Thoughts: Christmas

My Christmas: By AV Latinggam

Christmas Day is here again and as we all know this is when celebrants all over the world revel in spirit, together to celebrate the auspicious occasion. This is especially true for Christians. This is when churches of all denominations stand together to rejoice in their respective interpretation of that day.
Christmas in the tropics is always interesting. We have this vision of snow, and snow sleds and toboggan;  we hear about frosted window panes and the fluffy falling snow outside and of course log-fireplaces We hear so much about winter wonderland that, as a child, I always look up the sky and wondered if the clouds will ever fall and allow me to touch it. 

We had mists in those days when we lived closer to nature: tall tropical rain-forests,  thundering water falls and vast untended fields.  But no snow (!!)
Growing up, we learned about our location: nopes! no snow here. All sun and rain, the occasional floods, gusts of cold wind..but no snow. (sigh) So we made do with what we saw on TV, and like Bing Crosby's song, we dream on. Later we made do with Hallmark's pictures. My first Christmas card was one that depicted a Bambi looking at a small snow-roofed cottage sited under tall snow laden pine-trees. I wonder how rubber trees look like laden with snow. Christmas is not all about snow though; its about glitters and baubles and presents too. Or so it seems. Well, we see Christmas trees all laden with decorations and underneath it, there are the gifts all wrapped and ready to be given away... 
Christmas nowadays is so commercialised; so much so that during this time of the month, we will see Christmas Trees all over the city; on side walks, in offices and of course the shopping malls. They sprout out in their glittery glory and then the pipe-music begin to play: Jingle Bells, Drummer Boy, Silent Night, Santa Claus is coming to Town...which reminds me; Santa albeit brown ones seem to walk around the malls here during this time. This is especially true where some promotions for Christmas gifts are. Way to go Santa! 
HEL says Christmas is all about giving and getting joy from the happiness and appreciation that lights up the recipients' faces. I totally agree. Some gifts do of course end up on a shelf or worse on the 'give-away' boxes.
Personally I believe that Christmas is a day of contemplation, delving within oneself and seeking further self-betterment: to thrive towards the side of life that cannot be bought: health and well being; forgiveness and love for others. This day symbolises the birth of a Man, whose selflessness and beliefs led towards the creation of a religion, that embraced the world and made it what it is today. His teachings live on in a book; all that are stated within, leads to goodness and the coming of the White. Not just Snow, for snow gets old and trampled and then it turns into grey cold slush. And then nothingness.
Merry Christmas.

Sights and sites of Sabah

Sunset at Kota Kinabalu Sabah

Sites and Sights
By AV Latinggam

Tip of Borneo

From the highest mountain to the valley, from sunsets to butterflies, flowers, birds and bees...Nature always offers the best there is; in all its stark beauty...

Kg Tombulion River Kota Belud

Eco-tourism

Of Nature
By AV Latinggam

The soughing wind over the tree-tops, the swishing sounds of bamboo fronds, distant calls of children and the ever rushing gurgles of water flowing down the river bed; these are the perfect scenario of rural life which of course translate to peace and tranquility.

The Hot Spring Garden Hotel has this to offer and more. This hotel sited within three acres of land, is located at the famous Poring Hot-Spring in Ranau, about three hours’ drive from Kota Kinabalu, the State Capital.

Boasting eight rooms, this garden hotel offers a tranquil getaway where guests can relax away from the hustle and bustle of city life; read or even surf as they have WiFi... go for walks and just enjoy nature around them.

Its a perfect getaway especially for city dwellers and overseas tourist, who wish to savour nature and to live for a few days within the perfect settings, where they can wake up to the sounds of nature.

These typical sights for the locals are quite the novelty with visitors, so they become the selling points by the hotel to their visitors. With this in mind, the hotel is tailored with simple functional accommodations where four rooms are equipped with dorm-style bunk beds, while four others are family style rooms.

Hot Spring Garden Hotel

The dorm style rooms offer eight beds, on double-decker while the family room offers beds for a couple and a child.

To adhere to the local norm, the hotel offers two different kitchens for guests, one for Muslims and one for none-Muslims. The cutlery and kitchen utensils as well as the plates, bowls and dishes are kept in different cupboards.

Presently, a camping ground is there for those who love the outdoor as well as a shower in the middle of the field. It can be interesting to cool off under it during a warm afternoon.  Tranquil and quiet, it is the perfect getaway indeed.

  

Tropical Paradise: Sunsets

Behold the Glory....

By AV Latinggam

Every time I see a sunset, I feel like saying 'Behold the Glory of the Creator' and at times I can only watch in silent wonder. How glorious is the curtain fall in the evenings in Sabah...whether it is applauded by thunder and lightning, or with fine drizzles or a breath-taking sunset...

