NEWS OF THE DAY ~ Sabah tourist arrivals up 13.6 pct in 2011 to 2.84 mln

BORNEO POST

Posted on February 10, 2012, Friday

KOTA KINABALU: Tourist arrivals in Sabah last year rose by 13.6 per cent to 2.84 million compared to 2010, said State Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Masidi Manjun yesterday. He said the figure not only exceeded Sabah Tourism Board’s (STB) arrival projection of 2.63 million, but also achieved its 2012 projection of 2.75 million.

According to him, the industry contributed an estimated RM4.98 billion, proving the importance of air accessibility for the industry.

“It was an unpredictable year-end with the flight issues. However, I am pleased to say that Sabah recorded double-digit growth every month since March last year.

“This consistency of growth shows the strong demand of visitors coming to our state either for leisure or business with 96 per cent arriving by air,” he said in a statement here.

Masidi said the strong markets that contributed to the figure were China (including Hong Kong) which grew by 37.6 per cent, Australia (33.3 per cent) and Japan (18.4 per cent), despite the recent Japan tsunami crisis.

Domestic tourists recorded the highest number of visitors with 1.99 million or an increase of 17 per cent compared to 2010, he added.

Meanwhile, Masidi remained optimistic for this year, despite being a challenging one with Malaysia Airlines’ (MAS) recent route rationalisation.

“The rationalisation will especially affect the Japan and Western Australia markets.

“There are now no direct flights between Sabah and Japan, while for Australia, Sabah Tourism Board is working hard with other airlines to continue offering Sabah holiday packages,” he said.

He said MAS should have continued to develop the Kota Kinabalu-Perth route as there was very strong growth at 33.3 per cent of Australian arrivals in Sabah last year.

“I am sure the route would have eventually been very profitable for MAS in a relatively short period of time,” he added.

This year, Masidi said, the state government is targeting regional and domestic markets and would be working closely with local industry players to improve the product quality as well as introducing attractive holiday packages during the low season.

“We are also looking into collaborating with three-star and four-star hotels to offer affordable holiday packages during non-peak season to achieve the 2012 projection of 2.93 million visitors. — Bernama

NOTICE OF CEASING OPERATION AT USUKAN COVE LODGE

DEAR All

Maybe you wondering, why our profile are no longer using USUKAN COVE LODGE as our profile. Yes, we now have changed the profile to SABAH HOLIDAY AKA INNO TRAVEL, but all the previous stories, updates remain unchanged. And as Usual, we will update you with more places of interests and News of the day.

NOTICE

AS YOU ALL MAYBE ALREADY BE AWARE, WE WILL BE STOPPING OUR OPERATION AT USUKAN COVE LODGE BY EARLY APRIL 2012. IT IS WITH REGRET TO INFORM YOU THAT,DESPITE THE INCREASING SUPPORT AND ENCOURAGING GROWTH OF DEMAND, WE WILL CEASE THE OPERATION OF TOURS AND ACCOMMODATION AT USUKAN COVE LODGE WITH EFFECT FROM APRIL 1ST, 2012. THIS IS TO FACILITATE THE COMMENCEMENT OF DEVELOPMENT WORKS FOR THE PROPOSED OIL & GAS HUB BY OUR SISTER COMPANY, PETROSAB LOGISTIK SDN BHD, AT THE USUKAN BAY SITE.

WE WILL NOT BE REVIVING OUR TOUR OPERATION IN USUKAN COVE LODGE IN THE IMMEDIATE FUTURE NEVERTHELESS CURRENTLY WE ARE IN THE PROCESS OF UNDERTAKING FEASIBILITY STUDY ON THE PROPOSED DEVELOPMENT OF A BEACH RESORT AT A SITE ADJACENT TO THE EXISTING AREA.

WE REGRET FOR THE INCONVENIENCE CAUSED BY THIS STOPPAGE OF OPERATION AND WE WOULD LIKE TO EXPRESS OUR SINCERE GRATITUDE AND THANKS TO YOU FOR THE SUPPORT GIVEN TO USUKAN COVE LODGE SINCE WE STARTED OPERATION. WE HOPE YOUR SUPPORT TO OUR COMPANY SHALL CONTINUES AS WE PURSUE TOWARD A FEW MORE NEW PRODUCTS DEVELOPMENT IN OTHER AREAS IN THE NEAR FUTURE.

