In Sabah Borneo

While in Sabah Borneo
By AV Latinggam

Welcome to Sabah Land below the Wind, Land of the Sacred Mountain where smiles are freely given and friends are found everywhere.

To most people in this part of the world these greetings may sound clichéd but they depict the State’s identity as you will see once you arrive.

The Sacred Mountain mentioned earlier is Mount Kinabalu sited within Kinabalu National Park, a World Heritage Site.

Mount Kinabalu, the Sacred Mountain

Kinabalu is the highest peak in Borneo's Crocker Range and is the highest mountain in the Malay Archipelago standing at 13,435 feet above sea level.

The mountain is a favourite site for mountain climbers:  It evokes the classical “I come I see I conquer’ syndrome in a good way.   

The fact that it is the site for the famous annual International Mountain Race Mount Kinabalu Climbathon, makes it more irresistible.

As to why it is dubbed the Sacred Mountain, well, the indigenous people of Sabah notably the Kadazandusuns believe that the mountain top is a portal to the netherworld and that their souls will pass through it when they die. There are various legends attached to this belief actually.

From the Mountain high to River deep…recommended adventures: if you are the adventurous type go for the White Water Rafting at Kiulu Tamparuli for a gentle rush and Padas River for beyond this.

The hilly area of Kiulu is within the Tamparuli district where the famous hanging bridge is. This hanging bridge called Jambatan Tamparuli have been immortalise in local songs.

Kiulu White Water Rafting can be held on a day trip as it is just 45 minutes’ drive away from Kota Kinabalu. The drive to this region is quite scenic and merit bringing a good camera.

White Water rafting in Kiulu is actually an experience where everybody can enjoy including children. The Kiulu River is graded as Class I / II River deeming it an easy and enjoyable water rafting experience instead of extreme sports.

To feel the water splashing one’s face, the rush and rhythm of the water as it pushes one on the river along the lush green terrain, where intermittent houses peek can be an interesting almost surreal experience.  Watching the scenes rush by while trying to control the boat can be fascinating.

One can actually enjoy a long ride of rough and spill as the trip downstream covers up to 15km of the Kiulu River. It is believed that this is the longest white water rafting trip in Sabah and it takes about one to two hours to rush down to the end point.

There are of course other rafting areas other than Kiulu in Sabah. The other one is the Padas White Water Rafting which is a grade II/IV. This means that it offers you an adrenaline rush like you never imagined, as you traverse down rushing and roaring water that seem hell-bent on crashing you on the rocks.

The scene here is totally different from Kiulu, in that one has very little time to admire the scenery, although it is beautiful in its own starkness. The water waves that crash on the rocks are about five feet high and hurriedly rush you down the river so it will not allow you to stand and stare.

This route which is nine kilometres features thrilling but hard rapids so it is an extreme sports type of adventure. As such it is recommended for those who are brave of heart and ready for an experience of a lifetime, which could include a few mouthful of the rather muddy water!!

To get there one has to travel for one and a half hour from Beaufort Town and then another one and a half hour by train to Padas River.

Now from the river to the jungle so they say: The Sepilok Orang Utan Rehabilitation Centre in Sandakan may well be the next destination as it is not so wild as to be bewildering to the uninitiated. 

HEL’s first visit there was an experience for him, but not overwhelmingly so. Or so he says.

This centre is sited about 227 kilometres from Kota Kinabalu and as such an overnight stay is recommended.

Getting there is of course a scenic adventure through the heartland of Sabah, where you see little hamlets along the way as well as not so little villages and township.

The sights of Sepilok are hauntingly beautiful with tall trees looming over the buildings that house the ticketing and information centre. The resorts build around the area seem to fit into the background totally and almost seemed to huddle together in humble reverence to their ancient host, nature.

Fanciful imaginings aside, the centre set up in 1964 to rehabilitate orphaned baby orang utan is set in the lush 4,300-hectare Kabili-Sepilok Forest Reserve.

Administrated by the Wildlife Department of Sabah, it allows visitors an opportunity to watch the Orang utan, roughly translated ‘jungle people’ up close in their natural habitat. Visits are encouraged during feeding times twice a day at 10am and 3pm where you stand on a platform and watch as the Orang Utan meander out of the forest and look at what the Forest Rangers have brought for them.

It’s usually milk and bananas of course and they have to contend with long-tailed macaques to get that fare but they usually get the bulk of it seeing as it’s meant for them.

They usually swing by casually for their breakfast or late lunch, but at times they crash by almost as if they want to show off their rope-swinging skills. They are followed by the smaller monkeys who want to have a share of the fare.

These apes are quite shy and gentle but like other primates there are the naughty ones who may just flit by and grab your hat, your bag, your camera or anything else you are holding.

Don’t panic or try to grab the items back from them, wrestling them down is not a good idea, just holler at the Ranger to get the items back. 

Many more places to see, and things to experience….While here, Enjoy!!