MT. KINABALU HERITAGE

Spending two days in Kundasang at the foot hills of Mt. Kinabalu was really worthwhile. The cool air and the surrounding views of the mountain was fantastic The Perkasa hotel - Mount Kinabalu Heritage Resort & SPA Kundasang


Newly renovated reception and one of their rooms

Looking at the mountain near Mesilau village

A rock stream by the roadside



Enjoying the mountain spring water

A fairway view of Mt.Kinabalu. I was tempted to play a round a golf but was disappointed as the club was closed due to soggy fairway condition.

With the Mt.Kinabalu and the Golf clubhouse in the back ground.

My brother-in-law and his family were with us and their children were very excited over the appearance of Santa Claus during dinner at the hotel Early next morning, the view of the mountain from the hotel was spectacular.

My daughter was pointing to the location where she climbed the mountain 8 years ago.
Some of the beautiful flowers in garden

One the way home, we passed through the Kundasang market

We paid a brief visit to the Mt.Kinabalu park

The Timpohon gate - the starting point for the Mt.Kinabalu climb.

Climbers returning from the mountain

A water fall just below the Timpohon area

The road was misty most of the way

Mt. Kinabalu in thick clouds as we were leaving the mountain area. After a 2 hours drive, we arrived safely home.

CHRISTMAS TURKEY

Turkey is one of the well-known festive meals for Christmas. Not every body likes turkey, many prefer sausages, ham, goose, ribs, seafood and others. As for myself, I prefer having roasted turkey for Christmas and it has been our family tradition to welcome Christmas. This is the 6 kilograms roasted turkey we had for the occasion.

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

We will be spending our Christmas eve away from home for the first time in Kundasang, which is at the foothills of Mt. Kinabalu. The weather is forecasted as good with an expected temperate of 20-28 C.I am looking forward to enjoy the fresh and cool mountain air.

I wish every one a "MERRY CHRISTMAS" with this giant Christmas tree!

KIONSOM WATERFALL

Kionsom waterfall is popular among the locals especially on a hot day. This is the only waterfall located about 25 kms or 30-40 minutes drive from the city. We came across this signboard as we were looking for the entrance to Mari Mari cultural viilage..

I have heard about this waterfall but have never been there before. I was suprised to know that there are as many as seven or eight waterfalls in different sizes.

Walking around the area I felt the cool air and the water was crystal clear.

One of the waterfalls

Another one just a few meters away

We did not stay long to explore all the waterfalls as we had an appointment to keep at Mari Mari Cultural Village.

We paid RM1.00 each to enter the area. It was good to discover that the place was well maintained for the people to enjoy and relax. I will definitely return.

CHRISTMAS 2008

Soon, it will be Christmas. My wife has been busy preparing for the celebration - putting up the Christmas tree, brightening our home with Christmas decorations, baking cakes and cookies, shopping for gifts and etc etc. Our Christmas tree and some of our Christmas collection to brighten up our home.



"Santa Claus is coming to town"










3 Angels bringing JOY, HOPE and PEACE

"Christmas is love"









"You light up our lives"

Jingle bell, jingle bell, jingle all the way ....... the singing Chritmas tree Fruit cakes for the occasion. 15 cakes of different shapes and sizes as gifts for family.

She has turned the kitchen into a bakery!!!



These are the chocolate cookies which are our children's favourite.

We wish everybody " MERRY X'MAS AND A VERY HAPPY NEW YEAR! " May this X'MAS bring PEACE, JOY and HAPPINESS to the world and 2009 will be a better year for all!

MARI MARI CULTURAL VILLAGE

My nephew who is in the travel trade business invited me yesterday to inspect a new cultural village established about a month ago. The cultural village, situated about 40 minutes from the city is a new tourism product which brings visitors back to the prehistoric Borneo. In this village, visitors have the opportunity to see and experience the culture and lifestyle of some of the ethnic groups of Borneo. They are the "Dusun", " Rungus", Lundayeh" "Bajau" and "Murut".

We entered the village through this hanging bridge

Aross the river

The Dusun traditional way of cooking food in bamboo demonstrated by 2 Dusun girls.

We were invited to participate in the cooking.

The brewing of Montoku (Rice wine), a favourate of the Dusun tribe.

Inside the Rungus longhouse where a young Rungus demonstarted how to start a fire without a lighter or matches

Two Lundanyeh youth showed us how to extract bark from a tree. They make ropes, vests, floors,walls and etc out of these parks.

Cooking the "Jala" , a traditional cake of the Bajau. A real sweet treat.

A visitor trying out the making of "Jala"

Visitors can try out the costumes of the Bajau and pose for photographs in the longhouse.

A Murut long house in the village where visitors witness a customary "Welcome ceremony" and the demonstration on blowpipe making.

Murut warriors offered us their local tobacco

The longhouse's "dance floor"

Care for a Murut traditional tattoo?

Pounding rice, the Murat way

The oldest and tallest tree in the village

I like the longhouse's unique style staircases.

The final part of the tour was the cultural dances

The "band"

The ever popular Bamboo dance with a different beat

Everybody joined in for the fun After a delicious afternoon high-tea. We said good by to the host.

The Mari Mari Cultural Village is opened daily with 3 guided tours at 10:00, 15:00 and 19:00. Tour can be purchased through appointed agents in the city. Lunch, high-tea or dinner is inclusive in the package.