FROM
THE MANAGEMENT
INNO TRAVEL & TOUR SERVICES SDN BHD

NEWS OF TODAY ~ Founder of Orangutan Appeal UK receives British MBE award

BORNEO POST

Founder of Orangutan Appeal UK receives British MBE award

Posted on February 8, 2012, Wednesday

TUARAN: Sue Sheward, the founder and chairperson of the Orangutan Appeal UK, has been included in The Queen’s New Year’s Honours List and was awarded with an MBE for her work in protecting Asia’s endangered primates.

In an interview held during the Sepilok Orangutan Appeal UK cocktail party at Rasa Ria Resort here on Monday evening, Sheward said she was overwhelmed when she received a letter from the House of Commons informing her that she had been recommended for the Queen’s Honours List in 2012.

HONOURED: Sheward (centre) with Masidi (left) at the cocktail party.

“I thought it can’t be true so I phoned the office to ask them if they sent me the letter. They confirmed, so it wasn’t a joke,” she quipped.

The award for the cause of the orangutan  would  help open doors across the world, she said, adding that it will definitely open more doors in the UK and Europe.

“I hope  it  will  open more doors here and in Asia,” she said.

She also felt that there was a need to explain to the people on the important work the Sabah Wildlife Department (SWD) and the Appeal are doing.

“Let’s hope that it encourages more people and companies to show their green side,” she said.

Additionally, the award is testimony of her work with the apes of Asia, particularly the orang utan is recognised.

“The orangutan is such an endangered species, it is important worldwide.”

Prior to the knowledge that she has been nominated for the award, Sheward was contemplating retirement.

“But now I can’t. I have to continue to do it,” she said.

Sheward also commented on the European debt crisis and how it is affecting the people’s attitude towards charities since people do not have much money to give away.

“So the level of donation tends not to be so high.”

To generate more fund, Sheward said that they are focusing more on companies and are trying to encourage them to donate to the work of Appeal.

She explained that companies stand to benefit if they donate since they can claim for tax exemption against the donation.

Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Masidi Manjun, meanwhile, congratulated Sheward for the recognition accorded upon her for her work in Sabah.

“The fact that she is recognised and honoured shows that what we are doing in Sabah in the conservation of the orangutan is on the right track.

“We always have complaints about  how  our  orangutans are disappearing    and  how   we are not doing  enough and that oil palm  is  killing  the  orangutans. There  has   been   flying allegations of our conservation efforts but if the British government has honoured  her, then  we  must  be  doing right. To  us, this is an  international stamp of  approval from  the  world  on what is  being done here and for the Appeal,” he said.

Also present at the event was Datuk Mike Steel, the adviser for the Orangutan Appeal UK in Sabah.

NEWS OF THE DAY ~ Carnival spot launched in KK

DAILY EXPRESS

February 05, 2012

Kota Kinabalu: Visitors to the city now have a new venue to visit in the evenings after City Hall launched a carnival spot in conjunction with the City's 12th year anniversary last Friday.
Using the street market concept, It is part of City Hall's bid to boost night activities and it hoped it would be another landmark spot, like Gaya Street.
The move even won praise from Deputy Chief Minister, Datuk Dr Yee Moh Chai who said City Hall made the right move opening a street market concept since it is well received by tourists and locals in big cities in other countries.
"I truly agree with the move and hope the products sold and exhibited at the carnival are of high quality and standards," he said.
The new carnival spot is located on the grounds City Square and situated in front of Promenade Hotel. It is also placed along the same row with The Bed on one corner and Waterfront City on the other.
Mayor Datuk Abidin Madingkir, who was also at the launching said the carnival would also be a platform for musicians and bands to show off their talents.
"This is a ground for local bands, associations and organisations to show their talents," he said.
Madingkir said all the 59 lots have been already taken up since the carnival ground first started operating on Jan 21.
The carnival spot is open on Fridays and Saturdays from 5pm to 11pm.
At the launching visitors were also entertained by performances by local artistes and a fashion show with a lists of guests in attendance including Mayor of Korea's Yongin City, Kim Hak Kyu, City Hall Director General, Datuk Yeo Boon Hai, Deputy Mayor of Ipoh City Hall, Dato Hj Abdul Rahim Md Ariff, Pulau Pinang City Hall President, Hajjah Patahiyah Ismail, City Hall Deputy Director of Operations Joannes Solidau, Assistant Director of Corporate Affairs, Bahari Hj Hassan and others.

