What can you do in Kota Kinabalu?
I'll be in Kota Kinabalu for a couple of days and am looking for somewhere to spend another week. Are Mabul and Sipadan good places to snorkel? I'm a beach lover and don't want to dive. Thanks. Janya
Although both the places you mention are fantastic destinations for those who can scuba dive, if you're already in the area, you may want to go anyway, though much will depend on how much you have to spend.
Many of local dive operators are pricey, but Uncle Chang's Sipadan Mabul Dive Lodge and Scuba Junkie are among those who organise both scuba diving and snorkelling trips for travellers on a budget.
And despite what you may hear, Sipadan and Mabul are not only for divers. Snorkellers too rave about the amazing coral gardens and you'll see so turtles and fish that you'll never want to leave.
You have to travel from Kota Kinabalu to Tawau, on the southeast coast of Sabah either by express coach, which takes eight hours, or by plane, which takes 45 minutes. From Tawau International Airport, it's an hour car or bus to Semporna for the onward journey by boat for Sipadan and Mabul.
Sipadan's dive sites are certainly world class. The island used to have resorts but they were all closed when Sipadan was declared a protected area in 2002. Those wanting to dive usually stay on Mabul or in Semporna.
Mabul is a small island with coconut trees, dive resorts and a local fishing village. There are several resorts on the island and most of them are expensive. However, the beaches, while sandy, are not immaculate, the current can be strong and visibility can be poor. If you're after stretches of unspoilt beach, your best bet is to stay on in Kota Kinabalu and snorkelling around there instead.
I will be in Bangkok next month and have decided to take to travel up to Vientiane for five days on my first visit to Laos. What day trips out of Vientiane do you suggest, either by bus or boat. Thank you. Elizabeth
Vientiane is a lovely town just to stroll around and relax in, taking in the temples, churches and markets. An easy day trip would be Nam Ngum Dam, about 90 kilometres from the capital, which generates electricity for the country. The area around the dam is very picturesque and plenty of boat tours available to visitors. You can take a bus from the morning market in Vientiane, hire a car or opt for a tour through one of the local operators.
The dam is also home to many floating restaurants on its southwestern shore and in the village of Ban Thalat, where boats are available for hire to cruise on the lake and visit some of the islands.
On the way, stop off at the Hmong village of Ban Lak 54 and visit the local market, as well as the archaeological site of Vang Xang, built during the MonKhmer Empire between the 8th and 11th century. Vang Xang is about 66 kilometres from Vientiane and five Buddha statues can still be seen. On the way back, if you travel along Road No 10, you can stop a traditional salt abstraction site at Ban Keun before continuing to Dong Makkhai market, which is known for its large selection of insects as well as for its wild animal trade.
For somewhere nearer town, Tha Ngon bridge across the Nam Ngum River, about 25km from Vientiane, makes for a pleasant stroll followed by a meal at one of local restaurants. There are about a dozen floating and bamboo restaurants and they're open daily from 10am to 9pm. You can also get a small pontoontype boat with a thatched roof and float down the river as you eat.
