Thru My Lense

Sleepy Hollow of The East

2009-05-23T07:28:00.000-07:00

Kuala Penyu...

Been seeing the signboard all the time, on the way to Labuan & Beaufort,
but i never had the chance to really go there... Sleepy hollow kan.. who on earth would wanna go there???

as soon as i reach this small town.. i noticed how quiet and slow things moves around here.. even cars were few on the road... and one thing caught my eyes.. The Turtles..!! Kuala Penyu kan.. (turtle's bay - loosely translated to english) and the chain.. used to pull the ferry.. i never had the chance to see the chain ferry crossing Prai River, only heard abt it from the mouth of the elderly ppl.. and seeing it with my own eyes.. fuyooooooo.. siok..!!!

See, the man can cross the road without even bothered to look at the sides

and camera shy people - running away as soon as the lense pointed to them... hmmm... sioknyerrrrrr
and those who r not that shy.. phewittttttt.. dr KB kot... judging from the cowboy hat... Koboi Bajau kan.. hahaha.

The only petrol station i saw around here.. or at least, thats wat i think.. unless there is another somewhere hidden in the town.. all i see were bottles of petrol being sold at much higher price..!!

and you wouldn't wanna have a flat tire around here, would u??

The life line and the machine.. the chain links with the ferry at the background.. one should really use the kuala penyu - menumbok road at least once in their lifetime.. taking the road less travelled sometimes means much more.. gives u something that no others can give..

another mean of transport to cross the river... this dude is waiting for passengers to go to the other side...

politik kampung or wat??

the dude that operates the ferry...

The Otherside...

and along the way..... nice beaches and beautiful sceneries along the kuala penyu - membakut stretch.. i just love the scenery there...

ciao...

Borneo Downhill Challenge 2009

2009-05-18T05:13:00.000-07:00

Day 1 - 16th May 2009

Called andy sk, going to meet him at Tun Fuad.. for the downhill challenge.. excited nie.. was there at 8, hike up all alone to the peak.. but where the hell are the riders.. finally i saw 3 goin downhill.. one after one.. but where r the others? no spectators, no marshalls, no medics.. somethings is wrong.. no officials at the peak, not even at Tun Fuad.. then andy came along.. mana bro.. teda apa2 pun sini.. beskal pun teda..!!

we decided to go down again.. then we see all coming up.. and we were half way down already by then.. disaster strike again... (who the hell came up with - lightning never strike twice..??) the marshall chased us out coz we have no media passes.. hey, hello.. we dun do this for the money, we do this for fun.. and y the double standard oo?? digital camera can snap photos, DSLR owner must get media pass.. end result, both have images that can be published n printed.. mangkuk la korang but rules are rules, so both of us go down la.. apa lagi, walk to SM Sains oo.. punya jauh hahaha.. just for the change of snapping the photos, and no interruption, am willing la to go down again.. hmm.. next time publish la in the posters that DSLR owner need to register n get the media pass..

but these round wasnt that exciting and the clouds is threatening.. and lapar la.. naik bukit turun bukit ingat main2 ker.. and no water some more.. and like heroes, went up with out even a cuppa kupi 'O'.. telan air liur jer nak kasi basah tekak.. andy n i decided tomorrow will be the best time for us to go there again.. yahoo.. media pass ada.. short cut ja la bisuk

but that day, on day 1, i admired this dude's determination.. tayar pancit masih mo pecut downhill.. dun give a damn of wat he is facing.. he was sprinting like a wind..

Day 2 - The thrill is here...

Wat excites me the most is not the riders.. but the photographers.. 70-200mm lense is like a favourite lense for the event.. and i wonder how many was actually using a D60 body like mine.. cant see any.. uwekkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkk.. napa la low class giler nie milik aku.. had to double the effort..

The winner - JK - look at the smiling faces behind him..

Haris..

Behind the Scene

The lovely umbrella gal.. who knows her name huh??

JK in his hot seat.. surrounded by hot chixx.. he's the last man standing

Sitting in the hot seat, b4 being replaced by another fastest rider

down yet strong .. those riders came down fast, with one thing in their mind

fastest time..

the riders in the hot seat (should i call it hot bucket)

photography session with the chixx.. hmm i mean the riders

the spectators.. and photographers..

The photographers

Adam.. cool dude..

