Travelling Sabah

Rice Wine ( Lihing )

noreply@blogger.com (Charles Raymond) — Fri, 20 May 2011 01:54:00 +0000

Rice wine is an alcoholic beverage made from rice. Toomis and linutau are the main rice wine variants oftenly server in Kadazan populated areas when there is a social gathering such as wedding. So it is normal to see jars with a bamboo straw .. It is called sosopon, or siopon. You can feel the "kick" going to your head after a few drink. It's ok as long you don't drink more than you can.

How To Make Rice Wine by The Flying Dusun

Train Ride

noreply@blogger.com (Charles Raymond) — Thu, 19 May 2011 13:08:00 +0000

A Must Experience Trip

Sabah State Railway (SSR) is a railway system and operator in the state of Sabah in Malaysia. It is the currently the only rail transport system operating on the island of Borneo. The railway consists of a single 134 km line from Tanjung Aru, near Kota Kinabalu, to the town of Tenom, in the Interior Division. It was formerly known as North Borneo Railway

Main stations

Tanjung Aru
Putatan
Kinarut
Kawang
Papar
Bongawan
Membakut
Beaufort
Saliwangan
Halogilat
Rayoh
Pangi
Tenom

Tanjung Aru to Tenom

B- Departure

T-Arrival

Tenom To Tanjung Aru

Train Fare

Y - Economy
F - First Class
KM - Kilometer

Kadazandusun

noreply@blogger.com (Charles Raymond) — Thu, 19 May 2011 11:55:00 +0000

Few simple kadazandusun words

Morning - Osonong osuabon

Evening - osonong do sodopon

Night - osonong do totuong

Greetings to you - Kopivosian

What is your name? - Isai ngan nu?

Thank you - Kotohuadan

I love u - oupus zou diau/Guminavo zou diau

What's for dinner tonight? onu nansakan montok makan totuvong baino?

Where should we go to eat?- id nombo zito do moi akan?

How far is it to Inanam?- songkuo sinodu do mongoi inanam?

Do you know how to go to Inanam? (asking for directions)-koiho koh ingkuo mongoi doiho inanam?

Let's go for a drink! (alcohol)- kaino moi peginum

Is there going to be a birthday party for him/her?-kivaa nangku kalamazan
kinohodion montok disido?

Do you like this song?-anangan koh iziau diti hozou

Can you teach me to dance?-obuhi/obuli/miho koh do mangazal dogo do
sumazau?

Is that your friend? He looks tall/short.-tambahutnu iho?akavas/osiibo kozo
isido

Can you take me to the police station?-miho/obuhi koh do mogovit/papatod
dogo doid balai pulis?

Please teach me Kadazan when I get back.-ajalon zou no do kadazan songian
do kouhi zou

I don't like that person. -au zou anangan diho tuhun

I want to see a doctor, I'm sick.-moi zou jumpa dokutur, sumakit zou/au zou
ohidas

Don't be a busybody.- adaa katangkangau do vokon

What are you doing online?- onu mangan nu do online/mamain internet?

Don't play around so much.-adaa koindamai do mama-main

Different Ethnic Groups

noreply@blogger.com (Charles Raymond) — Thu, 19 May 2011 11:27:00 +0000

Kadazandusun live primarily on the west coast and in the interior region. Traditionally cultivators of rice, their ritual celebrations revolved around the rice cycle. These rituals, including the most important event of the year, the Harvest Festival or Pesta Ka'amatan, are presided over by priestesses, generally known as bobohizan. These women conduct complex rituals complete with lengthy chants in an archaic language, passed down by word of mouth over generations. Today, many Kadazandusun (like Sabah’s other ethnic groups), can be found in all walks of life as teachers, business people, doctors or office workers.

Rungus, whose home is the northwest of Sabah. Most indigenous groups are renowned for their skill in weaving baskets; the Rungus not only make some of the finest baskery in the state but also weave fabrics, do intricate beadwork and fashion metal gongs used in ceremonies. It is possible for visitors to taste the traditional longhouse life in Bavanggazo, a small settlement south of Kudat.

Bisaya, live on the Klias Peninsula south of Kota Kinabalu, and along the lower reaches of the Padas and Klias Rivers. The Bisaya are best known for harvesting the sago palms which grow in swampy ground; they fell the palms, rasp the pith of the trunk and extract the starch which was once eaten as a staple.

