Borneo Tourism Sabah and Sarawak | Tourism East Malaysia | Borneo Holiday

Pesta Benak 2012 Sri Aman

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 09 Apr 2012 14:41:00 +0000

Pesta Benak 2012 (Tidal Bore Carnival 2012) was held in Sri Aman on 6 April 2012. This Carnival is one of the yearly activites in Sarawak tourism calendar.

Tidal bore or locally known as benak, occurs everyday with different wavelengths and heights. However, during spring tide, normally on the third and eighteen day of the Chinese Lunar Calendar, tidal bores with high magnitude can be observed clearly. The 'benak' continues its journey another 30 km inland, ending near the small village of Engkilili.

The Batang Lupar flows 200km from its source in the Kapuas Mountains to the Teluk Datu of the South China Sea. At its mouth the river forms the broadest estuary in Sarawak, as well as accommodating the largest of the four benak's that occur in Sarawak.

What i want to make a conclusion this year i saw more participation of 10 surfers, comprising six international participants from France and England, three from Kuala Lumpur and one female surfer from Sri Aman.

MASTraveller! Fulfill your dreams today.

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 21 Mar 2011 05:05:00 +0000

If only travelling is an occupation.. Don't we all wish the same?

Don't you wish you have all the money in the world so you could travel around the world? Ahhh.. The thought of visiting Eiffel Tower in Paris or sightseeing in New Zealand do jiggle the freedom we all yearn for far too long. Well, listen up, Churpers! Cause we're bringing you the best deal ever! MAS Traveller is going to be the answer to your life long dream.

All you gotta do is to craft a blogpost, upload a video and promote it. With just 4 simple steps from MAS Traveller and you could be on your way to South Africa or even awesome Korea! Be quick. Put your creative hat on, and you could be the lucky ones to stand a chance to win TWO all-expense-paid trips and own a page on Yahoo! Travel. Share this with your family and friends today. Have fun! Contest ends on April 1, 2011.

Click to Visit MASTraveller

E-Brochure For Sarawak Tourism Visitor

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sat, 12 Mar 2011 06:08:00 +0000

Get The new E-Brochure as you like to know about.Please to be info all information were in .pdf format. Make sure your you have a Adobe Acrobat Reader.

Sarawak Within Paradise Brochure - Download
Sarawak Guidebook (German Edition) -Download
Kuching Guide Booklet - Download
Miri & Northern Sarawak Guide 2009/2010 - Download
Miri Visitor's Guide Booklet - Part 1, Part2
Sibu Visitor's Guide Booklet - Download
Sarawak Malaysia's New Travel Frontier (Southern Region) - Download
Sarawak Food Guide - Download

Borneo Tourism Online Airlines Ticketing Review 2010

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sat, 05 Jun 2010 01:42:00 +0000

Choose your best ticketing online but don't know which one is the best. Let Borneo Tourism Blog decide for you.

CheapOair

Rating 3.5 / 5.0

Customer Complaint 3.0 / 5.0

CheapOair is comprised of dedicated travel professionals, each with over 25 years in consumer travel and tourism. Together, they shape the vision of CheapOair, to provide a wide selection of travel products and services for today’s budget conscious traveler. They offer one of the largest selections of airfares, hotels, car rentals, vacation packages and travel deals obtained from multiple sources, including three of the most respected and widely used reservation systems and fifteen other negotiated

What customer said about CheapOair?

Horrible company use someone else
Posted By: andrearlorincz, on Monday, April 26, 2010
I made the biggest mistake when I bought a ticket from there. the customer service representative was horrible ( baxter) . I misspelled my name and they charged me 50 to make an alphabet correction and they wanted me to verify after an hour on the Phone via email.

Customer Support
Posted By: rcustsupport, on Thursday, October 29, 2009
I would like to mention that if credit cards are not confirmed within 24 hours of a reservation and some fares allow 48 hours the reservations are cancelled. If we are unable to reach you within that time frame there usually is no booking or credit card to be authorized. I believe the customer stating 2 weeks is inaccurate, because if the cc cannot be verified, we don't risk issuing a ticket and having to eat the cost of the ticket if the card is not valid. We offer 24/7 customer service, feedback email, and live chat option to reach us. If you ask us to phone you, we certainly will make arrangements for that. I am sorry if the customer felt unappreciated, but we do value all our customers and we provide several ways to reach us.

