About Labuan Island

(Right mouse click on the picture and open in new window to see a larger & clearer image)

One of my readers suggested I blog more about Labuan. It is a good idea.For a start the above shows the island from a satelite view. Labuan is a huge island. Basically, it takes 30 minutes to drive from one tip to the other tip of the island (i.e. Manikar Beach to Universiti Malaysia Sabah)

History
Labuan was under the rule of various empires from the Majapahit Empire in the 14th century to the Brunei Sultanate. The Island was given to the British by the Brunei Sultanate in 1846. The British then declared Labuan a colony of the British Empire in 1849 and renamed it Victoria.

The British lost Labuan in 1942 when the Japanese Army occupied the island.
The Island was renamed Maeda Island during the Japanese rule. The British resumed control of the island after World War 2 until 1963 when Labuan joined Malaysia and became a part of Sabah.

The Island became a Federal Territory of Malaysia in 1984. Labuan was declared an International Offshore Financial Centre in 1990. The population of Labuan is about 80,000 now.

Labuan Attractions.
Labuan is a great destination for those divers who dares to visit the Marine Park and its 4 main ship wrecks (Blue water wreck, Cement Wreck, American Wreck & Australian Wreck)
(http://www.impressions.com.my/labuanmain/marine_park.htm)(http://www.asiadivesite.com/malaysia-dive-sites/labuan/)

More detail info on Labuan is one this site:http://www.labuantourism.com.my/Home/Home.htm

Islands

The Kuraman Island is a good place for a beach retreat. I have been there a few times. The Island looks like a stingray.

The Papan Island (Pulau Papan) is a small island. Neverbeen there. The Da'at Island (Pulau Daat) is inhabited by some locals but whether they are Malaysian is for the local authority to find out.

Labuanites use the Labuan Ferry to Menumbok Sabah if they choose to go there by land. The ferry takes 2 hours to reach the other side and there are about 4 trips per day.

Do make your way to Labuan and check out the Calendar of events at this site:

http://www.labuantourism.com.my/calender2006/calendermain.htm