Journey to Tip Of Borneo !

With the hope of enjoying the sunset at the Tip of Borneo, Sabah, the Kancil need to work hard again.

Bee Farm, Sabah was our first stop after departing from Kingfisher. When we registered ourselves at the Bee Farm, Sabah counter, we were given a special hat that with a protective cloth hanging down (to protect us from being sting?!).

Then we were guided to the bee farm where a lot of ‘bee hive’ located. The lady guide was holding a ‘smoke gun’. The Bee Lady told us that the ‘gun’ is to make the bee not so active so that we are safer. The little house of the bees was really full with the bees and we even can hear the ‘wee…wee…’ sound.

After that we were being served with fresh honey, fresh from the bee comb…and we not forget to buy some fresh honey from the Bee Farm, Sabah!

The next station, we went to Gong Farm. That was my first time experience visiting a gong farm.

When we wanted to register ourselves, we could not find anyone that attending to us. Hence, we want in directly. The first gong maker we met was a woman.

She was really kind and she explained very detail about how the Gong being made and what different between kind of gongs. Then we continued to walk down the village and really the whole village is making gong, different kind of gong with different design and in different size They really support the government programme of “One Village, One Industry”. In this village we had the chance to take photo with the largest Gong that we ever see.

After Gong Farm, we drove another 10 minutes journey to reach the Rungus Long House. It is really a Long House that like what we read in our geography subject made of bamboo and wood. Even the staircase is made of a block of wood only. It actually very special to climb up and down this kind of staircase. We registered ourselves for an overnight. The person in charge told me that the dinner will be served at 7.30 at night. So we still have around four more hours to go to Tip of Borneo.

We continued our dive to Tip of Borneo. However, we reached a ‘paradise’ just before the Tip of Borneo. This was the beach, the crystal clear water, the white and fine sand with the nice orange sun. It was so beautiful, so relaxing, so smoothing even just sit there. But, we do dip inside the white and have some skin to the sea water touching. The water was so clear even can look through to see the sea base at the sea side. We just take our time relaxing at the beach.

Leave nothing but footprint

Shining sea with sun above it

So clear, so windy, so cloudy and so relaxing!

After that, around 5, we got ourselves to the Tip of Borneo. The scenery there was really nice will the wind and the tree welcoming you to the tip of the Borneo Island.

Seeing the father trying to teach the child how to stand and walk at Tip of Borneo, that is so warm!

With the sun setting, we quickly walked to further tip of the Borneo. Although, there was a “Danger” sign board, we and a lot of other people still took our move to further and nearer to the ocean! It was so beautiful and breath taking!

The cloud is eating the sun?!

For me, my aim was to enjoy the sunset, but they weather started to change to cloudy and rain. Ok, no sunset for me again! But, never mind as standing there, I felt like on top of the world. That is more that enough!

What do you see in this photo? It is part of the sky that day. Try to use your imagination.

As the sky darker, we back to the Rungus Long House. We were so hungry and we were being served with very complete meal in LARGE volume. We enjoyed our meal a lot and were very full! Then a guy came and invite us to enjoy the show. Traditional dance for Rungus seem very easy, but when they invited us to dance together, then I realized, it was not so easy!

Next, a lady brought a flute and wanted to performance for us. So we think what so special about flute performance. Sure will be very boring performance. But, to our surprise, the lady started to performance and blew the flute using her----NOSE! It was amazing that she could use her nose to performance for a very long period together with a uncle playing something like a guitar. It was really nice and they explained to us every dance and performance have a meaning in those days. Really nice experience and special exposure to Sabah’s Rungus culture!

After the performance, we went for star gazing. The night sky of Sabah will be very starry which make me love Sabah so much! The sky really full with stars like no other places in Peninsular Malaysia that I ever been. With the star gazing, we ended our day and have our sleep in the Long House that made of bamboo.

