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Bliss, our Gaya Island family escapade. Do not disturb our sleeping beauty.

We are near the tail end of our holidays. Our bodies are tired after all the climbs, swims, rafting and snorkeling, read about our Fun (Sabah 8D7N itinerary.)

Before we introduce you to sensuous massage at Gaya Island Resort (GIR)’s Spa village, let us share some of the family friendly activities at GIR (Gaya Day 1 facilities listed here).

Gaya Island family Activities for the day 🙂

… Swimming!

Whether you are swimming, diving, or simply resting on the deck chair. Chill 🙂
Listen to the swaying idyllic trees behind, and the waves lapping infront, close your eyes.

I hope our kids were not too loud for the guests haha 🙂

Video (link) : Gaya Island family activities, our water babies went to the pool everyday

We were very fortunate throughout our Sabah trip. It is supposed to be the rainy season, but we always complete our itinerary before the rain! Even Gaya Island Resort’s downpour did not affect our sunny sea activities yeah!

… experience Borneo Lifestyle

Eat, drink play, traditional Borneo way of life, right by the Beach (Singgah Singgarung).

You can relax on hammock, pick a dance routine, or play sepak takaw. Guests and staff mingle together, Happy Hour 🙂

Henna or leaf-weaving anyone? The “grasshoppers and fishes” look real 🙂

… Hiking

On our last day, I brought the boys on a 1-hour Guided Nature Walk. We were introduced to Gaya Island’s flora and fauna. Our guide told us that Gaya Island used to be under the sea a long time ago, we can still spot white sand along the trail.

Termite colony, river stream, all part of Gaya Island’s protected Nature reserve.

Smell the bark, incense (for temples) is crafted from these bark 🙂

Our guide (Jamie) introduced us to Tongkat Ali and Rattan.

Kids look blur when I told them Tongkat Ali is aphrodisiac, so I told them make man more powerful (grin).
Rattan need no introduction, they straight away answer “cane” hee hee.

On a lighter note, Angle head lizards spotted camouflaged along the stem.

Although it is only a short 1 hour walk, the steps are steep and narrow. I calculated 3000 steps up and down, and 20 stairs worth of elevation.

Our view at the exit point, Mount Kinabalu is hiding behind the clouds.

… SPA Village

With so much activities, our body needs a soothing rub.
Lush greenery, Spa Village is surrounded by trees and mangroves, a sanctuary.

Pampered like a Queen 🙂

The treatment and massage session, relaxing, sensuous and therapeutic.

Salt scrub, herbal bath, and a cool orchid soak. All the ingredients are from Gunung (Mountain) Kinabalu. This is followed by body steaming, infuse herbal blend of the many gingers from the rainforest.

Shiok, Detox. Soothe those taut muscles. Mummy is one happy customer 🙂

We leave the best for last, next us is snorkeling.

Gaya Island Resort allows you to do everything, or simply just relax. We could not ask for a better way to chill and relax after 5D4N of activities in western Sabah. Do pop by our Sabah itinerary and photos below:

– Sabah 8D7N itinerary
– Sabah Day 1 – Street food discovery
– Sabah Day 2 – White Water Rafting!
– Sabah Day 3 – Twin Islands Hopping
– Sabah Day 4 AM – Desa Cow Farm
– Day 4 PM – Kinabalu Park
– Day 5 – Poring Hot Spring + Waterfall + Canopy walk
– Day 6 – Gaya Island Resort – Luxury Villa
– Day 7 Gaya Island Family Activities

More photos have been uploaded on our Fanpage album :
– Day 1 and 2 – Klagan hotel, White Water rafting
– Day 3 – Water sports, Island hopping
– Day 4 – Desa Cow Farm and Kinabalu Park
– Day 5 – Poring Hot Spring and vicinity
– Day 6 – Gaya Island Family Resort
– Day 7 – Snorkeling and private beach
– Day 8 – Hiking, Home sweet home

*All expenses on Gaya Island Resort had been sponsored.