NEWS OF THE DAY ~North Borneo Railway steam train service back on track again

DAILY EXPRESS

Published on: Sunday, February 05, 2012

Kota Kinabalu: The North Borneo Railway steam train service is back on track after an absence of six years.

"This is the only one of its kind in South East Asia which I think Sabah should leverage on, said Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister, Datuk Masidi Manjun at the re-launching of the North Borneo Railway here, Saturday.

The North Borneo Railway is a joint venture project between Sutera Harbour and the Sabah State Railway Department, which was temporarily closed in September 2005 due to the upgrading works of the railway track.

The three-hour train service will operate on Wednesdays and Saturdays from Tanjung Aru to Papar.

Masidi said Sabahans should be proud that despite the developments and the modernisation of the transport industry, the State has somehow managed to save one of the last remnants of colonial transport.

"I believe that this is going to be a winner and be very popular among tourists just by looking at all the amenities and facilities that are served on board," he said, adding that it is very important that the standard of service is maintained continuously.

"I have always advocated that there are things in Sabah that we need to maintain for instance old shop houses in Tanjung Aru, which we need to strengthen the structure and convert into something that we can actually add value to what we already have.

"We have to keep in mind that development is not just about building tall buildings, its about the convenience of the people, you need to look beyond the building itself to appreciate what you are going to put into the city.

"If the city is congested with buildings, obviously traffic jams will follow next and at the end of the day, your intentions of wanting to enrich the city would actually backfire because people will stop patronising the city," said Masidi, adding that is why the same principle should apply to a product like this North Borneo Railway," he said.

On the recent opening of an 'upside down' house in Tuaran, he said, there is a need to think outside the box and come up with innovative ideas to continue to interest people in the tourism industry in Sabah.

On whether his Ministry will promote it as a tourism product, Masidi said as long as it complies with the safety standards there is nothing wrong with it.

"For me its not just about being upside down, its about creativity and that's what we need, it's not about doing the same thing over and over again but trying to do something new because the same thing all over again will only give the same result," he said.

In another matter he said: "I am very happy to announce that we may have exceeded our projected tourist arrivals of 2.63 million, however, we're still counting and we may have reached a figure of somewhere between 2.75million."

He also assured that his Ministry is working very hard to go for alternative routes following Malaysia Airlines' decision to cut a few routes.

"I went to Shanghai in December to meet up with China Eastern Airlines and immediately they have started their charter flight service to Kota Kinabalu.

"Hopefully by the end of this month, I will again go to Guangzhou to meet the China Southern Airlines and again its my sincere wish that they will come and start their service in Kota Kinabalu," he said.

Also present were Mayor Datuk Abidin Madingkir and Sutera Harbour Resort Chairman Tan Sri Ahmad Kamil Jaffar, among others.

NEWS OF THE DAYS ~ Stories and pix that make Gaya St Special

DAILY EXPRESS February 05, 2012

Kota Kinabalu: Gaya Street is undergoing a transformation as preparations for an exciting Community Heritage Exhibition themed "Bonding with Gaya Street" begins in conjunction with Kota Kinabalu City Day.

It involves many nostalgic photographs going on display at different parts of Gaya Street on Feb. 11 and Feb. 12 and is organised by the North Borneo History Enthusiasts (NBHE) in collaboration with City Hall and supported by Sabah Tourism, Information Department, Sabah Museum, Sabah Archives and Daily Express. Part of Gaya Street used to be known as Bond Street.

"We wish the public will contribute their old photos or stories and their old photos maybe reproduced for them in A4, for free," said Natasha Sim of NBHE, Saturday.

She said those wanting to share their photos and stories, can drop by at their booth at Kedai Kopi Sen Chong Wah (Opposite Tung Nam BookStore) along Gaya Street where an on-location photocopier machine specifically for public contribution purposes is open from Monday to Sunday 11am to 5.30pm.

On how to identify the participating outlets, she said coffeeshops on Gaya Street will have "Food in History" place mats.

"The place mats are printed copies of stories that relate to food that NBHE wishes to put at coffee shops and restaurants," she said.

According to her, one such story is the setting up of a canteen by the Anglican Church called "Jiayi Shi Tang" (Simple Eating Hall) on Bond Street, on Sept. 1 1942, which only sold two items - coconut water and soya bean drink.

