Now that the situation at Fukushima is somewhat less tense, I shall blog about my recent trip to Sabah, East Malaysia. Hopefully, it can take your mind off the tragic events in Japan, Libya, Jerusalem and other parts of the world....for a while.
A group of us decided to take advantage of the cheap airfares offered by the local airlines to visit the western part of Sabah about 3 weeks ago. The city of Kota Kinabalu was the starting point of our adventure. Since we will be traveling a considerable distance, we decided to hire a car with driver.
Lots of interesting food along the way. We stopped for a drink of burnt coconut at this roadside stall. Apparently the coconut juice can cure a lot of ailments, including joint pain.
Here's how it is done. Notice that they are only using fallen leaves and twigs as fuel. Very cost effective and environmentally friendly. There is a lot of juice in one coconut so each couple shared a coconut.
Burnt jagung (maize) is a specialty in another region so we had to stop by to sample a few. It was very aromatic but tasted slightly dry.
This root is called Tongkat Ali. Apparently it has aphrodisiac qualities. We were informed that not only is it fairly rare, it is extremely difficult to pull it from the ground - hence the high price. The root is very much sought after by local men, especially older ones with young wives haha. We actually stopped by this stall to purchase chopping boards made from local hardwoods.
Rows of rows of stalls selling cheap highland vegetables and fruits near Kundasang. If it was not the difficulty carrying it back by flight to Kuala Lumpur, I would have bought some.
Sabah is famous for its seafood which is much cheaper compared to Peninsular Malaysia, cooked or uncooked. The shellfish are so fresh, huge and sweet-tasting. No need for elaborate sauces. This is the steamed fish we had in Kudat in a restaurant by the seaside.
And this is the steamboat (shabu-shabu) we had in a restaurant at Kundasang near the foothills of Mount Kinabalu. Perfect food in the cool, hilly weather.
We were taken to the local market at Kudat to see the fresh seafood on sale. Spied this lorry unloading huge squid/cuttlefish caught from the waters near the Philippines. I'm not surprised since the southern Philippine islands are actually very close to this part of Sabah.
After several hours drive through very scenic mountainous terrain, we finally reached our destination Poring Hot Springs. We jumped into the tubs for couples and spent several hours soaking in the warm water. Obviously, no pictures. Although it is unlikely that the sulphur-rich waters could restore our youth, nevertheless there is a hope of a better complexion.
Our Sabah friends took us to this river for a natural fish spa. I have never seen such a sight before in my life. The river was teaming with large, black fish that literally jumped out of the water to grab the fish food in our hands.
Imagine five fishes sucking on all five fingers at the same time. Luckily they had no teeth!
Some of us could not bear the ticklish sensation when the fish nibbled at our legs and feet.
Another highlight of the trip is the golden opportunity to view the rare Rafflesia flower, the biggest flower in the world. This one is considered medium size - about the size of a truck tyre.
That's me providing documented proof that I was there. They say that the flower has a very strong unpleasant odor but this one has no smell. Maybe if I get closer.....
Kudat is in the northern part of Borneo island. We were driven a few more kilometers to reach the Tip of Borneo, the northernmost point of Borneo. Apparently the famous explorer Magellen stopped by at this site during one of his voyages to the far east. I don't think he found it very hospitable at that time otherwise he would have established a trading port.
This is the tip of the Tip. Lovely view, with the South China Sea on the left and the Pacific Ocean on the right, and of course Philippines straight ahead.
One of the objectives of this trip is to climb Mount Kinabalu, the highest mountain in Southeast Asia. Realizing that some of us are still not fully prepared, we decided to make it a goal on our next trip to this part of Malaysia. Therefore, the majestic mountain remains unconquered....by me.
I just can't imagine how someone could achieve the climb in only 2 and 1/2 hours. Most people achieve the feat within 2 days since the final part is timed to view the sunrise at the peak. My friends informed me that, at my current level of fitness, I should consider myself lucky if I can make it to the midway point in 6 hours! And, I'll probably won't be able to move for days after the climb. What???