The Machine

Gaya Street Market

2009-05-09T12:25:00.000-07:00

there is something special about this tamu (market), though its in the middle of the town, once you entered the tamu, you r taken to a different dimension. its like walking thorough something mystical. hahhaha.. crazy u may say, but thats wat i feel everytime i go to tamus.. How many market, street market that is, that you can walk down the street and smell the freshly roasted coffee beans being grounded and packed rite infront of you.. and as you walk further down, you hear the unmistakable sound of kulintangan (a gong like musical instrument, smaller that the normal gong u see, how did i forgot to snap that photo? i was mesmerized by the sound la.. hahaha). This two things, the coffee and kuintangan.. it has its own stories.. well, the coffee, will always remind the sabahan of Tenom, the town that is situated in the interior part of sabah.. and if you r in sabah for more than 2 weeks, everytime u smell that aroma, Kopi Tenom sure cross your mind.. and kulintangan is always played in functions like weddings or other special functions, usually by the bajaus.. and other races too.. but i think its well known among the bajaus and the sungais.. and on the other side you'll hear someone singing some malay songs, seriously, you'll know its totally out of the tune.. Simon Cowell with have a heart attack the minute he hears it, but if he sees the person singing the songs, i think he would probably stay for a while until it ends.. for the singer is a blindman, trying to live a life singing in the street, no matter how out of tune it may sound like, at least he is not like some mat rempit snatching away people's money and life..

Then, you'll see something that any dog lovers & cat lovers hate to see.. puppies n kittens in cage with some price tags on it.. but this is part of the lifestyle here. Rabbits, guinea pigs, fishes & even tortoise has its price. Small kids as well as adults will be all around this cages, looking at the innocent looking puppies and cute kittens.. wonder who is incharged of controlling this pet trades.. someone need to look into the matter.. one pup reminds me of shadow, my lil newfie puppy..

And you'll continue walking, curiousity takes you further down. wanting to see wat stores at the end of the market.. but somewhere in the middle, you'll stop.. yea, you will.. if you r into art/drawings that is.. you will stop. For who would not stop to see the handwork of the local painters, telling the stories of their land in a piece of canvas?

The tamu simply has so much of life in it.. some many aromas and sound that each has its own unique stories to tell. The story of sabah.. mystical land beneath the wind...

Penang KK final set.. part 3..

2009-05-09T03:37:00.000-07:00

From Tamparuli, we continue to KK, Gaya street tamu to be precise.. Shopping la konon.. for all the souvenirs, exotic, only found in Borneo la konon-konon.. so let them do the shopping and i sat at somewhere nearby, told them to be back by 1000hrs. Need to head to Jesselton to catch the boat to the island.. Manukan island, thats wat i had in my mind.. been diving there and the other island, i never done snorkling until now near the shores...

the boat ride to the island was cool.. used to it odi.. but not the life jacket.. hardly wear it when i go diving.. hahhaa.. BCD kan ada.. a short ride to the island.. and the weather was kinda nice.. cloudy.. and i just look for a shed upon reaching the island.. naah.. dun really like to snorkle.. let them enjoy it..

After the trip.. we went back and look for more gifts.. my god.. i never seen guys doin shopping like this.. i always tot girls r shopaholics, but never did they told me guys could be worse.. hahahha.. too bad i didnt bring along the camera for this round.. if not, i could post the photos of guys with tonnes of souvenirs in their bags..

cheers...

Penang to Kota Kinabalu (Kundasang) part 2 la nie

2009-05-09T00:51:00.000-07:00

After Poring, we head straight to Rose Cabin, the place we gonna stay for the night. 10 of us now.. 4 is somewhere along timpohon to laban rata.. hahhaha.. at least we got our guys climbing up there.. but before heading there we had some late lunch at Ranau.. MAMAK.. hahahaha.. i did warned this guys abt mamak food in sabah.. its nothing like Penang mamak's.. hehehhe.. sendiri mau ingat la bro..

