I lost him ;But I Found Tranquility -KABULONGOU- Part 1

For some close friends who have been following what i was up to... it has been a jagged period for me during the past few months. No, not the jungle trail and the rocky stream, but the tired soul and turning point in life that i have to deal with.. Closing another chapter and opening a new chapter again...Anyway, i replace this lost by trying to find my tranquility.Physically i am so strong that i want to fight with the wild boar if i see any in the interior of the jungle while doing my fam trip assignment. I was so ready, that i felt there is nothing else i can do but to release my anger to the wild. Indeed, i found KABULONGOU... yes KA- BU- LO- NGOU, the hidden waterfall seems conveying his message to me. So, here i was inspired to write about this hidden waterfall...

To make it short, this hidden waterfall is located far deep inside Kg. Saliku, Nabawan. More details of Nabawan HERE. We drove on a muddy and slippery road for about 30 minutes, and our boat were laying behind the truck .. further with almost 20 minutes raft to the trail starting point.

Murutian are famous with their boat making skills, what more handling their boat with passion and care, it seems, the boat is more significant then their life..Well, pictures speaks a thousand words.. here are some photos i took during my expedition with the Murutian.

Carrying the boat down to the stream using their buffalo strength has already triggered my concern. Look at the rocky path and the slippery stone.. i was just wondering if this raft is going to work!

And then, they asked me to sit in the boat and they said

" Jaga-jaga Kau, duduk tengah -tengah yia" which interprets to

" Becareful OK, and sit in the middle"

WHAT?? Does that mean they are not coming in with me??!

and yes, they will be out side in the rapid maneuvering the boat ..!

This is the kind of raft that is absolutely strange to me, it wasn't the one at PADAS RIVER which i use to raft together with my team mates before !

Below: This is Rezon- to him this rapid is just a water splash, ensuring my camera did not get wet is his priority, even though i told him my camera is waterproof, yet he still insist in making his job well done.

This two musketeers are Pailin and Johanis, they are playful and keep teasing me on boat capsized incident.. instead of worrying and listening to their boat captain,they seems enjoying the water more then anyone else.

And yes, these are the two commanders, Uncle Lapan and Amilik. Everyone listen to them so the boat don't collide to the stone around the rapid.

Challenges ahead.....

And splash ! and paddle and splash and paddle (only with a small wooden paddler)

I was just shouting and closing my eyes.. when i see this big stone ahead of our boat.. and i can only hear Uncle Amilik shouted " Pasioki ! Pasioki ! " in Murut language which literally means

" Hurry! Hurry!"

Finally, we made it... and across the point is the starting trail to the hidden water fall...

So, this is where it begins...

A journey to Tranquility......

I end here for my dinner break .... be back for Part II

Her First Attempt in Sabah... Asia indeed

Today, i finally told her... " You need a to live life Sabahan, eat like a Sabahan and behave like one either ; stop being homesick! and yes i m going to bring you out tonight !"

So there goes the story of a new girl i met from The Hague, Natherlands, Yes she is Mounia, some of you may have met her..... i am gossiping here. No, i am not a back poker ... but i am really concern.

When someone comes to Sabah and feel homesick ! That means this girl haven't seen the real Sabahan yet.. ( if you agree with me.. please click like :)... anyway you can. LOL)

So Mounia is a mix Moroccan/Dutch girl i met lately, reckon she chose Sabah as her internship destination, i suppose she is some one who loves sun, sea and beach, as well as rain forest jungle like Sabah. Well, i was wrong.

Nonetheless in any circumstances, i am planning to slowly letting her exploring Sabah, getting to know and falling in love, as much as i am concerned.. the thrill is.... no turning back and stay put and move ahead !

So here is my plan for her:

1) Sun, sea and beach

2) Jungle and wildlife

3) people and culture/indigenous and livelihood

4) Local community service/study on socio economic of Sabah

5) Night life and Pub

6) Romance and Love

7) Sports and Out door adventure

( Tell me if i miss out something ...)

So i started bringing her to STARBUCKS... yeah .. a globally well known luxurious coffee, and yes she loves it .... :), So i told her, life is all about Eat,Play,Laugh ( instead of Eat, Pray, Love), you have to experience what a local coffee is, and what a local livelihood should be without luxury,

And of course, she met Baby too! my best buddy!

During our trip last week, a community capacity development project in Kudat, gave Mounia and eye opener to the beauty of Sabah. With the abundance of natural resources and the beauty of handmade handicrafts by our local community, i can sense that she is starting to appreciate what Sabah really is, this is where the tribal and origins of natural resources came....

and look at her here, amazed by the handmade handicraft made

by the local woman, and i wasn't sure how much she end up contributing :)

Being part of the community project officer, she has to experience not just the beauty of Sabah but also the culture and origins of livelihood in the local community, where even hygene is an issue concerned to her..

Well, no matter how much challenge and homesick she is, and no matter how occupied i am with work and chores, i am making my way to make her stay, and not to return home and give up on her internship, and making my mission accomplished, to make another person feel home even though they are thousands miles away from home..