Excellent Customer Service provided by Cheapoair agent Adler
Posted By: MikeHarran, on Tuesday, July 15, 2008
I had purcahsed a flight thru cheapoair the flight was cancelled by Alitalia, i called the agent back as soon as i recvd. an email from the airline and cheapoair, me and my wife had planned this trip for last 6 months and i had to fly on that very day because the hotels were pre paid. this trip to Italy was veyr important for us also because it was our anniversary. I called and got Adler on the call, he was extremely polite and patient, i had to wait about 15 minutes before he came on the line, but when he did he made sure i was protected on another flight the very same day and they even waived the 50 usd fee for change because of the cancellation, I am surely going to use them again. The fare i had gotten was also cheaper than Expedia and Orbitz.

Family of Five Saved a Thousand Dollurs on Cheapoair!!
Posted By: rubysquared, on Friday, October 31, 2008
I never write reviews cause' whenever does we get good customer services. I wanted to write one for Cheapo air cause' they gave us gr8t customur servise and saved our family over a thousand dollurs! :) :) :) We had to go to a family get together in south flairdia from indiana and the trailer wus busted up. Not that it mattered cuase' we couldnt afford gas anyways. I didnt want us to miss my grandparents fortyith wedding anniversury. I called Cheapoair and bought 5 last minute tickets for $700!!! other airlines were charging 1700 and plus more.
I highly reccommend cheapoair to you all. theyre customer service lady was sooo nice 2us and payshent. we saved lots of $. I am using them again fur shur.

Save $10 off on your next flight to anywhere in the U.S. Book your flight on CheapOair.com and use coupon code USFLY10 to save $10 on your next domestic flight. Coupon Expires July 30, 2010.

Miss Tourism Intercontinental 2010 Held in Miri

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sun, 23 May 2010 12:22:00 +0000

All the 33 finalists of Miss Tourism Intercontinental 2010 were yesterday exposed to the local culture and lifestyle of Mirians, Sarawak Malaysia.

The exposure was made through their visit to Tamu Lama or Tamu Kedayan and Central Market in the city centre and San Ching Tian — the largest Taoist temple in South East Asia.

Their visits were part of their programme prior to the grand final of the pageant to be held at Miri Indoor Stadium on May 20. The pageant, hosted by Miri, is part of activities and programmes organised in conjunction with its fifth anniversary as a city.

Their presence at Central Market captivated both the public and stall operators where they took the opportunity to take photographs with the beauties. At the market, the tourism beauties were given insight into local eating habits and local cuisines. After the visit to both markets they proceeded to the largest Taoist temple in South East Asia located in Krokop here.

They were briefed by the temple officers on the history of the temple which is one of the tourist attractions in Miri. The majestic and elegant building is full of oriental characteristics in its architectural design. Meanwhile, management of Imperial Hotel hosted them to a luncheon at the hotel before the preview show at the concourse of Imperial Mall and

Court before making a brief appearance at Sarawak United People’s Party (SUPP) Job Expo at Miri Indoor Stadium. Later in the evening, they joined Miri City Day Parade and Miri International Jazz Festival.

Tickets priced at RM10 for the grand final of the pageant are now on sale at the One-Stop-Centre on the ground floor of the city council’s multi-storey car park building.

Pasar Serikin in Kuching Sarawak

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sun, 10 Jan 2010 03:05:00 +0000

Market Serikin been synonymous to you when you come to Kuching, where is in Sarawak.Serikin located at the border between Kalimantan and Sarawak. Distance to Serikin is approximately take 50km from the Kuching city . Our Journey to Serikin will take approximately 1 hour half. Many goods sold at Market Serikin with a cheap price. What is sold in Serikin like Kain Batik, mats, crystal products and more kinds.

Serikin certainly most traders are flat-rated from the citizens who came from Indonesia to Serikin to make business. Serikin Market opened at the weekend on Saturday and Sunday on 7.30 PM.

Sabah Travel Map

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 19 Mar 2009 00:07:00 +0000

Sabah Travel Map site is a good guide for the traveler to know or find direction destination for tourist.This maps provide various place for visiting..Site this info is useful to the traveler who wants to pay a visit to Sabah.

