt’s World of Care objectives, Hyatt Centric Kota Kinabalu, committed to advance sustainability actions, joins the global effort to promote sustainable tourism, to ensure the resilience of their destination and local communities. The hotel has been awarded the Silver Certification by GreenRE, Malaysia’s leading green building certification body, for its commitment to green building excellence. Ruben Schrijver, General Manager of Hyatt Centric Kota Kinabalu, says “We, at Hyatt Centric Kota Kinabalu, are dedicated to fostering collective efforts towards sustainability by spreading awareness among our staff, guests and business associates. Despite being a young establishment of just seven months, we have the vision to emerge as one of Malaysia’s prominent eco-conscious hospitality providers. We have formulated concrete measures to uphold our hotel’s Environmental Policy and Management Plan, with a focus on a 20% reduction in food waste and the reduction of all single-use plastics.” Energy & Water Conservation Hyatt Centric Kota Kinabalu, the first hotel in Sabah to utilize air-cooled chillers with 300 tonnes of cooling capacity, eliminates the need for condenser pumps and saves up to 35% of energy consumption. It also runs a cutting-edge water condensation programme that recycles condensate water from air conditioning, which is then used in the hotel bamboo gardens, at ON22 restaurant and ON23 rooftop bar. All cooking appliances in the hotel use 100% green electricity, offering fast and sustainable cooking while reducing heat in the kitchen. The hotel employs LED light bulbs for all hotel lighting fixtures and utilizes a card-activation system for energy in guest rooms and suites, integrated with smart lighting and air conditioning features to enhance energy efficiency. Responsible Sourcing Hyatt Centric Kota Kinabalu prioritizes responsible sourcing of food and beverages and is actively seeking Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) and Aquaculture Stewardship Council (ASC) certifications to ensure sustainable seafood procurement. The hotel plans to collaborate with sister hotel, Hyatt Centric Kota Kinabalu to work with local farmers to purchase Cage Free Eggs by 2025 as part of Hyatt Global goals. Sustainability is also considered when purchasing cleaning chemicals and detergents, with preference given to EcoVadis-certified products. Refillable drinking water is made available in the hotel through use of water jugs in the meeting rooms and water carafes at ON23. Eco-friendly room amenities with large-format soap and shampoo dispensers further support the hotel’s aim to eliminate plastic waste. Hyatt Centric Kota Kinabalu has also implemented an environmental data tracking system, EcoTrack, to monitor the recycling of reusable materials like paper, carton boxes, glass, and metal. Raising awareness of the environment This first Hyatt Centric-branded hotel in Southeast Asia is committed to raising awareness about the environment and taking steps to protect it. They minimize pollution and support biodiversity through various measures. Wastewater is treated before being discharged, and they strictly prohibit any trade or promotion of illegal wildlife products. Hyatt Centric Kota Kinabalu ensures that all staff members are aware of sustainability priorities through training during orientations. The hotel’s World of Care Committee leads initiatives and identifies best sustainability practices, to inform business partners about their latest environmental practices. In collaboration with local organizations like Arm of Hope Sabah, the hotel supports the community through projects such as food donations and cleaning services. They also work with partners like Happy Plastics and CarlsBot for recycling and upcycling initiatives. Currently, the hotel team is partnering with Jireh Home for the RiseHy initiative, a Hyatt global program that provides underprivileged youth with an opportunity to undergo job training and gain employment skills at Hyatt Centric Kota Kinabalu. For people, profit, and planet For transparency, regular measuring and reporting tools using Hyatt EcoTrack is important in monitoring environmental performance which allows the group and hotel to pursue reputable certifications. General Manager Ruben Schrijver continues, “Embracing sustainability isn’t just an option, it’s our collective responsibility. Hyatt Centric Kota Kinabalu is fully dedicated to leading the charge in caring for the planet, people, and responsible business. Let’s monitor, improve, and make a strategic environmental impact together”.

