Bunga Raya: The crown jewel of Sabah

Once in a while, we experience an enchanting kind of reality that surpasses our dreams.

For millions of years, the amazing Malaysian Borneo rainforest, one of the most biologically diverse on earth, has been home to elephants, rhinoceroses, cloud leopards and a variety of endemic flora and fauna. Here, nature’s alarm clock is provided by the morning call of the gibbons whose echo resonates throughout the mist-shrouded treetops. Today, due to conservation efforts, such priceless treasures can still be experienced as they seem to have been frozen in time. Within this vicinity that extends down to its tropical isles, eco-luxury has never been this sublime.

Embraced by the delightful verdant jungle, the emerald-toned sea and immaculately white sandy beach, this jewel of a haven is perched on one of the most stunning locations in the region. The luxurious Bunga Raya Island Resort & Spa in Sabah, Malaysia blends magnificently with its surroundings, creating an ecological fantasy for all to see.

“Welcome to paradise,” the dynamic duo of Fauzi and Santos greeted us upon arrival at the Bunga Raya Island Resort & Spa. They instantly made us feel so at home in our island haven that sits right next to its sister property, Gayana Eco Resort. 

Royal Villa at Bunga Raya Resort & Spa:  Savor the ultimate luxury as you soak in the beauty and comfort of Bunga Raya’s Royal Villa with three posh bedrooms, kitchen, living room, infinity pool surrounded by the lush jungle and the view of the South China Sea.

A golf cart whisked us to the highest point of the island where our lavish two-bedroom villa was located.  Gracious Tomas Andersen, GM of both resorts, shared that this is the ultimate luxury where nature reigns supreme. My rambunctious group hugged each other in sheer delight upon realizing this was to be our-home-away-from home for the next four glorious days.

From my viewpoint, a luxurious chalet nestled against a lush tropical forest that seems to be growing naturally out of the jungle it inhabits; the crystal-clear waters beckon inviting me to come up, close and personal and submerge myself in the marine rich waters below.  The jetty was built in a spot where there are no corals, affording the same kind of respect and care to the marine life. These careful measures have resulted in little or no disruption to existing ecosystems in order to preserve the island’s majestic natural assets.

It is the crack of dawn as I sit on our veranda at the luxurious two-bedroom wood cabin high above the ocean. Between the verdant mountains and marina-rich waters, even Mona Lisa would be humbled. Perhaps Leonardo da Vinci would have painted her with an infectious, not an enigmatic, smile, had this been their mise-en-scene. The love calls of the macaws and the chirping of endemic birds provide the harmonious backdrop for this poignant setting. The surrounding lush forest makes the temperature drop immensely and as I feel the nippy breeze against my face, I admire the pristine view of the calm seas before me. This is the ultimate zenith of peace and the brushstrokes of our mighty and awesome God who created such magnanimity. I am moved to tears by such beauty and my fervent prayer is to share such dramatic views with my loved ones at home.

Bunga Raya is a jewel set on a coral reef island, tucked away in a secluded bay framed by immaculate white sandy beaches and protected by a precious virgin jungle. Guests can also enjoy its sister resort, the Gayana Eco Lodge, located 10 minutes away by speedboat off the coast of Borneo. A warm welcome at the Jesselton Point Ferry Terminal in Kota Kinabalu, the capital city of Sabah, is the gateway to your highly coveted vacation.

Romance is in the air at the Clubhouse Pavilion of Bunga Raya.

Here at the posh Bunga Raya Resort, 44 out of the world’s 88 varieties of hibiscus bloom profusely. Bunga Raya is the local term for hibiscus. Such flora can actually exist in harmony with the bio-diversity — the most precious treasure of Sabah known as the “Land below the wind.” Here, Mother Nature seems untouched, preserved, conserved for posterity. To think, just a 20-minute speedboat away is the tropical city of Kota Kinabalu where industry and progress move forth alongside the nature reserves within its vicinity. Truly, this is the kind of development that many can only dream of.

We would especially like to extend our gratitude to Sabah Tourism headed by my dear friend Gordon Yapp and his competent team Tracelynn Peter Jupili, Bobby Alex, and Diana Gaban who welcomed us after a comfortable two-hour flight aboard Air Asia in Clark. The last time I was in KK last year, I came with the gracious AirAsia Philippine partner Mikee Romero and his beautiful wife Sheila.

As one swims and snorkels in the aquamarine and turquoise waters of Bunga Raya  and Gayana that teem with a rich marina, one cannot help but be mesmerized by the towering trees that seem to stand upright in prayer towards the ethereal heavens. My colleague Yvette Lee photographed the marine attractions while Kay Rodriguez, a 19-year-old photographer and travel blogger from Rice University in Houston, Texas, magnificently played her violin as my best buddy Bum Tenorio sang kundiman, classical, pop and Broadway songs.