Sunset seen from Pasir Putih Putatan

A sunset seen from Tip of Borneo, Kudat

A sunset seen from Sutera Harbour, Kota Kinabalu

Sunset seen from Beringgis Beach Papar

Tropical Paradise: Islands

Islands on the threshold of Eden

By AV Latinggam

HEL at Manukan Island Jetty

Five islands to choose from within Tunku Abdul Rahman Park: Pulau Gaya, Pulau Sapi, Pulau Manukan, Pulau Mamutik and Pulau Sulug. They all boast shallow waters,  beautiful coral gardens and vast white sandy beaches. The sun beating down, the waves crashing on the shore; Gentle Zephyr caressing one’s cheeks….its the threshold of Eden with opportunities for breath taking photographs….Indeed these islands off the Kota Kinabalu Sabah Malaysian Borneo are a must visit.

Manukan Island 

Manukan Island

A tropical Paradise

At Shangri-la Rasa Ria Resort Tuaran
By AV Latinggam

Shangri-la, indeed it is: a long stretch of beach, sun and sea...glorious sunsets. Lounging on the beach, looking into the ocean, waves crashing on the shore: the gentle breeze and twilight: my favourite time of the day. A brief one night stay but worth the memory in 'forever'.

HEL at the Poolside

The Sunset at Rasa Ria

Halong Bay Vietnam: Pictorial

Halong Bay Vietnam

HEL at Halong Bay, Vietnam >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

15 November 2012.

"In the olden days, there were aggressors against Vietnam and God sent Mother Dragon and her Child Dragons to help the Vietnamese fight the enemy. Ships of the enemy from the sea rush to  attack while the dragons landed down on earth. The dragons immediately ejected countless pearls which turned into jade stone islands, and blocked the progress of the invaders.” The name Halong was coined in the 19^th century where it appears on the map drawings of the Gulf of Tonkin. In ancient times it was called by many names mainly Giao Chau, Luc Chau, Luc Thuy, Hai Dong, An Bang…

Halong Bay, Vietnam

Hanoi Halong

At Halong Bay
By AV Latinggam

Vietnam is a country worth return visits as HEL and I found out as we entered the land of friendly people.

Being Asian, and looking just like them, I did not have a problem blending in with the crowds on the busy streets of Hanoi, a city in the North of the country. I was spoken to in Vietnamese. I can almost believe the statement ‘all Asians look alike’ spoken by a Peace Corp I met a long time ago.

The city was a busy one, especially with incessant traffic made up mainly of motorcycles and bicycles. Of course they were other vehicles big and small, but the two-wheelers were king. HEL and I became an expert in dodging traffic within a day, even using the imperious ‘stop’ sign by putting our palms-up sign!

Our destination was Halong Bay, about 170 kilometres from Hanoi. The fare was 1.6million dongs, the Vietnam currency in a four wheel and about 100,000dongs on a public bus. Translated they are about RM233 and RM15 respectively.

The sights of Halong Bay after five hours non-stop drive in a four wheel vehicle was worth it. Our Halong Tours were on a boat called Aurora, a 14-room contraption that was more wish than ship but was comfortable and served the purpose as it was.

Halong Bay seen from Surprising Caves

Halong a UNESCO World Heritage had an area of 1553 square kilometres with almost 2000 islets made of limestone.

We were told that the people living on some of the islands around the Halong Bay mostly derived their livelihood from fishing and that they were presently actively participating in tourism.

When tourism was introduced to Halong Bay, the people had benefitted in some ways, where the women and some men were paid to take care of kayaks in their village.

Our guide Peter Qiet shared, “We can’t carry our kayaks in our boat all the time so we choose a village, in this case Vung Vieng Floating Village,  to park our kayaks. We then pay someone in the village to take care of it, against theft and such like. We usually bring our tourists in and encourage them to go kayaking in and around the water village.”

He also said that the villagers benefitted through their little stalls, either on the floating platform or on small boats that they anchor near jetties to touristic spots.

We visited the Sung Sot Caves one of their favourite spot to anchor, where they wait and hope for customers. They sold various types of foodstuff, such as noodle cup and sweets, as well as water and carbonated drinks, a hit with the customers, who came down from the caverns all hot, sweaty and thirsty.

A cruise boat at Halong Bay

The Sun Sot Caves was quite interesting even though the stairs up the hills and in and around the caverns were steep. There were some interesting rock formations within, with one that looked like a turtle. Some people rub its head for luck and left money around it.

After the trek, Peter took us outside where a few stalls were selling t-shirts and souvenirs, the standard tourist fare, but the scenery was breath-taking.

“So that is how we earn our living, and send the children to school,” he shared pointing out the little boats that carried wares in and around the bay, busily selling their goods to the customers on the various and many boats showing off Halong Bay.

The tour of Halong Bay ended on the second day after a night on board. It was an interesting experience, to see the islands around us, like ancient hulks fossilized on the water, straining towards the sky. The eerie quiet when everyone had gone to sleep was like a giant’s bated breath until he rumbles again as dawn approaches. The boats, big and small did make quite a din….