dumped all the bags in the room and hit the bed.. hahha.. it was cold there in Kundasang.. then when i wanna take the shower.. i went like.. "huh.. this is nothing like the normal electric heater, what is this???".. Gas heater..!!!! OK..!! no smoking here.. who ever wanna smoke, get the hell out the room...!! But none dare to go out the room after 6.. it was freezing.. hhaha... not really freezing but to someone that so used to 35 degree celcius, 16 is definitely freezing.. and this guys were taking their own sweet time that little did they know, the restaurants around Kundasang will b closed by 9.. and 2130hrs.. all ready to go for dinner... but no place to buy anything.. hahahhaaha.. i had to drive to Ranau back and hit KFC (opened 365 even if the world gonna end) that is the only place to get something to eat.. and by the time i got back to the lodge, the fried chicken was close to getting frozen.. hahahhaha... the boys were playing card game and i was too tired odi.. need to head to kk early in morning

Break of dawn, waking up looking at this majestic huge rock.. i quickly grabbed my camera n took some shots.. i am not sure if i would ever see the sunrise from here.. the swallows were flying everywhere, birds singing.. it was gorgeous... (sayu-sayu lagu sayang kinabalu main dikepala otak aku nie)

left the place and head towards kk.. hahhaa.. rindu plak kat kk.. stopped at tamparuli and showed them Tamparuli bridge, well for them its just another hanging bridge.. they dunno the song, so i cant expect much.. only the other bridge, the one that for cars that caught their attention.. almost same level with the water... had our breakfast there, 10 indians in a chinese restaurant.. reminds me the 1st time i enter the restaurant few years ago, all the eyes on me.. hahha indian ma.. celebrity jugak kira in this land..

Penang to Kota Kinabalu (from KK to Simpang Mengayau and Kinabalu) part one la orang bilang.. hahahaha

2009-05-06T11:29:00.000-07:00

The day was finally there..!! 13 guys will be arriving in KKIA, alamak.. van settled odi.. now the car is having some problem.. thank god i resolved the issue by the time this dudes reach kk.. hahahaha... timetable, check.. all in place.. 1st thing 1st - makan - banana leaf, indian restaurant.. come all the way from penang and eat banana leaf.. hahhaha.. makan la hinava, ikan basung goreng and bambangan, ori sikit bro.. hahahha.. but what to do.. indian blood ma.. no curry one day, sure die one.. pushing them to hit the road by 1330hrs.. but its a mammoth task, the donkeys dun move until it was 1530hrs.. will i be able to reach simpang mengayau by sunset?? can la, my heart says.. only 2 hours journey wat.. sure can one... hahhahahaha.. 2 hours plus a stop at taun gusi, for jagung bakar (roasted corn) sweet, steaming corn that is.. fulamak... thats a must everytime i use that stretch of the road.. hahhaha but this time get additional stuffs la.. two bottles of montoku.. (thanni da macha).. the guys whacking it nicely and by the time i realised it.. they quietly bought another... that stop wasnt a pitstop anymore.. its more than that.. now i really have to rush to simpang mengayau... and that bone shaking stretch, unpaved, potholed, dusty road... Tuan Masidi, when gonna get the road paved la...?? malu la wanna explain to outsiders about the road condition here, tourist spot some more...

we reached simpang mengayau just as the sun was goin down.. sighhhhh... at least no complains.. the boys loved the scenery there.. hahhaha.. and they r obsessed with the panoramic view that they dun get to see every day... hahahha.. they r really into taking photo, capturing all the beautiful moments there...

and its already getting late.. getting dark and i dun really remember the way to angkung's long house.. shhhh... dun wanna scare the boys.. but once inside kampung bavanggazo, my mental mapping system took over.. who needs GPS when you mind have photographing memories of the place.. hahhaha.. thank god i had called angkung earlier.. he had prepared dinner for us... Makannnnnnnnnnnn... now, this time its more of the traditional thing that they should have la.. all the food was prepared kampung style.. pakis rebus, rebung, kangkung, and chicken cooked with soy sauce... oh.. i forgot to mention something happened right after we arrived here... Did i forget to tell them that the homestay concept at this long house means that you r goin to live for a day with all the basic necessity only?? nope.. i did not..!!! i told everyone that no aircon, no hot shower and all... so why the hell you must go and ask the longhouse headman if there is any hot shower, and that you only take hot shower, nothing less?? hellooooooo.... if you need tat, go and book yourself a 5 star hotel ler.. jangan dok mai sini this is a place for those who wish to understand and get to know the local lifestyle.. goshhhhhhhh... don every do something that hurt the headman's feeling.. and i had to apologise to him for this idiotic behaviour..