Stay Put Mounia..

Up close and Personal With The Native Wildlife-Lokawi Wildlife Zoo

I am personally a domestic animal lover as well as a puppy obedient trainer, but as i visited the Lokawi Wildlife Zoo, i give an absolute salute to the wildlife animal obedient trainer on their skills, patience and technique on training Wildlife animals here. Visiting the zoo has already impress me, however, watching the wildlife Obedient Show is my highlight in this Blog today !

A little About Lokawi Wildlife Zoo

Now, for those who do not know where exactly this zoo is located. It is just 15kms south west of Sabah's capital. On the way to Papar, by pass Kinarut. This wildlife park is approximately 280 acres and it is developed with the purpose of educating and fostering the awareness of conservation. This wildlife park is some what different then what you see from other zoo, they have a very big and ample space for the animals to being their natural conditions as much as possible.

I want to highlight the best part of my visitation to Lokawi Wildlife. Instead of explaining to you each animals characteristics, ( which i think you will be able to get the best interpretation from the guide there), I want to share with you the intelligent animals that have perform their best during our visitation here!

Mr Orang Utan ( Bobby) made a grand entrance swing via the hemp string from one to another. Stylo and macho he is.. landing nicely under the hand of his loving trainer.

The he had a serious negotiation with his trainer on whether he is in a mood to perform and does his skills for the day. Negotiation only success when bribery needs to be done.. Bobby wants his treats !

Then he start performing his skills ... first by rolling the little carrot from one end to the other... and thats not the end.. he needs to compete his speed with Evita, a little visitor whom are excited to compete with her !

Besides competing speed, Bobby has to compete his strenght as well with the strongest man among the audiences. Peeling a coconut husk! Ha.. and you will be amaze by how easy it is for him.

Last, Bobby shows his intellectual talent in showing his artistic skills.. he actually painted a rainbow!

Next .....

An intelligent Blue Napped Parrot

Started his appearance with raising a Malaysian flag. And that already received a loud applause from the audience.. adding on with his mathematic skill.. we are amaze and clapping none stop for this steady parrot !

He was given a mathematic question.. 6 + 9 =? and he has to pick the numbers from the little signboard and can you see how proud the handler was on her result... 15! on the signboard.. of course this is through practise again and again.. and many many "kuaci" treats for Mr parrot.

Other then just this 2 exciting show, there are also simply scary wildlife reptiles like Phyton that was hiding at the audiences seat

Kids will have the chance to hold, touch and even feel a python around them.

Other animal such as otters, Borneo Pygmy Elephant and even Proboscis monkey whom were the endemic of Borneo also can be seen here.

If 3 days 2 night tour is far way too long for you. This is the perfect place to view various species of animals in just one day. Perhaps a trip from 10- 4pm is the perfect timing. There is a simple canteen the serves some instant snack and noodles.

Kids will definitely enjoy seeing the animals activities, feeding time as well as the performance that ends the day with excitement !

Life with the Murutian ( The Jungle Hunters)

This has been a long planned trip... Together with a very old friend cum ex boss of mine.. Datuk Richard Gunting ( A Murutian Warrior ), I finally made a point to visit his village in Kg. Saliku - Sapulut.

Sapulut is located at the interior of Sabah, about 133 KM away from Kota Kinabalu City, taking us about 4 hours to arrive. In between, one pit stop at Keningau to have our main shopping for groceries and food.

We were welcomed by bundle of village kids, lunch were already prepared and at my surprise Bruce ( A canadian nature lover) was already there waiting for us ..... and this is how the Murutian life begins....

I was observing the white board and this is what i found,

Children trying to introduce themselves to Bruce through drawing. Even one boy draw himself hunting a wild boar.. thats their

life hood.

And at the back of the house, the men are delegating their fruitful hunting result of the day. Separating them among families and its gonna be their meals

for the rest of the week.

Bruce, the villagers favorite teacher was enjoying learning his rhythmic gong with the guys while the kids ( below) were following my footsteps on their dance. For them this is life, and love.

"The Murut are mainly found in Keningau, Tenom, Pensiangan and minority in Kalabakan and kinabatangan. Traditionally they live in the long houses with a unique feature; the lansaran; an indegenous trampoline; the Murut villages are built along the river, they are expert boatmakers and animal hunters. In the ancient days, head hunting was part of their initiation rites. a young man could get married when he had vanquished his first enemy."

Sources from Sabah Travel Guide.com

However nowadays with the rural development projects, logging activities as well as tourism industry bunging into the interior side of Sabah, some of the ancient activities has disolve due to the economy changes.

For them, a daily boat ride along the rapid shoot is a lively hood of a Murutian. Bringing you with their handmade boat is something they are so proud of and their sincerity came from the wisdom and wrinkles along the solid muscle yet skinny body.

A young guy like Dejohn is never an exceptional in maneuvering the boat. The young one are always battling around the boat while the old one will give commands so they know what to do in putting the boat to a correct position.