Trip To Beaufort Sabah

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sun, 22 Feb 2009 03:16:00 +0000

Did you ever heard about Beaufort in Sabah, a name that bears the meaning ‘the beautiful fort’ in old French. Beaufort located at the southwest region of Sabah. This quiet provincial town is situated less than 2 hours away, roughly 97 kilometers away from Kota Kinabalu.

This Malaysian sister city of Beaufort, North Carolina is mainly inhabited by the Bisaya, Brunei, Murut, and Chinese denizens. The staple economic activities in this town are timber and other timber related industries, and agriculture such as paddy, rubber, oil palm, tapioca, as well as other cash crops.

The Beaufort weekly market (tamu) is held every Friday and Saturday. It is famous for its local produce especially the fresh selections of local tropical fruits. When in Beaufort, don’t miss the chance to sample the scrumptiously well-known Beaufort Mee—a noodle dish served either dry or with soup.

Kota Belud District

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sat, 06 Sep 2008 08:50:00 +0000

Kota Belud is the hometown of the Bajau ‘cowboys’ who are Sabah’s very own horsemen. This Sabahan native group is famed for rearing and handling of horses.
The quaint and lively little town affectionately addressed by the locals as KB is also home to Sabah’s most vibrant and illustrious weekly ‘tamu’ market. The word ‘tamu’ means “meeting place”; up to this day it is very much a place where traders from the surrounding areas come together both for trading purposes and to discuss the latest events.

Visitors of the Kota Belud district will find many of Sabah’s handicrafts here, muddled up with betel nut stalls, vegetables, dried and fresh fish, sarongs, pots and pans, and Taiwan-made electrical items.

How To go There
The best day for a visit to the Kota Belud tamu is on Sunday. Kota Belud is only a little over an hour’s drive away from Kota Kinabalu. Visitors can either take a bus, rent a taxi, or rent a car/motorbike for a visit to Kota Belud.

Information regarding the public transportations to Kota Belud district is as follows:

Tamu Besar Kota Belud 2008

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sat, 06 Sep 2008 08:23:00 +0000

Tamu Besar Kota Belud gives visitors the golden opportunity to immerse themselves in Kota Belud’s immensely diverse culture. Moreover, visitors should seize this grand occasion to stockpile on home wares and food produce as vendors, farmers, and fishermen will have their best merchandizes to offer here.

The 2-day Tamu Besar Grand event showcases Sabah’s biggest open-air market as well as the unique customs and traditions of the Bajau community. Throughout this event, the native people will come out donning their respective traditional costumes.

The annual Tamu Besar is also the place to be if you want to witness the much-lauded West Coast Bajau horsemanship. Throughout this event, the younger generation of Bajau gentlemen will get in touch with their age-old heritage as horsemen of the east. There will also be a parade of ponies dressed in gorgeously ornate costumes as well as an exuberant display of riding skills by the Bajau horsemen.

Other than the usual trade activities, there are other interesting activities such as displays of farm produce and animals. Be sure to hone your haggling skills as a preparation to visit the Tamu Besar Kota Belud –you will need it!

Will be held on 25 - 26 October 2008

Other Attraction in Kota Belud:

* Kota Belud District
* Tamu Kota Belud
* Kampung Siasai
* Kampung Kuala Abai

22nd Mt. Kinabalu International Climbathon 2008

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 07 Aug 2008 06:16:00 +0000

This event has made its reputation as "The World''s Toughest Mountain Race". A true challenge to the spirit of human endurance, this race involves running up and down Mt. Kinabalu (4095.2 m), where the total distance is 21km for all men, women and men categories. The average climber takes 2 days to climb the mountain but participants of the race can make it in less than 3 hours.

The Climbathon is part of the Buff® Sky Runners® World Series circuit for the sixth consecutive year and is one of the two races in the circuit held outside Europe. Buff® Sky Runner® World Series is regulated and coordinated by the European-based Federation for Sport at Altitude (FSA).

to know more visit http://climbathon.sabahtourism.com

Guide For Sarawak Tourist

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 16:46:00 +0000

What are the new on Borneo Tourism web log.There are guide here for tourist to know about Sarawak. Grab on for your information before visit to Sarawak Malaysia.

Yeah it nice right.I'm in Borneo Tourism web log will try give the latest info and description of the place to visit. Here a few guide in adobe reader format for you to download.Just click to download it will open to new window to download.

Sarawak Within Paradise Brochure

Kuching Guide Booklet

Sarawak Malaysia's New Travel Frontier (Southern Region)

Hope this guide is useful for you to know about Sarawak.

