CuriosTraveller: North Borneo Railway Part 2 - The Experience

It left our beloved civilization, from the concrete jungle into the real green jungle.  It went through some villages, mangroves, jungles and plantations until it reached a small town where the locals were a bit slower in doing things in comparison to those in state capital. They looked pretty happy with what they are doing daily. We both kind of loving that way of life, free from the city’s stress. There’s no massive traffic jam here.

Local kids were excited to see the train coming, waving hands as if they are mates of us. We saw them waved again during the return trip. Did they actually wait? Welcome to North Borneo Railway, Arman said to us and we wish you the same, a great service by Sutera Harbour Resort & Sabah State Railway Department.

Pre-departure

That beautiful and sunny morning of September 24, 2016 we found ourselves checking in for the train ride, a return same day trip to Papar from Tanjung Aru Station. Checking in was easy, thanks to Linda who’s also one of the crew serving passengers. We’re excited like kids getting that passports, a mini booklet actually where a crew will stamp the destination names.

Then there was Dg Sarimah standing at the entry point, sincerely smiling all the time. She quickly assigned us to the seats in Tanjung Aru carriage or unit, if we may say that. The experience began even before boarding. The team were readily available to personally escorting each passenger to his or her seat.

At the Boarding area there’s Arman, who continuously smiled, sincerely to each arriving passengers! The passengers couldn’t stop smiling as well, a sign that they were pretty pleased with such great attentiveness given to them. It’s pretty mind blogging how each crew was able to escort each passenger to the designated unit when actually more passengers coming at the entry point. None of them waited long enough, soon after arriving they were whisked away to their seats in respective carriage, in record time!

We’re amazed with the carriages, both the interior and exterior. Inside our Tanjung Aru cariiage, beautiful decorated seats with darker wood panels as the wall pretty much implying the luxury feel, a perfect combination between new and old refurbishing style. The rotating ceiling fans gave cool air to the entire coach. Wall lights cleverly installed at each side of the window panels. The brand’s logo neatly carved on smaller metal pieces, embedded on each seat.

The exterior has the right colors that resembles the olden days train, green and white with the logo on each carriage. Inside, the unit we were in was pretty immaculate, there’s not even one microscopic litter can be seen, looks like the crews did their job perfectly, looking after the train cleanliness inside out. Everyone were here and there, inside and outside the train, capturing moments through the camera lenses. Nevertheless, crews managed to assemble all back into the units so that they can start the service with pre- departure safety presentation followed by serving refreshing lemonade.

Overall, pre-departure service was excellent. Crews were very professional in handling passengers arrival. While crew ensured passengers safety and comfort, they did it soulfully, with all their heart,  in full smile which in return made the passengers smiled. Not a single complaint heard, at least in our carriage.

The Train Master, Mr Jual Husin, went around ticking the boxes in his check list. He ensured each passenger comfort and in full-swing, ready for the journey. Having completed his round in all 5 carriages, he proceeded with the thumbs-up for that harmonious sound of whistle and bells, an indication that the train is ready to leave Tanjung Aru Station.

Continue reading (Incl. Pics) at: CuriosTraveller: North Borneo Railway Part 2 - The Experience

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CuriosTraveller: North Borneo Railway Part 1- About and History

No other experience on other train service is able to beat our experience being on board the North Borneo Railway. The experience will last forever in our thoughts. Yes, this is not the Eastern & Oriental service but this service is in North Borneo, Sabah Malaysia, it’s a ride on a classic train. Not the Shinkansen or bullet train as in Tokyo to all over Japan either but the return trip to Papar from Tanjung Aru station by North Railway Borneo took us to the ‘past’. It made us understand one big thing, the history. It made us ably to appreciate all the elements of a classic train by just being on a single ride! A ride of a lifetime that we strongly recommend to all of you, without any hesitation, not even a second!

Prelude

We are truly grateful and shall be sharing all our experience so that you will be inspired and hop on the train service by North Borneo Railway soon! If you do, please do contact us and share your experience in this blog! We love guests post anyway! After all, sharing is caring. The ride is not about indulging in luxury, it is about ‘visiting the past’, enjoying that amazing views, making friends with the other passengers, capture all that beautiful landmarks (for photographers), moving at a slower pace as how the older generations did during the British era and perhaps waving hands to all the people outside (they are excited too!).

