Gaya island is one of the largest island, located near Kota Kinabalu town which is protected by Tunku Abdul Rahman Park. The only way to get in the island from the main land is by passenger boat. Its consumed approximately 10 minutes to reach there. If you like to traveling for leisure,  Gayana Resort is suits you. Its located along Western shores of the island where boasts some beautiful coral and un-spoilt beaches.

We decided to travel the other side of  the island, called Lok Urai village, its located at the eastern shores. Our visit was well received by the villagers, there were very friendly and welcoming  people. Even though to the outsider or photographer.

 

Its over 1000 floating people has dominated by Bajau and Filipino, still live the traditional way of fisherman. As their population grew, new floating houses has been built and spread along the shores. They don’t regard about sanitation. The position of their houses is approximately 3 – 5 meter distance to each neighbor. All is linked together by a series of wooden walkways. Imagine  from the top view, you’ll see the network bridge scattered above the sea shores whereas their houses were placed in between. That’s why each family is well recognized each other, every of them. This things are unique for me and introduce you to the local and custom culture.

 

 

 

Facilities And Lifestyles..

According to the villagers, there are only a few basic amenities such as well water supply system, schools, nurseries, mosques, retail stores and grocery. For those who needed medical treatment,  they had to fetch to the main land. Most houses are well-equipped with television, set sofa and kitchen. Like the old times, this village has no electricity facilities. In order to powering up their electrical utilities, they had invested some small generators.

Most of them as fisherman. Some of them work in the city, while their wife becoming a housewives.  There are also unemployed, especially of young people and youth.  For speedboat owner, seems they are kept busy ferrying schoolchildren, then they traders, then housewives who would like to get some goods and daily needs at the market in town. That things happened in the whole day.

 

 

For the children who don’t attend school, usually spend their daily lives together with playing the classic outdoor games, playing soccer on the other dry land area and always actively swimming regardless of time of day. Taking shower with seawater is normal and fun for them, that’s why they became a good swimmer as young as 4 years old. Either for unemployed youth, they also spend time together with playing “pool”, “pukas” and guitar. They seem to live in peace and harmony as no worries to the outside world.