Saturday, June 30, 2012

Semporna Ocean Tourism Centre

"The name Semporna means place of rest and was given after the British quelled resistance from the local Bajaus in the mid-1880s, changing it from Tong Talun. Another story is that Semporna was called place to settle or meeting place by four admirals – Panglima Kabogan, Panglima Bum-Bum, Panglima Simunul and Panglima Abdullah."   That is what I read for a source.

It was late in the evening when we arrived at Semporna. I heard about it before, but this was my first time at Semporna.  After resting for an hour, my friend and I visited Semporna Ocean Tourism Centre.  

.
 Semporna Ocean Tourism Centre was one of the main attraction in Semporna. With the unique design of restaurant and hotel floating, you would be satisfied to take photos at night.





 After few months without any leave from my office, it was such a relief to my head. The night was just too beautiful. :)
  It was an enjoyable night for me, and if we were at the same boat, take a short break from your busy life.  You'll LIKE Semporna :)

Sunday, June 17, 2012

Unduk Ngadau 2012

Congrats Ms. Melinda Louis.

South East Coast of Sabah , Tawau

It's been awhile since my last post.. Ahaaa..This is the time to update my blog.. With a cup of nescafe, it's just too perfect to start typing. :D 
Lately, I had a chance to visit the South-East Coast of Sabah. Since it was the first time I visited Tawau, my friend asked me if I want to travel by flight or bus. After a short discussion, we decided to travel along with two other vehicles. After our V6  filled with full tank of petrol, we followed the white Alza and silver Vigo. 
The road was not clear, hmmm what can I said, lorries and towing car!!..It was almost  1 o'clock  when we departed from Ranau Town. The weather was cloudy outside. But it do not matter,  I was enjoying the air-con directly to my face inside the v6
     
Raining....

At the junction, we followed the Ranau- Telupid signboard. We dropped by the Luanti Village, which was famous to anyone that want to experience the fish massage. And also Sabah Tea Garden.  My friend told me that if I wanted to know whether we arrived at Telupid, just look out through the window and see the palm oil plantation all the way until Tawau. 

My eyes were too tired and I took a nap. When I opened my eyes, our car just passed Batu 32, where the other road would be to Sandakan. Before the Maghrib prayer, we managed to stop by Lahad Datu. Then from Lahad Datu, we arrived at Tawau area almost 9 at night. Finding the place to stay was not hard when there a few hotel in that city but we was staying at my partner's family house. Everyone were to tired to enjoy their dinner. But thanks Allah, the journey was safe. 

So the next day, during the breakfast, I had tasted the Nasi Kuning. And I like it! The taste was delicious, and almost like Nasi Lemak but the different was their fish deep-fried. I took a walk after the breakfast, I realized that the city was quite big but separated by different name, for example Bandar Fajar.  As I had been told the earlier town was Tanjung. I wondered how Tawau got her name. 


This was actually what I read from an article :
The name Tawau itself an enigma: the earliest reference to site of present town was Tanjung. Some sources suggest that the Suluk traders called the place Tawao, a misnomer of Davao on Philippine Island of Mindanao. The most credible origin of the word Tawau is attributed to the Tidung, who called the place Tanah Tidung with the word Tanah corrupted to Tawau. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tawau)

There were lots of attractiveness that I can saw here. The sea view was fascinating. Most of the roundabout  were decorated by sea creature such as prawns and crabs.   Tawau Hills National Park, Bukit Gemok, Tawau Cocoa Village, Shan Shui Golf & Countrt Club, Tawau Tanjung Market and also Maliau Basin were among the attractions.

I must recommend Sabindo Hawker Centre which is located along the waterfront of town centre for delicious and reasonable prices cuisine. That night  I tried their famous Nasi Lalap.. Together with avocado juice, I left the stall with full stomach. :) Oya...For those that want to buy something like dried seafood, go to Tawau Tanjung Market. Souvenir?  Yes, there were few stall selling souvenir.