Murut, a collection of about 12 different sub-groups, live in the hilly southwestern region of Sabah. The are renowned as hunters and even today, it is rare to see a Murut on foot without several hunting dogs in tow. Once longhouse dwellers, most Murut have adopted modern housing, but they still retain one important element of the longhouse in the village Balai Raya ( community hall): the lansaran, an ingenious wooden trampoline that adds a very special touch to Murut celebrations.

Orang Sungei
Another group belonging to the same family is the Ida’an, who live along the east coast and converted to Islam as far back as the 15th century. In the past, both the Orang Sungei and the Ida’an practiced cave burials, and it is still possible to see the remains of wooden coffins and burial urns in some of the caves and rocky overhangs along Sabah's east coast, including in the Danum Valley region.

Ida'an have been harvesting valuable birds nests from the limestone caves between Semporna and Lahad Datu. Twice a year during the collecting season, the usually empty village at the mouth of a cave comes to life as collectors, owners of rights to harvest the nests, itinerant traders, cooks, families and family pets take up residence for six to eight weeks.

Bajau, originally from the Philippines, sailed across the Sulu Sea to settle along the coasts of Sabah. On the west, the Bajau of Kota Belud are famous for their colourful costumes, and their skills as horsemen. One can meet up with the Bajau on the weekly market, or tamu at Kota Belud, where they trade water buffaloes (essential for work in the irrigated paddy fields), cattle and horses. The Bajau's skill as riders has led to their nickname, Cowboys of the East. Another group of Bajau, who speak a different dialect, settled on Sabah’s east coast, especially around Semporna. These Bajau Laut or Sea Gypsies were persuaded to adopt a more sedentary lifestyle only recently. Traditionally, they live on the lipa-lipa boats and only come to the shore for water, fire wood and to bury their dead.

Budget accomodations

noreply@blogger.com (Charles Raymond) — Thu, 19 May 2011 01:51:00 +0000

Asia Adventure Lodge ☎ +60 13 8929995,Smaller hostel with a friendly family feel located right in the heart of town next to Internet cafe, banks, travel agents, supermarkets and nightlife, plus the colourful and deliciously diversified Sunday Market.

Borneo Adventure Center and Lodge ☎ +60 88 241515 Double, triple as well as backpackers dormitory beds. All rooms have fan, A/C at night and either a common or an ensuite shower room with hot water shower. Self service kitchen equipped with refrigerator, microwave oven, stove, toaster, coffee making facilities, CCTV security, electronic card access system, in-house laundry service, Cable TV at the lobby, wifi and Internet access.

Borneo Backpackers ☎ +60 88 234009 In central Kota Kinabalu. Clean bathroom, toilets, pantry area, internet, laundry, cosy lounge area, roof garden deck, 24 hr security, and a tour information counter. Friendly, helpful and knowledgeable local staff. A/C or fan rooms.

Borneo Gaya Lodge, Gaya St. ☎ +60 88 242477.Nearby to famous Sunday street-market in central of Kota Kinabalu. Spacious carpeted living area with LCD TV (AstroChannel), wifi, books and a small kitchen with refrigerator. No curfew and 24 hr security with CCTV and computerised door lock.

Globetrotters Lodge (Formerly New Horizon), ☎ +60 88272796,Small, opposite British Council, just off Gaya St, street market every Sun morning, lots of cheap restaurants, banks nearby.

Kinabalu Backpackers ☎ +60 88 253385, email. info@kinabalubackpackers.co,Centrally located in Australian Place, All rooms have A/C. Free breakfast, free coffee or tea all day and free wifi, airport pickup service.

X-plorer Backpackers, 1st Floor, 106/108, Jl. Gaya, ☎ +60 88 538780 fax: +60 88 538781), Near Gaya Sunday morning street market. Reservations can be made by phone, online or by SMS text message to mobile phone ☎ +60 128399328. Complimentary breakfast, free wifi, all rooms are A/C. Dormitories, private rooms, family rooms available. Some ensuite rooms with attached bathrooms were recently upgraded.

Klik Here! More Hotels in K.K for online booking ...

