Published in NST on January 30, 2014
Besides beautiful beaches and duty-free shopping, Labuan is also renowned for its world-class sport fishing and much more, writes Sharen Kaur
THE Federal Territory of Labuan is full of surprises and my top list of things to do includes duty-free shopping, watching the sunset and relaxing at a spa.
Labuan, which faces the Brunei Bay, is an island with an estimated population of 80,000 people.
Based on statistics from the Tourism and Culture Ministry, almost one million tourists visited Labuan in 2012, of which 29 per cent or 271,183 were foreigners.This means that tourism is still a small play in Labuan but that perhaps may change with Visit Malaysia Year 2014.
My friends and I find a few reasons why the island can be a great tourism destination.
Besides clean air, attractive landscape, courteous motorists, Labuan offers plenty of thrills and mysteries, and good food, too!
ACCOMMODATION
We learn that Labuan has only 36 hotels with 1,685 rooms, and more under construction.
ACCOMMODATION
We learn that Labuan has only 36 hotels with 1,685 rooms, and more under construction.
The existing ones are mostly budget hotels, and those between the two and four star categories.
Having heard great stories about Dorsett Grand Labuan, we decide to stay there, the key reason being that it is the only 5-star hotel on the island and it’s just about 8km from the airport.
Dorsett Grand Labuan offers great view of the sea and it is also within walking distance to the town, which we later discover is small enough to explore by foot.
For sunset thrill, the distance between the hotel and the island’s most popular beach is less than 10km.
Other attractions within walking distance include the ferry terminal which you take to Brunei and Kota Kinabalu, textile shopping and duty-free shops.
Duty-free shopping is one of Labuan’s well known attractions. You could get items such as pearls and crystals, alcohol, tobacco and chocolate at reasonably cheap prices.
EXPLORING THE ISLAND’S BEAUTY
Labuan comprises Labuan island along with six other smaller islands, namely Pulau Burung, Pulau Daat, Pulau Kuraman, Pulau Papan, Pulau Rusukan Kecil and Pulau Rusukan Besar.
EXPLORING THE ISLAND’S BEAUTY
Labuan comprises Labuan island along with six other smaller islands, namely Pulau Burung, Pulau Daat, Pulau Kuraman, Pulau Papan, Pulau Rusukan Kecil and Pulau Rusukan Besar.
We go island hopping, courtesy of Dorsett Grand Labuan. Our tour guide shares that world class sport fishing is the main activity on these islands, besides snorkelling and water sports.
We, however, don’t take in any of the activities as it has been drizzling heavily and we are unprepared.
Our guide says the blue clear water around these idyllic islands is home to one of the world’s richest coral and fishing grounds which offers unlimited deep sea tackling and coastal table-fish catches.
As the Pearl of South China Sea, we find that Labuan has beautiful stretches of beaches. The famous ones are Batu Manikar, Pancur Hitam and Layang-layangan where the locals hang out and have a BBQ picnic during the weekend.
We also discover that most of the island’s prime land, waterfront and suburbs are utilised for residential and tourism development with beautiful architecture and landscape.
The south western side of Labuan is utilised by shipbuilding, manufacturing and oil and gas industries, being the main activities on the island.
HISTORICAL SITES
Labuan has plenty of tourism activities such as the Japanese Surrender Point, The Chimney, Water Village (Kampung Air) and World War II Memorial, which were educational and thrilling.
HISTORICAL SITES
Labuan has plenty of tourism activities such as the Japanese Surrender Point, The Chimney, Water Village (Kampung Air) and World War II Memorial, which were educational and thrilling.
According to the hotel’s general manager Alfred Paulsen, The Chimney is an artifact from Labuan’s coal mining era between 1847 and 1912.
“It is a 32.3m high red brick structure and Labuan’s most well-known landmark. Its actual purpose is still a mystery although many believe it served as a ventilation shaft. There are various stories but nothing can be confirmed,” he says.
The World War II Memorial is Malaysia’s largest war grave. Some 3,908 soldiers, mostly Australians, British and Indians, are buried there. A memorial service is held on Remembrance Day every year.
The Water Village, which comprises two main villages known as Kampung Bebuloh and Kampung Patau-Patau, are resided by mainly Brunei Malays. The wooden houses are built on stilts over water and are connected to each other.
The Japanese Surrender Point at Layang-Layangan where the 37th Japanese Southern Army surrendered to the 9th Division Australian Imperial Forces on Sept 9 1945 which led to the end of World War II in Borneo.
It is also here that Southeast Asia’s first war crime trials were conducted.
Peace Park is located near the Japanese Surrender Point. This beautifully landscaped park was built as a memorial and renunciation of the horrors of war.
A huge man-made mound is the focal point and there is also a plaque signifying the renunciation of war.
EAT UP
Even if you have plenty to eat while travelling, you will most likely burn everything before heading home with the amount of walking that you may do.
Even if you have plenty to eat while travelling, you will most likely burn everything before heading home with the amount of walking that you may do.
Labuan has many cafes and restaurants that offer good food, from local halal dishes to seafood, and value for money, too!
Fret not if you are too lazy to go outdoors for dinner after a long and tiring day as the cuisine at the hotel’s Victoria’s Brasserie will surely whet your appetite!
The restaurant offers all-day dining of delectable local and international cuisines, at affordable prices!
The daily themed Buffet Dinner is a must-have especially its BBQ night.
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