Coconut Grove Island
It is probably the last known island this part of Sabah where it is flat and sandy, crowned with coconut trees from edge to edge. 90 minutes from Semporna, it is one of the many islands of stateless people.
Its water is pristine and clear and it's one island where you would probably kick yourself mindless for either not taking a camera or a snorkel gear with you.
Its villagers are kind and friendly and would not get in your way of documenting their spartan lives. They would not ask you to pay or pose for you.
On this island, you have villagers making their homes along the beach or away from it. On this island too, you have the Sea Bajaus with their ramshackle homes on the westside and on the east, well to do Sulus by the beach. Just off by a stone throw away from the Sulus, floating homes of another Sea Bajau homes.
This scene was taken from a sandbar on the eastern corner of Maiga Island, facing west. If you are thinking of coming to this island, do bring supplies and candies as parting gifts but don't ever give any of the villagers, money. Spend time with them and get to know them.
Sometimes, you have to go beyond focus, beyond composition and beyond photography, to earn the right to shoot.
Its water is pristine and clear and it's one island where you would probably kick yourself mindless for either not taking a camera or a snorkel gear with you.
Its villagers are kind and friendly and would not get in your way of documenting their spartan lives. They would not ask you to pay or pose for you.
On this island, you have villagers making their homes along the beach or away from it. On this island too, you have the Sea Bajaus with their ramshackle homes on the westside and on the east, well to do Sulus by the beach. Just off by a stone throw away from the Sulus, floating homes of another Sea Bajau homes.
This scene was taken from a sandbar on the eastern corner of Maiga Island, facing west. If you are thinking of coming to this island, do bring supplies and candies as parting gifts but don't ever give any of the villagers, money. Spend time with them and get to know them.
Sometimes, you have to go beyond focus, beyond composition and beyond photography, to earn the right to shoot.
