Essence of Borneo

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 m...

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 l...

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 ...

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 ...

The pond and the gazebos FOR those who have worked in the paddy fields,  they know it is not an easy task. However there are those who have never worked in one before. To them visiting the green patch of land where paddy are planted is a treat; as it indeed is. It is an educational and inspiring experience that one should indulge in at least once in one's life. Michael Asik In Kg Tempasuk 1, Kota Belud, there is a piece of land that has been developed into an area when guests can reminisce life of times gone by, while others revel in the wonder of another's way of life. Owner Michael Asik, 47, says he developed the 1.5 acre of land where he constructed a pond for visitors to play on paddle boats or just sit around and enjoy the view. They may also feed the fish in the pond, he shares, adding that they do hold fishing competitions too. Those who catches a fish can either keep it at a cost or release it back, especially if its too small. During the right time...