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Accommodations is always the major issue when planning to travel or having a vacation. You can chose from hotel, apartment, chalet, hostel or home-stay, whatever decision you made, I’m pretty sure it will not be only about the cost alone, but it will also involve facilities and location. Any traveller likes having a clean place, equipped with basic facilities together with great view and a good deal. The choice was not easy for us when we planned our visit to Kundasang. In the end, Hounon Ridge Farmstay and Camping was my choice. Usually, when I plan a holiday, I do a bit of research about the place to stay. It has to be nice, comfortable and worth my penny. Hounon Ridge Farmstay and Camping, opened to public in 2012, was a great choice I did not regret, both because the place fulfilled all accommodation requirement stated above, but also because it gave me a chance to experience first hand a night stay in one of the coolest areas of Sabah: Kundasang. I discovered Hounon Ridge Farmstay and Camping thanks to a tip from my university friend who hails from Sabah. The pictures were enough to convince me the place as beautiful and out of the ordinary, so I discussed it with my team and we all agreed. I called the resort to do the booking, told them I needed a room that could accommodate 7 people, and ended up booking 2 rooms: a standard quad room and a standard double room. The traveling day came; we reached Kundasang, spent the day exploring and sightseeing, and drove to the area where Hounon Ridge Farmstay and Camping is located. The road was not in the best condition, and it was quite downhill, so the drive was a bit rough. On top of that, the car GPS was not working so we had to stop a few times to ask local villagers direction to the hotel. Thanks mainly to them, we managed to get to Hounon Ridge Farmstay and Camping before night fall. My first impression was more than positive: the place looked much better and more pleasant in reality than in the pictures. The surrounding area is vast and gave us excellent views of the whole of Kundasang and of the majestic Mount Kinabalu in the background. We were so exhausted, yet we were excited to be there, and I started to understand why most people endure the uncomfortable journey to get here. We checked in fast and walked around the area to feel the cool breeze, take pictures and breathe the clean air. And while walking, I realised that Hounon Ridge Farmstay and Camping is also a great place to escape for those who work in an office or are overloaded with work and need some rest and peace and relaxation. But, you may ask, what does Hounon mean? According to the manager, the name Hounon in local language means ‘covered by mist’. And the name really suits the area, as during every morning and every evening I was there, the place was filled with a mist so thick you cannot even see the highest mountain in South East Asia. There were more things that make Hounon Ridge Farmstay and Camping special: it is nestled in a tropical rainforest ecosystem, it boasts a tropical lush green environment, and in the night it has a sky literally covered in glittering stars. FACILITIES Hounon Ridge Farmstay and Camping has different types of room: family room, standard room, dormitory, camping site; accommodation prices depends on time of booking and day of booking. Rates are lower on weekdays. Dormitory goes for RM 35 per person, while the Standard Quad Room we stayed in cost us RM 210 and the Standard Double Room RM 110. An extra mattress in the room costs you RM 25. Facilities include a kitchen for cooking, BBQ site and also conference room. Check in is from 2 pm and check out is 11 am. HOW TO GET THERE Hounon Ridge Farmstay and Camping is located at Kampung Himbaan, Bundu Tuhan, Ranau. The farm-stay is 9 kilometres from Puncak Borneo Resort, 11 kilometres from Kinabalu Park, 16 kilometres from Kundasang and 100 kilometres from Kota Kinabalu. To get to there you have to turn at the junction to Bundu Tuhan on the way to Kundasang. The road will take you to Kampung Bundu Tuhan, passing by Don Bosco Children Home, Kampung Himbaan and St. Valentine Chapel. From there, you can ask the villagers for directions. The easiest way is to have a working GPS ! If you rent a car and drive yourself, make sure the car in good condition, and since you will be going downhill a lot, do use low gear in order to prevent the brakes to overheat. BOOKINGS For more information on packages, contact Mr. John at +60 138506463 or log in to their Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/hounonridge/ Mr. John is a very friendly man and he will be available for information and booking from 8 am to 8 pm. Bring with you mosquito repellent, socks and warm clothes, food to eat (no food available there), shower kit and, not to forget, your camera!

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Nestled in the foothills of Mount Kinabalu, 100 kilometers away from Kota Kinabalu, in Sabah – Malaysian Borneo, Desa Cattle Dairy Farm boasts one of the most magnificent scenery in Kundasang.  It is often described as the “little New Zealand of Sabah” thanks to its similarity to the southwestern Pacific Ocean country: the green fields, the distinctive black-and-white patched coat of the dairy cows and the cool breezes the place enjoys. Visitors both local and foreigner enjoy so much taking pictures at the site that I have heard that the farm has become a popular destination for couples to take their wedding photos. The farm covers an area of 199 hectares and produces about 900,00 litres of milk annually. Most of the milking cows are Holstein-Friesian, the highest milk producers of all cattle breeds. During our visit to Desa Cattle Dairy Farm, we tried some of their products, namely the boxed milk, the ice cream – of which we tried every single flavour available – and the chocolate milk, all delicious! Other products available are sausages and cheese. Prices are a bit higher than your average product, but they are so fresh and taste so great that they are worth the money they ask for them. Plus you can be guaranteed they are fresh fro the farm! And you can purchase the DESA products and take them back home with you. Visitors are welcome to see cows being milked and milk processing and packing activities. Milking takes place at 3 pm, and milk processing happens on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays. This uphill area with its chilled climate is of course such a change from the lowland heat. As a bonus, you can bottle-fee calves and young dairy goats, and you can walk around and enjoy the small gardens with flowers in bloom and the spectacular views of Mount Kinabalu. For the best views, try to arrive before 11am when you may have a clear view of Malaysia’s highest peak. Clouds usually cover it by the afternoon. The farm is at an altitude that also allows views of Kundasang. Highly recommended. Desa Cattle Dairy Farm is located at Mesilou Road about 5km from Kundasang town. There is no public transport to the farm, so you need to make your own way there. Special care should be taken during the drive since the road is unfinished and bumpy. No Public transport to this farm and more prefer drive the 4 wheel car or any higher car as the road are bump…. The farm opens daily from 8 am to 5 pm, the admission fee is Rm 4 for adults and RM 3 for children. Price for setting up a wedding photo-shooting is Rm100. For further information visit their website at www.desaplus.com READ ASIAN ITINERARY ARTICLE ON KUNDASANG HERE !

