Life, Travel, GRACE

This year Chinese New Year we went back to Sabah. To make full use of our holiday, we went for a short trip to Kundasang. There's where one can get a closer look of Mount Kinabalu. We stayed at The Pine's Resort. It's the best place for mountain view. We went to the Desa Farm, where the mountain view is even more spectacular. The boys were enjoying themselves with the cows too. On our way back to Sandakan, we stopped by at the Sabah Teh farm. Not a bad place either, although much improvement is needed. Mount Kinabalu as seen from our flight to Sandakan. Mountain view from the resort. Part of the Desa Farm Mountain view from Desa Farm. Sabah Tea farm. Panoramic view of Sabah Tea farm. On a clear sky, one could see Mount Kinabalu from Sabah Tea farm. Photos taken with iPhone 6s

After my trip to Dubai last year, I went back to my hometown. That was in late November. This time, number two son was with me. Besides staying in his grandma's house, we went to Labuk Bay Proboscis Monkey Sanctuary. It was my first time to that place although the sanctuary has existed for ages. This place is situated right at the edge of an oil palm estate. Very similar to Sepilok, except that you won't find any orang utan. There will be a lot of proboscis monkeys. Feeding time is where you can see all the monkeys coming to the open area to get free food. And of course how could resist to take a photo with the monkeys. All photos were taken with iPhone 5s

This year I only went back to my hometown, Sandakan during CNY. However, I have planned for another homecoming next Nov, with no.2 son. Every time whenever I go back home, I will stroll along the streets of the city. It used to be very busy, lots of activities. But now, it's dying. People afraid of going to the city, maybe because of the rebel intrusion in Lahad Datu few years back. Or they just don't want to take risk near the seashore. Sad. The only place that I like to visit each time is the English Tea House and Restaurant. It has a good lawn for the kids to play around. Photos taken with iPhone 4s

Found these 2 photos posted in Facebook. Even though I was born and raised in this town, yet I have not seen these photos before. It was taken at the terminal bus area. Until today that area still serves as terminal bus. Fifty years no changed.

Uncle Lim has dubbed my hometown as ghost town at night. True enough. I have raised up there for 20 years and heaven knows that people don't go to town at night. All shops are closed. You can only find night life around 3 and 4 miles. Well, my parents are staying in 3 1/2 miles. Last year when I brought JR back to Sandakan, he seems quite enjoyed it (I think so). Maybe because of my mom's homecook food? Or maybe he likes those orang utans in Sepilok? Or perhaps the crocodile in 7 Mile? True enough, I don't see any potential in this town. There will be a new corridor launching for Sabah soon. I wonder how will it help to boost the economy.

While waiting for them to came down, I rose up early and snapped some shots.

From Mesilau base, we climbed up to Laban Rata. The next morning, we climbed towards the peak.

There are two routes for tourist cum climber to the Kinabalu peak: the boring-stepping-stairs of the Summit Trail and the forever-walking Mesilau Trail. For the pro, they can opt for a more challenging route via Eastern Plateau. Since I had tried the Summit Trail, I purposely arranged the group to take the Mesilau Trail. Therefore, we needed to go to Mesilau base for take off. It was a lovely place and cooling (2,000 m above sea level). One will passby a golf range before reaching the Mesilau office. Initially we booked for a dormitory room but somehow due to the park's arrangement, we got a chalet which should cost RM350 even though we had paid RM20 for the dorm price. Then we rested and prepared for the next day climb. Oh, mind you, if you take the steam boat dinner at the park restaurant, 1-person meal can feed for 2.

1 May 2007 You woke up at two in the morning. Then walked all the way to the peak in darkness. Reached the top of Malaysia, 4095.2m after sunrise. Then spent ten or fifteen minutes at the peak. And finally came down to the base. Good exercise or not? Yes, take me there again.

The success rate of reaching the Kinabalu peak was 4/6. I was not one of them. Probably I didn't put my most effort to do it as I've done it before. Or perhaps I was not well during that day. Indeed I had a bit of mild breathing difficulty, but it wasn't that bad. That could spoil the whole mood I guess. Congratulation to the team.

Back to Sabah last week. Climbed the Kinabalu Mountain but didn't attempt the peak (as I've been there, done that). Went back to Sandakan as well. Been to Sepilok. Had some good home cook meal.

Today was the last day in KK. After had breakfast with my family, we had the whole day free. Strolling around, sipped coffee, did some reading, little shopping and that was the day. Lunch was in "Little Italy". So much recommendation was given about this restaurant. After all, it's really good. The food was good and value for money. In the evening, we catched a bus to airport. This time it was really chaotic. Small airport with over-crowded. Worse, flight delayed. Arrived in LCCT about 12.20am. Next day (or few hours later) went to work.

This was the day my sis graduated from UMS. Had a brief detour to Karambunai Resort. Nice place with a long beach coast line. Thinking of having a soak here in future.

We were able to rent a car. It was my sis' landlord's car. It was a small car - comparable with Kancil. This was the not-so-common Daihatsu Charade with auto transmission and low cc (I guess should be 1.1L or lesser). We started our journey to Kundasang about 8am. The journey is uphill all the way and the distance was about 80km. Thanks to the underpowered car, it took us about an hour and half to reach there. We visited the town of Kundasang where there offered a splendid mountain view. With a little endurance of the car, we managed to stop by Desa farm. It was a cow farm with greenery scene not common in Malaysia. I suppose our Fernleaf's commersial ad was done here. Had it not having cloudy day, we would have Kinabalu mountain as backdrop. Good place for photography. We stopped over in Ranau for lunch before proceeded to hot spring. Instead of soaking in the tub, SY and I went for canopy walk and waterfall. It was a time for work out though. We went back to KK around 4pm...

We started the day with no plan. Initial plan was to go to Kundasang and stayed over night there. However, as there was no reasonable price for car rental, the plan was postponed. Since we had no plan for the day, we just strolled in the town. Went up to the observation pavilion. Had a good view of the town. Later it was not a good day. It rained during noon time. Lunch was fish noodle. Quite interesting as the noodle was made from fish meat. Met my parents in the evening. And that was the day........

Woke up afresh in the morning. The sky brightened quite early (5.30am). Today we planned to go to Taman Tunku Abdul Rahman - one of the famous island, Pulau Manukan. After breakfast, we walked around the vicinity to check out any better guesthouse available. Found North Borneo Cabin which was in Gaya Street. They had a very decent living room, 4 domitory rooms and 3 private rooms. It was the last day of the promotional package -RM15 per head, inclusive breakfast, internet and hot shower. A good deal. So we decided to shift our stuff to this new place. Then we met my sister and proceeded to jetty to catch up a boat to the island. The boat fare was not cheap - RM17 per person. On top of that, additional RM6 for docking fees (we need to pay for the boat packing fees??) and entrance fees of RM3 to the park. The ride to the island was great. Bouncing for 20 minutes. Thrilled..... The island was nice. Water was clear. You can see lots of fish swimming around. As it was midday, we lunched in...