MT. KINABALU EARTHQUKE - A DAY TO REMEMBER!

05 June is a day to remember. In memory of the mountain guides and climbers who lost their lives on Mt. Kinabalu this day 2015 -  RIP.   

A strong earthquake with a moment magnitude of 6.0 struck Mt. Kinabalu and Ranau areas on 05 June a year ago - the strongest in Sabah history.

Eighteen people, including climbers and mountain guides, were killed by the earthquake and massive landslides. Most of the deaths were Singaporean students from Tanjong Katong Primary School.

 

 File picture:  Over 130 climbers were stranded for 18 hours.

As a result of the earthquake, most of the trails leading to the mountain peak and areas in Kinabalu Park were badly damaged. Mt. climbing activities were halted. The park authorities took almost a year to clear the damages after going through heavy repairs and rehabilitation.

FRIED BANANAS - "Pisang goreng"

Fried Bananas is a popular local snack in Sabah. It's known as "Goreng Pisang" in the local dialect. This favourite afternoon snack could be found in coffee shops and market places. One of the best "Pisang Goreng" stall (I like) in Kota Kinabalu is at the Lido market, about 5km from the city center. 

Saba bananas are usually used. They are cut into slices and dipped in a batter before deep frying in oil.  

The frying process. 

The perfect snack for afternoon coffee or tea at RM1.00 a piece. Delicious stuff!  

TAWAU - KOTA KINABALU BY ROAD VIA KALABAKAN-SAPULUT-KENINGAU-KAMANIS

Having heard so much about the completion of the tarred Kalabakan-Sapulut "highway", we drove through this "new road" when returning from Tawau to Kota Kinabalu last weekend.

It's 543 km all the way from Tawau to Kota Kinabalu, passing through the Kalabakan, Maliau Basin area, Sapulut, Nabawan, Sook and Keningau.  

It's a leisurely drive for the first 90 km. There were only light vehicles on the road from Tawau to Kalabakan.

Arriving at the junction of Kalabakan after an hour+ drive and continued on to Sapulut.

A timber (logs) holding area just after Kalabakan.    

Next, came a logging truck fully loaded. I thought that the Sabah Government has banned all logging and mining activities in these areas.   

We had to tail this empty logging truck for at least 30 minutes before we could overtake. There were too many blind corners.

 

 

  

More logging trucks heading for Kalabakan as we were near the Maliau Basin Conservation area.

Many parts of the road were badly damaged. No doubt, the heavy logging trucks were the culprits. It seemed that the authorities do not care.  

The damages were excessive and hazardous to traffic. No repair was done. Instead, warning signs were put up.

 

Perhaps this Kalabakan-Sauplut was built and tarred for the convenience of logging companies.

 

 The only road repair work we have seen.

  

 

 We met at least 30+ logging trucks heading for Kalabakan

 

It took us almost 4 hours+ to complete the 145km to Sapulut. We then made brief stop at Nabawan.

Coffee break before leaving for Keningau

Approaching Keningau after almost 6 hours drive covering 345km.

From Keningau, we crossed over the Crocker range to Kimanis (53 km).

  Downhill all the way to Kimanis.

 No logging trucks but just a few cars and buses heading for Keningau.

 The last 45 km from Kimanis.

Another brief stop at Papar for coffee and local satay before heading home.

We started from Tawau at about 09:00 after a heavy breakfast and arrived Kota kinabalu close to 16:30. ( a total of 7.5 hours) using a Toyota Camry Hybrid.  We could have done it within 6 hours if not for the "logging road" from Kalabakan to Sauplut. It is recommended to use a SUV for those who want to drive the same route.

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY

 

Happy mother's day to all mothers around the world!  

SABAH BEEF NOODLES - FATTY NGIU CHAP

There are a number of  coffee shops in Kota Kinabalu serving "Ngiu Chap" (mixed beef in local dialect). I have published some of them like Kadai Kopi Loi Hin and Kah Hiong Ngiu Chap. Recently, I discovered this Fatty Ngiu Chap stall at Kadai Kopi Luyang 6.

 

Kadai Kopi Luyang 6. It's about 15 minutes drive from the City center. Most of the taxi drivers know how to get there.

 

The Tongue, tendon, meat balls with noodles was just delicious. The broth was superb!

 On Sunday, they have special Chinese herb Ox Tail soup.

Ngiu Chap has always been rated highly as a local delicacy among the Sabah crowds. It has always been my favourite. 

CHEERY BLOSSOM FESTIVAL 2016: IWATSUKI PARK (岩槻城址公園) SAITAMA PREFECTURE, JAPAN.

This year, we missed the cheery blossom festival in Japan as we dropped our travel plan last minute. Our friend, Miura san in Japan did us a big favour by sending some beautiful pictures taken at Iwatsuki Park. 

It's usually hard to get a parking space during the festival unless you are an early bird.

 

It's early morning, the the park was still very quiet.

 

Close-up of the beautiful "Sukura".

 

The crowd moving in soon after sunrise.

Look like a Brown-eared Bulbul (Hiyodori) enjoying breakfast.

 

This "Shidare" cherry never fail to bloom every year.

Hopefully, we will be there in 2017 not only to enjoy the Cherry blossom festival but to enjoy the Japanese cuisine and meeting many old friends.