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Kundasang War Memorial – called “Tugu Peringatan Perang Kundasang” in Malay language – is dedicated to the 2,428 British and Australian soldiers who died as Prisoners Of War camp during the infamous death marches from Sandakan to Ranau at the hands of the Japanese. To be noted that only 6 Australian (and no British) survived the horror to tell their tales. The memorial also stands to recognize the suffering and sacrifice of the native population of Sabah, several of whom risked their lives to help the prisoners of war. Kundasang War Memorial was found by Major G.S. Carter DSO, a New Zealand World War II veteran and employee of the Shell Oil Co in Borneo, who after lobbying and fund-raising as well as support from pressure exerted on the British and Australian governments, initiated the building in 1962, to coincide with the launching of Kinabalu Park. The fort-like design is by J.C. Robinson, a local architect. Kundasang War Memorial was built on a small, pine-tree-clad hill. The place is divided into four interlocking but separate gardens areas that are over four levels connected by small trails: the Australian garden, the English Rose Garden, the Borneo Garden and the Contemplation Garden, with its reflecting pool and its pagoda. Each garden has a different choice of plants and landscapes; for instance the Australian garden contains green fields, while the English Rose Garden contains pink roses in every corner, hence the name, and the Borneo Garden boasts wild flowers of Kinabalu. These gardens represent the homelands of those who died, and the magnificent war memorial welcomes all visitors, both those who come to see the gardens and those who come to remember those who sacrificed their lives for the freedom of others. In the years, Kundasang War Memorial suffered years of neglect exacerbated by acts of vandalism and, despite funds injections by the Sabah government in 1995, by 2003 it had been reduced to a virtual ruin. It was in 2005, in occasion of the 60th anniversary of the end of World War II, that a Mr Sevee Charuruks of Kota Kinabalu made his own personal funds available for a major restoration project, that he considered a private retirement project, going as far as mounting a full Roll of Honour with the names of all those who died at Sandakan, which shows details including age, date and place of death, and original place of burial inscribed in gold on highly polished, black granite slabs. Mr. Sevee Chararuks, a native Thai pensioner, was awarded an MBE, an Imperial Award, by the British government and an honorary award (AM) under the Order of Australia by the Australian government in recognition of his efforts. Kundasang War Memorial is located in Kundasang, on a hill on the slopes of Mount Kinabalu, immediately behind the vegetable wholesale stalls. It is a 10 minutes drive away from Kinabalu National Park and about a two-hour drive from Kota Kinabalu. It is open daily from 8.30 am to 5.30 pm, with admission fees at RM 2 for Malaysians and RM 10 for foreigners. Further information, click on http://www.sabahtourism.com/destination/kundasang-war-memorial READ ASIAN ITINERARY ARTICLE ON KUNDASANG HERE !

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Rested at the foothill of Mount Kinabalu, Kinabalu National Park is the main tourist destination in Sabah. Located at Ranau, this place is the second attraction we found along the way to Kundasang. Kinabalu National Park covers an area of 754 square kilometer and it was gazetted as a park in 1964. According to its history, the establishment of a protected area in Kinabalu was possible after a report from the Royal Society Kinabalu Scientific expedition in 1962-1964 led by Prof. Corner. Kinabalu National Park was Malaysia’s first UNESCO World Heritage site, approved in the year 2000. UNESCO chose this site thanks to the more than 5000 vascular plant species and 90 lowland mammal species that can be found there. The most famous plant in Kinabalu National Park is the Rafflesia, a parasitic flowering plant that produces the largest flower in the world. One of Kinabalu National Park main attractions is the majestic Mount Kinabalu, the highest mountain in Malaysia and South East Asia with its height of 4,905.2 meters above sea level. This park has become in recent years a popular spot for mountaineers and jungle trekkers. Kinabalu National Park is surrounded by bountiful natural attractions and enjoyable activities such as mountain biking, canopy walking, farm tours and not to forget photography. Kinabalu National Park headquarters is 88 kilometres away from the city of Kota Kinabalu; there are sealed roads leading towards the park headquarters from other parts of Sabah, and you need to cross the park to get to Mount Kinabalu summit. You can reach Kinabalu National Park by car, van, bus or taxi from Kota Kinabalu or from Kundasang. There is a variety of accommodations available within the park, as well as hostels and chalets in its vicinities. For more information on the park, visit their website at http://www.sabahparks.org.my/index.php/the-parks/kinabalu-park BOOK DISCOUNTED ACCOMMODATION AT KINABALU NATIONAL PARK HERE !

