WEDDING ANNIVERSARY and FATHER'S DAY

This year, my wedding anniversary and father's day fall on the same day. I bought roses for my wife and she baked a carrot cheese cake for both the occassions. We were supposed to attend a family gathering to celebrate father's day but unfortunately we missed it as I got mixed up with the time. Eventually, we celebrated our anniversary at an old favourite restaurant. The only regret is that I left my camera at home. Beautiful roses for my wife.

My favourite carrot cheese cake.

,

HAPPY FATHER'S DAY TO ALL THE FATHERS !!!

TAMAN FOH SANG

"Taman Foh Sang" is one the busiest surburb in Kota Kinabalu. There are only 3 rows of shops with almost everything - coffee shops, restaurants, grocery stores, pharmacy, vegetables and fruits stalls. This is my favourate place for afternoon tea. Plenty of good food and snacks. I would recommend visitors who are food lovers to try the wide variety of delicious Malaysian food there. Geting there is no problem as it is only about 3 kms from the city. However, if you are driving, parking is the biggest headache. Double parking is very common here, contributing to traffic congestion most of the time

Coffee shops are always packed especially in the afternoon between 14:30-16:30. They open for business as early as 05:30 AM and close very late at night. You can find Malaysian food like, fried kuey teow (fired rice noodles), dumplings, steamed buns with different stuffings, and almost anything else including the popular satay. For lunch or dinner, there are restaurants for Chinese and local cuisines.

Fruits stalls in the area.
Sundry shops selling daily consumers goods. There are even gaming oulets like Toto and 4D.

A visit to "Foh Sang" is a way to enjoy the varety of Malaysian food and experience the local culture.

HONDOJI TEMPLE

Hondoji temple is know as the "Temple of Hydrangeas" and is located in Matsudo city, Chiba-ken Tokyo. My friend, Miura san visited this temple 2 weeks ago and sent me these pictures.

I hope to visit this temple next year.

VW - volkswagen

In conjunction with the Harvest Festival celebration, the VW club of Sabah organised a VW show of the 60's. The "beetle" was a popular model in the 60's on Borneo's roads especially in Kota Kinabalu, formerly known as Jesselton. Today, there are less than a hundred units around. They have been rebuilt and restored equipped with new modified engines, new paint works and some units are even fitted with air condition units.

Most of these VW(s) looked good as they have been well maintained. A smart mechanical move to fully utilize the engine compartment.

a VW buggy

A very old VW model but not a beetle.

It is rare to see these cars on the road as the owners normally used them only on special occasions and for exhibition purposes.

HARVEST FESTIVAL - TADAU KA'AMATAN

Last Friday, I received a "SMS" in Kadazan from a friend. It said " Kotobian tadau tagazo do kaamatan. Aramaitii !!! (Happy harvest festival - be happy!). I realized it was Harvest Festival ! Most of the Sabah ethnic groups especially the Kadazan-Dusun would celebrate with the public in the compound of their Cultural center.

The entrance to the Cultural center.

Kadazan-Dusun is the major ethnic group in Sabah. They are the biggest wet and hill rice cultivators. The kadazan-Dusun elders displaying their harvest and handcrafts in a "mock-up" house.Showing off their skill in making bamboo musical instrutmentsLadies dressed in their traditional costume waiting for "Sumazau" (traditional Kadazan dance) These gentlemen waited patiently for the ladies to invite them to Sumazau. The home brewed "Rice wine".Friendly ladies posed for the camera - happy and smiling, enjoying the celebtration.
.

The second largest ethinic group of Sabah, the Murut. They put up a colourful strong team for this event.

Dressed in their best.

Young Murut warriors "Head hunters" in their full gear.
I prefer them to the Head hunters! Another ethinic group - Tombonuo from Pitas in the northern part of Borneo. The Dusun Puawang of Kota Marudu"Bajau" performing their traditional dance. The "Rungus" who are best known for their beautiful bead-works.
.
Apart from enjoying the traditional dances and songs, there were plenty of "shopping", from traditional handicrafts to the daily items
Some of the "shops"

.

Beside shopping, there are plenty to eat and drink. JC Burger, a local franchise was a favourite.

Iced cold sweet drink and pan cakes stall.
BBQ

Nescafe took the opportunity to set up a stage to advertise it's product with a "live" performace.

.

It was a very hot day, average about 35C but the heat did not stop the crowd from joining-in the celebration.

This advertisment caught my eyes. This young man, Felix, a local Sabah "Star" was busy signing autographs and posing with his fans.

Another attraction was the arms wrestling. Visitors were invited to participate the competition. It was a tough fight for these 2 ladies. Guess who win? The young lady in black won the match!

.

This was a crowd puller. Visitors were entertained with non-stop music and songs by local artists. Free parking for those who come to visit the center. Cars were parked on the road divider!. Our Traffic police had to close "one eye" since the center has inadequate parking for all.

It was a good show put up by all the ethnic groups. I wish them all the best and "Kotobian tadau tagazo do kaamatan. Aramaitii !!! "