Leaving Halong for Hanoi in a packed bus, where long-legged people grimly persevered for the journey, I looked back once more and said a silent goodbye. I learnt a little about the inhabitants of the area, the struggles and their hopes, their wish to better themselves during the brief visit, thanks to talkative Peter. We share the same struggle to surmount poverty and to progress. Maybe Sabah has developed more rapidly and we are on a better platform then they are, but in all else we are the same. Maybe the Peace Corp was right after all.

Vietnam, or bust!

Tourism Trivia

By AV Latinggam

Most of us are very alert when we leave our country for another on a visit or any other reasons. Mostly we ensure that the expiry date on our passport is a few months in the future and that our name and passport numbers concur with our airplane tickets. The other thing is, find out if our host country wants a visa for our stay. If all these are seen to and processed well, travel we go and may the gods of fun and adventure accompany us, that’s what I’d say.

Interestingly this was what happened to HEL on our ‘Vietnam or Bust’ escapade. He had read that visas could be acquired at arrival…in Hanoi Airport that is…but when we tried to check in at the Suvarnabhumi Airport in Bangkok, he was told by Vietnam Airline check in staff, ‘No, nope..na ah! Get a visa from the Vietnam embassy and come back…’

‘Today? If it’s possible…if not, we have the same flight tomorrow…’

HEL on the streets of Hanoi -03-11-2012

Stumped, unhappy and dejected, we turned back to Bangkok, waited in line for a visa, got a photo taken for the visa …nice pic by the way, made HEL look a decade younger…and then paid 2700bhat for the visa and 200bhat for the photo.

Meanwhile, we knew we would never make it to Hanoi that day, November 12…and so HEL had to call the airline to cancel and reschedule. The Result? AUD50 per person penalty.  It seemed that we paid a price for letting up on our attention to details.

The flip side of the coin was of course a day more of walking the streets of Bangkok and admiring the shrines and the stuff for sale along the walkway.

We re-visited the central world and ogled handbags, shoes, dresses and everything else available on the streets. At least for the day.

The next day, lucky 13^th of November, we duly walked into the airport again and without much ado, parted the clouds over Thailand towards Hanoi, Vietnam. Can you say ‘Goooood Moorning Vietnam…’? Oh, by the way, Malaysians don’t need a visa to visit Vietnam.

HEL at Ho Chi Minh mausoleum  14-11-2012

The Bangkok Experience: Patpong

Shopping and Sensuality
By AV Latinggam

In Bangkok, sightseeing and shopping goes together. It was with such eagerness and excitement that HEL and I decided to beat the sidewalk to Patpong Night Market on the second evening of our stay there, Nov10.
We wanted to walk, just to breath in the ambiance of a thriving city. This walk was from Sukhumvit Road, a mistake as it took us almost an hour to reach the Silom area. We rested on seats along the walkway, though. On the way we saw a couple sleeping on a mat on the ground. They looked so peaceful there laying on the grass under a shady tree. The dusk lent them an otherworldly look, as if they were floating on a space of 'then and now'...the contrast that is, between a huge bustling city and sleeping on the rough under the stars. Near them slept two dogs, oblivious to their surroundings as if they were just as exhausted as their masters. We wondered about who they were, what they were doing for a living...indeed, what was their life.
Once at Patpong though we forgot about our sore feet and our thoughts on the couple, and gazed, ogled and gawked at the various and many varieties of goods on sale. We just meandered into the crowd and wandered into the busy street.

Near Central World: Bangkok's shopping complex

It was a shopping haven: I was all over the place, looking, touching and admiring all the colourful stuff on display. A pretty lady boy selling handbags spoke to me in Thai and when I told him that I was not Thai and that I come from Malaysia, he said 'you look like Thai lady, I give you good price for bag...for you 400bhat.' Good deal actually, but I did not particularly liked the bags. 
Shoppers have to be very careful as they would cite the highest price for their wares, which could include Jimmy Choo, Prada and myriads of ‘branded’ goods. Goods available there ranged from undergarments to lingerie, to handbags wallets and belts, shoes…you name it; all for exorbitant prices. Be wise, haggle.

Good shoppers usually slashed the asking price by half and get away with it.

There were also some interesting outlets with languid girls undulating around on stage. The rather poetic movement were actually beautiful but the incessant come-ons from ‘mummies’ could be a tremendous turn-off. All these were seen from outside, as the doors to the outlets were tantalisingly open.

European or at least Caucasian tourists seemed to congregate in Silom as I saw more of them there than elsewhere, perhaps because of the nightlife available or the food outlets that were found all over the place.  

The girls seemed to frantically want these tourists inside their business enterprise, more so than we Asians, for reasons only known to them. As a woman,  I was practically ignored much to my relief. Blending serves one well when one wants to observe incognito.

Incognito or not, we did not do too well with the Tuk Tuk. Going by Tuk Tuk ‘cab’  a trishaw type transport on motorcycle wheels could be an experience in Bangkok too. Its ...Nice. 

However it would be better and wiser to ask the fare from one place to another as they could rip you off. We learned our lesson well when we were asked for 200bhat for a ride that a relatively comfortable taxi charged 90bhat for.

