Tropical Beach Vacation Article/Travelogue

Life's a beach at Tanjung Aru

By Rahmat bin Haji Abdul Rahman
Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin Sunday

I have never had the greatest sense of directions but ask me to point you to the 'hottest' beach in Sabah and I'll be able to help.

Tanjung Aru Beach is a place dedicated to the people of Sabah. Perhaps a countless number of people - including Sabahans, Sarawakians and Bruneians - have enjoyed a taste of what the place has to offer, hence earning Tanjung Aru Beach one of the top spots on our Favourite Destination List.

Perfect for fun-filled weekend picnics or romantic strolls, the Tanjung Aru Beach is a favourite among both the young and the old.

Today, it takes no more than a 10-minute drive to get from the Kota Kinabalu City Centre to the renowned beach. The recent facelift ensures a relaxed and enjoyable evening out for visitors as they take pleasure in the lively atmosphere and more organised setting of the place.

Gone are the rudimentary food/snack stalls that were a mainstay at this popular beach for many years. In its place are cleaner and more structured Anjung Perdana hawker stalls that have nonetheless retained their trademark menu of local favourites such as satay, nasi lemak, fried noodles, soto istimewa, corn-on-cob, steamed groundnuts, BBQ chicken wings, young coconuts and hawker-style food.

With a nearby performance pavilion offering entertainment, coupled with snack and beverage bars selling affordably priced goods, visitors will find this beach a luring retreat any day of the week. To top it off, visitors can also head to the Prince Philip Park that sits merely a short distance away.

On a typical morning trip to the picturesque beach, visitors will be greeted by the sight of hawkers selling soft drinks under a canopy of trees. Nearby, a van sells a variety of reasonably priced ice-cream to passers-by looking to beat the heat. Meanwhile, opposite the beach are local fruits for sale, freshly transported from Tenom.

The unique architectural design of the Tanjung Aru Beach is so eye-catching that it is called 'Architecture Malaysia' - an old favourite with a new look.

Indeed this beach is known to be the best spot to watch the sunset along the horizon as you sip on a cup of tea and snack on a couple of tuna sandwiches.