Walking on water
Mar 31st, 2011 by wwftravel
The cottages of the Spiadan Water Village sit on top of clear, turquoise waters. Courtesy Sipadan Water Village Resort
The fourth in an occasional series examining the most unusual accommodations on WWF tours.
After spending four nights in the Danum Valley at a remote lodge tucked deep into the rain forest, approaching the Sipadan Water Village Resort is quite a dramatic change. Where you had spent your days in search of orangutans, pygmy elephants and rhinoceros hornbills, you’ll now take to the seas, in pursuit of cuttlefish, turtles and manta rays.
The resort is called a “water village” because it’s made up of 45 chalets directly over the water, built on ironwood stilts less than four feet above the high water mark. The cottages reflect the traditional Bajau style of architecture, with roofs of thatched palm. The rooms and common areas are connected by wooden walkways and linked to shore by a long pier.
Open the glass doors to of your cottage to enjoy the sea breezes, and step onto your private deck to check for green sea turtles swimming just below your feet. With such a view, it might be tempting to spend the day lounging in your room, but we have exploring to do.
Despite its name, Sipidan Water Village is actually on the nearby island of Mabul. We’ll spend time snorkeling various waters surrounding the region. Mabul is known for its abundance of smaller species while Sipidan, though just 15 minutes away, is famous for macro marine life. The combination promises to impress even the most seasoned snorkeler.
Join WWF’s Borneo Rain Forest Adventure, July 15-31, 2011.