The next day, we enjoy our breakfast and had our shopping for traditional crafts at the long house. We also played the traditional games which in those time, they need to complete before they can marry someone.

Tried Jagung Bakar before? You should have a try, very nice.

We continue our journey to Crocodile Farm in Tuaran! The Crocodile Farm changed a lot compare to last time I visited. It was much beautiful as full with blossomed flowers and dragon fruits. We start our touring in the Tuaran Crocodile Farm with seeing different kind of animal. Peacock, deer, turkey,snake, monkey and others all are under one roof together with the crocodiles.

This kid really enjoying with the real snake. How about you, do you dare to do so?

We also watched the Crocodile show that performed by the 'brave' gentlemen and a lady.

Do you dare to kiss a crocodile? (Warning:Do not try this at home!)


Or even posing on the back of a crocodile? (Warning: Do not try this at home)

Traditional dance.


You also have the chance to participate in the bamboo dance guided by the guy. Want to have a try?

We really enjoyed our time at Tuaran Crocodile Farm. We then departed from the farm to our last spot-Tuaran Coconut pudding spot. We ended our journey enjoying our dessert:

Coconut pudding..Yummy

and baked coconut! Never try it, right? You should have a try by ordering coconut pudding, baked coconut and etc and sit together and enjoy them!

Journey to Tip Of Borneo really is fun, full with surprises, and my sunset at Tip of Borneo, sure i will come and find you again!

To know how to experience and enjoy the Journey To Ranau & Kundasang, Sabah together with your friends and family, please click the link below:

Journey to Tip Of Borneo Package 2010, Just for You!

Enjoy your day!

By:

Jian Ming

Sabah Best!
Sabah-Best.blogspot.com
~ Best Of Sabah, Just For You! ~

Journey To Ranau & Kundasang, Sabah

As the day started with Sabah fresh air, I already needed to be in the Kancil, driving to fetch my friends. Today we have a destination, a place to go, a place to explore and to enjoy!

Journey to Ranau and Kundasang, Sabah!

Ok, who did not go to Kundasang before? I believe most of us went there before if we are UMS students. If anyone who have not go yet, should go some day. I myself also went to Kundasang a few times already. So why go again? Sure I got my own reasons which is I wanted to visit Sabah Tea Farm and try the Fish Massage...

Kancil oh Kancil, you are great as you can even go until our first spot, Sabah Tea Farm! Sabah Tea is quite famous to Malaysian as it is our Buatan Malaysia. Hence I was excited as that was my first time to go to the Farm, Sabah Tea Farm. The road to the Farm really bumpy, but the greenery and the fresh air that welcomed us really refreshing.


On the way, we took photo with the mighty Mount Kinabalu!

Reaching the Farm, we were being approached to watch a short clip introducing Sabah Tea Farm.

Then we were being taken for the Tea Factory Tour.
Sabah Tea Farm factory seem simple but it was a nice trip.
We also being taught how to differentiate whether a tea is original or ‘pirated’ tea. A nice exposure. Do you want to know how to differentiate? Then come to Sabah Tea Farm yourself.

After the Sabah Tea Farm, we went for a Fish Massage nearby. Fish Massage at "Tagal", Sungai Moroli is famous in Sabah and the fish are well 'trained'. We indulged in the surrounding greenery as the river fish swam up to greet us! As we put our legs into a shallow river, the fish nibbled our feet. As the fish nibbled or you can say bite, different facial expression will shown on our faces! The people told us that the fish can help people that allergic to seafood after one or two session of the fish massage. Should we believe or not? No matter what, it was a new and exciting experience to us. We told ourselves, we must take our family and friends to experience this FISH MASSAGE!


This was the fish that will give you a lot of 'love bite'.