About

Credit: Sutera Harbour Resort & Sabah State Railway Department

North Borneo Railway is the oldest running steam train in Sabah and Borneo. The nostalgic romance of an old steam train relives memories of a bygone era. Passing through villages and coastal towns, paddy fields, rainforests and plantations of rubber and coffee, a ride on North Borneo Railway is truly a journey of rediscovery into the heart of Borneo.

The North Borneo Railway is a joint venture project between Sutera Harbour Resort and the Sabah State Railway Department (Jabatan Keretapi Negeri Sabah), signifying a historical collaboration between the private sector and the state government. The primary goals of the project are to enhance existing infrastructure as well as help in efforts to promote Sabah as a destination for domestic and international tourism. The North Borneo Railway was officially launched on 22nd January 2000 in honour of Kota Kinabalu achieving city status on 2nd February 2000.

The North Borneo Railway offers passengers an opportunity to experience the bygone era of British North Borneo while transporting passengers along the lifeline of Sabah. Refurbished to recreate the nostalgic romance of people travelling by steam train in the days of the Chartered Company and the British Colonial Office, both the exterior and interior provide an environment that would have been typical of stepping onto a train in the 1900s.

The exterior utilizes the traditional deep green and cream of the original North Borneo Railway, with carved brass logos showcasing the original design of a tiger holding a rail wheel, standing on the royal crown.

The interior highlights the natural woods of Sabah and unless the train is fully booked, passengers are offered free seating on one of the five colonial-style passenger train carriages.

The Vulcan’s Origin

Credit: The Engine Museum (United Kingdom) & Sutera Harbour Resort

The steam locomotive from the North Borneo Railway was manufactured by the Vulcan Foundry Ltd in Newton-le-willows in Lanchashire, United Kingdom. As quoted from the Engine Museum in the UK:

“Vulcan Foundry received its final order in 1954 from the North Borneo Railway for three locomotives-the result a neat 2-6-2 tender locomotive of 58'-0? length, weighing 85 tons.”

Not only do these steam engines represent the last of a fleet that have piled the tracks through Borneo since the late 1880’s, they are also part of the only few functional wood burners in the world.

Continue reading (Incl. Pics) at: CuriosTraveller: North Borneo Railway Part 1- About and History

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They have trains in Borneo?

After thinking Borneo was all jungle and wildlife, I decided to take a day trip from Kota Kinabalu and went full steam ahead on the North Borneo Railway!

The line begins at Tanjung Aru and continues all the way down to Tenom, nearly 140km away.

This is a nice area for tourists with lots of cool natural and historic attractions, and I found lots of friendly people in Papar, too.

That is becoming the norm in Malaysia, as everybody seems so friendly here towards tourists.

The future of the railway has also been brightened by the increasing use of it by tourists.

The Beaufort to Tenom stretch of track runs through the Padas River gorge and is regarded as incredibly scenic.

In addition the railway itself is something of an attraction to some, and a historic North Borneo Railway tourist train is operated by Sutera Harbour Resort especially to capture this market.

With the growth of Sabah as a “light adventure” destination, the use of the railway by tourist traffic is quite likely to increase.

Continue reading (Incl. Pics) at: They have trains in Borneo?

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Gambus fest in Papar next month

Kota Kinabalu: The Sabah Brunei Community Association (PMBS) together with the Sabah Tourism Promotion Corporation (STPC) will organise the 13th Gambus Festival for two days beginning Dec 22.

Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Aman is expected to open the festival which would be held at the Pekan Papar Community Hall using a new format which was opened to all gambus and Gulintangan art groups from around the state.

"The purpose of the new format is to encourage more participation, increase quality of presentation, be innovative, creative and raise the standard of the art, especially among the young generation," said the statement.

The festival would be the highlight of gambus and gulingtangan event presentation at the state level, featuring eight best groups for each category, after going through an initial selection process and semi-finals.