"It was a place for recruitment and dissemination of information for the Kinabalu Guerillas," she said, adding that however the Japanese too frequented the canteen because of their love for coconut drink.

The canteen became a spot for clandestine activities," she said.

Other key locations of participating outlets are:

- Mandarin Hotel for timeline of old Jesselton. - Tung Nan Bookstore - Chop Teo Seng - Gaya Pharmacy - In front of Pizza Hut and BB CafŽ where there will be a life-size replica of @ North Borneo War Memorial - JSM Pharmacy - Hotel Sixty3 - HSBC - Kedai Gunting Jalan Gaya, a "Bergaya di Jalan Gaya" exhibit of retro fashion and pop culture depicting styles throughout the ages.

The public is advised to look out for buntings with different old photos depicting a different facet of Jesselton, printed along Gaya Street to identify other participating outlets.

NEWS OF THE DAY ~ Durian, Paddy can be tourist draw to Sukau Village

DAILY EXPRESS


Monday, February 6, 2012


SUKAU: Durian and paddy are potential products to be highlighted and promoted in  Kg Abai to attract more tourists to the village.


Making the call, its Assemblyman Datuk Saddi Abdul Rahman said that two products could be introduced to foreign visitors, apart from the popular lobster and freshwater fish known as "ikan Patin".


Kg Abai is about 45 minutes ' speedboat ride from Sandakan and less than an hour from Kg Sukau, here.


A Variety of durian species that have different colour and paddy in Kg Abai have the potential to complement popular food in the village especially during the fruit season now.


"I have also proposed that the villagers intensity a programme to cultivate local fruits and plant paddy as these crops can enhance beautification as well as improved their socio-economic aspect.


" In fact, the village is surrounded with rich biodiversity which will complement the tourism food products in the village, ' he said during  his working visit to Kg Abai on Saturday.

To increase the number of tourists, he welcomed several proposals from the villagers, including organising a durian fest in the village that is expected to start early next year.

"This activity should be well-marketed to attract domestic and foreign tourists to come to Kg Abai.

"Before we could activate this campaign to bring in more visitors here, the villagers should also step up efforts to beautify their homes being operated as homestays, " he said.

He said Kg Abai came to being more than 100 years ago by the leader of an ethnic group known as "Orang Sungai"  to carry out agricultural activities.


He said the village was also visited by the world's first wildlife documentary filmmakers, Martin and Osa Johnson, in the 1920s.

PICTURES ~ Usukan Cove Lodge

Let' go kayaking

Yeah! I catch one!

Snorkeling time!

Nice eeh?

Blue or yellow?

It's so easy!

Blue clear water

Lovely

Beautiful Usukan beach

Come come to Usukan Cove!

NEWS OF THE DAY~ Aussies get a taste of Penampang Culture

DAILY EXPRESS

January 28 2012

Aussies get a taste of Penampang culture

By: Lorena Binisol 

For the past four years since its setting up, Penampang Homestay have played host to many tourism-related activities with the assistance of Tourism Malaysia particularly Sabah Tourism.

This year was special as it entertained its first Australians who came not only to sample the homestay but to do research on Sabah's cultures and traditions.

This is something that we can be very proud as Sabahans," said Evelyn Masudal, coordinator of the Penampang Village Homestay.

They comprised educators including a professor and lecturers from Flinders University in Perth and teachers of primary and secondary schools all over Australia," said Evelyn.

There were 15 post graduate adults who have undergone their Masters in Flinders University Perth majoring in Asia Studies and are now doing their field trip cum research and they chose Sabah as one of their practical grounds.

They were brought in by Tourism Malaysia, Sabah branch and accommodation was arranged by Dynamic Tours and Travels.

They wanted to deepen their knowledge about the variety of cultures and traditions of Malaysia particularly in Sabah.

All of them were very impressed with the friendliness of the communities in Penampang area.

They said experiencing homestay is one of the fastest and easiest ways to get to know the real Malaysian people and their cultures.

"The best way to get to know us is by staying with us here," affirmed Evelyn.

"I am very overwhelmed with the hospitality with the people here and how they welcome me in their home.

"Though it is a short time with my host family, we managed to do family things together like having breakfast and sharing stories among the family.

"It is very educational for both sides as I have picked up a lot of information which I can relate to my research on this particular study I am into now, as well as they (host family) would get information about my country Australia," said Shelly Waldon, a primary school teacher in Melbourne, Victoria who is now completing her research on the cultures and the traditions of the Asia, particularly in Sabah.