Next station, we sure must go to Poring. I was so excited to go to Poring..again although..as I know the crystal clear and cool Waterfall water is awaiting me and together with a lot of other activities.Although it was weekday, but we still can see a lot of tourist bus. We saw Hong Kong people, China people, European and etc. Seem like Poring is really famous locally and internationally. When we stepped into Poring, our first activity was the Canopy Walk! .When I step at the walkway, I noticed I was really high up from the ground. We enjoyed the view from the 41 meter high walkway surrounded by talk and strong tropical trees.



After Canopy Walk, we went to the Kipungit Waterfall. 10 minutes journey from the canopy, we walked pass the jungle and along the way, we started to see people from opposite direction, walking with their wet hair and clothes. The waterfall was near. “Wah, it is wonderful, the waterfall!’ My friend screamed when she saw the breath taking waterfall, Kipungit Waterfall of Sabah. Although we didn’t took enough cloth to change, we also cannot resist the waterfall attraction. We went into the waterfall! The waterfall is really clear and cool. We went nearer to the place where the water fall to get a ‘massage’ on our back.



Ok, after enjoy the cool waterfall, next we aimed for the hot, hot spring. Although, the Hot Spring is nothing like Japan, but although in a tub, we also very excited to open the tap and waited the tub to be filled. So relaxing to soak inside the hot water!

After enjoying the cool waterfall, the hot spring, we took a shower and went for our next station, Desa Cow Farm. For this part, i will have a few thousand words for you (please refer to the nice and wonder photo).






Isn't it really beautiful and nice? Isn't hope to be there? That is our locally "New Zealand Cow Farm".

After the cow farm, we visited our last station, the Kundasang Town, famous for it fresh vegetables, fruits and plants even roses.


The Journey To Ranau & Kundasang was a really good journey and a trip full with excitement, joy, new even thrill experience! The Journey To Ranau & Kundasang, Sabah was great and will be greater as I planned to bring my family to visit during my Convocation!

*To know how to experience and enjoy the Journey To Ranau & Kundasang, Sabah together with your friends and family, please click the link below:
Journey to Ranau & Kundasang, Sabah Package 2010


Jian Ming
Sabah Best!
sabah-best.blogspot.com
~ Best Of Sabah, Just For You! ~

Mt Kinabalu: Letter 3

Dear Climbers,

How is your feeling?

In less than 24 hours, you will be taking van and head towards Mount Kinabalu and conquer it!

Here have a final reminder:

1. Please check the items needed is prepared. Pack the items in plastic bag to prevent from rain/wet.
2. Try to keep your backpack light as it will cause you easily exhausted on the way up.
3. Please remember to cut you fingernail and toenails short. They need to be short to protect yourself and from others.
4. Please take good rest and sleep early.
5. Our pick up time is like following:

• Kingfisher bus stop 1 and 2: Morning 5.00am
• Kampung E and Courtyard Hotel : Morning 5.10am
• Universiti Apartment & Indah Permai KFC Opposite bus stop : Morning 5.20am

Hence our whole Mt Kinabalu Journey will start at 26 May 2010, 5.00am until 27 May 2010, around 8.00pm to reach Kota Kinabalu.

All the best and see you all tomorrow!

Best Regards,

Jian Ming
016-4836 717
sent: 25 May 2010, 11.36am

Mt Kinabalu: Letter 2 (con't)

Clothes

1. Enough warm clothing like sweater, long & short sleeves shirts, long and short pants. ( As the temperature can be even 0oC at some point)
2. Socks
3. Gloves
4. Kampung Adidas shoes(Rubber shoes)
5. Snow Cap (Mask)
6. Mini Towel
7. Rain coat and mini umbrella
8.

Electronic devices

1. Head Lamp
2. Camera
3. Batteries
4. Chargers
5.

Food and Beverage

1. High Energy Food ( Chocolate bar, glucose, Power Bar, raisin and etc)
2. Enough drinking water (can refill mountain water on the way)
3.
4.

Others

1. Plastic bag
2. Stationary (take note of any memory or contacts)
3. Medicine ( leg-cramped gel, headache tablets and etc)
4. Identity card and student card (if have)
5.