City Mosque Kota Kinabalu

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 09:33:00 +0000

It was Built on a 2.47 acres site at the Likas bay, the Kota Kinabalu City Mosque is exemplary of the Islamic contemporary architecture.The great view located near the sea, this majestic white mosque boasts similar features to the Nabawi Mosque in Medina. This floating mosque has a prayer hall which houses three madrasahs and accommodates from 9, 000 to 12, 000 people at a time.

By far the largest mosque in Kota Kinabalu, the Kota Kinabalu City Mosque is even possibly the most beautiful one in Malaysia – the man-made lagoon which surrounds it gives a serenely gorgeous and dramatic look to the mosque on a full moon night.

The Kota Kinabalu City Mosque is open for public visits daily except Fridays from 8am to 5pm. There are no fees charged on visitors.

How to get there
The Kota Kinabalu City Mosque is located about 3 kilometers from Kota Kinabalu City (10 - 15 minutes drive away).

Means of transportation and tariffs

a)
Transportation = Bus ( No.5A, direction to UMS)
Fare (one way)= RM1.50 per person
Departure point = Bus station in front of Wawasan Plaza and Communicate with the bus driver or conductor for the drop off point.
Return Point = From bus drop off point
Remark = 6.30am - 8.00pm

b)
Transportation = Taxi
Fare (one way)= RM 12 -15 per taxi
Departure point = Any Taxi

Atkinson Clock Tower Kota Kinabalu

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 16:25:00 +0000

One of the most enduring landmarks in Kota Kinabalu, it stands prominently on a bluff along Signal Hill Road adjacent to the old Police Station. Built in 1903, this all-wood, no-nails structure was built in memory of Francis George Atkinson - the popular first District Officer of Jesselton during the British North Borneo Chartered Company Administration, who had succumbed to a tropical disease at the young age of 28.

This Clock Tower has the distinction of being the oldest standing structure in the whole of Sabah that survived the destruction of Jesselton town during World War II. Till today, it still serves to keep the city's time.

The Atkinson Clock Tower is managed by the Sabah Museum under its Antiquity and History section.

How to go there?

You can stroll there or take any taxi. From the bottom of Signal Hill Road at Padang Merdeka, turn left to get to the clock site. Or view it from the city

What Is The Best Place In Kota Kinabalu?

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 14:31:00 +0000

Last Week I've received an email from visitor enquires for hints and guide for the place he would get into for 4 days in Sabah. Here I attached an email he mails to me. But regarding on his response mails he didn't remark the place he would tour because Sabah is a biggest city.

Hi, since I open your blog travel, there are many things to discover sabah.I plan to visit Sabah by this month. If don’t mind could you help me or suggest which the best place to visit. For your info, I have 4 days to have my tour at sabah.Any tips that you can guide me where to go?

I’m gladsome from the visitor response on my web log. I've received a lot of responses from other regarding this. Well here I’m post one among of them. So the question where is the place? All right here I would listing the interesting place for you or other tourist who planning to travel just for a short day or more in Kota Kinabalu,Sabah

There are 34 interesting place for your tour in Kota Kinabalu,Sabah

Atkinson Clock Tower
City Mosque
Cres Moment
Double Six Monument
Gaya Street (Sunday Market)
Handicraft Market
Jari Jari Body & Mind Relaxation
Ka'andaman Traditional Healing Garden
Kota Kinabalu Esplanade
Kota Kinabalu Wetland Centre
Layang-Layang Island
Lok Kawi Wildlife Park
Menara Tun Mustapha (Sabah Foundation Building)
Monsopiad Cultural Village
Nexus Golf Resort Karambunai
North Borneo Railway
Orchid de Villa
Petagas War Memorial
Puh Toh Tze Temple
Sabah Golf & Country Club
Sabah State Mosque
Sabah State Museum & Heritage Village
Sabah State Railway
Sightseeing in Kota Kinabalu
Signal Hill Observatory Platform
St. Michael Church Penampang
Sutera Harbour Golf & Country Club
Tamu Penampang
Tanjung Aru Beach
The Coffee Experience Tour at Cap Kuda Coffee Factory
The Waterfront
Tun Mustapha Gallery
Tunku Abdul Rahman Park
Water World Theme Park

American Tourists Robbed Cashier Supermarket

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 06:01:00 +0000

Two foreigners, said to be Americans, allegedly stole money from a 22-year-old cashier at a supermarket in Tabuan Jaya,Kuching Sarawak.