This was her 2nd visit to Malaysia but first time to Sabah.

"Learning the cultures of Asia has always been one of my greatest passions. It is so important to highlight this subject to our young children so that when they grow up, they would understand more of other people's cultures and be acceptable of others' way of life," added Shelley, who specializes in Science and Environmental Education.

"For example, I notice there are varieties of traditional costumes you are wearing.

"I am curious to note whether these represent each of the ethnics identity or are they just another fashion," said Shelley who noted the different designs of the 'gaung moludu' worn by the homestay operators during the gathering.

And it was later explained by Sylvester Disimon, one of the homestay operators to the curious guests on the different types of 'gaung moludu'.

"Despite the availability of high tech, we have been ignoring cultural aspects, which I think is very much important.

"Just look at the migrants coming to my country, it is no longer the European like in the early centuries.

But it is now more of the Asians who migrate to Australia," Shelley added.

Shelley further explained that, it is very important for the younger generation to acknowledge the existence of other people's cultures and learn to respect them.

This way, she said indirectly we are contributing to the world peace and harmony among one another.

The group leader, Professor Douglas Trevaskies was impressed with the significant cultural heritage which is still very much alive and being preserved well.

"Monsopiad Cultural Village is one of the interesting places I have visited.

It gave us a kind of different perspective in discovering the cultural values of your ancestry.

"It is so important not to lose these values for the benefit of your next generation, so that they will continue preserving it as long as they live," Douglas affirmed.

"I wish to see and visit more of similar places like Monsopiad in the future, which is good for the visitors like us, especially my 'students', who are currently doing their thesis on Asia Cultures," said Prof. Douglas.

Clare Selir, 52, a primary school teacher from Mentone Girls College, Melbourne was amazed with the beauty and different cultures of each ethnic group in Sabah. "I must stay here for the whole year in order for me to learn your cultures.

"There are so many of them and everything is so alive and colourful.

Just look at your daily living, though we are in the 21st century, you are still preserving some of your ancestral value, like grating coconut using that wooden thing," said Clare who referred to the 'kingkinan' for grating coconut flesh.

"We cannot ignore the ancestral heritage like what you have now, they are valuable articles, and each of them represents a thousand meaning if you look at it distinctively.

"What I observe and learn from this visit would be my topics in my class when I get back to my school in Melbourne," said Clare who is now carrying out her indigenous studies for her project.

Claire was also passionate about gender equalities, which is one of the subjects she was doing research on.

"Even your drinks amazed me, like what we had, a glass of 'Teh C' which I never tasted before.

It was smooth and pleasing to my taste bud. Food alone can take up a lot of my time in studying them, very interesting indeed," added Claire who was fascinated with the different kinds of drinks and food she discovered during her experience staying with the locals.

Lynn Jennison, from Oakleigh Melbourne who teaches in Dingley Village Primary School in Melbourne had this to share, "My primary school children are so curious about almost everything, they wanted to know what are silk, orangutan, traditional dances, etc all about.

Therefore, I took plenty of pictures of whatever I can get here, and these would be series of topics I am going to teach them when I get back to work. I have abundant of ideas now after seeing your various cultures.

Orangutan is another interesting topic for the children too.

They talk about it every time we touch on jungle animals," Lynn quipped.

"What we are doing now is all about creating awareness to our children.

We take cultures as the channel to inculcate in their minds that we can live in harmony despite the existence of so many cultures from different races of people surrounding us," said Lynn.

Rodney Issel, another teacher from Melbourne excitedly tasted the 'butod' (sago worm) saying, "This worm is nothing new to me.

Back in my hometown it is called 'grub' which is similar to your 'butod'.

"The taste can be unpleasant though," said Rodney. He added that though it was a short stay with the family here, the journey was quite informative and there was so much to learn from especially in the cultures aspect.

"I am always curious about anything-from food, design, tools, anything that has ancestral values.

It was simply amazing learning your cultures," said Rodney.

One of the homestay operators from Kg. Putaton, Penampang, Mary Sodong shared that she was pleased with the visits from tourists all over the world.

So far she has received groups from Holland, Denmark, Japan.

"I enjoy welcoming tourists from overseas. I am always proud to share with them our cultures such as rubber tapping, paddy planting and butod (sago worm) searching.

