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.
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| Mount Kinabalu, the Sacred Mountain |
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.
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!!