Three highest awards with special gifts offered are The Best Overall Presentation Award, Best Creativity Presentation Award and Best Popular Presentation Award of Special Winner of talented "Pemanting Gambus".

Continue reading at: Gambus fest in Papar next month
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Rail-ly memorable North Borneo train ride to Beaufort

OUR original intention was to board the famous North Borneo Railway and follow the heritage trail from Tanjung Aru to Papar, 38km from Kota Kinabalu.

However, fate had a weird sense of humour because on arrival in the capital of Sabah, fondly called KK (previously known as Jesselton), a call came from the Heritage Train organisers to tell us that the Heritage Train engine had broken down and it’s in the workshop.

With a heavy heart, we had to resort to Plan B. Two days later, we unanimously voted to board the Sabah State Railway and make our way to Papar.

On hindsight, this actually lessens the strain on our purse-strings by more than RM268 per person because the fare to Papar by the regular train is only RM1.85 per person one way.

The fare on the North Borneo Railway, with all its bells and whistles, was RM270 to Papar and back!

CHUGGA-CHUGGA CHOO-CHOO TO PAPAR

There are 15 stops from Sekretariat station to Tenom. Since we boarded at Tanjung Aru, there are only three stops to Papar.

It’s nice to re-acquaint ourselves with the kind of coach which we have not seen for a long time. The Sabah railway looks slightly similar to the KTM but there are fewer coaches because there are simply fewer passengers.

The interior is spacious and the colour of the seats is similar to the ones we have back home.

A friend from Sabah tells me that the State railway is the chief means of transport for those living in “reduced circumstances”. City people tend to prefer buses, mini-buses and taxis when they travel from town to town.

Locals can easily tell we’re not one of them since we sound very much like people from across the South China Sea, meaning the peninsula.

I draw some curious looks because the locals aren’t quite so sure about my identity since I am wearing a Javanese cap. I eavesdrop on a nearby conversation and hear a passenger remarks “macam orang Jawa”.

The first thing we notice before the train leaves the station is that the ceiling fans in our coach aren’t working. But when the train finally moves, the fans start spinning. Well, at least half of them do.

 The rail route is along the west coast of Sabah and it faces the South China Sea. Without any expectations, we are happy that marshlands soon loom into sight and along several sections of the route, swamps appear right next to the track.

Kampung houses are common but not many. The land is very flat and the atmosphere bespeaks of pastoral surroundings that are dissimilar from those in the peninsula.

After 30 minutes or so, we reach Papar, a town with a population of about 128,000 (2010 statistics). The residents comprise Kadazandusun, Bruneian Malay, Bajau and Hakka Chinese.

I find out later that the name Papar means “flat” or “open land”. The main agricultural crop is rice. Naturally, padi fields are found in abundance but in recent years, orchards have also sprung up.

CHICKEN GEORGE

The passengers who board the train at Putatan, Kinarut and Kawang (between Tanjung Aru and Papar) are mostly villagers and teenagers.

One of them, a young lad, has brought along a “friend” who attracts some curious looks when it begins squawking. It’s actually his chicken which is wrapped in a plastic bag with its head protruding out.

While some of us cast furtive glances at him, the boy who we nickname “Chicken George”, retreats to a secluded corner between two rows of seats with his feathered friend resting on the floor.

Every time the chicken squawks a little, he taps it gently with his foot and it stops. I am hoping that it is his pet and not headed for the pot.

This scene would have been common in pre-war Malaya on local trains. I reckon that if someone had brought along his pet goat, I would have gladly offered my seat to the horned guest. After all, it is the only decent thing to do since I am only a guest in the Land Below The Wind.

L.P. BEAUFORT NAMESAKE

Since Papar is insufficient to satisfy our sense of outdoor adventure, we proceed to Beaufort, 52km from Papar and 90km from Kota Kinabalu.

What we will do in Beaufort is as much a mystery to us as it is to the train conductor when we pay for the extended rail journey to a town in the interior named after L.P. Beaufort, a former British Governor.

Then, 45 minutes later, we glide to a gentle halt at a very quiet provincial town which has a population of 76,000. The townspeople, mainly Chinese Hakkas, are either having their siesta or closing their businesses early.