"In return they also share with me their cultures. I feel that I am rich with the knowledge given by these visitors," Mary said. She added that the younger ones would call her 'Mummy' and was very proud it.

"Lisa Winding and Paula Lindey both from Melbourne stayed with me for 2 nights recently.

"They were pleased with the simple accommodation I provided for them. Since they are on a study tour doing research on culture, I gave them a lot of information pertaining to our traditions, and hope it will help them in completing their project," said Mary proudly.

Another operator from Kg. Hubah, Penampang, Boniface Jingulam and Hilda Bisol who hosted Prof. Douglas Trevaskies and wife Julie said that, they are proud to present the simple accommodation and local delicacies to the visitors.

"I think my guests are pleased with our simplicity.

They just enjoy whatever is being served to them. It was indeed an educational trip for both sides, for me and my family and especially my guests who are very appreciative," said Hilda.

According to tour guide, John Prudente, this group of visitors were in the VIP category as they, not only visit Sabah for leisure, but most importantly, they are doing their research on the heritage and cultures.

"As the outsiders look at our cultures as very significant, all the more, we as Malaysians ought to preserve our legacy.

"We never know, our cultures might end up at the World Museums someday and be in the history book of the international schools all over the world," claimed John.

NEWS OF THE DAY ~ Durian the "King" of fruits

DAILY EXPRESS

January 28 2012

Durian - the 'King' of fruits

By: Anthea Phillipps 

 DRIVING down to Beaufort the other day, we suddenly realized that after an unusually wet year without almost any fruit, the durian season was finally here and piles of this most famous (or infamous!) of fruits were appearing at the roadside stalls.

So popular is the durian that it is often called the "King" of fruits but though it is now grown all over South-east Asia, its original home is thought to be Borneo, the only area where truly wild trees have been found, though these are rare, and the durians being sold, whether along the roadside or in the markets, are cultivars, the result of decades of selective breeding.

The name 'durian' comes from the Malay word 'duri' for thorn, referring to the sharp spiky fruits; and the scientific Durio also derives from this source.

The well-known cultivated species is Durio zibithinus, the word 'zibithinus', coming from the Italian 'zibetto' for civet, referring to the strong odour. In fact the smell is so pervasive that it is a forbidden item of luggage on aircraft, in taxis and buses and is banned from hotels throughout the region. Nevertheless the Durian has been a favoured fruit since ancient times.

Burkill, in his "Dictionary of the Economic Products of the Malay Peninsula", (1966), states that the Burmese kings used runners to bring them durians, but early western explorers differed widely in their perception of the fruit.

Over 400 years ago, the Dutch traveller, Jan Huygen van Linschoten, while in the employ of the Archbishop of Goa, (then a Portuguese colony), in India, gave one of the first accounts of the durian.

Writing in 1596 in his "Itinerario", he said, "É.there is no fruit in the world to be compared with itÉ.in taste and goodness it excelleth all kinds of fruitsÉ".

It was to be another 250 years before the explorer Alfred Russell Wallace, famously wrote in his “Malay Archipelago", in 1869, "In Borneo I found a ripe fruit on the ground and eating it out of doors, I at once became a confirmed Durian eaterÉ

This pulp is the eatable part and its consistence and flavour are indescribable.

A rich butter-like custard highly flavoured with almonds É intermingled with wafts of flavour that call to mind cream cheese, onion sauce, brown sherry and other incongruities.

Then there is a rich glutinous smoothness in the pulp which nothing else possesses - but which adds to the delicacy.

It is neither acid nor sweet, nor juicy, yet one feels the want of none of these qualities for it is perfect as it is. It produces no nausea or other bad effect and the more you eat of it the less you feel inclined to stop.

In fact, to eat durians is a new sensation, worth a voyage to the East to experience."

The durian is a small to large tree, with leaves covered in very distinctive silver or golden scales on the underside.

The large, white flowers are borne along the branches - the round spiky fruits that follow, are so heavy only the branches can support their weight.

In the evening the air in a flowering durian orchard is heavily laden with the scent of honey that attracts bats to pollinate the flowers.

The flowers contain large amounts of watery nectar, a delicious drink which the bats lap up, becoming covered in pollen in the process.

In the morning as soon as it is light, whatever nectar is left is eagerly sought after by bees, especially the giant honey bees, Apis dorsata, which will even explore flowers already fallen on the ground.