I love this snap of how the reefs are flourishing under Gaya Island Resort (GIR). When we saw the resort, we gladly extended our Sabah vacation by another 2 nights 🙂

Our Holiday actually started with GIR’s guest concierge at Jesselton point (jetty).

20min ride to our resort, and 3D2N of clear water and white sandy beach 🙂

… VILLA on the hill!

As our speedboat nears Gaya Island Resort, we can see the villas dotted over the hillside. Heightens everyone’s anticipation.

Are you in the mood for a vacation already? From jetty to lobby, the kids had a sneak preview of what will greet us over 3D2N. Green foliage, surrounded by South China Sea, and different tones of green and blue water.

One word, RELAX. Pure bliss.
Wherever you turn, you are greeted by the pool, trees, beach and sea, or on a good day Mount Kinabalu!

Spacious tall ceiling Lobby, a cool respite from the heat outside.

Our room is perched on the hillside, enveloped by foliage. We can always laze on the couch and admire the landscape, but alas wet monsoon season means the cushions are seldom dry 🙂

Just imagine, you and your darling holding hands, sweet embrace. With the waves or crickets forming a background symphony, this idyllic lifestyle is my kind of Romance ♥

Spacious villa (we got connecting rooms), hall leads straight to bathtub.

Love the fruity shampoo and body lotion (Orange and Mangosteen flavours), smells nice and really refreshing. We got the sea and pool, but I was wondering why kids still need the bathtub. I could not resist copying the kids in their bathtub, too bad Mummy was too shy to join in.

Holiday essentials. Snacks, 4G (complimentary with every room)

GIR is actually targeted at honeymooners, but families are welcome too. Pavement are suitable for strollers, but you might wish to choose a unit nearer to lobby (ie meal venues)

The only mode of access on Gaya Island Resort is walking, it is only 1200 steps every day to and fro from our room to lobby haha.
With the good meals over breakfast, lunch and dinner, I console kids we need to exercise. The GIR car plate is exclusively for staff hee hee.

I actually left a feedback for Gaya Island Resort to provide bicycles for guests 🙂

..POOL, Jump!

Video (Link) : Ready to dive into the pool?

Gaya Island Resort swimming pool — Swimming facilities Gaya Island Resort

The pool always look inviting, from any angle!

.. MEALs with a view

We are not joking when we mentioned all meals offer a glimpse of South China Sea. Truly Awesome, as kids will be fantasizing about next Fun beach activity. Sand castle, snorkeling, swimming and kayaking, or just lepak (relax) on a hammock.

Breakfast and dinner at Feast Village, intercontinental choices.

Friendly staffs were very prompt in responding to our needs (for hot water, extra blankets).
From the dining establishments to the receptionists, smiles greeted us everywhere, guests are treated like Vips.

Day 6 Gaya Island Resort facilities16 — Japanese food Sabah

Japanese Teppanyaki at Omakase. Our chef delighted us with his skills, and we were rewarded with delicious and tantalising Seabass, chicken and beef.

While we are not exercising, we dabble in relaxing trinket. Kids were entertained for 2 hours! There is something therapeutic about stringing beads together 🙂

We start and end this post with water activities, which are the highlight of our stay 🙂
Next, we will share GIR’s Private beach (Tavajun Bay) and snorkeling at their house reef.

Do pop by Gaya Island Resort Website and Fanpage for the latest updates. GIR is part of Small Luxury Hotel boutique chain, Website and Fanpage.

(GPS 6.018763, 116.047324 )

More photos have been uploaded on our Fanpage album :
– Day 1 and 2 – Klagan hotel, White Water rafting
– Day 3 – Water sports, Island hopping
– Day 4 – Desa Cow Farm and Kinabalu Park
– Day 5 – Poring Hot Spring and vicinity
– Day 6 – Gaya Island Resort
– Day 7 – Snorkeling and private beach
– Day 8 – Hiking, Home sweet home

ps.. All expenses on Gaya Island Resort had been sponsored