Mt Kinabalu: Letter 2

Dear all soon-to-be-Mt Kinabalu-Climbers,

Hello everybody...

How is your life already?

Today is 12 May 2010, which means we all leave 14 days for us to train and to prepare for the Mt Kinabalu.
Are we all well prepared?!

Do not forget to train yourself physically and mentally.

Physically, you can train yourself by jogging long distance, climbing up stairs for a few rounds, and etc.Do not take the excuse that do not have time to train. If not you will regret you paid around RM 500 or even flight ticket but do not reach the top. ~Stamina is important.~

Mentally, you can train yourself by the method of visualization, which is a method by closing your eyes and relax then imagine.
Visualize yourself climbing up the hill, the steep and muddy route and even rocky route to reach the peak of Mt Kinabalu.

This email, also attached the PDF file of the checklist of some important things you all need to prepare for the Mt Kinabalu climb. Print it out and make it become your checklist to check when you want to prepare for the items needed for yourself during the climb.
It is just a reference and if you think you need anything that is not stated, please fill in the empty places that provided.


If have any questions, please do not feel hesitate to ask me through email, facebook group or sms.
All the best and keep training as part of your life not only because of Mt Kinabalu climbing but for the sake of your health.

Keep it Up!

Count down: 14 days

Best Regards,

Jian Ming
013-5411 027
sent: 12 May 2010, 22.23pm

Mt Kinabalu: Letter 1

Dear fellow future-to-be-conquering Mt Kinabalu Climbers,

With this email, you are being verified that you are a member of the team that will conquer Mt Kinabalu at 27 May 2010, 6.00am. You will be standing proudly on top of the Mountain Kinabalu, wearing your sweater, breath in the thin and cold air high up around 4000meter, taking photo with the sign and you are surrounded with the other successful climbers. You are there!!! You are there on top of the Mount Kinabalu.

With that in mind, you now need to start to prepare yourself mentally and physically.

It is recommended that all climbers should have themselves medically checked before attempting any mountain climb. If you have a history of suffering from the following aliments, it is highly recommended that you should refrain from climbing and do inform me immediately:

1. Hypertension

2. Diabetes

3. Palpitation

4. Arthritis

5. Heart disease

6. Severe Anemia

7. Peptic Ulcers

8. Epileptic fits

9. Obesity(Overweight)

10. Chronic asthma

11. Muscular Cramps

12. Hepatitis

13. Or any other disease which may hamper the climber.

If you are non of the above, then you need to be have stamina trained body. Now is the time to start training to build up stamina and strength. You need to remember, you are against not only length(more than 17km up and down) but height (4000meter above sea level, which means the air is thinner) and temperature (cold and very cold).

Besides, physically strong, mentally, we all need determination and strong support. As individual, we everyone need to be strong in mind and set the goal to reach the Mt. Kinabalu peak! As a team, we support morally and together we strive and conquer Mt. Kinabalu.

Countdown from today, there are 30 days leaved from the day we start to climb the Mt. Kinabalu. This email will be your first email you receive. Following weeks, you will receive a few emails about information on Mt Kinabalu, the climbing, what to bring, what to wear, what to… The information will be informed through emails. Discussion and sharing thought among our teammate will be carried out in Facebook the SabahBest (click on the link)group.

Any enquires; you are most welcomed to ask me through email, sms , blog or facebook.

Remember, there are 30 days leave! Start training!

All the best and enjoy your day!

Best Regards,

Jian Ming

25 April 2010

(013-5411 027)

Testimonal from the Rafters...

"I can't believe I've conquered Padas river!! Thank u for organising this trip. Really superb experience! " ~ Dora

"wonderful,adventurous,fascinating,perfect experience in Sabah!" ~Marcus Foo

"Harder! Harder! Paddle!" ~Julian Chang

"Great experience wif great guides!" ~Mieu Ling

"I love the trip!" ~Ricky Tai

"Perfect experience!" ~Jun Sheng

-17 January 2010-

Statistic of survey for 17 January 2010 Padas Rafting...