Squirrels, too, have been seen nibbling the nutritious flowers.

The heavy, thorny fruits generally fall to the ground before splitting open longitudinally to reveal the large shiny brown seeds embedded in the cream-coloured pulpy arils.

The durian is best eaten at a wayside open-air stall or when bought from a roadside vendor.

The Chinese say it is 'heaty' and should never be taken with alcoholic spirits. It is, however, a highly nutritious fruit containing large amounts of Vitamin A, B and C as well as minerals such as calcium, iron, phosphorus, potassium and sodium; also goodly amounts of protein - almost a complete meal in itself.

Drinking salt-water from the rind is said to remove both the smell and the 'heaty' effect after eating, and in Sabah, children being given their first taste of durian will often be given water from the rind with a pinch of salt afterwards, to reduce the heatiness and its side effects such as dizziness.

In Kuching in 1989 it was reported by municipal council officials that during the peak of the durian season, 10,000 durians were consumed daily, causing a thorny problem for the refuse collectors!

The petals from the flowers are delicious when fried and the seeds can also be boiled or roasted, while the pulp is often made into jams, cakes and even ice-cream. Traditional delicacies such as 'lempuk', a Malay cake and 'dodol durian', a sticky confection of coconut juice, sugar, flour, eggs and durian pulp are still relished.

The ground-up rind, rich in sulfur, is said to ease heartburn while fresh rind is used to discourage bedbugs and the fruit has long been regarded as an aphrodisiac.

But this well-known durian is not the only one in Sabah - watch out for Part II next week on the Borneo's less well-known wild durians.

Mount Kinabalu Climb

Mt Kinabalu  is the highest mountain in South-East Asia and is situated in the Kinabalu National Park in the province of Sabah in Malaysian Borneo. Estimated 4092.5 meter above sea level, standing on top looking at the landmass of Crocker Range is also known as the youngest non-volcanic mountain in the world.

Thousand of tourists visit Kinabalu National Park each year and most come with the intention of climbing Mt. Kinabalu. And most climbers take 2 days to ascend and descent Mt Kinabalu. The challenge will need your strength and passion to overcome the steep and slippery rainforest.

The eight-kilometer climb generally starts from the Timpohon Gate near the Park HQ ( 1800m). During ascend feel the breeze and enjoy the refreshing cool mountain-air while trekking to some different vegetation zones from Oak and Chestnut to mossy and eventually to alpine type of vegetation.

Upon reaching the rest house at Laban Rata (3273m), stay overnight, get a lot of rest. before pushing on to the summit early next morning. Mt Kinabalu’s summit is usually reached in time to view the spectacular sunrise, awaits you once you make a final step to the summit.  It is also the best place to capture the highest point between the Himalayans and Irian Jaya.. Climbers then return to Laban Rata for breakfast, then descend the mountain, generally reaching the Park Headquarters by mid-afternoon.

Beautiful eeh?

Take your time to ascent the peak

Climbers relaxing at the Laban Rata resthouse

all ready for the early morning ascent to summit

Take your breath & take your time, enjoy the view

she made it!

and she made it too!

Laban rata reception

Laban Rata restauran

Pictures courtesy to Vanessa K

THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW & BRING

THINGS TO BRING:

Suitable walking shoes ( with grips)/warm clothing/wind breaker/long sleeve shirts/change of clothes/drinking water/high energy food (chocolates, nuts, raisins, glucose),.headache tablets/sun block/lip gloss/deep heat lotion/plasters/insect repellent/mosquito oil/binoculars/camera/water proof bag for camera/torchlight (head on torch light is better)/extra socks/towel/gloves/extra battery/hat mask/tissue paper/toilet roll/stick ( you need this for strength) etc.

SPECIAL NOTE:

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 ailments, it is highly recommend that you should refrain from climbing: Hypertension, Diabetes, Palpitation, Arthritis, Heart disease, severe anemia, Peptic ulcers, Epileptic fits, Obesity ( overweight), Chronic asthma, Muscular cramps, Hepatitis (jaundice); or any other disease which may hamper the climber

Danum Valley & Borneo Rainforest Lodge

Danum Valley Conservation Area is a 438 square kilometres tract of relatively undisturbed lowland dipterocarp forest in Sabah, Malaysia. The area holds unique status in the sense that before it became a conservation area there were no human settlements within the area, meaning that hunting, logging and other human interference was non existent making the area almost unique.