Continue reading (Incl. Pics) at: Rail-ly memorable North Borneo train ride to Beaufort

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A memorable Kaamatan Festival at Terian, Ulu Papar

THE statewide Kaamatan Festival in Penampang may have come and gone on May 31 but for Terian, in Ulu Papar, it had just ended.

We spent some time with a family in Terian to experience their preparations for Kaamatan last Saturday and what it means to them.

Terian is about two hours’ drive by 4WD or a four-hour hike from Donggongon. But in bad weather, a 4WD drive may take a lot longer.

“The last time, it took us seven hours by four wheel drive,” said Teoh Shu Woan as we watched CTing Sipail, who drove us to Terian with his family members, revved the engine to drive out of mud at 10 in the night.

“This is why I prefer hiking,” Shu Woan said.

Shu Woan is doing her masters in marine conservation at University Malaysia Sabah. Her research focuses mainly on Irrawady dolphins.

Originally from Puchong, Selangor, she celebrated Kaamatan and New Year’s Eve in Terian two years running since her first visit there with a Mercy mission in 2010.

“She’s part of our family now,” CTing said.

Trees and starry nights

The road we took was partially built by loggers and the government. It is mostly red soil and there are several rivers to pass as well.

At one point of the journey, the Kota Kinabalu city scape could be seen but most of the time, the view is limited to trees and, if you travel at night, stars will fill the skies. A rare sight if you’ve lived in the city your whole life. If you were lucky, you could catch a falling star!

When the road got too difficult, CTing’s cousin Roy would jump out of the 4WD cargo with a shovel to clear mud for CTing to drive over.

This happened a few times on our way up to Terian but it is not something new to them. Roy and CTing know exactly where the most difficult parts of the road are and what needs to be done.

When we arrived at Terian, the only source of light we had, aside from our flashlights, were from the starry heavens. I caught sight of two shooting stars when we got to Terian and even the milky way could be seen. We carried our bags and walked up to the Sipail residence.

The Sipail family consist of 13 siblings and their oldest brother, Blasius Sipail, is the Village Development and Security Committee (JKKK).

Seven of the Sipails were there to celebrate Kaamatan, including their mother who lives in Terian.

According to Diana Sipail, the rest of the siblings were with their husbands and one was in labour.

The family have been living in Terian for generations.

“My mother was born in 1935, and she’s been living here ever since. The family lived through the Japanese occupation and British colonisation,” she added.

Three-day event

Kaamatan is not your typical harvest festival. It is celebrated on different dates in different villages and each village has its own unique tradition.

Terian’s Kaamatan is a three-day event with sports events for the children, football competition for both girls and boys apart from Best Dish, Best Tapai and a lucky draw.

As simple as they may seem, these events involved everyone from the community and I had this feeling everyone in the Terian community was part of one big family.

Even by just living in their house, they treated me like family. They were not trying to hide anything and were completely comfortable with the presence of a stranger.

They offered me more than I could ever ask for and treated me as one of them. The sense of belonging is the most wonderful gift anyone could give a stranger.

Continue reading (Incl. Pics) at: A memorable Kaamatan Festival at Terian, Ulu Papar

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Discover Sabah, Malaysian Borneo through Homestay - lifetime experience to guests

PAPAR: Homestay operators in state have set a new branding – to offer a lifetime experience to their guests throughout the year.

And to ensure guests are “in-the-know” of their activities, the Homestay Association Sabah (HAS), with the collaboration of Tourism Malaysia and Sabah Tourism Board, took the initiative to come up with a colourful and useful brochure which they call the 365 Days Celebration with Homestay Sabah.

With the tagline “Discover Sabah, Malaysian Borneo through Homestay”, the brochure is filled with photographs reflecting the many programmes carried out by homestay operators in the state, a map of Sabah to show where these homestays are located as well as a run through of their activities, addresses, contact numbers and prices.

STB chairman Tengku Zainal Adlin Tengku Mahmood, who launched the brochure at Kampung Mandahan here on Tuesday, described the brochure as “handy” and is a true reflection of the homestay programme in Sabah.

“Every homestay in the state offers different experiences to their guests.