The ride was nerve-wreckingly thrilling to say the least as we held on for dear life during the 15 minutes 'jiggled-juggled and bumped' adventure. 

Much to our relief we made it back to our place before we were shaken to bits.                                 The Tuk Tuk Cab.....

The Bangkok Experience: Pictorial

Walking the Streets of Bangkok
By AV Latinggam

Walking along the streets of Bangkok is an experience worth repeating; the smell of burning incense along the walkway...water taxis, cheap clothes and other pretty things...
HEL enjoyed his street shrine sightseeing. Pix right.

One side of the street are Water Taxis

Looking from the other side...stalls!

The Bangkok Experience

Being in Bangkok
By AV Latinggam

I blend in well in Bangkok Thailand, as I found out recently. As soon as I stepped down at the Don Mueang International Airport I was ushered into the domestic immigration counter by a rapid-speaking young lady. I did not understand a word of what was spoken but I got the gist of it. No answer from me and thus after glancing at my passport maybe she got the drift and so exit a peeved young lady...stage left even.Jokes aside, Don Mueang was very busy as several airplanes had just spewed out their passengers at that time. HEL and I exchanged broad grins as we weaved among people of various nationalities. There was a loud rather screechy ambiance to that place as everyone seemed to want to leave immediately to their respective destinations.And who could blame them actually, we were rather tired ourselves having traveled since 7.30am from Kota Kinabalu Sabah, and two flights later reached the land of smiles and shopping.After rescuing our backpack from the carousel we went on to acquire the local currency Bhat. It was rather interesting if not disappointing. They want 8.90bhat for the Ringgit where in Wisma Merdeka in KK, they offered 10bhat for the Ringgit. Lesson learned.Anyway, there was a long queue waiting for the taxi; there was a constant low roar of complaining voices which was not encouraging; so HEL went ahead and chartered a van! That was the only airport taxi available , we were told.Grinning at our own ingenuity we breezed past people, all two of us in a six-seater van. Spacious and comfortable. High five! What a way to travel!

Bangkok City as seen from Novotel: Pix by AVL sx200

The Chao Praya River  Pix by AVL Sx200

Thus we reached out destination: Novotel Pleonchit at Sukhumvit Road. Rest glorious rest.To a tourist’s eyes, Bangkok was fascinatingly interesting and busy. Traffic flow is incessant and there was never that lull in traffic that allowed one to breath or jay walk. The skytrain that catered to commuters was a constant rumble as one after the other passed on the overhead railway.The accommodation at Sukhumvit Road was near a skytrain rail, and the constant rumble of this transportation serenaded guests and visitors all  day and well into the night.Getting into this train was an interesting experience, a first for me; we waited for the train and when it came, there was a mad rush.“Go in go in…” shouted our intrepid tour guide Sam and then when we could not go in fast enough, he pushed us in. Instead of breezing into the train, it was a tumble and spill, and in a second the door closed and the train zoomed away. There were low roars of dissent and some wheezy laughter of relief especially from among the tourists and foreigners. The train ride brought us to a station at Saphan Taksin area where we then board a boat to a small riverside village. The river ride was interesting as we got splashed and without the benefit of safety vest or life jacket, we surrendered our well-being to providence.We disembarked at a riverside village and weaved our way through stalls and the like, to see the Temple of the Emerald Buddha, locally known as Wat Phra Si Rattana Satsadaram.The village was a very typical riverside settlement found in most places in South East Asian countries, especially Sabah, where families live off the river and in this case, little businesses that cater to visitors. There were various types of food being sold on stalls, which actually invite samplings. The only problem with guided tours as this one was, was that we had to catch up with the guide, who in this case, was more hell-bent on showing us the sights and get it over and done with. Understandably after a few trips a day, he must have been bored, so it was not really a shock.The temple on our particular visit was swamped with tourists; it was a veritable ‘area of babble’ with people speaking various languages, almost shouting to be heard above the noise.Before entering the temple though, we had to don suitable clothes as traditionally women should don sarongs or long skirts to enter the temple while men should have long pants. So several of us had to rent a sarong for the day and shelled out 200bhat each. That is RM20.The temple is a must see; it was breathtakingly gorgeous and elegant in its setting; orange and green tiles on the roof, mosaic and marbled pillars. According to our tour guide, it was built and embellished by many Kings including King Rama III.  Wood work during King Rama I’s reign was replaced by King Rama III and King Chulalongkorn and later the doors and windows, as well as the wall paintings were added. Within there are depictions of Ramayana.It was a sensory overload for me to see so many elegant statues in gold, chimeras and demons with the pagodas and other statues that depicts lions and dragons.There was also the Angkor Wat model and Sam says it was a sacred Cambodian shrine that was started by King Mongkut and completed by King Rama III. The Kingdom of Cambodia belonged to Siam for hundreds of years before they lost it to France a long time ago.After a tour of the Temple, we were ushered past the Grand Palace near the Temple which was the former residence of the King but nowadays only used for official functions and to receive visiting foreign dignitaries. This was an imposing building to say the least.Sam told us the Thai King, King Bhumibol Adulyadej also known as Rama IX and his consort Queen Sirikit both in their 80’s are now living elsewhere.   After the tour, we were ushered out but not after returning our sarongs to the counter. We get our money back then.The tour of the temple and palace was an eye opener to another culture and I believe that there were many more sights to see not only in that area but elsewhere, that merit visits. As we left the area, I looked back once more and thought about the generations of people that had come to visit and pay homage to the king of that day and the deities. If the pavement could talk, how many stories could they tell, what glorious tale would they share...

