The Welcome

We stepped into the grounds of Shangri-La’s Chi – The Spa and stood there for a moment taking in the beauty and admiring the landscaped gardens with the island backdrop, before being pleasurably interrupted by a gentle wafting of a indistinctive scent that begged to be identified.

Even before we could venture a guess, Spa Manager Alyssa Lim greeted us and within seconds had us seated, sipping cool cinnamon and pandan tea, an appreciated chilled beverage in contrast to the heat and humidity.

As we settled in we were introduced to the spa’s concept of the five elements (wood, fire, earth, water or metal) meant to balance a person’s energy.

Based on ancient Chinese and Himalayan beliefs, Chi works on the philosophy of helping one’s life force flow freely throughout the body and harmonising the Yin and Yang energies.  Therapies at Chi – The Spa are inspired by ancient healing treatments and rituals from the Himalayas, where Shangri-La, the legendary utopia that James Hilton wrote about in his 1933 novel, Lost Horizon, nestles.

A range of spa treatments, from all-in-one packages, to hot stone treatments, massages, wraps, scrubs, hand and foot treatments, and skincare all beg to be enjoyed.  Sabahbah.com chose the Pulau Bayu retreat, which, according to the menu, includes a footbath, uplifting himalayan bath therapy, a body scrub, and a Borneo Therapy Massage.

“Traditionally, we try to identify our customer’s element of the day first to determine the best scent to use during treatment to balance out their energy,” said Alyssa, handing us a form, which asked for info such as medical background and preference in food tastes and colours. After determining our elements for the day, a therapist showed us to our villas.

Chi – The Spa Experience – The Pulau Bayu Retreat

Filled with anticipation we arrived at our private villa after a short stroll through the spa gardens. Both single and couple villas are available to suit customers’ needs and spa treatments.

Our private villa was equipped with a changing room, treatment room, outdoor shower, steam room and outdoor bath with sun beds.

Our footwear come off at the door, while our daywear had to wait till the changing room. The robes provided were ultra plush and light, different from the usual heavy cotton or terry cloth.

For most people, disposable underwear found at spas are an uncomfortable and unflattering necessity, but the Chi experience provides a breathable, albeit see-through, garment, which is suprisingly comfortable and will sculpt itself around body shapes ample and slim.

A sarong for ladies or a pair of shorts for the men will protect any modesty you may have.  A ring of the bell later we were welcomed into the treatment room and the real pampering began.

Up first was another soothing cup of tea, served in cups fashioned out of pure jade, while our therapist explained the flow of the session.  A foot soak started us off, with warm water peppered with lemongrass, lime, betelnuts, lime leaves, ginger and cloves, topped off with a foot scrub.

The outdoor bath, already thoughtfully filled with hot water, beckoned us to perpetuate the relaxation from the footbath throughout.  Soaking in the tub amidst the creeping vines, looking out into the garden where we caught a glimpse of the South China Sea, is one of the most indulgent things yet we had the pleasure of doing here at Sabahbah.com.

After reluctantly getting out of the tub, we were lured to the treatment tables where it was time for the pearl cocoa scrub. Like its name suggests, the scrub is a scrumptious combination of crushed pearls from the east coast district of Semporna and cocoa beans, mixed with soya, ginger and pegaga leaf. It certainly smelled good enough to eat.

Our modesty was always protected by the therapists who respectfully veiled their gazes by lifting the sheets as we got comfortable on the table, either when lying down or turning over. Before the treatment begins, ladies are asked about their preference of having their chest area massaged.

After a shower to rinse the sinfully delicious smelling coconut off our bodies, a lovely experience with the outdoor-esqe rain shower, we once again were directed to the treatment beds.

This is where the Borneo Therapy Massage, a signature treatment of the spa,  promised to get rid of any stubborn tenseness that remained in spite of the prior pampering. The massage treatment is inspired by the traditions of bobohizan, the Kadazandusun native healers, and uses palm and thumb pressure that releases wind in the body and promotes good circulation.

The soothing music did wonders to while away the two and a half hours and before we realised, the treatment had come to an end. Another few sips of tea later, we were back in the changing room preparing for our imminent return to the real world.

But fortunately or not, a whiff of Borneo Therapy seemed to have rubbed off on cellphone or notepad, and continued to linger around us for days after, a wistful reminder of the indulgent escape we had at Chi The Spa at Shangri-la’s Tanjung Aru Resort & Spa.

Relax Yourself

Chi – The Spa’s garden is extremely conducive to relaxation. With stone elements intertwined with lucscious greens, surrounded by calm blue ocean, the garden’s western corner features a glass-walled hut, which overlooks the nearby islands.

This is Chi – The Spa’s Yoga & Tai Chi room where everyone with a health-concious mind in Kota Kinabalu is welcome to join a class to de-stress and refocus their energies.

Yoga Sessions
Monday & Sunday: 8am – 9am
Wednesday & Friday: 5pm – 6pm
Price: RM 70 per person or RM 100 per person for a private session

Tai Chi Sessions
Tuesdays, Thursdays & Saturdays: 4pm – 5pm
Price: RM 60 per person or RM 80 per person for a private session

For more information about Shangri La’s Tanjung Aru Resort & Spa Yoga or Tai Chi session, or Chi – The Spa, please email tah@shangri-la.com.

Comedy Court is a Malaysian institution that has been delighting audiences since 1996.  Allan Perera and Indi Nadarajah, Comedy Courtiers of note, are famous for having audiences in stitches with alter egos and comedic match-ups the likes of Loga & Singam, Mat & Din, the two Dato’s, KC & TC and more.