“It is an opportunity for visitors, be it domestic or foreign, to have an up, close and personal experience with locals in the state. I mean we have over 30 different ethnic groups and speaking more than 80 different dialects …how many people know this? We want them to know and so, what better way than to record it in a brochure so people would know where and when these activities would be carried out,” he said.

Having said that Zainal Adlin however hoped that homestay operators in the state would also take the initiative to ensure that their guests are entertained.

“Homestay operators should at least know one local dish, one local dance, one local handicraft and one local song which they can share with their guests, because this is what tourists want. Community-based activities are what make eco-tourism interesting,” he said, adding that it would also benefit the villagers from the spillover of the programme.

Continue reading at: Discover Sabah, Malaysian Borneo through Homestay - lifetime experience to guests

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North Borneo Railway steam train service back on track again

Kota Kinabalu: The North Borneo Railway steam train service is back on track after an absence of six years.

"This is the only one of its kind in South East Asia which I think Sabah should leverage on, said Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister, Datuk Masidi Manjun at the re-launching of the North Borneo Railway here, Saturday.

The North Borneo Railway is a joint venture project between Sutera Harbour and the Sabah State Railway Department, which was temporarily closed in September 2005 due to the upgrading works of the railway track.

The three-hour train service will operate on Wednesdays and Saturdays from to Tanjung Aru and Papar.

Masidi said Sabahans should be proud that despite the developments and the modernisation of the transport industry, the State has somehow managed to save one of the last remnants of colonial transport.

"I believe that this is going to be a winner and be very popular among tourists just by looking at all the amenities and facilities that are served on board," he said, adding that it is very important that the standard of service is maintained continuously.

"I have always advocated that there are things in Sabah that we need to maintain for instance old shop houses in Tanjung Aru, which we need to strengthen the structure and convert into something that we can actually add value to what we already have.

"We have to keep in mind that development is not just about building tall buildings, its about the convenience of the people, you need to look beyond the building itself to appreciate what you are going to put into the city.

"If the city is congested with buildings, obviously traffic jams will follow next and at the end of the day, your intentions of wanting to enrich the city would actually backfire because people will stop patronising the city," said Masidi, adding that is why the same principle should apply to a product like this North Borneo Railway," he said.

Continue reading (Incl. Pic) at: North Borneo Railway steam train service back on track again

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Twice weekly on steam locomotive ride to Papar

KOTA KINABALU: The steam locomotive of the hitherto North Borneo Railways brought 60 guests back down memory lane yesterday when it took a jaunt to Papar, about 39 kilometres from the state capital.

Launched as a joint-venture project between the Sutera Harbour Resorts and the Sabah State Railways Department in 2000, it aimed to preserve the historical significance through the run, while supporting the tourism sector in the state.

Commenting on yesterday’s run, the resort’s director of communications and marketing Kattie Hoo said, although the guests on the ride were mostly hotel guests, there were also some members of the public who were interested in the event and merely wanted to participate.

Hoo said, the train may well be the last locomotive in the world and as such it was an attraction not only to tourists but to locals as well.

According to her, the steam train which utilised wood as its fuel ensured a scenic ride for passengers at it brought them through villages and settlements that were still basically untouched by time.

“We started on July 4 this year and seats were fully booked which only goes to show that the response had been very encouraging so far,” she told reporters during the event yesterday to coincide with the train’s third run.

She expressed hope that the trend would continue and pick up more as it goes along.

Meanwhile, the train would be carrying out two runs weekly, on Wednesdays and Saturdays with five carriages.

It would leave the Tanjung Aru train station at 10 am and reach Papar at 11.45am.

Guests who take the package would be entitled to breakfast and lunch.

Continue reading at: Twice weekly on steam locomotive ride to Papar
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Another good spot for leisure, fish spa in Kimanis

KIMANIS: A Tagal system at Kg Kinolosodon here has huge potential to be another tourist destination for leisure and fish spa activities, said Bongawan Assemblyman Datuk Karim Bujang.

He said the Tagal spot has a suitable natural surrounding for visitors to enjoy fish-massage like the one at Kg Luanti, Ranau as well as for picnicking.

