I flew from Kl to Tawau. The reason is simple Tawau has what Semporna doesn’t have, which is an airport. Tawau is basically very simple consist of many streets of shophouses and some mini shopping mall mainly for the local. I took half a day to stroll the streets, unplanned but just walk blindly. I pass by morning market, coffee shop, mosque and you name it.

I went back to Soon Yee hotel, pack and heads toward the bus station. The local people are helpful when requesting direction; however it is better to talk in Malay. Anyway when I reach the bus station I didn’t see any express bus to Semporna instead  there was this van taxi who took people to Semporna with a philosophy of `penuh baru jalan!. Half an hour later the van soon full with local people transporting fruits, meat and daily groceries and a couple of kids in the van. Vroom vroom…..

Along the way there is nothing much, oil palm estate, a couple of coco estate and scattered house. The road is a curvy and narrow and bumpy at certain part. The van `sroof is low, the tip of my head almost touching. I open the window big big and the wind blow fast fast. I soon started fishing but occasionally awaken rudely when the van passes on rough road with my head banging the roof.

1 hour dead and I arrive at Semporna. My leg and ass was numb but excitement didn’t stop me from getting out. So this is it, Semporna? The first thing I saw was a dead white puppy dog by now is like ballon, and then follow by dead rats. I went to the jetty where this floating hotel call Dragon inn is located. I pass the market and the local hangout place and I must say it is not a very good sight and smell. There is this fruits which look like nangka but doesn’t taste like one but has strong aroma. Tempting to buy.

Dragon inn cost RM 70 a day but it is a very nice place to stay. I wanted to try the dorm but am loaded full with photography equipment so I m kind of worried they might be kidnapped. So I did what I like most, walk blindly around town with big smile asking around people which is hard for people with social phobia. I soon landed with a room cost RM 20 a day. It is like a wooden box those that you see beside construction site for the labourer. The owner is a lady with 2 cute kids. She ensure me of the safety so I stay.

The next 3 days is spend with walking around the town. I want to say this is some of the most meaning full days in my life. The kids and the locals. First I speak English people do not quite understand so I change to Malay immediately things change. The people there are mostly fisherman consist of Bajau and Malays.

I like rambutan so I bought a lot but at the end of the day giving away is better then feeding my stomach. I grab one and offer to one kids who seems shy at first and then he brings army of friends which basically empty my rambutans but also make me a popular guy. Also I walk around with my camera shooting like mad .People there are poor, owning a camera aint that popular unlike the city. I am like the 101 Chinese on the streets and people easily recognized me. Whenever I point and start clicking people would wave their hand and kids would gather and jump! Total contrast from the city. I interact a lot with kids coz they just seems so nice. Occationally, they ll ask for money.  I dun give but they still play around. I m like a big old kid. Later in Mabul I went fishing with lots of kids! I also attempt to board a kid`s mini boat with site arm but it overturn. Luckily his catch of the day doesn’t went away. He says to me ''mengapa kao geleng-geleng.'' I didn’t but the boat seems too small. the second attempt also fail so sadly I wave bye bye to him. Before I board I m confident with my camera strap on neck but decided to keep in my water proof bag. Phew! Otherwise I m doom.

The local people are beautiful with tan skin and they have natural chocolat hair just you dye them. I expose my skins to sun just like them for 3 days and I feel burned, dried like ikan masin, and dead skin peeling off. Wonder how it feels for years!

I wake up at 6am willingly which I never did for years. That’s when the Bajau start sending the catches of the day to the market. The sight is astonishing. The fish caught are ultraman size like manta ray, sail fish which is meters in length even chopped into 4 pieces still need 2 people to carry each pieces. Fish like giant barracuda, giant travelly and groupers  are all seen as well as colourful parrot fish. I wonder how it tastes. In the market things are sell in bulk! A little money can buy lots of fresh sea food unlike in the city where fishes with red eyes are still on sale. I also went to a Bajau island call Bom-bom. That’s place was a mess and I m hesitated to go at first. Luckily I think I pick the right guide. Long cut short Semporna is basically about local culture, lifestyle and the people.

This totally change. The world best dive site are only explored by westerners and a handful  of city locals. The ride took an hour from Semporna to Mabul. I learned a very expensive lesson and the day was raining and I m left with nothing to cover myself and more importantly my fragile gear. I am wet soaked and when the strong winds blows it penetrate my nerve. When I reached Mabul I m basically trembling.

Mabul is a very beautiful island divided into 2. One site houses the luxury bungalow style floating hotel and the other site occupied by locals and sea gypsies. I walked at least 4 trips around the not so big island.

Sipadan is amazing and I want to tell you guys this is Malaysia gems! Search the net Sipadan is rated 2nd after the Galapagos island. I have snorkel in many places and nowhere is anything come close to Sipadan. The moment you look below the surface of the water you will know. Go find out yourself. No matter how beautiful pictures is, the grass is always greener on the other side.