                                     

    Friday, March 16, 2012

    The Upside Down House in Borneo


    Unique and amazing. When I heard about this upside down house, I was excited to see it. Whoaaa, this gotta be true!! I was only imagining one of a kind in my childhood. Yes, this is so true. Alexander Yee, the owner of this house spent about a half million to make this comes true. This brand new attraction is located in Kampung Telibong, Batu 21, Jalan Telibong, Tamparuli, district of Tuaran. Somehow I felt like a spiderwoman :)

    p/s Good job Mr.Alexander.

    Melinsung Beach, Papar

    Melinsung Beach is a serene, quiet, and peaceful beach. While stepping on the seaside, I can see God's beautiful creation, the skies are shinning brightly; big blue sea; crystal clear water of Melinsung Beach.
    Wooden tables together with wooden chairs under the shady tall pine trees are provided free of charge by the management.

    The west coast of Sabah is blessed with many beautiful beaches, one of these less visit beaches, even by the local standard, is Melinsung Beach, which lies 28 km south of Kota Kinablu, and only 8 km away from Papar town. This 3 km long sandy beach is connected to a shallow sea bed and is constantly washed up by the gentle waves from the South China Sea.

    It is very satisfying. And there is no entrance fee. :)

    Tempurung Seaside Lodge, Kuala Penyu

    "The best isolated and romantic places for many couples and families", that is the only words I can describe about this place. Clean, amazing and peaceful. Credit goes to Borneo Authentic for promoting such a beautiful place. :)

    Room Rates at Tempurung Lodge:
    • 12 units standard rooms/chalets - RM135 (US$45) per person/night inclusive of full board. This includes free flow of coffee and tea and usage of the general facilities the lodge offers.
    • 6-Bed Dormitory prices - RM95 (US$32) per person/night full board as above.
    • Camping is available. Please contact the office for details.

    Thursday, March 15, 2012

    Sayang Kinabalu

    Kimin Mudin ~ Sayang Kinabalu

    Tinggi tinggi Gunung Kinabalu
    Tinggi lagi sayang sama kamu
    biru biru hujung kinabalu tengok dari jauh
    hati saya rindu...

    Kinabalu dekat di kundasang
    banyak sayur bulih pilih pilih
    apa guna pergi luar negeri naik kinabalu
    hati saya rindu....

    Sumandak sumandak pun ramai menunggu
    menari-nari lenggang sumayau
    sekali melihat melepak kulitnya
    saya jatuh cinta....

    Saya sayang sayang kinabalukaamatan pesta bulan lima
    sayang sayang kita pergi tamu jalan tamparuli
    hati saya rindu....

    Kinabalu dekat di kundasang
    banyak sayur bulih pilih pilih
    apa guna pergi luar negeri naik kinabalu
    hati saya rindu....

    sumandak sumandak pun ramai menunggu
    menari-nari lenggang sumayau
    sekali melihat melepak kulitnya
    saya jatuh cinta....

    saya sayang sayang kinabalu
    kaamatan pesta bulan lima
    sayang sayang kita pergi tamu jalan tamparuli
    hati saya rindu....

    sayang sayang kita pergi tamu jalan tamparuli
    hati saya rindu....

    from : http://www.liriklagumuzika.com/2008/08/sayang-kinabalu-kimin-mudin.html


    Who is Kimin Mudin?

    ~He is a popular Sabahan singer,
    ~His song "Sayang Kinabalu" was named the Sabah tourism promotional theme (2008).
    ~Died at the age of 46.
    ~From Kg Kelatuan Papar


    There's also a few songs that catch my ears. Feel free to listen to it.

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=obqb1zRbJlw&feature=related
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mF8e5M_SEWc&feature=related
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=32po2oZp82A&feature=related

    Starcevich Memorial Monument, Beaufort

    Private Thomas Leslie Starcevich enlisted in the Second Australian Imperial Force (AIF) in April 1941. In December 1941 he joined the 2/43rd Battalion, 24th Brigade, 9th Division in Palestine.

