Mari mari cultural Villages, Sabah

The village is located about 25 minutes away from the city. The journey will take you to long roads surrounded by a rich spectrum of greenery and overarched by wild blue skies. In the village, the colors of cultural diversity are not an issue but rather our pride, where you can savor the soul of Sabah.

Upon arrival at the entrance of the village, you will be ushered to the warmth of different homes of the ethnicities of Sabah. Each home was built by descendants of the tribes they represent and offer you a truly genuine experience seeing everything in and around the village lends to its magical prowess of taking you back in time. Not only does this village portray these tribes through the architectural genius of their traditional houses, but also through a range of simulated lives of the olden epoch by the residents of the village. Acquaint yourself with each tribe as they let you come into their house and their simple yet intricate lives.

As you traverse the village, you will find demonstration huts along the main houses in which daily activities of old times come into life. For example, the making of blowpipe, starting a fire (from Polod tree you will learn the steps of making fire without the help of a lighter), tattoo-making (and its symbolisms) and etc.

Tasik Chini, Pahang

Beautiful Tasik Chini. Such strong will to survive the ravishes of humans. It's been several years since our last visit to Chini lake, and she is still as beautiful as when we first laid our eyes on her in 1996. She is a little sicker. Everywhere, we see life clinging on to a fine line of survive or perish. The old fig trees in which the jungle birds and animals feed off fruits are around but fewer. Palm oil plantations encroaching into the area, illegal logging, introduction of alien destructive plants like the 'ekor kuching' and that damned dam - they're all tightening the noose round her neck.. and the authorities are not heeding to it's melancholic call.

Tasik Chini, the country's second-largest freshwater lake, is contaminated with high levels of e-coli, the bacteria that may have caused rash and diarrhoea among the orang asli living near it.

The state government had warned the 400 villagers, including 100 children aged six and under, not to drink water from the lake and wells but they do nothing to improve the situation... The orang Jakun (indigenous tribe who lives around and on the lake) believes that the lake is slowly suffocating and the spirits of the lake and the jungle fringing her are upset with the state of the lake. As it is, the lake people have been complaining of poor fish harvests recently and that the stagnant lake water is giving them much worry that soon the juvenile fish stock will die off and the river fishes will no longer return to the lake for spawning. There is only one way to resolve this and it is to do away with the dam.

The orang Jakun are still keeping their chins up on the matter in hope that the situation will be reversed. They believe that the problem is rectifiable and if things happen soon, the lake can be saved and their livelihood restored. With the restoration of the lake will also come the restoration of their folklore and their tales of the good old days where water was so clear and clean one could drink straight from the lake! That would be nice....

Lake Chini Resort is a favourite haunt for fishing enthusiasts and at times, corporate team building trips. But this Resort is not for the fainthearted... just be sure to bring a pair of rubber slippers, a bottle of dettol or bleach, your own toilet roll and towels, and lower your expectations.

But once out on the lake and into the narrow sungai or river chini, life becomes clear..this is it...this is worth the trip ... just to be at one with the lake..Birds can be heard all round..deep behind the veil of vines and foliage, melodious singing lures strangers like sirens of the mermaid.

Let's hope that due to the insensitivities or perhaps greed of a few, this gift of life is not taken away from us..

Teluk Chempedak Beach

If there is a vote on which beach is more popular on the East Coast of Malaysia, Teluk Chempedak will definitely rank head-to-head with the well-known Pantai Cherating. Affectionately known simply as "T.C." by the locals, Teluk Chempedak is the closest beach attraction for the city of half-a-million dwellers. Hence, it is not uncommon to see the beach is filled with evening strollers, kite flyers, windsurfers and even swimmers.

Teluk Chempedak can be considered to be very fashionable. To me, the beach itself is rather average, with run-of-the-mill beach sands and somewhat murky waters. Yet, the beach hosts quite a number of eating joints and night clubs that are well patronised by locals and outsiders alike. Taking on the prime spot is a McDonald's outlet which has recently been renovated to feature bigger dining areas and fresh al fresco design in a brightly painted building. Right before the entrance to Hyatt Regency Resort is another popular outlet called Palm Beach Bistro housed in a fancy thatched-roof café fronting the beautiful beach. Further from the beach are a number of eateries and night clubs housed in a row of old shophouses that have been tastefully renovated.

