More to Sabah tourism than Mount Kinabalu
Tanjung Simpang Mengayau, northernmost tip of Borneo, a place like no other
By Joshua Hendry
Friday August 5, 2011
Mention Sabah and most people will immediately think of Mount Kinabalu, the tallest mountain in Malaysia.
Not many are familiar with the name Tanjung Simpang Mengayau.
The name refers to the location of the northernmost tip of Borneo, in the district of Kudat, Sabah.
Located about 215km from Kota Kinabalu, it takes three to four hours to get there by car.
The tip of Borneo: This is the northernmost point of Borneo where the South China Sea and the Sulu Sea meet.
The roads leading up to the point are fully sealed. However, being rural roads mostly used by villagers and plantation vehicles, some stretches are quite uneven with potholes here and there so care must be taken while driving.
A giant globe and flag pole proudly flying the Jalur Gemilang greet visitors to the area. Take a closer look at the globe and the history of the place is revealed, including how it got its name.
The Rungus people — dominant indigenous group in the Kudat district — call this place “Tanjung Sampang Mangazou”. Tanjung means cape, sampang junction and mangazou battle.
It is believed that this was where battles were fought by brave Rungus warriors defending their homeland from invading enemies.
Just a short walk down a flight of steps is what most people would come here for, to see for themselves the very tip of Borneo, the world’s third largest island after Greenland and New Guinea.
It is here where two seas meet, the South China Sea from the west and the Sulu Sea from the east.
Act of nature: The wind and water have created some very beautiful natural sandstone formations at the tip of Borneo.
Being the meeting point of two seas, strong cross currents are present. It is these currents which are responsible for wrecking many ships in the days of old, sending them crashing against the coral reefs.
A little island with a lighthouse to the east serves as a reminder of the danger that lies beneath all that beauty.
It is not known for sure how many shipwrecks lie in the waters, but their presence in the area is a testament to the power of nature.
Over the years, the infrastructure and amenities have been significantly upgraded at Tanjung Simpang Mengayau. Now, there is a public rest area with a cafe, souvenir shop and washrooms.
A handful of small resorts and homestays have sprung up in recent times to cater to the increasing number of tourists looking for a place to stay. Staying at least a couple of nights here gives one the opportunity to witness amazing sunsets and sunrises.
Day-trippers are advised to leave before dark however, as the drive back to Kudat town in the darkness may be tricky, especially since the road back is not lighted. The drive to Kudat takes about 30 minutes over a distance of about 40km.
The resort operators also offer services such as renting out snorkelling gear and guided tours. Certified scuba divers may also want to enquire about diving trips to explore the beautiful underwater world further out at sea.
Giant globe: This replica of a globe greets visitors to the area. On it are engraved words briefly explaining the history of Tanjung Simpang Mengayau.
Some of the villagers also provide such services and even rent out boats for fishing which is good news for anglers. They advertise their services via crude, handmade signs posted along the road, usually next to small makeshift souvenir stalls selling collected seashells and local handicrafts.
A variety of beach and sea activities can be enjoyed here. One may choose to laze on the white sandy beach, walk the entire length of the white sandy beach, go snorkelling, or just swim in the warm seas.
Tanjung Simpang Mengayau is getting more and more attention now, thanks to the power of the Internet. Information is shared via online discussion forums and personal blogs that feature travel stories complete with beautiful photos posted by people who have been to this place.
In some ways, the low number of visitors to this beautiful piece of paradise has been a blessing in disguise. The area is relatively free from litter and aside from bits of rubbish brought in by the tide, the long stretch of beach to the left of the headland is still quite clean and unspoiled. With increased visitor traffic, this is bound to change.
One can only hope that visitors are responsible enough not to litter or spoil the surroundings. It is indeed sad to see graffiti starting to appear on some of the beautiful natural formations such as the sandstone walls at the tip.
Other nearby attractions that can be included in one’s itinerary is the Gombizau honey bee farm, the Rungus Longhouse and Kampung Sumangkap Gong Factory.
So the next time you’re planning a trip to Sabah, remember to include a visit to Tanjung Simpang Mengayau. And when you’re standing there admiring the beauty all around you, know that you’re standing at the northernmost point of the great island of Borneo, a place like no other.
For more information, visit sabahtourism.com. -- StarMetro
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