In the 7.15pm Saturday incident, the victim (cashier) claimed that a white male and female approached her at the counter, telling her that they wanted to exchange their currency for bigger ringgit notes.They said they were curious about the look of the highest denomination of the ringgit.

The cashier said she politely declined to accede to their request, telling them that it was against the rules and regulations of her job to exchange money with customers.The ‘tourists’ however insisted on just having a ‘peek’ at the money.Tired of their insistence and thinking that if she just accommodated them a bit they would go away, the cashier said she opened the cash box and showed it to the couple.The female foreigner grabbed a RM50 note and acted like she was really looking at it.

They then asked to have a look at other notes but the cashier, this time, refused to let them.The ‘tourists’ then pretended to talk to each other, diverting the cashier’s attention.When she ‘came to’, she realised that the tourists have gone and so too were more than RM1,000 from the cash box.The horrified cashier lodged a report at Simpang Tiga police station at 10.30am.
The police are investigating.

Explore Kota Kinabalu

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Fri, 11 Jul 2008 12:48:00 +0000

Kota Kinabalu Markets

Sabah Calender Event 2008

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 10 Jul 2008 16:24:00 +0000

Here i just submit through Borneo Tourism Blog about this Sabah Calender Event 2008 for visitor who would like to travel in Sabah. Here the source download for know the event on years 2008.

Here the download Sabah Calender Event 2008

Layang-Layang Underwater Digital Photo Shootout 2008

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 10 Jul 2008 13:48:00 +0000

Date : 21 - 27 July 2008

Located 300 kilometres off the northeast coast of Sabah, Layang Layang is a 14 sq km atoll rising 2,000 metres from the depths of the South China Sea. Its coral reefs are home to a variety of marine inhabitants, from pelagic life such as schooling hammerheads, barracuda and fusiliers to tiny critters such as nudibranchs, flatworms and crustaceans. Layang Layang is an ideal location for a photo shootout contest.

Prizes over 30,000.00 USD are waiting for you

Participants stand a chance to win more than US$30,000 prizes from world class sponsors such as Nikon, Nautica and Oceanic, as well as dive trips to exotic locations.
Plus you'll get a chance to meet and chat with world-renowned underwater photographers and competition judges Settimio Ciprianni, Stephen Wong, Kurt Svrcula and Rod Klein. These leading underwater photographers will also give tips on underwater photography throughout the event.

Winning pictures will be published in FiNS Magazine and the FiNS Online Blog. This is a great way for you to gain recognition in the underwater photography community.
There are two categories of entry: wide and macro. Participants must have their own underwater digital cameras during the shootout.

There are limited spaces, so register soon! For more information email layang@pop.jaring.my and visit www.layanglayang.com

Tips For Cheaper Air Travel

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 06:38:00 +0000

Borneo Cultural Festival 2008

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 04:09:00 +0000

Get a sample of indigenous art at the Borneo Cultural Festival, which runs from 27th June to 5 July in the City Square Sibu, Sarawak. This signature annual event Sibu entry with a mixture of dance, songs, poems and dramas of different ethnic groups in Borneo.

Be prepared to see live performances with Aboriginal musical instruments such as drums and gongs, lively and even martial arts moves. Apart from the cultural extravaganza, your palate will also attempt by the local cuisine in the Messe Essen Borneo.An incredible variety of traditional foods of different clans in Sibu it will be for the collection.

Last year the artist received overwhelming response both locally and internationally, and this year we can expect the same or even better line-up of activities and entertainment. Be sure that the sights as the market Lembangan night, Sibu Civic Centre Museum, Rejang Esplanade, the beautiful seven-storey pagoda, offers a panoramic view of the town of Sibu, and the long-iban house where people welcome you with their warm hospitality.

Come the 27th June, at their way into the Borneo Cultural Festival 2008 to witness the celebration of the traditional art, food and dance.

Will be held on
Friday, 27 June - Saturday, 05 July, 2008
Sibu Town Square, Sibu, Sarawak, Malaysia

Catch the Jazz Festival at 1Borneo on Saturday

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 05:33:00 +0000

The 2nd KK Jazz Festival will be held at the newly-opened 1Borneo Hypermall on Saturday.From 6pm to midnight that evening, audiences can look forward to a thrilling night with fantastic performances by a range of talented musicians, such as SIA Jazz Syndicate, Gravity, Ian Baxter and Friends, Jazzmatazz, Greg Lyons, the ASEANA Percussion Unit, Xion Gi, and Paul Ponnudurai.