Sabah Land Below the Wind: Food

There are many types of dishes and food of the indigenous people of Sabah that are unique to this region.  

 The Nonsom Bambangan/Binudu: pickled Bambangan fruit: one of the Kadazandusun's signature dishes.

 The Pinasakan/Pinarasakan Sada'/boiled fish with sour dried fruits/asam keping.

The Ginuring Lindung/fried eel.

Sabah, Land Below the Wind: Sandakan

Sojourners in Sandakan

By AV Latinggam

I have always loved meandering in Sandakan: it is a fascinating seaside city that showcases many interesting aspect of life in Sabah, from pre-independent to the present era. It also hold a memory of long ago in my heart. That time, as a child, I heard that a relative had gone to Sandakan to work. I was intrigued and asked his elderly mother where Sandakan was. 

She said 'Its where the sky ends.' This evoked a scene in my mind of a grey colourless place where there was no blue sky, just a skyline of buildings silhouetted against ethereal nothingness.

Years later I knew better, but that vision in my mind got stuck.

Sandakan is the second largest city in Sabah, located in the east coast of the State. It is the administrative centre of the Sandakan Division and used to serve as the capital of the British North Borneo during the British colonial time.

Most of us will associate Sandakan as a tourism destination that boasts lots of varieties. There are land, historical, islands and jungle attraction. The seaside restaurants in this township are also famous for its seafood!

Anyway, when HEL and I arrived in Sandakan, we made sure to visit the Agnes Keith House sited at Jalan Istana in Sandakan.

This house was the home to famous author Agnes Keith who wrote two of her three best selling books in that house. They are Three Came Home written in 1946, White Man Returns in 1951 and Land below the Wind in 1939.  Those who have read these books will have an insight of how life was during the colonial era.

The house was destroyed during the war but was later rebuilt in 1946. Agnes Keith stayed in the house with her family until 1952.

Artifacts of the family are showcased in the house today.

Just nearby is the Sandakan Heritage Trail. The heritage trail includes the town's important and interesting sites that contributed to its rich historical past.

On this walk, we could have passed by the 100-year old Masjid Jamek, the Pryer Memorial, a granite structure erected to honour the founder of Sandakan, William B. Pryer, the Tourist Information Centre, the WW11 memorial and much more. However, it was raining quite heavily during that visit so our taxi-man thought we should just drive past. But then we did not forget the oldest buildings in Sandakan, St. Michael’s and All Angels Church. These sites are part of the heritage trail.

It was the first stone building in Sabah, started in 1893. It took almost 30 years to complete. In 1906 a religious celebration was held in this church but the main entrance of the Church was not completed until 1925.

During the World War II, it escaped bombardment in the 1940s and remains one of the very few stone buildings in Sabah.

Sixty years later the Australians donated stained glass windows to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the end of World War II.

Still on the heritage trail: The most famous site in Sandakan Township depicts an atrocity that should never be repeated ever.  This is the Memorial Park, a site that bore witness to atrocities committed by the conquering hordes on allied prisoners of war (PoW).  On the site today is an excavator, a generator and a boiler which still lie in their original positions near the steps leading up to a small Commemorative Pavilion.

From this site 2,400 soldiers were marched to Ranau. Only six survived.

The visit to this area gave me goosebumps as I imagined the groans and moans as well as cries of sick and dying POWs. I was properly sober too. Until of course, a small rather petty incident occured.  

A woman at the entrance of the little building where the exhibitions of POWs photos and other paraphernalia are sited, did not look at me much less offer me her brochure, but gave my companion one very politely and humbly too. 

When I asked for one, she stared at me balefully and asked 'are you  his tourist guide?' (Was that even politically correct?) I did not know whether to laugh or cry. I was definitely mad.

Are we then so uninterested in what happened then that we as individuals never visit there unless we want to show off our 'museum piece' to tourists; especially Australians and Europeans? Or am I, a brown person of Dusunic descent, only worthy of being a tour guide to a Caucasian in our people's eye? Or was the person in front of the building, asking for donation, a foreigner herself? I would never know. But that was a presumptuous assumption...in my humble opinion.

So much for that! 

Accommodations are also many and various, although recommendations from tour operators and guides are essential for guests to have hotel rooms to their liking. Sheraton Four Points seemed to be one of the newest.