Arriving At Kota Kinabalu

noreply@blogger.com (Charles Raymond) — Thu, 19 May 2011 01:43:00 +0000

7km from KKIA lies the city centre and costs about RM20 per taxi. I don't think there's a shuttle service yet to the city.

Kota Kinabalu is the capital of the state of Sabah in Malaysia's portion of Borneo.

Bus service is the best to move around and visit the city although taxi are easily available. To get the best view of the city and feel it, one should walk around.

What's in store ...

A Garden Forest Nature Walk
Nature Reserve at the Shangri-la Rasi Ria is an hour long walk you can take with the resident horticulturist. He was very knowledgeable and explained various medicinal properties of some of the plant we were seeing.One plant is being studied for its benefits in healing HIV.

Sabah Museum ( Kota Kinabalu heritage village )
outdoors Heritage Village in the museum grounds where you can enter and experience different types of traditional houses of the various indigenous groups of Sabah. Cultural activities are held here from time to time.

The Green Connection

is an interactive experience where the exhibits bring the world of water and ocean science to life.

Kota Kinabalu Wetland Centre
sprawling mangrove forest with elevated wooden walkaways. Enjoy a rare opportunity to see species that are only found on wetland which are normally inaccessible.

Tunku Abdul Rahman Park
marine park with five different islands, each renowned for their fine sand, crystal like waters, and beautiful coral gardens.

The Waterfront
the city’s premier entertainment and dining centre. Locals and tourists alike have come to regard The Waterfront as the place to be for a casual fun night out with restaurants and cafes serving a wide range of local and international cuisine. Pubs, karaoke bars and a dance club with lively music set the mood for a memorable evening in the city.

Parasailing

Parasailing has become very popular in Kota Kinabalu. Parasailing is very safe here as operators are among the most experiences operators. Enjoy the majestic sea front view of the City as well as the Tunku Abdul Rahman Park. The parasailing boats with winch launching and retrieval system allow you to go up and back down into the boat without ever getting wet!. A must try ...

Kota Kinabalu Handicraft Market
Formerly known as "Pasar Filipino". Synonymous with pearls, local handicrafts, home decorations and lately crystals. Don't forget to bargain for good prices. The attendants here are very friendly and will always greet you with a warm smile. You can also find souvenirs such as keychains, t-shirts with Sabah themes, carved wooden statues, batiks and sarongs, rattan handicraft and floor mats, Islamic calligraphy and broaches. Some of the items are imported from Austria and others from neighbouring Asian countries such as the Philippines, Indonesia, Thailand and Korea, and there is little actual Sabah handicraft available, but it is a very colourful place that will stay in your memory as a 'souvenir' from Sabah.

Gaya Street Tamu
Kota Kinabalu's Sunday market with everything from Malaysian delicacies, ground coffee, t-shirts, handicrafts, hardware to anything in between at bargain prices. Held every Sunday morning, 6AM-1PM, along Jl. Gaya right in the heart of town.

Perdana Park Tanjung Aru

The magnificent Kota Kinabalu Musical water Fountain. Located just outside Terminal 2 Air Asia traffic light and you couldn't possible miss it because it is huge with jogging track and playground castle. Inside the park you can literary find everything that suits all age to play and exercise with.

Musical Fountain

Shopping
number of shopping malls, which attract many visitors. These include Kompleks Karamunsing, Centre Point, Wisma Merdeka, Warisan Square, Plaza Wawasan, Kompleks Asia City, City Mall, KK Plaza, and the largest hypermall in 1 Borneo. Newly constructed Malls in Kota Kinabalu includes Suria Shopping Mall which currently holds GSC Kota Kinabalu.

Kota Kinabalu's Nightlife Venues
Atmosphere Restaurant and Lounge is located on the 18th floor of the Sabah Foundation Building. Borneo’s highest restaurant and bar, and its only revolving restaurant, making one revolution every hour.

Razzmatazz bar slightly ot of town, but still just a short taxi ride past the Karamunsing Shopping Centre. It has a sprawling area downstairs, and another area upstairs.

Shenanigans located at street level below the Hyatt Hotel the legend lives on and it's still one of the popular venues in town.

Waterfronts C*ck N Bull you can drink a jug or your favourite spirit whilst chatting away inside or outside facing the seafront. They also have a pool table.

