Living in the ocean
Under the sky, in the ocean, that’s where the Bajau Laut people live.

First ray of the day
Some calls it the God’s Light, it is a beauty created by mother nature

Color of Mother Nature
The beauty of colors created by mother nature, its our job to preserve it to be enjoyed by generations to come

Paradise on Earth
Ocean with crystal clear water, basic and simple life, is this for you?

Semporna is a small coastal town located eash of Sabah, Malaysia. It is one of the gateway to the world renowned diving paradise, the Sipadan Island. Little do people know, it is also a gateway to many other islands that are paradise for photography.
Many of the Bajau Laut people, or so called Sea Gypsy, live in the ocean and the near the shore of the Sabah mainland and islands. Their living environment is down to earth basic, with inadequate power and water supply. Living in a house is a luxury for them. Many of the shelters that stand in the sea is made of atap and can be demolished by any stronger wind or storm. Yet, they have been living in such condition for many generations. They are a bunch of friendly, happy, and self fullfil people living in an incredibly beautiful ocean with crystal clear water.

Getting ready for the next storm
Most houses are not pretty but I guess they provide the basic needs of serving as a shelter.

 Boat House of a Bajau Laut
Many of them can’t afford a house and have to live on a boat. It is very common for a family of 3-5 to live in such boat. Cooking are also done on the boat. Who is complaining about a small kitchen.

They are not allow to live on land but in the waters because they are illegal immigrant from the Philippines. They have been living in such condition for generations.

 

Mode of Transportation

Going Places
The common mode of transportation is nothing less than a boat. Even very young children have pick up the skill to paddle a boat.

Heading home
The boat used to move around their neighborhood are mostly not equipped with any engine.

Making a Living

Preparing for the next big catch
Their main source of income is from marine products. Any sorts of catch from fish to shell fish, squid to octopus.

Recently the government work with the private sector on developing seaweed cultivation. Some of them selling daily consume products such as eggs, cooking oil, sugar, etc till building boats. Don’t be suprise that you still can buy stuff that cost 10 or 20 cents.

 
The People – Old Folks

Welcome with a big smile
The people there are really friendly, young or old.

The People – Young Children

Simply Fun
Fun, joy, and happiness for the children is so simple. They don’t need complicated computer games.

The lifestyle of the children here is very simple, they don’t need Wii or PSP. Under the clear blue sky and in the crystal clear ocean water is where their playground lies. They run, they race, and they laugh. Makes me wonders, what do we really need to be happy!!

Yipee!!! Best Day in Life
We brought them some kites, they were so delighted and having so much fun. The drawback was the envy eyes of the other kids.

The children here are really amazing and easily fulfilled. They love their picture being taken as they know they will be rewarded by a tiny piece of candy. That’s all that they wanted.

Sharing the Happiness
Some children are more adorable than others and they know. The adorable ones will be responsible to get the candy and then share with others.

Hope and Wonder
Would I ever have the chance to go where these city folks are from!!??

 The adults between age 20-40 are hardly at sight, my guess is they have either gone somewhere to work or out in the sea working.

Skilled Boatman

One of my favorite shots. The boat is going pretty fast and he just need one leg to maneuver the boat.

Kuala Sepetang is a fishing village located in Perak state. It is about a 3 hours drive away from Kuala Lumpur city via the North-South Highway.