As for food, there are many places to eat in Sandakan but recommended is the stalls where they offer seafood very cheaply. There are also some good eateries at the esplanade. However if you want to eat at a quiet place or in a garden, visit the English Tea House near by Agnes Keith’s House. You will be able to sample English high tea there if you so wish.

The Sandakan Crocodile farm should not be missed at all. Feeding times are at 11.45am and about 3pm. Watching dozens of crocodiles slithering up for lunch or just yawning away can be awesome and scary. At least I felt that way. 

They have a farm at Tuaran Jalan Sulaman too and anybody who have watched these reptiles laying supine, slowly weaving through the murky water or splashing to their food, would know what I mean.

It must also be mentioned here that Sandakan is a well known eco-tourism destination. The Sepilok Orang Utan Rehabilitation Centre is one of the better known places, where tourists can see the wild man of Borneo have their meal on a platform. That is the time when you can see Orang Utan at close proximity. This is also where you can see the long tail macaques by the dozens.

The other place is the Labuk Bay Proboscis Monkey Sanctuary where you can see these primates up close. They come in by the hundreds to feed at certain time. They are a wonder to behold. That and many more sights await visitors to this part of the world.

Our trip to Sandakan ended on the third day. Interesting really, as we get to know many people with their respective characters. If only it did not rain too much.

Nostalgia III

Just Remembering Cebu

By AV Latinggam

A walk in Cebu City is just like home; we see people that are just like us in Sabah; and the dialects spoken are very familiar, being that there are people who come from this island, residing in Sabah. In fact, I can walk the street although I don't talk the talk. Jokes, aside, it is a beautiful place to visit and my two weeks there a few years ago was very enjoyable. I hope to go back there again one day and enjoy the mango. Tons of them there, I can assure you..YUM!!

To share with you: Cebu is the main centre of commerce, trade, education, and industry in the central and southern islands of the Visayas. It has five-star hotels, casinos, white sand beaches, world-class golf courses, convention centres, and various shopping malls.

For sightseers who wish to know the historical aspect of Cebu, the Casa Gorordo Museum is probably one of the best sites to visit, besides the famous Basilica Minore del Santo Niño.

The Casa Gorordo Museum is well preserved and has been maintained carefully through the years. The wood-and-stone house typical of Spanish era architecture in the Philippines was once called home by four generations of the Gorordo family.

This house was bought by the Ramon Aboitiz Foundation Inc in 1980 from the Gorordo family and opened as a museum in 1983.

The foundation hoped that the Casa Gorordo Museum will promote the conservation of cultural heritage and enhance public appreciation of local history.

The preservation of this house, its architectures and the artefacts contained within hoped to perpetuate local history, instil understanding on Cebuano ethnicity and inculcate consciousness on the need to preserve history.

Because of its historical and social significance, the house was declared as a National Landmark in 1991 by the National Historical Institute.

The preservation of this house enable the public and tourists to savour heritage, history, and culture through educational tours and other awareness-raising activities such as history lecture series, art exhibits showcasing Cebuano artists and poetry reading sessions.

After a walk around Casa Gorordo, a visit to the Magellan's Cross is just proper. It is a Christian cross planted by Portuguese and Spanish explorers as ordered by Ferdinand Magellan upon arriving in Cebu in the Philippines on April 21, 1521.

This cross is housed in a chapel next to the Basilica Minore del Santo Niño on Magallanes Street, just in front of the city hall of Cebu City.  

Tourists will usually be informed that the original cross is encased within the present cross found at the chapel’s centre.

This is to protect the original cross from being chipped away by souvenir hunters or by superstitious individuals who believed that the cross possesses miraculous power. Soldiers have been known to chip away a piece of the cross and wear it around their neck before going to battle.

Some people however believe that the original cross is lost and has been replaced by the Spaniards after they successfully colonized the Philippines. Magellan's Cross is a symbol of Cebu, and the chapel's image can be found in its city seal. It is also seen as the symbol of Roman Catholicism in the Philippines.

Move on and visit the Port San Pedro or Fuerza de San Pedro. This is a military defence structure, built by Spanish and indigenous Cebuano labourers under the command of Spanish conquistador, Miguel López de Legazpi and the Spanish Government in Cebu. It is located in the area now called Plaza Independence, in the Pier Area of Cebu City.

Actually this port can be akin to a large mansion and indeed it is believed to be the smallest, oldest triangular bastion fort in the country.

It was built in 1738 to repel raiders and then served as a stronghold for Filipino revolutionaries near the end of the 19th Century. It was the centre of the first Spanish settlement in the Philippines.

The fort is triangular in shape, with two sides facing the sea and the third side fronting the land. The two sides facing the sea were defended with artillery and the front with a strong palisade made of wood.  Fourteen cannons were mounted in their emplacements and most of them are still there, a memento of a bygone era.

The date of construction of the stone fort is uncertain, although there are claims that a Jesuit Antonio Campioni built a stone fort in 1630, and the gate of fort bears the date 1738 together with the arms of Castille and Leon.