"I was made to understand by a senior officer of the Sabah Fisheries Department that the natural surrounding at the Tagal system of Kg Kinolosodon is more interesting and attractive compared to those in Kg Luanti.

"The river has big boulders and deep waters which make the area very suitable to be turned into a recreational spot for locals and tourists.

"In fact, the river water looks clear, serene and unpolluted, which can attract people to swim and enjoy the green scenery," he said.

Karim said this to Daily Express when attending the first harvest of the Tagal system at Kg Kinolosodon situated along the Kimanis-Keningau route, near here, Saturday.

About 12 villages situated near the Kimanis River are benefiting from the harvest. Among the fish they harvested were Pelian, Serawi and Lomi.

Continue reading (Incl. Pic) at: Another good spot for leisure, fish spa in Kimanis
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Papar lass crowned Unduk Ngadau Harvest Queen

KOTA KINABALU: The south-western Papar district shot to prominence in the closing moments of the state-level Kaamatan or Harvest Festival celebrations when a district lass bagged this year’s Harvest Queen title.

Appey Rowenna Januin, 18, who won the district-level pageant on Sunday said: “I’m just so glad that the Unduk Ngadau title has returned to Papar after a 42-year absence.”

The Kadazandusun lass took home prizes totalling RM39,000 including a RM25,000 scholarship from the Asia Tourism Institute, return air tickets to Hong Kong and RM3,500 in cash.

She attributed her victory to luck, saying that many of the 41 contestants were more experienced.

The second place went to Pearl Dianne Petrus, a 20-year-old Kota Kinabalu Politeknik engineering diploma student representing Kota Kinabalu.

In third spot was Joanne Kimberley J. Majalap, 19, a student from Penampang.

Continue reading (incl. pic) at: Papar lass crowned Unduk Ngadau Harvest Queen
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Rains bring welcome relief as Sabah kicks off fest

PAPAR: After weeks of scorching heat, Sabah was blessed with pre-dawn showers as the state kicked off the month-long Pesta Kaamatan harvest celebrations.

The rains yesterday were seen by celebrants as a good start to the cultural festival of the indigenous people as they give thanks to God for a bountiful rice harvest.

Pesta Kaamatan was launched by Chief Minister Datuk Musa Aman, who beat the gong seven times together with Kadazandusun Hu­­guan Siou (paramount leader) Datuk Joseph Pairin Kitingan.

That set the tone for the celebrations in other districts over the next 30 days.

Continue reading (incl. pic) at: Rains bring welcome relief as Sabah kicks off fest
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Papar to kick off the Kaamatan this time

Kota Kinabalu: Papar will start this year's Kaamatan Harvest Festival celebration on May 1, Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Seri Joseph Pairin Kitingan announced, Monday.

Speaking after chairing the Harvest Festival Main Committee meeting at his office in Sembulan, here, he said the theme for this year's celebration is 'Together We Mould a Better Future" (Bersama Membentuk Masa Depan Yang Lebih Baik").

He said it has been a while since Papar hosted the event and hoped the proximity of the district to the city will see more people at the launching.

He said dates for the Harvest Festival at district-level are still being finalised and will be released to the media at a later date.

As with past Harvest Festivals, the aim is to showcase the State's rich cultural heritage, he said, adding that events such as 'Sugandoi' (singing) and the Unduk Ngadau pageant as well as traditional sports and agriculture-products exhibition, will also be featured.

On another matter, Pairin said there was no confirmation yet on whether there will be a national-level Harvest Festival celebration such as the one held here last year.

Continue reading at: Papar to kick off the Kaamatan this time
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The Papar Kadazan Costume

The Kadazandusun community is widely spread throughout Sabah. Their costumes identify the home district of the wearer. For example, the Kadazan costume most commonly worn by women is the Penampang version: a long velvet skirt and sleeveless blouse with gold trimmings.

The Papar Kadazan costume is slightly different; it has a knee-length skirt (gonob) with a horizontal and a vertical cross-stitched panel lined with gold thread, and a short jacket (sia) with brass buttons, worn over a white blouse. The costume is complemented by a conical hat (siung) made of fine bamboo strips.