During my visit to Teluk Chempedak after a one-day conference at Hyatt Regency Resort, I found the beach to be relatively quiet on a weekday. I noticed that there were plenty of open spaces on the beach with serene view of the South China Sea. Every few seconds, one stroller would pass along on the nicely-landscaped footpath. Tranquility was the order of the day.

Oh yes, the beach is also known for the common long-tailed macaques that inhabit the area. Sadly, they seemed to be more interested in scouring the trash bins that can be found aplenty on the beach. I do hope they do not rely so much on leftover food thrown away by the beach patrons. The long-tailed macaques were rather harmless and a number of visitors were seen trying to get photographs of these adorable creatures.

Berkelah Waterfall

This Waterfall or waterfalls were admired by the many who had seen them. Very natural settings and beautifully carved out falls. As it is located in a sparsely populated locality, it is difficult to identify any landmark for those who have not being there to make entry to the waterfall area.

the overall distance to the fall as 700 meters, but takes a good 30 minutes walk, cement path and laterite trail.

Caution: There are rumors about this place being "uncleaned" Many reports of visitors getting lost. For us, there are reasons and over confident is the main one. Open country gives the impression that it is easier to spot distant landmarks. No- it is also make recognizing immediate tracking signs more confusing. 2 places are misleading, the dry river bed above and trekking by the river bank.

At the end of the short hike is the first campsite in the woods and also the magnificent looking fall No. 1. Watch out for the 'model' in all pictures. This is to provide a better impression on the relative size of falls. This twin falls is about 30 meters tall

All the waterfalls here have one distinctive feature, they have pool at the base, ranging from fair size to large. Very deep and dark blue in color. Without land clearing [just starting] the water is perpetually clear. The stony geology with sharp drops forces the strong water power from floods to dig deep. The effects of the vertical forces from sudden down pour do not work on the edges to widen but deepens the pool area.

This 1st waterfall above is preceded by 2 gorgeous looking 'baby' falls, some 25 meters above.

Now we continue with more waterfalls and their appearances. If you think that the 1st waterfall is large and majestic, wait till you see those further up! The tallest falls being the 3rd and the last - 4th fall. 2nd fall is splitted into a twin fall. Here is a glimpse of the left half . This a 35 meters drop The right flank is hidden from view.

The whole hill is actually one huge granite block Waterfall No.1 shown earlier is where the river finally reaches level ground. Higher up into the hills, the river cut through the 'stone' hill.

This fall No. 3a. on the left. The drop is only 6 meters tall but look at the size of the pool!

Last but not least, after 90 minutes of slow and cautious trekking by the steep banks, the grand finale.

Innermost Berkelah waterfall

Behold that breathtaking sight of the 150 meters tall drop. One of the tallest, dramatic and seen by only the few strong willed trekkers.

Up above 1st Waterfall

While the banks are near vertical, it is fairly easy and safe to slowly ascend the first fall. The view from the top is quite dramatic.

There are safe campsites along that few kilometers stretch of unspoilt natural wonderland. Safe from rising water in the night and on dry land away from the banks.

KEEP THE PLACE CLEAN

Poring hot Spring

Poring is a small tourist resort in Sabah, Malaysia. Located 40 km south-east of the Kinabalu National Park Headquarters, in the district of Ranau, Poring is situated in lowland rainforest, contrasting with the montane and submontane rainforest of Kinabalu National Park. The name Poring comes from a Kadazandusun word for a bamboo species found in the area.
Poring is known for its hot springs and the popular recreation and tourist complex is known as Poring Hot Springs. The springs are known for their therapeutic properties and the waters with their sulphuric minerals are reputed to ease aching muscles. The baths are favoured by returned climbers of Mount Kinabalu.

Bukit Gambang

Bukit Gambang Water Park offers non-stop fun and excitement in an area spanning across 60 acres! Among the unique and fascinating attractions available include a man-made 20-acre lake with breathtaking views and also suitable for a wide variety of fun water sports. Check out the 25,000 sq ft wave pool that will surely offer a whale of a time! You wouldn’t want to miss the family river raft rides and the amazing 6 Lane Racer slides with a timing scoreboard. Every adult ride in the park comes with its own kid-sized replica. Not only can children enjoy getting wet in rides created with them in mind, the plentiful children-only additions may make even adults wish they were young again. With the Children Fantasy Island (“Penguin Island”), Special Kidz Zone, The Adventure Typhoon River as well as a 1 kilometer long man-made sandy beach, never-ending fun and merriment awaits for the young and the young-at-heart!