Questions and points (highest is 5 points)

1) Do you enjoy the trip? ( 4.87)
2) Is the price for the trip reasonable (4.00)
3) Is the money worth the experience? (4.38)
4) Will you recommend this trip to your friends (4.93)


Overall rating of the Padas Rafting trip? (94.09)

Padas White Rafting on 17 January 2010 !

Sabah was so hot and without rain for so many days already. However, a few days after Marcus confirmed the date for the rafting, it started to rain everyday until the day rafting which fall on the date of 17 January 2010.

On the morning of 17 January 2010, we all took a bus to our destination. Everyone that onboard was welcomed by a personal photo taking shot.


Then our guide, Amin started to brief us the rafting journey and I also took the attendance of the participants. The total was 15 people plus me the organizer. There were 6 female and 10 male participant or 9 SSMP students, 6 SKTM students and 1 Account student.

The journey to our first destination, Tenom was never boring. We stopped by for our release at one watermelon store and also at a resting place that filled us up with monkeys, eagle and food.

Then during the journey, we also witnessed the amazing anti-gravity phenomenon and felt the bus automatically and like magic drove backward on the slope down road without starting the engine. We also experience and look around the Tenom town and had our so-called lunch.



At the train station, we had the choice to onboard the open air seat or the ‘close air’ seat. But most of us made the choice to have sun bath for the next 45minute of the train ride.
I myself also took the open air seat. Those people that seated at the open air could feel the breeze and have a nice view along the Padas River and listen to a group of Hong Kong middle age people conversation. However, those that seated indoor also had the chance to explore the local people life.

45minutes later, we reached Pangi. At there we had our refreshment of cakes, watermelon, and drink followed by a very lively safety briefing. At here we also had our group photos.



The photo of us wearing all the safety elements really showed that we soon will have a real ‘fight’ and excitement.





After that we all walked a distant to reach our starting point. We divide into two groups/ rafting boats as every boat can accommodate 8 people.

Let the thrill and excitement started! We had our rafting with real excitement and life-death experience when our boat capsize and we the human followed the rough flow of the Padas River. Sometimes, are we pay money to have our life being endangered?
But Rafting is a kind of extreme sport and the Padas White Water Rafting is with the level of III and IV. Since that day was still raining hence the flow of the river was really rough. It is not a joke to play fool around the ‘Milo’ river. I sure all of you still can vividly remember the emotion, the adrenaline rush, the fear, the excitement, the …feeling rushing to you all at the same time when you had your rafting. When we all faced the rapid, we will heard a lot of screaming and motivated command coming out from the rafter.


After around 9 km of rafting, we stopped and got out from the river and had our buffer lunch.
The lunch seem really delicious with lamb chop, fried chicken, fried rice and etc and we are very tired and craving for food to recharge ourselves for another round of rafting.
The rafting after our lunch seem a little bit safer. However, with our experienced guide, we had fun by attacking other people boat, had a bath in the Padas River, spinning rafting boat and etc… one of the boat still had the chance to take photos.


We completed our 19 km of rafting by reaching Beaufort station. The strong guys were being forced to take the rafting boat to the train station. We had another train ride back to Beaufort with our wet and Milo-ed colour clothes. We changed our clothes only (did not have time or chance to take a shower) and on the way back home.



On the way back, I really we all will be very tired and have our sleep but out of expectation, some of us still have energy to play cards. We took our dinner at KK KFC near to Cathy Cinema.


Then we had our karaoke session all way back to Kingfisher and Indah Permai.

To me, this rafting was mine fourth time starting from my first year. Every time will be a different experience for me not just the rafting but the whole journey. This time, the rafting was really enjoyable, fun, thrilled, warm and crazy! Hope you all enjoy it also.