Coloured feather-down or artificial flowers at the top of the hat show the wearerís marital statusófeather-down for unmarried women and flowers for married women. Widows, grandmothers and other elderly woman wear neither feather-down nor flowers on their hats. A scarf (soundung) is usually worn under the siung.

The outfit is further adorned with silver ëdollarí (British trade dollar) belts, called rupia or lupia. Unmarried women wear four rupia, whilst married women wear only two.

The arms are adorned with bolilit, flat silver bracelets shaped like a spiral. The menís costume is fairly simple. It consists of a long-sleeved jacket (sia) similar to the womenís, worn with a pair of velvet trousers with gold trimmings (souva). A dastar cloth is folded into a headdress known as the sigal.

Courtesy of: Sabah Malaysia Borneo - Sabah Tourism Monthly Tourism Magazine

Lok Kawi Wildlife Park, Sabah

A 30 to 40 minutes drive via the old Penampang-Papar road to the southwestern part from the Kota Kinabalu will bring you to the Lok Kawi Wildlife Park. Situated about 25km from the city centre, this park has recently been officially open for the visitors this year.

The park is managed and operated by Sabah Wildlife Department under the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Environment. While most of the visitors viewed it as a zoo, it is actually a small wildlife rehabilitation centre. The 280 acres of land hosted nearly 100 species of plants, birds and wild animals. The botanical garden which is located near the end of the zoo is managed by Sabah Forestry Department.

Attractions

The park has a few interesting sections, namely the aviary, botanical garden, and majority of the parks contains mammals sections. There is also a children’s zoo and amphitheater inside the park. To cover up a visit of the whole park, you may need to spend nearly 2 to 3 hours.

Umbrellas are available for rent at the entrance and there are plenty of shelters for you to stop and continue watching. There are also a few boards containing useful information.

Visitor will be able to witness rare animals like the endangered pygmy elephants, gibbons, clouded leopard, civet cats, tarsiers and Orang utans. As at the moment of writing, there is only one Sumatran Rhino. The Sumatran Rhino is a highly endangered species in the world and is not very often easily spotted.

Parents will find the park useful as it will be able to provide ample information thus spreading the importance and awareness of our own wildlife. A guide can be hired to bring you along, and he/she will be able to learn more as guides will be able to give more information and explanation about wildlife and plants along the way.

Outside the entrance, there are a few souvenir shops that offer a range of local products. Among them, you can also purchase merchandise such as postcards, fine prints of wildlife, handicrafts and key chains as mementos of your visit. While at the park, visitors are highly warned as well as encouraged not feeding or provoking the animals.

Bring home nothing but pictures.

Other Information

*Information only correct at moment of writing.

For those of you visiting Sabah on a very short time, you may opt to visit the park which is open daily from 9.30 am to 4.30 am. Yes, for your extra information it does open on public holidays!

The Entrance fees are free for school children below 17, senior citizens above the age of 60 and People with special needs. Foreigners are charged a fee of RM20 for adults and RM10 for child. Locals with genuine citizenship are charged a fee of RM10 for adults and RM5 for children below 18 years of age.

Courtesy of: New Sabah Times 'In' Sites - Sabah Travel and Leisure Guide

Traditional food-making, Papar’s main tourist attraction

PAPAR: Food manufacturing and traditional handicraft making continue to be the main attraction for tourists going to Papar.

District Officer, Iman Ali told the New Sabah Times that tour agents who bring in tourists to the district often bring them to view traditional food-making which are conducted at several different villages in the district.

“For instance, tourists are brought to a factory making ‘kuih cincin’ (cakes shaped like a ring), which is found a lot at local market grounds at Kampung Melugus in Papar,” he said.

He said that the factory has received a lot of tourists and his office has received requests to increase on the number of such establishments in the district.

In addition, the Papar district is also famous for its ‘gambus’, traditional guitar, he said.

“Tourists can view the making of the ‘gambus’ at Kampung Seri Serpang in Bongawan, Papar. Aside from that, we also have a yearly ‘Gambus Festival’ which is held every July,” he said.

Continue reading at: Traditional food-making, Papar’s main tourist attraction