The SIA Jazz Syndicate is made up of students from Sabah Institute of Art, who was the 2nd runner up in the Jimmy Boyle’s Young Jazz Band competition held in Penang back in 2007.

Ian Baxter and Friends are a veteran 5-piece band who delivers melodic sounds. A new generation of young musicians, Gravity, is an 8-piece band from Kota Kinabalu.

Jazzmatazz is the new band formed by Asif, the former Son-2-nos band leader who played at last year’s festival.

The ASEANA Percussion Unit will wow fans with their fusion of sounds created by various instruments from different cultures.

British born Greg Lyons will be serenading the crowd with his saxophone; Xion Gi will play his Brazilian-influenced music whereas Paul Ponnudurai is the one-man band.

The KK Jazz Festival is sponsored by 1Borneo and is organised by the Rotary Club of Kota Kinabalu and the Society for Performing Arts Kota Kinabalu Sabah (SPArKS), and supported by Dewan Bandaraya Kota Kinabalu (DBKK).

Organising Chairman, Frankie Fu of the Rotary Club of Kota Kinabalu explained that proceeds from the Jazz Fest will be used to finance the club’s various community projects, such as the Avoidable Blindness programme, a free medical camp in outlying villages, a 12km water gravity project at Kg Teringai Laut, Matunggong, and a $30,000 building extension for the Sabah Centre of the National Stroke Association of Malaysia at Mile 2, Jalan Tuaran.

Meanwhile, SPArks president and co-organising chairman, Datuk Adeline Leong said the KK Theatre Group will hold the Street Theatre show at 1Borneo from 1pm to 4pm on June 29.

Tickets to the festival are priced at $50 and $100 and can be obtained from all Coffee Bean outlets. For enquiries, call Sri Pelancongan at 088-232121. Tickets will also be on sale on Saturday at 1Borneo.

(Source: New Sabah Times, 18 Jun 2008)

Bigfoot In Daro Borneo

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sun, 15 Jun 2008 05:03:00 +0000

Villagers have no explanation for giant footprints but businessman says proof is in the pudding

Villagers here are reeling from the shock of discovering two extra large footprints near the fence of a nearby orchard.

They probably resembled those mentioned many times in foreign reports in claims of sightings of the mysterious ‘Bigfoot’.

The shocker has been spreading like wildfire in Daro district for the past few days and among those drawn to the phenomenon was local businessman Tan Soon Kuang.

(According to Wikipedia, Bigfoot is one of the more famous creatures in cryptozoology, and, like many cryptids around the world, there is a fierce debate as to whether the Bigfoot species exists or not. Cryptozoologist John Willison Green has postulated that Bigfoot is a worldwide phenomenon.)

Yesterday, Tan, 42, e-mailed the images of the mysterious creature’s footprints. He said he personally went to the village (which he refused to name out of respect for the wishes of the locals) to check on the truth of the story.

“The truth is in the photographs that I have taken with my camera,” he told The Borneo Post in a telephone interview yesterday.

According to him, each footprint measures 47 inches from heel to toe and 17 inches sideways “clearly too gigantic for any normal human being”.

Asked when and how he went to the village and took the photos, Tan answered: “I went there last Wednesday, June 11 after I heard about the news.

I drove about five minutes from Daro town to the village. Then, I walked on foot along a footpath for quite a few minutes to the place where I met many villagers who were gathered there.

“Then some villagers pointed to the big footprints.

I was shocked to see them and excited as I took those photographs.”

On his conversation with the villagers, he said: “When I asked the villagers the first time they discovered the two big footprints, they told me it was June 9.

“They also told me they now recall that before they came across the footprints, the villagers had, a few months ago felt uncomfortable and sick as if there was something ‘unclean’ in the air.

“They said they decided to look for a ‘bomoh’ (medicine man) who told them to go to an area, dig a small hole, then build a fence around it.

The bomoh further told them to make offerings outside the area fenced.

“And then last Monday morning the villagers saw the two big footprints outside the fenced up area.”