According to records, Fort San Pedro became a part of the American Warwick Barracks, a military garrison established in 1899 by American military authorities. It was abandoned in 1917 and from 1937 to 1941 the barracks was converted into a school where many Cebuanos received their formal education.

During World War II from 1942 to 1945, Japanese residents of the City took refuge within the walls. When the battle for liberation was fought, the fort served as an emergency hospital for the wounded.

From 1946 to 1950, Fort San Pedro was an army camp. After 1950, the Cebu Garden Club took over and fixed the inner part and converted it into a miniature garden.

And today, it is a National Shrine but still a garden, playing hosts to photographers and their models, strolling singers with their guitars and curious visitors.

Visiting these historical sites should be made compulsory for those who visit Cebu. For with it we will get a glimpse of the people’s colourful history. In some ways, we get to know the people too, through these visits.

Sabah's sights and sites: Pictorial.

Sites and Sights of Sabah Malaysian Borneo.

Maranjak Homestay: Matunggong: 

Tip of Borneo: Simpang Mengayau: Kudat.

Mist from the Mountain: Keningau-Kimanis Road.

Sabah, Land Below the Wind V:Food

There are many types of dishes and food of the indigenous people of Sabah that are unique to this region.  

 The Nonsom Bambangan/Binudu: pickled Bambangan fruit: one of the Kadazandusun's signature dishes.

 The Pinasakan/Pinarasakan Sada'/boiled fish with sour dried fruits/asam keping.

The Ginuring Lindung/fried eel.

Sabah Land Below the Wind IV

A walk on the wild side
By AV Latinggam

Walking or driving around in Sabah, the Land of the Sacred Mountain brings many pleasant surprises and constant discovery for visitors. I like the driving part. We once drove from Kota Belud to Ranau and then to Sandakan, and I loved every moment of it. 

I especially liked the gigantic trees along meandering roads, intermittently dotted with villages surrounded by small patches of tapioca, yams and sweet potato gardens under shades of various types of fruit trees and flowers fringe are quaint sights. They never fail to enchant me. I used to gush 'its like going home!' 

Kampung Bambangan Inanam in the 1950's and 60's was like that, I recall...sadly.

Anyway, a drive towards Kiulu in Tuaran is such a place where you will be able to see sights of local villages in its quaint settings. These settlements seem to be part of the greeneries and forests. Of course there are big ultra modern houses there too, but the more traditional settings are more interesting.

The destination in this area should be the Kiulu White Water Rafting, at Kg Pukak, which is recommended for those who want a moderately adventurous and relaxing trip.

Slow walks with many pauses should be the order of the day when visiting the Kinabalu Parks, in Kundasang, one and a half hour drive from Tamparuli.

This beautiful piece of botanical paradise covers an area of 754 square kilometres and encompasses Mount Kinabalu.

There are several trails at this park that are recommended for those admire the diversity of nature. Morning walks are commendable as this is when the invigorating air is crisp and clear. Early birds and nocturnal animals hurrying home are a wonder to behold. And then the treat of looking at the peak of Kinabalu slowly being lighted by the morning sun is of course a definite plus.

Drive on a bit and you will come to Kg Nalapak, Ranau where the Sabah Tea Garden is. This is where your Sabah Tea comes from.

Anyway, its beautiful surroundings are an experience for walkers. With its beautiful backdrop, Mount Kinabalu, walking along the trails available there is just an experience not easily forgotten.

Walking on the trail towards the peak of Kamunsu Hill is a good experience as the jungle is pristine. The trail is also used in the Sabah Tea Adventure Race, a few years ago.

The Sapaon Recreational area is also a nice place to visit. A slow walk towards the river from this spot is also enjoyable of course.

The Sabah Tea Garden offers a getaway from the hustle and bustle of city life, while allowing one to see how tea is processed.

And then, of course there is Mesilau, Kundasang. This is a beautiful spot to walk around and enjoy the flora and fauna. Walk along the stream there and look at the plants there.   About 2 kilometres from Kinabalu Park; it is home to pitcher plants and wild orchids and various types of ferns.

The Mesilau Trail, alternative to the Summit Trail, should be enjoyed as this is where nature at its best can be seen and felt. You don’t have to go all the way up if you can’t, for even the few hundred yards towards the summit trail can be invigoratingly intense.

However, if you are not too familiar with the terrain, a guide is recommended.

 Before you leave Kundasang, walk around the Kundasang War Memorial. This site was established in 1962 and has undergone a few face-lifts since then. It commemorates the Australian and British Prisoners of War who died in Sandakan and during the infamous death marches to Ranau during World War II. The memorial also remembers the people of North Borneo who risked their lives to help the POWs.

There is a beautiful garden there and a pool. They call it the Contemplation Garden and Pool, an apt name for a sombre place where one can think of the atrocities of war and the pledge to have no more war.

From this area, drive towards Kota Kinabalu and go through a road towards Kota Belud District, the hometown of the Bajau ‘cowboys’ whose claim to fame is in their rearing and handling of horses.