The nearest town, Lahad Datu is about 82 km away (about a 2 hours drive on mainly logging roads).

The Danum valley is a primary rainforest jungle and renowned for its rich variety of both plants and wildlife, Borneo's mammals include such extremely rare and endangered species as the Sumatran Rhino, Benteng Elephant, Clouded Leopard, Bornean Gibbon, and Leaf Monkey. The Orangutan and Proboscis Monkey are both found only in Borneo. Bird life is equally extensive and varied with over 275 individual species having been recorded, giving Danum Valley a reputation for being one of the best places for viewing Borneo's wildlife. 

The Borneo Rainforest Lodge is a basic and rustic international-standard lodge built beside the Danum River. Lodge activities include jungle walks, bird watching with resident nature guides, canopy walkways high above the jungle floor that allow the viewing of the rainforest from the treetops and night safaris with sights and sounds emanating deep from within the rainforest.

Danum Valley and the Borneo Rainforest Lodge promises you a truly unforgettable and inspiring jungle rainforest experience.

Tabin Wildlife Reserve Encounter

Tabin Wildlife Reserve another tourists attraction in Sabah,  is located in the eastern part of Sabah, Malaysia, on the island of Borneo.  The reserve comprises a rectangular area of approximately 122,539 hectare in the centre of the Dent Peninsula, north-east of Lahad Datu town,  south of the lower reaches of the Segama River and north of the Silabukan Forest Reserve.  

Tabin  was declared a wildlife reserve because of the large numbers of wildlife and birds inhabiting its jungle, many of which are endemic and endangered species. The three largest land mammals of Sabah : Asian Elephant, Sumantran Rhino and Tembadau are found within Tabin. It is no wonder that Tabin is heralded as one of the finest wildlife viewing are in Sabah.

Tabin Wildlife Reserve is reachable by road, where journey takes approximately 1 hour by vehicle from Lahad Datu town. Amongst the popular things-to-do in Tabin are jungle-trekking, night safari, night walk, wildlife-spotting, bird-watching and rainforest education.

  

Also, one can visit the Lipad Mud Volcano, where this area are known  to be frequented by deer, wild boars, elephants and birds. The Mud Volcano is said to be responsible for fine complexion of the skin.   The Lipad’s Waterfall is not to forget, where you can choose to explore the surrounding vegetation or just relax or a swim after a sweaty trekking in the jungle.

Pygmy elephants

Lipad Mud Volcano

NEWS OF THE DAY ~ TOWER OF HEAVEN

DAILY EXPRESS Published on: Thursday, January 26, 2012

Lahad Datu: The Lahad Datu Tower of Heaven (Menara Kayangan Lahad Datu), standing 33 metres on Mount Silam, 10km from the township, will be opened to the public next month or March. The observation tower overlooking the picturesque Darvel Bay is set to be a new attraction for the district, which is already serving as the gateway to key natural attractions like Tabin and Danum Valley.
At 880m above sea level, Mt Silam is the highest point in Lahad Datu and forms part of the Sepagaya Forest Reserve. The observation tower was built by the State Forestry Department.

Its Director, Datuk Sam Mannan, also announced the recent publication of a pamphlet that will serve as a quick guide to the natural wonders of Mt Silam.
"The guide provides an overview of the different forest types found in Silam and the rich and unique plants and animals that they support.

In the pipeline is an interpretation centre as well as a two-kilometre nature trail to the summit of Mt SilamÉthis facility will further enhance the role and the capacity of the Forestry Department in catering to nature education," he said.

The tower construction was funded by the Federal Government at a cost of RM1.8 million, under the RM1 billion economic stimulation allocation to Sabah.
Mannan also showed a pocket booklet recently published by the department entitled Birds of the Heritage Amenity Forest Reserve.

It is a photo compilation of 48 bird species commonly observed within the 7-hectare man-made forest surrounding the Forestry Department headquarters in Sandakan.
"When greening work began in 2002 to convert this former rubber plantation to a forest patch of mixed species, birds were far from mind.

As this planted forest grew in stature, the increasingly active bird life caught my attention," he said.
Today, the seven-hectare Heritage Forest comprises 137 largely native tree species.
"As more and more natural habitats disappear, such small patches of forest are becoming increasingly important oases for birds to nest, breed, take shelter, and feed," he said.