Essence of Borneo

Proboscis Feeding time The Labuk Bay Proboscis Monkey Sanctuary in Sandakan is a place where you don’t need to walk like the fictional pink panther in the forest to sight these arboreal creatures. You can see them almost everywhere; some sitting quietly on a branch, others jumping from branch to branch nonchalantly while some others watch you as you pass by. This is not surprising as there are more than 300 of these primates in the 260 hectares of land. Actually, the land was supposed to be a part of a plantation, Michael Lee Hing Huat, the owner shared. In 1997, after they acquired the land, they set about clearing it. They had engaged several workers to do the job for them. The workers went to work very early but before they left, they kneaded flour to make into pancakes when they returned for their coffee break. However, they had a shock one day to find out that their dough was missing. They looked high and low for it but couldn’t find the dough and they surmised that so

Nature Lodge Kinabatangan Reaching the banks of Kinabatangan River late in the evening when the sun had set and flickers of electricity lights were the only illumination could be quite daunting. This was more so with the knowledge that the river was home to hordes of crocodiles, who bear no reverence to mammon, man or beasts. A fellow journalist and I travelled the long drive from Kota Kinabalu, the State Capital to Kinabatangan River, in Kinabatangan district, Sandakan Division.   Our travel was dotted by pit stops, some quite unintended as we ventured into roads other than towards Kampung Bilit, our actual destination. A cosy bed When we did reach the river banks where the boat from Nature Lodge Kinabatangan, our host, waited, we had travelled some 350 kilometres in ten hours of driving. It was indeed a long journey and all we wanted to do was check in, eat and sleep. Checking in was absolutely heavenly, for the cabin was cosy, the bed pristine and inviting and of c

By the river of Togudon Stargazing is an interesting pastime or hobby and for those who wish to indulge in this  activity, there is a place to go to in Kota Belud that will not disappoint. It’s a village  where a river passes busily by and along its banks the paddy fields flourish.   It is called Kg Tegudon, and the site in particular is the Tegudon Tourism Village (TTV). TTV hospitality bureau committee member Jakunis Gindua enthused that Kampung Tegudon is the third most popular stargazing sites in Malaysia. They officially welcomed visitors to gaze at the sky in May 2017 and since then there has been an endless stream of stargazers flocking to this area. “Last year we carried out three events here, and the stargazers who came were not disappointed as they could always see the clear night sky full of stars and meteor showers in the dark,” she shared adding that the stargazers would lie down on their back looking at the clear night sky while others would be glued to their

The River at 3V We all love splashing around in a river with crystal clear water. It is reminiscent of a childhood in an innocent past. Many who grew up in the village will have experienced this sort of environment.  When I visited Kg Nahaba in Kota Belud, nostalgia was the first emotion that hit me; especially when I visited 3V  which stands for Villa Valley View.  A river runs through  the valley, rushing its crystal clear water on the pebbly water riverbed. Deren Liging The river is under the tagal system, which means no one is allowed to harvest the fish there for a year or two until the tagal committee decides otherwise. The fish are then harvested by the villagers. Meanwhile, a group of people are taking care of the three kilometres of tagal river promoting it as a tourism destination. This group of people called the area 3V and promoting it as a place to picnic, to camp out and bath in the river, as well as fish feeding. This group is led by Deren Liging

From right: Petrus, Edna and Edna's father Waking up with nature is the best holiday you can have especially when the air is invigoratingly cool. One of the best place to go to experience such an atmosphere is Edna Homestay. This homestay  is sited in a beautiful area of Melangkap Kota Belud.  I am sure many visitors are sorry to leave the homestay after a few days sojourn. This is because it is a beautiful place that one wish one can stay forever. It is also because the people there are so friendly and warm, that it almost feels like family The three-storey house is right in a place where waking up in the morning is an invigorating experience. If your bed room is in the right position, you will see Mount Kinabalu, in its full glory every time you wake wake. Other Homestay near Edna Spokesperson for the homestay, Petrus Sualan shares that they have three units of single houses, newly renovated to ensure full comfort for their guests. Guests have choices in th