For a belly-full of laughs and an evening of light hearted entertainment, don’t miss the Comedy Court Dinner show hosted by Shangri-La’s Tanjung Aru Resort & Spa in Kota Kinabalu on 19 August at 6.30pm, priced at RM 150 per person.

For reservations phone +60 88  327 871 or email tah@shangri-la.com.

Air Supply is to visit KK in their From the Heart World Tour 2008.

To be fair, Kota Kinabalu and Sabah doesn’t see its fair share of international artist. But the landscape is changing and with KK’s permanent population and temporary tourist population growing year on year, that might all be changing.

Air Supply, as some of us may remember and the rest of probably have read, is the core of Gramah Russel and Russel Hitchcock. They’ve been together ever since 1975 when Air Supply was formed after they met in the Australian production of Jesus Christ Superstar.

Ever since they’ve been together in some or form and have produced hits and karaoke legends such
All out of Love, Making love out of nothing at all and Lost in Love. These three often-sung karaoke hits are also prime examples of exactly why a world tour of a band most popular during the 70′s and early 80′s can still be successful in Asia in 2008.

Presented by concert organisers HTC, Air Supply will be performing to the people of KK when they appear at The Magellan Sutera later this month. The Magellan Grand Ballroom at Sutera Harbour Resort is Kota Kinabalu and Sabah’s biggest indoor conference and hosting space and was thus the logical choice as venue for a concert of this magnitude.

Tickets for the Air Supply concert are available through Star Planet and Ticket Pro, or through a selected few outlets in Kota Kinabalu. Phone Sutera Harbour Resort on +60 88 318 888 for more information about where to obtain tickets for the show.

There are three categories of tickets for the Air Supply concert in KK, namely Platinum, Gold & Silver. The costs of each is advertised as RM260, RM180 and RM120 respectively.

Quality acts like Air Supply breezes through Kota Kinabalu and Sabah only once in a while, so take this opportunity and book your ticket for the Kota Kinabalu leg of Air Supply From the Heart World Tour 2008.

4 & 5 April: DJ Jonvu

The first weekend in April sees DJ Jonvu making his first appearance at KK’s Blue Note. A regular on the circuit at clubs like Zouk, Palate Palette, Maison and Atrium, he gained international experience along side DJ Raysoo, Bryan Burger and Ben Katana.

11 & 12 April: DJ Victor

Spinning the decks with names such as Mauro Picotto, Eric Enterna, Hybrid, Luke Chable, Dano, DJ Tatiana, BT and Dimitri, DJ Victor promises to bring something special to KK’s club scene on the weekend of 11 April. Experiences under his belt is having hosted his own dance show, Wicked, on Red FM, winning the Heineken Juice Magazine DJ Quest and Vestax Extravagazna DJ Competition’s mixing category.

18 April: DJ Terence C

Not new to KK’s club circuit, DJ Terence C has rubbed shoulders whilst spinning decks with Fatboy Slim, Pete Tong, Chicane and John Digweed. In a collaboration with Callen Thama nd Didjital, he performed part of Altered Image Collective and won the Heineken Thirst Malaysia Championship.

19 April: DJ Blink

DJ Blinks brings a unique sound to Blue Note when on the 19th of April he will show off his persistence and innate turntable skills. His distinct sound is polished by spinning with DJ Tony Tay from Zouk Singaore, DJ Hyper, Meat Katie and Hybrid. He’s also won several competitions including Vestrax and Heineken Thirst.

25 April: DJ Elf

Through experimentation with various methods on the decks, DJ Elf has built up a range of sounds ranging from down tempo, house and trance, to techno and electro. Having attended the Royale DJ Academy, DJ Elf is also a film editor, and although he doesn’t have a musical background, his rapid intuition enables him to produce astonishing results.

26 April: DJ Groove Doctor

Blue Note’s April edition of Generation Y concludes on the 26th when DJ Groove Doctor rocks the scene with his roots firmly in house. Reputed to be Malaysia’s pioneer club DJ he boasts the title of Malaysia’s Godfather of House. Providing his groovy recipe of dance floor madness in China, Japan, Indonesia and Thailand, DJ Groove Doctor made history when he became the first Malaysian DJ to be invited to play in the US at San Francisco’s famous Red Melon Party.

For a clubbing vibe, house music and serious dancing or just a good night out clubbing in Kota Kinabalu, be sure not to miss Blue Note’s Generation Y.

Shangri-La’s Tanjung Aru Resort and Spa is hosting one of KK’s most anticipated Bridal Fairs of the year.

From 10pm to 3pm on the 6th of April, the resort’s Grand Ballroom will be transformed into an all encompassing wedding resource centre, giving soon-to-be wedded couples access to a plethora of wedding vendors, advice and ideas.

This year’s Bridal Fair includes exhibitors from Kuala Lumpur who will showcase both bridal gowns and formal wear. Two boutiques in attendance, Pretty in White and That Special Occasion, are well known for their custom-made wedding dresses. Fashion shows, scheduled for 11am and 1pm, will provide future brides a glimpse of gowns in motion.

International award-winning photographer Louis Pang, is a celebrity Bridal Fair exhibitor famous for globe trotting to capture unique images of weddings and engagements. He will share some of his expertise on wedding photography to keen ears at 2pm.

Shangri-La’s Tanjung Aru Resort and Spa’s Bridal Fair is open to the public with free admission.

Couples who want to savour the actual experience of a wedding dinner at the resort, have the opportunity to do just that. At 7pm a wedding dinner will be staged providing first hand knowledge of what the Big Day might be like.

Additional fashions shows at the dinner promises entertainment and more inspiration. The dinner costs RM 100 per person and can be booked through the resort itself.