KK Times Square White Room continue the traditions bringing you the clubbing experience of BarSu, The after party venue of choice, White Room livens up when everywhere else dies down.

A Bit About Sabah

noreply@blogger.com (Charles Raymond) — Wed, 18 May 2011 13:50:00 +0000

Sabah Malaysia, well known as the Land Below The Wind and the Land Of The Sacred Mountain, is a land blessed with amazingly beautiful landscapes and natural wonders. You may wonder what this land of eco-treasures has to offer. Well, I assure you that Sabah has all the things you have in mind and much more!

Sabah, with its heterogeneous and culturally diverse population has more than 30 different ethnic races living together peacefully, harmoniously and at the same time preserving their own culture, traditions, festivals and customs.

It's a land rich in culture, with traditions and customs that have been passed down through generations. When you visit Sabah Malaysia, you would be overcome by a sense of awe from experiencing the depth of their culture, traditions and customs.

How To Get To Sabah ?

Traveling to Sabah is easy and convenient as Sabah enjoys good air-links with major cities in Asia-Pacific. Direct flights as well as transit flights via Bangkok, Brunei, Taipei, Kaoshiung, Manila, Seoul, Tokyo, Singapore, Hong Kong and Cebu offer frequent and easy access to Sabah, The Land Below The Wind.

There are currently 7 major airlines flying directly into Kota Kinabalu, the capital city of Sabah. They are:

Malaysia Airlines (MAS)
Air Asia
Royal Brunei Airline
Dragonair
Korean Air
Silk Air
Asiana Airlines

Once you reach the Kota Kinabalu International Airport, you can simply catch a taxi to get to your desired destination. The Taxis from the airport operate under a coupon system arranged with the Airport. All you have to do is to proceed to the designated counter and purchase a coupon. If you cannot find the counter, you can always ask the nairport staff for assistance. Once you have purchased your coupons, walk out to the taxi stand and simply hand the coupon to the taxi driver. He will drive you to your destination. Remember, you don't have to pay him anymore cash.

Visa

Although Sabah belongs to Malaysia, visitors from Malaysia have to pass immigration upon arrival. Most visitors from European countries, Asia, Australia, and the USA will probably be entitled to a 3 months visa on arrival. Vistors may however be asked to provide evidence of sufficient funds and a valid return airline ticket. Work visa will only be issued prior to departure. Best is to check with the Malaysian Embassy or High Commission before travelling.

What Sabah Offers ??

Sightseeing and Attractions

Sabah offers almost everything, from wildlife and nature, cultural attractions and festivities, and sports, to beaches, sun, and sea. Sabah's key attractions include a climb up Mount Kinabalu, trekking, and a canopy walk in the virgin rainforest of Danum Valley, a visit to an orang utan sanctuary, a trip to the turtle island, and diving and snorkelling in one of Sabah's marine park such as Tun Sakaran Marine Park.

Wildlife and Nature

Sabah's wild life and nature is unique. Sabah is home to Mount Kinabalu and the Danum Valley conservation area, where a unique flora and fauna can be found.

Cultural Highlights

Sabah is home to many different ethnic groups. The largest ethnic groups are the Murut, Kadazan/Dusun, Bajau, Chinese, Indonesians, and Philippinos. A visit to a longhouse, a cultural festival, trip to a traditional market are just some of the cultural highlights.

Hotels and Accommodation

There is plenty of accomodations nearly everywhere in Sabah catering to almost every budget. Kota Kinabalu and the nearby area offer attractive resorts, business and leisure hotels, as well as inns, guesthouses, backpacker hostels.

Restaurants and Food

People is Sabah love food and there is a good selection of restaurants serving local food or international cuisine. Like everywhere else in Asia, there are also food markets with stalls serving local delicacies.

Nightlife

There is ample nightlife in Kota Kinabalu. Most hotels have bars that cater to visitors and locals alike, as well as numerous bars in the centre of town.

Sabah State Railway

The currently the only rail transport system operating on the island of Borneo The railway consists of a single 134 km line from Tanjung Aru, near Kota Kinabalu, going to Papar town and to the town of Tenom, in the interior division. It was formerly known as North Borneo Railway.