Anyway, we all declared we had a fantastic time and should do more such trips while our health permits. Good company, good fun, and lots of happy memories.
A group of us decided to take advantage of the cheap airfares offered by the local airlines to visit the western part of Sabah about 3 weeks ago. The city of Kota Kinabalu was the starting point of our adventure. Since we will be traveling a considerable distance, we decided to hire a car with driver.
Lots of interesting food along the way. We stopped for a drink of burnt coconut at this roadside stall. Apparently the coconut juice can cure a lot of ailments, including joint pain.
Here's how it is done. Notice that they are only using fallen leaves and twigs as fuel. Very cost effective and environmentally friendly. There is a lot of juice in one coconut so each couple shared a coconut.
Burnt jagung (maize) is a specialty in another region so we had to stop by to sample a few. It was very aromatic but tasted slightly dry.
This root is called Tongkat Ali. Apparently it has aphrodisiac qualities. We were informed that not only is it fairly rare, it is extremely difficult to pull it from the ground - hence the high price. The root is very much sought after by local men, especially older ones with young wives haha. We actually stopped by this stall to purchase chopping boards made from local hardwoods.
Rows of rows of stalls selling cheap highland vegetables and fruits near Kundasang. If it was not the difficulty carrying it back by flight to Kuala Lumpur, I would have bought some.
Sabah is famous for its seafood which is much cheaper compared to Peninsular Malaysia, cooked or uncooked. The shellfish are so fresh, huge and sweet-tasting. No need for elaborate sauces. This is the steamed fish we had in Kudat in a restaurant by the seaside.
And this is the steamboat (shabu-shabu) we had in a restaurant at Kundasang near the foothills of Mount Kinabalu. Perfect food in the cool, hilly weather.
We were taken to the local market at Kudat to see the fresh seafood on sale. Spied this lorry unloading huge squid/cuttlefish caught from the waters near the Philippines. I'm not surprised since the southern Philippine islands are actually very close to this part of Sabah.
After several hours drive through very scenic mountainous terrain, we finally reached our destination Poring Hot Springs. We jumped into the tubs for couples and spent several hours soaking in the warm water. Obviously, no pictures. Although it is unlikely that the sulphur-rich waters could restore our youth, nevertheless there is a hope of a better complexion.
Our Sabah friends took us to this river for a natural fish spa. I have never seen such a sight before in my life. The river was teaming with large, black fish that literally jumped out of the water to grab the fish food in our hands.
Imagine five fishes sucking on all five fingers at the same time. Luckily they had no teeth!
Some of us could not bear the ticklish sensation when the fish nibbled at our legs and feet.
Another highlight of the trip is the golden opportunity to view the rare Rafflesia flower, the biggest flower in the world. This one is considered medium size - about the size of a truck tyre.
That's me providing documented proof that I was there. They say that the flower has a very strong unpleasant odor but this one has no smell. Maybe if I get closer.....
Kudat is in the northern part of Borneo island. We were driven a few more kilometers to reach the Tip of Borneo, the northernmost point of Borneo. Apparently the famous explorer Magellen stopped by at this site during one of his voyages to the far east. I don't think he found it very hospitable at that time otherwise he would have established a trading port.
This is the tip of the Tip. Lovely view, with the South China Sea on the left and the Pacific Ocean on the right, and of course Philippines straight ahead.
One of the objectives of this trip is to climb Mount Kinabalu, the highest mountain in Southeast Asia. Realizing that some of us are still not fully prepared, we decided to make it a goal on our next trip to this part of Malaysia. Therefore, the majestic mountain remains unconquered....by me.
I just can't imagine how someone could achieve the climb in only 2 and 1/2 hours. Most people achieve the feat within 2 days since the final part is timed to view the sunrise at the peak. My friends informed me that, at my current level of fitness, I should consider myself lucky if I can make it to the midway point in 6 hours! And, I'll probably won't be able to move for days after the climb. What???
Anyway, we all declared we had a fantastic time and should do more such trips while our health permits. Good company, good fun, and lots of happy memories.
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