This is the Murutian Life.. a totally different experience with them in Sapulot. They live like there is no tomorrow, they work as hard as they love their families...

EAT , PRAY , LOVE.... motto of life...

How Beautiful ....

How Beautiful to receive such email of people around the world, sending you emails of their interest in coming to "THE LOST WORLD".

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Anton Rijven to me

show details 12/23/10

Images are not displayed.
Display images below - Always display images from xxxxxxx@gmail.com

Hello Melissa,

Thank you for your email

&

your nice Season Greetings...

We did not forget about you

your animal love

&

your petshop

in KK...

We googled Meliau Basin

and found out

its a beautiful lost world

totally unspoiled nature

with huge waterfalls

and maybe a good reason

for a future visit..

Thank you very much !

So how is life over there?

(and on Bali ?)

We are doing fine here and

allready packed for

a small 15 day- holiday in

Thailand,

leaving tomorrow.

But before we leave we like to send you

our Christmas Greetings and Best Wishes for 2011.

Who knows...

one day our roads will cross again..

until then

take good care...

Huggzzz... XXX

These not so INDIGENOUS People i met

Why do i have to specify a blog and talk about the people i met in my trip to Tawau..This is simply because i do not want to brag about the melting pot of Sabah community, but somehow the interesting details character they have has triggered my interest to study the origins of their community..

Name : Carynn Joshua Tanduba

Race :Sino Kadazan ( mix parentage of Chinese Kadazan)

Origin : Penampang Kota Kinabalu

Carynn is currently running an outdoor expedition Company that specializes in Jungle Trekking, Outdoor Rock Climbing as well as any other adventurers sports in Sabah with her English Husband. Perfect Mandarin and English speaking with strong character, as you can see how hard she study ( when i couldn't be bothered but sleeping in my cocoon sleeping bag) ... even on our little bed, she can occupied her MAC notebook and bent her waist while doing her portfolio.

Below is me.. most of the time sleeping, enjoying the companion, and fresh air....

Its a challenge for not being lazy in such a refreshing environment.

and.. yes its me again.. monkey to be..

next......

Name : Grandus Verus

Race : Kadazan 70% Chinese 30% ( correct me Glen if i m wrong)

Origin: Inanam

This young boy basically is a very outspoken , spontaneous and absolutely straight forward guy. The genuinity in him can never makes you feel bored having a conversation with him. He has chinese Sharp features with tanned skin. With a tender beer belly that can never hide for a kadazan boy :)

KADAZAN- They are basically one of the largest ethnic in Northborneo. The Kadazan Dusuns form about 30% of the state population. However, with the mix marriage that been happening since long time ago.. the word "SINO" came in as a meaning of HALF HALF.. So dont be surprise when you ask any of the locals and they said "half-half" or "sino" and yet they look fair and they dont speak mandarin.

Name : Alim Biun

Race : Dusun

Origin : Ranau

Been serving for Sabah Park on conservation project for years and now venturing into lecturing and Specialize trail. Basically a very sincere and touch down man,

full of knowledge especially in birds, plants as well as wildlife observation. Specialist from around the world came and look for him, just for the specialized guide on nature trail from him.

Name : Theodore Dennis

Race : Dusun

Origin : Telupid

Very versatile and cheerful. Dusunic is very much in his character, as you can see in the photo below i shot, how he triggered the girls to drink "Tapai" , the local rice wine during our last day of camp.

DUSUN- is basically sharing the same language and culture with kadazans, mainly inhabitants

of flat valley deltas, which as conducive to paddy field farming. But this guy is smart, he is doing Tilapia fresh fish culturing just right behind his "kampung" h

ouse (village). I may have to visit him one day. The Dusun traditionally lived in hilly and mountainous regions of interior Sabah, they main activities were farming on vegetation as well as plugging wild plant to support their daily living.

Name : Rosyede and Halim

Race : Orang Sungai

Origins: Lower Kinabatangan, Sandakan

Community programme : Misowalai Homestay, koperasi Pela

ncongan

They are the Malays for the River people.. mainly running the HOMESTAY , WILDLIFE as well as the cruise along Kinabatangan River ( which is the longest river in sabah 560km) , this 2 boys were not here to teach but they are here solely for their license after been tour guiding in the jungle and its time to be OFFICIAL for them. They were

like the Live Encyclopedia, they describe most of the animals through their observation, they can act a behavior of a proboscis, they live in the jungle like their home.. However, never underestimate the willing to learn, determination and will power of theirs, my salute to them... A pair of "Kampung ADIDAS" if you know what i mean (real rubber shoes), can cross a jungle without obstacle.

Well, we also have Murut, Org Brunei, Taroja, as well as some very interesting Chinese girls that rule the group. You know Chinese always rules... :) further more they are hotty girls that really spiced up the 20 days course. If i have enough time i will describe each one of them. However the point here is, they are all ready as the State ambassador, speaks for the state and of course, brings the best of their knowledge on Sabah destination to you. Here we go.. the people of Sabah, Land Below the Wind.