Tan further said: “When I asked the villagers if they were afraid or not they told me some were afraid; other just curious. But all of them apparently believe that the place was ‘unclean’.

“The villagers are now clearing up the footpath leading to the large footprints in anticipation of more people coming to have a look at the footprints.

“The villagers also told me that it was not the first time that they saw such mysterious big footprints in their village. In fact, the first time they saw such big footprints was about 50 years ago.”

Asked if there is any possibility that the footprints were man-made, Tan said it would be a tough act for a person to create such a mark on the hard ground.

Jemoreng assemblyman Abu Seman Jahwie when contacted yesterday said he heard about such discovery somewhere in a village in Daro area.

Asked if thinks it is real, he replied: “Sorry, I can’t say. It could be just rumours. I have not been to the place. I am now in Matu.”

The story has spread to Sibu where Abdul Aziz Pung, who is very familiar with Daro, said he had heard about the footprints from friends and relatives.

“Yes, they said it is true. Initially I laughed it off, but then some of my friends who came down to Sibu town convinced me that they are real. I may be going there soon to see them for myself.”

Meanwhile, a Daro villager who spoke on anonymity, said the villagers stumbled upon the footprints not far from the village that was once attacked by monkeys. This episode was reported by The Borneo Post some months ago.

According to him, many villagers believe that the monkeys had run out of their jungle habitat to escape from ‘Bigfoot’.

Tanjung Aru Beach

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 10 Jun 2008 05:14:00 +0000

Located at the end of Jalan Tunku Abdul Rahman and about 6 kilometres from KK City, this place is closest to the hearts of the locals, and just one visit to the beach will tell you why.

Taking its name from the casuarinas or aru trees that fringe the fine sands, this is where one might get a ringside seat to the greatest sunset on earth every evening when the crimson sun dips slowly into the horizon, leaving the vast skies a brilliant red..

Foodstalls serving local food and drinks are open till late at night. Enjoy coconut and sugarcane juice, chicken or beef satay and steamed peanuts and corn, or indulge in a full-course dinner at the seafood restaurant located there.

The Tanjung Aru beach is also home to Shangri-la's Tanjung Aru Resort, the Kinabalu Golf Club and the Kinabalu Yacht Club.

Getting There

From KK City Centre, take the No 16 bus towards Tanjung Aru from the bus stations in front of City Hall or Wawasan Plaza and let the driver know of your destination. Bus fare is RM1.50. You can also go by taxi, at RM15 per taxi (up to four persons).

Pesta Rumbia (Sago Fest)

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 03 Jun 2008 19:00:00 +0000

A good way to spend your weekend getaway this 4th – 6th of July is by making your way to Kuala Penyu for the 18th Sago Palm Festival, also known as Pesta Rumbia.

It is during this two-day festivity that the local Kuala Penyu community pays homage to and celebrates the sago palm for its many uses – the sago palms have played an essential part in the lives of the locals for many generations. Here, visitors will get a sneak peek on how sago trees and the palms are processed and utilized creatively to serve many needs – as rooftops, handicrafts and local treats.

Sago palms can be found growing copiously in the southwestern coast of Sabah; specifically in the districts of Kuala Penyu, Beaufort and Papar. The sago palm is unique in terms of its versatility – its leaves can be made into house building and roofing materials, and its trunk can be processed into sago flour and made into a smorgasbord of delicacies. The ambuyat, which has a starch-like appearance is popular among the Dusun Tatana and Bisaya communities - it is normally eaten together with fish and vegetables. Apart from that, the sago trunk also acts as a host for the edible sago larvae which is locally known as the butod.

Visitors should also expect to enjoy a myriad other interesting events such as traditional games, singing contests, as well as the highlight of the Pesta Rumbia celebration – the crowning of the Pesta Rumbia Beauty Queen. For more enlightenment regarding the Pesta Rumbia, drop by the Rumbia Information Centre at Kampung Kasugira in Kuala Penyu. A visit to the Pesta Rumbia celebration will not only serve as an educational excursion, it also gives visitors the opportunity to savor the lavish array of tantalizing local foods and fruits.

Situated only two hours away by road from Kota Kinabalu, Kuala Penyu is just an hour’s boat ride away from Pulau Tiga – the famed Survivor island, the serenely beautiful Tempurung Resort, and the Klias Wetlands – home of some exotic species of monkeys as well as many other wildlife.

Visit Pesta Rumbia 2008