We had the most delightful seafood feast at the Alu Alu restaurant at Gayana Eco Resort.  The food was heavenly with the freshest lobsters cooked in sweet chili and garlic, crabs in lemon butter sauce, steamed red snapper cooked Nyonya style and pacific clams with lime juice and special spices. Kay enjoyed the creamiest coconut pudding, Malaysian vegetables and as she played her violin for the executive chef, he was almost moved to tears. Kay was so impressed with Bunga Raya that she vowed to return to the delight of her many newfound friends here who were enchanted by her musical prowess and innate charm.

Winner of FIABCI Malaysia Prix d’ Excellence property awards 2011 Resort Category: Bunga Raya Island Resort & Spa is a private paradise of 47 superb villas whose design resembles the traditional beauty of Bornean architecture with the most modern and luxurious conveniences.

Activities at the five-star resort also include the canopy walk in the lush jungle, the exhilarating zipline, Solace Spa, swimming, and watching DVD films in your own villa. The Royal Villa is fit for a king and queen and their scribes. You have your own butler, chef and anything your heart desires.

The sun was beginning to set across the horizon as I thanked the good Lord for traveling mercies. The skyline was emblazoned with shades of pink, orange and salmon rose. Glorious sunlight like pencil streaks mirrored on the glassy waters and verdant forest. The islands across the sea, standing guard like sentinels of nature, were silent witnesses to such premier beauty and grace. In this ambiance, one can hear one’s own heartbeat.

It has always been on my bucket list to stay in an ultra-luxurious rainforest resort. It turned out to be a double treat to actually luxuriate in a lush rainforest resort of impeccable luxury with the turquoise waters right below you just a few steps away. To be in between the lush forests inhabited by monkeys, birds and flora and fauna of indigenous breed and the azure waters that can compare to the Maldives and Mauritius is a glorious embrace. Trees make the temperatures drop incredibly as the chilly breeze validates this phenomenon.

The resort has 47 splendid villas, each room is named after one of the hybrids of the hibiscus flower. Every villa marries the exotic traditional beauty of Bornean architecture with modern conveniences designed to suit even the most discerning traveler.

Giant tridacna clams are one of the endangered species that are thriving in the waters around Gaya Island.

Bunga Raya’s sister resort Gayana lays claim as having the best dive site in the park. Where else in the world can one house reef dive allow you to explore not one, but four purposely-sunk shipwrecks? Although the coral growth on the wrecks is still sparse, the schools of fish have quickly staked out their territories. As a result, divers can expect to encounter meter-long emperor fish, snappers, the rare blue ring angel fish, triggerfishes as well as schools of batfish.

Gayana’s Marine Ecology Research Center also prides itself on coral replanting as well as giant clam culture, both of which can be seen just off the steps of the dive center. Attached to a framework of steel bars, barrel sponges as well as acropora corals in pastel shades have proliferated into an attractive coral garden.

Topping off the 45-minute dive is a visit to a fish cage where there are six 150-kg groupers. Here, divers literally come face to face with these behemoth like fish where only a net separate the giant maws and beady eyes from awed divers.

Located in the heart of the Indo-Pacific basin, divers from all over the world gravitate here to admire its eclectic coral reefs, green and hawksbill turtles, Napoleon wrasses, giant clams and countless species of sharks plus thousands of barracudas and jacks. The mimic octopus, flamboyant cuttlefish, mandarin fish, harlequin ghost pipe fish and many strange frog fish, sea horses and colorful nudibrachs. Truly, this marine wonderland is a dream come true for dive and snorkeling enthusiasts.

I tried the canopy walk and felt insignificant compared to the towering trees in the verdant forest. The spa in the jungle-replete with steam room, ice room and luxurious treatment rooms, is definitely a glorious treat. The royal villa is the epitome of eco-luxury while the three-bedroom tree house is perfect for groups or families who will appreciate the stunning view of the oceanfront and the forest behind.

Enjoying the splendor of Bunga Raya are (from left) Allure’s Bum Tenorio, Yvette Lee, Kay Rodriguez and the author Christine Dayrit.

This is the kind of reality that pleases our Creator: when man takes his role seriously as co-stewards of creation. After all, God’s gift to us is this ethereal blessing. Our gift to Him is what we do with it.

No need to wake me up, I am not dreaming.  Here in the beauty and luxury of Bunga Raya, the jewel of Sabah, bio-diversity is the ultimate reality.

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For more details on Sabah, log on to www.sabahtourism.com / or email to info@sabahtourism.com / call at +6 088 212121.

E-mail the author at miladay.star@gmail.com.