By the River of Telungan Visiting Kampung Talungan in Kota Belud is an unforgettable experience. The drive towards this village is scenic, if a little bumpy. The air is invigorating, the atmosphere very rural and the people are absolutely welcoming. For all that,  it is a typical village, sited among gentle hills and two rivers that come together there and flow towards a larger river. The people are mostly sustenance farmers and rubber tappers, eking their livelihood from the land and sending their children to school. Harlina Daiti With the onset of education, some of the people there are now government servants while others work in the city in the private sector. With knowledge comes their desire for their own betterment and one of the ventures that they had gone into is ecotourism. This village has plenty to show where eco-tourism is concerned. This community based-tourism has brought the villagers side income to complement their revenue. Talungan which means ‘the meeti

Sumptuous Food Blazing sunsets never fail to amaze most of us. It is wondrous to behold especially all the colours that seem to mix together in all its brilliant hues. Most people think of the sunset as a promise of another amazing da, while others might think of it as a tapestry of nature that makes up the universe…for the poetic, it’s nature’s painting in all its brilliance. It all boils down to admiration of a beautiful scene. To see one in all its brilliance, one should watch it from Sutera Harbour's Horizons Sky Bar and Cigar Lounge.   The sunset seen from this location is awesome as there is nothing on its way. The mix of colours lighting up the horizon are just so brilliantly diverse that one can only admire it with the almighty creator in mind. Overlooking other properties While at the site, enjoy what the Horizons Sky Bar and Cigar Lounge has to offer. It is one of the hotel's newest addition in the food and beverage department. Sited at the rooftop, t

Darrel speaking to reporters Extreme Sports fans can now indulge in a game that requires them not only to exercise vigorously, but enhance their stamina and alertness.  These great toys can be a lot of fun especially for those who want to ‘battle’ it out in the garden or hold a ‘shoot out’ against one another’s team.  The good news is Gelsoft Sabah was officially launched today at a leading hotel by the Minister of International Trade and Industry (MITI) Datuk Darrel Leiking.   During the event, he also witnessed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signing ceremony between Sabah and led by George Tann Junior and Australia represented by Siva Sara the Chief International Officer of Gelsoft Australia. Speaking to reporters after the ceremony, Darrell said the extreme sport started with only a few interested individuals but now boasted 32 groups in 10 locations in the State. He said this augured well for the sport as it had caught the attention of like-minded you

Sit and relax  One should stay more than a couple of days at Capernaum Garden in Narinang Kota Belud. The peace and tranquility of that place can be a balm to tired and weary individuals who wish to get out of the hustle and bustle of the city once in a while. It also brings to mind a certain Galilean Ministry some 2000 years ago, where miracles were  performed and the greatest religion was founded.   The garden in Kota Belud is a place where one goes to relax and enjoy the tranquility and calmness of a countryside. There one can enjoy the sounds of the forests and the river that flows nearby the garden. This is a place where night falls in utter calmness….no cars revving up or motorbikes passing by with its engines cranked high. River Pool Capernaum Garden boasts two swimming pools, one for adults at four and a half feet deep and one two and a half feet deep. The water in the pool is from the river that passes nearby. There is also a natural pool in the river, where g

Tobilung House THE houses and chalets by the beach are stuff that dreams are made of. A place where one wish one can enjoy the beach front and the mangroves without ever having to leave. It is a place that most visitors feel like staying for a long time, if not forever. Alas, one can only visit and stay as long as one can, but  have to leave afterwards. This is Toburon  Beach, a tourism site developed based on the concept of the Dusun Tobilung community in Kota Belud. The beach The house stands at 40 by 60 feet showing an ancient architecture utilised by the people in that area. It is a basic house for guests, who wish to experience the people’s old way of life, where beds were piled on the bamboo floor. Its   Manager Abar Gumpai said he got the idea to build the traditional house after the Kadamaian Tourism Association (KATA), President Walter Kandayon  and Panorama Paradise Ecotourism Resort, Operator Sylvester Junid came to inspect the site in 2017 at Abar's