Labuan stop

On the way back to Penang from Borneo, we stopped over in Labuan, an island off the coast of Sabah (Borneo). Labuan is currently known for its offshore banking and duty free status, but we soon discovered its historical significance as well:  it is the site of the Japanese surrender of North Borneo to the British in 1945. Labuan was the gateway to Borneo and was strategically very important.

Labuan has an island feel, laid back.  There is not much for the tourist to do. It is quite unlike its much more touristy fellow duty-free island off the west coast of Malaysia--Langkawi, which has numerous resorts and a party vibe. Labuan is much more residential, with a substantial port. Two notable incongruencies are the two building high-rise financial center, and the low-rise slightly seedy bar area, frequented by sailors in port and folks from alcohol-free Brunei who want to let their hair down. Brunei/Borneo is only an hour long ferry ride away.

We took a minibus to the top of the island.  The features listed on the tourist bureau map for the northern half the island are: Surrender Point, Bird Park, and The Chimney. We chose the latter, which is variously claimed to be a remnant of the coal industry that first attracted British involvement in 1847, and simply a landmark for approaching ships. In any case Labuan coal did fuel the Royal Navy for years.

The Chimney

Meanwhile, back in Labuan town,

tastes kingly!

plaque  in a downtown square marks the "possession" of the island by the British in 1840. Another, nearby (sorry no photo) marks the passing of Japanese commanding general Maeda, who died in a 1942 air crash as he was coming to Labuan, and the renaming of the island in his memory.
Later it was un-renamed by the British following the Japanese surrender.




We chose a hotel listed by Lonely Planet as appealing to the low end business traveler. Our comfortable room is had a flat screen TV and minifridge. In the bathroom a modern shower, with a modern, wide shower head but also a large plastic bucket and scoop for those who prefer the more traditional Asian style splash bath.