LUST for LIFE

Kudat is a little fishing town located at the northern tip of Sabah. About 40 km from this idyllic town stands Tanjung Simpang Mengayau. This spot is the northern most tip of Borneo, the world’s third largest island. It offers a breathtaking and stunning view of the South China Sea. Getting there is a leisure 40-minute drive across scenic country side and passing through coconut plantations. The ride can be a bit bumpy, especially during the rainy season, as certain sections of the laterite estate road are not tarred.

Sited at latitude 7 degrees North and longitude 116 degrees East, Simpang Mengayau means ‘lingering junction’ - it is here that the South China Sea lingers and meets the Sulu Seas. ‘Tanjung’ means ‘cape’. The actual ‘tip’ is a rocky outcrop that protrudes into the sea. During the monsoon period, strong waves relentlessly pound the rock formation. The wind can be pretty strong, so hold on to your hats or caps.

It is said that seafarer Ferdinand Magellan and his fleet, stopped at the Tanjung for 42 days to replenish their water and food supplies, and repair their ships during his voyage to circumnavigate the globe.

The photo on the left shows the tiled pathway leading from the car park bays to the rocky outcrop. [Kodak LS633]

At the site, there is a bronze globe, which has a map of the isalnd of Borneo embossed on a flat angled surface bearing inscriptions to mark the Tip of Borneo. [Lumix FZ20: 1/500 sec @ F/5.2, ISO 80]

From the edge of the cape, looking to the horizon about 400 to 500 metres to the right, you will see an islet with a lighthouse - a warning of the treacherous underwater rocky terrain. Treasures and artefects have been recovered from sunken ships. This is Pulau Kalampunian.