The drive towards the township is very interesting where the road cut through forested hills and hillocks, with quaint villages and bubbling streams rushing by.

The atmosphere is peaceful and tranquil, the villages along the road, thrive as they always have since long time past. 

The quaint and lively little town of Kota Belud is very interesting if a bit clustered. there is a tamu held there weekly and some people go to this town for the tamu.

The best feature there however will always be nature, the river and the people.

From Kota Belud, you can return to Kota Kinabalu passing by Tuaran, Telipok, Menggatal and Inanam along the way. Or you can go from Kota Belud, to Kundasang, to Ranau and then to Sandakan. Coming back you can go from Sandakan to Tambunan and then Keningau and then back through the Crocker Range, to Kimanis Papar and then back to Kota Kinabalu. No contest for the wild side there!

Whatever decisions you make...just enjoy!!

Sun, Sea and Sand: Sabah Borneo III

Of Visitors and Kings
By AV Latinggam

The ship, iron grey in the horizon floated on the blue sea, silhouetted against the islands off Kota Kinabalu, Sabah. It had moved into the Malaysian waters on Saturday Sept 30, 2012. As it docked, invited guests comprising local dignitaries went on board, and were hosted by its officers. 

Its sailors actually flooded the city of Kota Kinabalu later; where young men and women wandered around shopping and getting something to eat. Interestingly, they seem to go in groups, mostly frequenting mobile telephone shops and International Fast Food outlets.

I was one of the visitors fortunate enough, well, if it could be called that, to be invited on board that floating hugeness, the nuclear powered Aircraft Carrier, named USS John C Stennis.  As I neared the carrier, its impressive size made me slightly nervous which did not dissipate with the smiles of the officers on board. In some ways the hugeness and the grey-ness of the carrier was a bit intimidating. In another way it was awesome. At the back of my mind a voice said "Behold the Might of Man..." Well.  

The gigantic carrier, with its broody grey countenance , was a show of the United States of America (USA) might in this part of the world; with its fleet of some 70 aircraft on board, including helicopters called MH-60R Seahawks and MH-60S Knighthawk as well as it F/A-18F Super Hornet, F/A-18C Hornet and C-2A Greyhound fighter plane. There is also the EA-6B Prowler and the E-2C Hawkeye.

The carrier at 1092 feet in length and 257 feet in width by 244 feet in height has a flight deck of four and a half acre, all studded with hooks for the plane to park, ensuring that they did not move and cause damage.

They can cause a lot of damage to enemies though as stated in a welcoming pamphlet ‘In Operation Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom, carrier-based air wings have flown strike and other missions against Taliban and Al-Qaeda terrorist forces in Afghanistan and targets associated with and including the overthrow of Saddam Hussein’s regime in Iraq.’  It went on to expound that the US aircraft carriers

During the media tour, Lieutenant Michael Smith Assistant Public Affairs Officer on the carrier relates that their 29 days voyage at sea from the carrier’s home port Bremerton, Washington has been a smooth one even when they passed over rough sea due to the on-going typhoon over South East Asia towards the northern islands of Japan and Korea.

“Because it is so big, we can’t really feel it,” he said adding that it was made for durability and strength.

The carrier can travel to more than 30 knots an hour or approximately 30 nautical miles an hour, and boasts two nuclear reactors allowing it to steam for more than one million miles before refuelling.

The John C. Stennis being the seventh Nimitz-class nuclear-powered super carrier in the United States Navy, was named for Senator John C. Stennis of Mississippi and commissioned in 1994, he shared.

According to record, Stennis was a US senator who served with eight presidents beginning with Harry Trumen in 1947 and ending with Ronald Reagan in 1988.  As Chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee from 1969 to 1980, he supported a string US Military.

Speaking of nuclear powered aircraft carriers in 1979, he was quoted as saying, “ It carries everything and goes full strength and is ready to fight or go into action within minutes after it arrives at its destination there is nothing that compares with it when it comes to deterrence.”

Indeed.

With the 5500 people on board comprising of deck sailors aged averaged at 21 and sailors with an average age of 26, their officers and other supports, they did and do indeed show the might of the American Navy.

On their visit here to Sabah Malaysian Borneo Smith said it was a show of solidarity and camaraderie with Malaysia, honouring their strong ties.

On whether they would pass through Spratley Islands, and towards Senkaku Island fought over by Japan and China, Smith said he was not privy to that information, but shared that they were moving towards the Middle East.

On a lighter note, it was learned that the carrier had some glamorous encounters of its own. In   2009, it was seen as a background for the science fiction movie Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen.

In 2002's movie ‘The Sum of all Fears’ she was crippled by Russian bombers equipped with anti-ship missiles. “In Revenge of the Fallen’, the Stennis was also featured and in 2011 in the game “Homefront’ it also feature half sunk just outside of Modesto, California.

 On Board the USS Stennis: 02.10.2012. Canon EOS350