Labuan – Pearl of South China Sea

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We’ve read about the history of Labuan, how it was invaded by the English and the Japanese, how it came to its independence and when it became a Federal Territory. Now let me bring you to the NOW, where you will have a chance to visit it virtually and digitally. For those who have been to this island, let me bring you down memory lane.

Let’s start off with the modes of transportation to get to this island; water and air. There’s the ferry from Menumbok, Sabah that takes about 3 hours long; vehicle carrier too thus the long hours; express ferry from Kota Kinabalu (KK) which only takes half the time of the BIG ferry; and by air of course, flight from KK, Miri and KL mostly.

Now, talk about town area, I’ve listed a few places of interest, starting off with the Labuan International Sea Sport Complex. Located at one of the beach in town area, there are BBQ spots, a playground, F&B stalls and also a Marine Museum where you will find fascinating live sea creatures among other fishing utilities exhibited.

Wanna know more about Labuan history; drop by the museum, located near the Post Office, across the street from Dataran Labuan. Like any other museums, you will find artifacts and also the historical background of this little island.

Another historical place that might be of interest to you would be the World War II Memorial Park located at Jalan Tanjung Batu; about ten minutes drive away from the museum. It is the resting place of 3,908 soldiers who died in battle or captivity during the Second World War. They were mostly of Australian native and a few British, New Zealander and locals. A commemoration is held every November, known as Remembrance Day, to honor the lives of the brave men who fought during the war.

A five minutes drive from the Memorial Park will bring you to the one and only nine holes Golf Course in the island; Labuan Golf Course. Further on you will find the Botanical Garden, one of the many places with lots of greeneries, jogging tracks, outdoor workout facilities and also playgrounds.

Visit the Weekend Market on a Saturday or Sunday. It has two streets of stalls selling goods such as handicrafts, fashion wear, accessories, agriculture products and many others. Don’t expect a big one like KL’s China Town though. If you feel like having fresh seafood and cooking them yourself, the wet market is only ten minutes walk away from the Weekend Market. There are also a few rows of shops in the vicinity where you can get some souvenir too. Not forgetting the many textiles shops filled with various designs and colors. Surely you will find one or two that interests you. Don’t forget to bargain for the best price!!

Going up country, there are a few historical and scenic attractions. The Bird Park located at Tanjung Kubong houses numerous species of Borneo birds. And just across the street, you will find a historical building, the Chimney. It is a 106 feet tall structure which was believed to have been built during the time when Labuan was used as a coaling station for ships sailing in the Far East area. However, according to multiple sources the main function of the Chimney is still a mystery. The Chimney Information Centre beside it provides information on the history of coal mining in the area during the 1800s, as well as the construction of the railways and tunnels. There is also an expansive network of underground tunnels and deep wells found in this area.

Driving away from Tanjung Kubong, you will reach Pohon Batu Beach and Pancur Hitam. These two locations are attractions for the locals and visitors. There are stalls near the beach where all visitors can enjoy local selections of food and beverages while taking the pleasure of appreciating the beach and its surroundings. There are also BBQ pits for those who are interested to do the cooking themselves. While the adults enjoy the scenic beach, they need not worry about their kids as there are a few playgrounds there to keep the younglings entertained. Not forgetting Layang-Layangan Beach which is just the spot to be watching the most beautiful sunset in the island. There are also stalls there with choices of satay, chicken wings and fresh coconut for everyone’s pleasure.

Around the vicinity of Layang-Layangan Beach are the Japanese Surrender Point and the Peace Park. The 32^nd Japanese Southern Army surrendered to the 9^th Australian Imperial Forces at this Surrender Point on the 9^th September 1945 after four years of invasion in this very island, beginning 1^st January 1942. The Peace Park was built as a memorial and renunciation of the horrors of the war. It has a very beautiful landscape which is Japanese-inspired; with small ponds that come with stone bridges and part seats. A bronze plaque commemorating the Surrender is mounted on a stone slab near the entrance.