    In April 1945, the 9th Division left for Borneo in the closing months of World War 11. There inBeaufort town and with his unit under fire from the enemy, Starcevich displayed tremendous bravery when he twice approached enemy fire, rushing forward and firing from his Bren gun. With the enemy machine-gun posts knocked out, his ‘B' Company was able to continue their assault.

    Thomas L. Starcevich was awarded the Victoria Cross for his bravery and on 28th August 1947, he received his Victoria Cross medal at Western Australia where he eventually returned to farming. He is buried in the Esperance Public Lawn Cemetery, Western Australia.
    After the War, the road where the action took place was named Victoria Cross Road by the local townsfolk and a memorial stone was erected along it. It is located just near the present-day Beaufort Police station. The inscription on it reads ‘In June 1945, on this hill, by his valour and disregard of danger, Private L.T Starcevich of 2/43rd Battalion A.I.F (Australian Imperial Forces), routed the Japanese defenders.'



    VISIT SABAH
    Source:

    The Beauty of Esplanad Sipitang

    I was drinking a cup of nescafe when a friend of mine send me a message. He was driving back to Sarawak from Kota Kinabalu. I started to wonder where was the border of Sabah-Sarawak.

    My friends and I took a long trip from Tamparuli to Sipitang, (I called it as 'a short holiday while working' ), the road was quite nice!! Lucky me! Without any maps, the white Myvi speed all the way to Sipitang, and somehow we took a wrong way to Sindumin (a place near Sipitang). A lady from the Petronas station advised us not to get closer to Long Pasia using the Myvi, "Sia rasa kamurang patut guna 4wd ba mau masuk sana. Kasian tu kereta kamurang tau sumandak.." Hmmm okay2.. Next time laaa...Here were a few pictures of Esplanad Sipitang. Not bad, Thumbs up... :-D

    Sipitang is a town located in the Interior Division of Sabah. Situated 44 km south of Beaufort and 144km south of Kota Kinabalu. (Look at the map below. See the red color).
    Here I found out that Sipitang is home of the Kedayan, Brunei Malay, Lundayeh and Murut indigenous people. They were nice and friendly to us. Thanks Sipitang for giving us such a wonderful experience :)

    List of attraction around Sipitang
    -Bukit Rimau
    -Maga Waterfall Long Pasia
    -Taman Keragas
    -Ulu Padas

    ~Treasure the Mother Nature~

    Friday, February 10, 2012

    Somewhere Along Tuaran-KK

    What do you think about the tree? I mean the big old tree. :)

    Tun Fuad Stephens Park , Bukit Padang






    Another recreation park. Suitable for family, couples, and individual that need a rest from their busy life. It provides good track for joggers, restaurants for those that hungry, and The Water World Theme Park is situated just beside it. Just nice :)

    Sunday, January 8, 2012

    The Making of Tapai

    Tapai is actually rice wine. Famous among locals. It is fermented, rice-based beverages. I had this opportunity to witness and experience the whole process of making tapai. A very simple way to prepare this beverages.


    1. The first step in making tapai, a tajau is selected. Make sure that it is clean for the tapai storage.

    2. Prepare rice. (I got it from the Tamu, a low grade rice is preferable.The price is RM22 per10kg.)

    3. This big pot will be used to cook the rice. ( You can choose how to cook the rice, modern way or traditional way). Don't forget to prepare clean area to cool the cooked rice. Also, make sure the 'sasad' or yeast are in the good condition.


    4. Wash the rice and pour in water. (the same method as cooking rice for your family)


    5. After the rice is cooked, put it on the clean area to cool it before mixing it with the sasad.


    6. While waiting for the rice to be cool, crushed the sasad into powder.


    7. Mix the sasad powder with the cooked rice.


    8. Now, put the mixed rice with sasad inside the tajau. ( Cover it with plastic to prevent anything crawl into it. Let the fermentation for months. The longer you kept it, the better the quality).