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Known as the upside down house of Borneo, Rumah Terbalik is the first ever house of this kind built in Malaysia, and claims to be one of the 5 best upside down house in the world, being also in Malaysia Guinness Book of Records. Rumah Terbalik started operations in 2012 and an amazing design for a house that is almost impossible to build. The simple yet nice architecture was taken from a traditional Sabah house,  with 140 square meters that include a fully equipped kitchen, a living room, a bedroom, toilets, a veranda and a garden, all built within the same perspective. The trip inside the house should take 15 minutes; they have used vintage stuff like 1970’s TV, a sawing machine, a lamp and an old telephone. No pictures are allowed inside, but you are able to photograph the outdoor, with upside down gardening tools, toilet and a car. The new 3D Wonders Museum adjacent to Rumah Terbalik is amazing. Thanks to a special art technique which transforms two-dimensional images into immersive 3D environments, you can now experience Sabah’s beloved customs, traditions, and landscapes in reality-bending ways! Rub shoulders with indigenous tribal headhunters, scale Mount Kinabalu, and observe myriad wildlife in their natural habitats in the safety and comfort of the museum. The 3D Wonders Museum is not only the largest 3D art exhibition in East Malaysia, but also one dedicated to educating the public about the importance of protecting biodiversity, ecosystems, and natural resources. As parts of your visit to Rumah Terbalik, you can also browse the Tuaran Craft Village and their well stocked gift shop filled with handicrafts and shirts and souvenirs. You can taste Kopi Tenom, the locally brewed coffee, and gourmet ice-cream in their cafe and experience authentic traditional Sabahan cuisine at Mango Garden Restaurant. Rumah Terbalik opens 7 am to 7 pm daily.  Entrance fee for Malaysian adults is RM 10.60 and the 3D Museum costs RM 24.40 – foreigner are charged RM 19.10 and RM 35 respectively, a bit steep for what you get, if you ask me, but still worth a visit. Rumah Terbalik is located at Jalan Telibong, Tamparuli, along the way to Kundasang, 33 kilometer away from Kota Kinabalu. For further information visit their website at http://www.upsidedownhouse.com.my/

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Have you, by chance, ever heard of Kundasang? Kundasang is a little town located along the banks of Kundasang Valley in the Ranau Valley, Sabah, Malaysian Borneo. The area around Kundasang is mainly populated by a small population of Chinese people, and mainly by native Dusun, the collective name of the largest ethnic group in Sabah. Last February my cousins, friends and I traveled to Kota Kinabalu for 4 days, 2 of which we spent in Kundasang. We chose to go there not only to witness the beautiful nature but also to feel chilled as Kundasan is a relatively humid area, one where clouds and rain are often present. Of course the most significant feature of the town is that it is the closest to Mount Kinabalu, Malaysia’s highest peak, and it offers stunning and breathtaking panoramic view of the mountain. Kundasang, at only 6 kilometers away from the park, is in fact the window to Mount Kinabalu. Bear in mind that the view of the peak is only available before dusk and at dawn; the rest of the time, the peak is covered by a thick mist. The town has an exciting atmosphere, with several shophouses operated by locals and a vegetable market open seven days a week for which Kundasang is renowned. Added to the above is the wide range of activities and attractions. Follow me on a unique journey to this windy land and visit with me: – Rumah Terbalik – Kinabalu National Park – Kundasang War Memorial – Desa Cattle Dairy Farm – Strawberry and Rose Garden – Sinalau Bakas These are not the only attractions in Kundasang, there are more amazing places we did not manage to visit due to our limited time. For those with a few more days, I suggest a visit to Mesilau National Park, Poring Hot Spring and Nature Reserve, Crystal Hill and not to forget the famous climb to the peak of Mount Kinabalu. Kundasang has a great climate, great views and clean air. It was the perfect place for us to escape the hot tropical sun we are accustomed to, as well as a great escape from the hustle and bustle of city life. Kundasang is located 90 kilometers from Sabah capital Kota Kinabalu; the roads are good and not snaky at all, hence the drive there should lasts a relaxed 2 hours. You need a car to fully enjoy Kundasang attractions. Renting a car in Kota Kinabalu is cheap, at about RM100 per day. Asian Itinerary stayed at Hounon Ridge Farmstay and Camping

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