Last but not least, let’s not forget about Duty Free Shopping here. There are a number of stores in the town center that offers a variety of imported confectionery, liquor, perfume and many others. Not forgetting our very own landmark, the Financial Park which was officially opened on 29^th August 1996. The complex accommodates various retail outlets and offshore businesses, i.e. banks, insurance, trust, accounting, legal and support services companies. For those who don’t like walking around the town area to do your Duty Free Shopping, Financial Park would be just the right spot for you. Hidden from the sun, and fully air conditioned with two big Duty Free outlets, one can never get enough of chocolates and liquor there.

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The Friend that Never Was - Epilogue

Every friendship has its own story; the beginning; how it all started; and slowly grow into something that made a difference in our lives. All relationships start with a small tiny seed that you put in the ground and cover it with soil. You water it every morning, noon and evening without fail. You nurse it when it is sick. You nurture it along the way until it matures into a big beautiful tree with strong roots sticking to the ground, beautiful blossoming flowers and bearing sweet fruits that are hard to resist.

Here I am, sharing my story of the seed that I planted when I was very young. A seed that I covered with good soil, watered everyday, nursed it good, smiled when it bear flowers and I gave my all to it.

I remembered clearly how it all started. I was only five and I was playing alone at the playground. First I would sit on the swing for a while, then I would run to the slides where I climb up the ladder and scream my lungs out as I slide down. After that I would go to the see saw and tag one of the kids who were sitting there before repeating it all over again until I tire. You could say that I sound like a very hyperactive kid then but I guess I just enjoyed moving around with the cool wind hitting against my face. Talk about the amount of sand I swallow every time I scream; how my beautiful clothes and self would look all messy and sandy; and how my voice would turn all hoarse by the time I got home later in the evening.

And so it all happened one fine day when I was back at the start of my own marathon; the swing. I was jumping out of the swing when suddenly a boy twice my size appeared in front of me. He caught me by surprise. I screamed, lost my balance and ended up falling face down on him. He screamed too and pushed me away hard. For that few seconds it felt like I was flying in the air. And I landed hard on my bum, so hard it hurt and I started to cry quietly.

"Hey Ryan, pick someone your own size. And help her up,will yah!"

A voice behind me suddenly said. I turned to look but was not able to see clearly because by then not only was I crying of pain in the bum, I was also crying because I had sand in my eyes.

Ryan helped me up and apologized. Then he asked if I was ok but ran away even before I had a chance to reply. I was still sniffing and kept rubbing my eyes. It didn't help. Instead it got even worse.

"Com' on you little one. Let me fix you."

The voice said, took my hand and started walking. Being the blind one, I obeyed and followed quietly.

"You oughta stop rubbing your eyes or it'll sting more."

And I stopped. My savior stopped too, abruptly without any signal. I bumped hard against something and fell on my bum again. It hurt so badly that I started to cry again.

''Now now little one, stop crying already. You can do better than that."

That was the beginning of a new, true friendship.

Just a Little Luck, But a Lot More Effort

Do you believe in luck? Do you believe that you're lucky? Do you believe that luck is always on your side?

Luck as said in the dictionary, means good fortune, fate. If luck is on your side, everything you wish for, everything you hope for will go smoothly. If luck wasn't on your side, you would only wish that things would be better for you.

Sometimes all one need is a little luck and the rest is up to you to make things work. For example, when you join a competition, whether it is a school level, state level, country level or even world class; you need a little tiniwini luck to be noticed and then comes the effort part that you have to put into your work. Where there's talent but no luck at all, chances are you wouldn't even get noticed.

With luck you meet a new friend, a good person. More effort put and you'll make that person your best friend ever. One whom you least expect to stand by you during your ups and downs. And sometimes with a little more added luck, who knows, that person might even turn out to be your soulmate.

With luck you get the job of your dreams; good pay, wonderful workmates, perfect working hours. Put a lot more effort at your job and with a little luck, you get noticed and get promoted faster than you expected.

As much as I don't believe that I'm always showered with luck; I'm actually asking all of you guys and gals who're reading this to have a little faith and believe in luck because it does exist. And so I keep reminding myself too when I feel a little out of luck.