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The grand traditional event, Regatta Lepa, in Semporna is usually held annually in April. However, due to the impact of the pandemic, this year’s Regatta Lepa took place in November. Regatta Lepa is a traditional event of the local Bajau community. Despite being aware of its existence, this year marks my first participation, providing me with a deeper understanding of the significance of this cultural celebration.

It takes approximately an hour and a half to drive from Tawau to Semporna. Upon arrival, the plan is to have lunch first, check into the hotel for a short rest, and then head out to explore around 4 PM. There are roadside stalls everywhere, offering various items such as drinks, clothing, and more.

The hotel I stayed at this time is Elly’s Home, and I find it with reasonable pricing. The rooms are spacious, including the bathrooms, and the entry is secured with a password, allowing for easy access without the need for staff assistance. Therefore, I believe that if you don’t mind, a room should comfortably accommodate up to 4 people.

The evening program starts at 8 PM, so I decided to explore the surroundings and drove to a relatively distant place, Tampi-Tampi Resort, approximately 8 kilometers away. This location is mainly for swimming and photography, but I wouldn’t recommend it as there are fees for every activity. The parking fee is 5 Malaysian Ringgit, entrance ticket is 2 Malaysian Ringgit, and a table with chairs costs 10 Malaysian Ringgit. It seems the only thing that’s free here is the air.

The evening program starts at 8 PM, featuring a beauty pageant for the Bajau community. The scene is bustling with a large crowd, creating a lively and vibrant atmosphere.

The next morning, the program starts at 8 AM with a Bajau community swimming competition, followed by a colorful boat parade. Participants put a lot of effort into decorating their boats, competing to see whose boat is the most beautiful. In ancient times, the Bajau people used to live on their boats, where they could cook and sleep. The boats, arranged in a procession, make their way from the sea to the shore for evaluation, creating a spectacular sight.

The crowd that evening was even larger than the previous night, reaching an exaggerated level of intensity. This was because the evening program featured performances by local singers, elevating the live atmosphere to its peak.

The local people’s behavior and cleanliness standards are somewhat lacking. Even before the program had completely ended, the surroundings were already filled with litter on the ground.

The second night, I stayed at the Amazing Rooms. I found this hotel to be quite good and comfortable. Although the rooms were not as spacious as Elly’s Home, they were clean and cozy. The hotel also has a café downstairs and includes breakfast in the package. The pricing is also reasonable.

Waking up the next day, a friend took me to try the local delicacy in Semporna called Mee Lohok. I found the taste to be good, but it was a bit too salty, and there was an excessive use of MSG.

In the evening, with not much to do, I decided to visit the library. The collection of books here is relatively smaller compared to libraries in other cities, and the library itself is quite small. There is also no air conditioning. However, it is still possible to find good books in this modest library.

After concluding the 4-day-3-night Semporna Regatta Festival, I gained a deeper understanding of the local culture. If you enjoyed this article, please consider liking and sharing. Thank you!