but it was ok.. tho the headman did felt insulted.. but apology accepted.. hmmmm... after the meal, we were presented with a beautiful performance by an old lady.. a nose flute, thats wat it was.. she was actually playing the instrument using her nose..!! hahahaha.. shocking eh.. yea.. it is but the sound was so soothing... like a whisper in a darkest night, taking you the the other world..

and followed by jimmy hendriks of bavanggazo.. hahhaha.. tho it was nothing like jimmy, this dude still rock..!!! errr.. like electric guitar? naah.. like strings on a piece of wood that gives a soulful sound everytime he strums it.. hmm... how to explain to you huh?? you gotta be there to hear him play to understand it la.. not gempaq, just smooth... cool old guy.. than we have some beautiful ladies walking up the stairs to our area.. all in traditional rungus dress.. gracefully, the hands and legs moved to the sound of the gong, and drum beats.. mesmerized, the boys were by this movements, hmmm.. and the beautiful ladies la.. boys will always be boys.. hahhahahha..

and then it was our turn to join the dance, and i as the 'tourguide cum photographer cum translator cum driver' dun have to join them.. hahha been doin that for quite sometime odi nie... and soon followed with the drinking session.. montoku n lihing was served.. aramaiti dia bilang ... and aramaiti it was.. hahahha.. the boys had fun and its time for the boys to show the locals their own culture, they sing tamil songs, danced to it and the indian drum beats.. and by 0300hrs, most of the guys were knocked out..

0500hrs, have to leave bavanggazo, continue the journey to Kinabalu National Park.. now.. how to get this guys up?? Start the engine and tell them, the van will be moving out in ten minutes, whether you r in it or not... hahhaha it worked.. can see how fast the boys left the long house.. Most of this guys never seen sunrises at 0545hrs... They simply cannot believe the day starts early here, in north borneo...

The Mountain view from Kota Belud.. had lite breakfast there and heading towards National Park.. more like rushing towards it.. 4 guys need to register there, they gonna climb the mount.. conquering konon, pity them.. gonna see them with swollen legs tomorrow, thats for sure..
and the rest of the group headed towards timpohon gate, the gate to the majestic mountain. did some hiking up the trail.. well, no fun just looking at the mount from the gate rite.. i make sure they hike up the 1st 1000m up the trail.. all the oversized dudes face was like being tortured.. hahahha.. only once in your life la.. sure can do one..

the Pic was taken at Carsem Waterfall.

and if that wasnt enough, i took them to Poring-Poring.. hahhaha.. the guys were all excited seeing the river. But they dunno abt the canopy walk yet.. told them to hike up the hill.. Hike again?? tht wat the faces clearly says.. and once on the hanging bridges, can see the fear in their face.. not all but quite a bunch of them.. the face is like staring death rite on its face.. hahahha.. it was funny, really funny to see them crawling there..

but that face changed as soon as they see the pool again.. hahhahah.. they just love the water, dont they... bringing the kids in them... wait for the next blog, day 2 and 3... Kundasang and island escape...

Pulau Sapi and Mamuntik Dive

2009-05-05T22:16:00.000-07:00

Beluran river kruize (for its not really a cruise)

2009-05-04T10:53:00.000-07:00

Drove to Beluran during a long holiday, had promised a good friend that i'll visit him and there is no better time than this to see him and his family.

A long drive from KK, alone passing the mountain ridge, unfamiliar terrain past Kinabalu, driving at 0400hrs, foggy road and cold weather. The day get clearer as i past the mountain, stopped at telupid for a cup of nescafe.. Nothing beats the warm smell of coffee on the cold morning. Everyone staring at the 'newcomer' at the shop. I can understand that, its not always they get a dark skinned visitor around the town.

Note to myself - Beware of the missing roads along telupid - i saw that when i was travelling to Tawau/Semporna 2 years back, on a bus. So i gotta be careful in this stretch.. and yup, i was rite, they haven't fixed the road yet. Wonder how a place this beautiful being neglected to this extend.. why the government has not done anything to rectify this small problem all over sabah.. Well, seen lamp post and cables going to the kampungs in the interior part of Paitan, but the people are still using generator for power.. Asked them why aren't there any supplies when the electric post is there. The village simply says "itu urg kerajaan janji mo kasi lampu, pasang nie tiang sebelum tu pilihanraya... nie abis suda tu pilihanraya, masi teda karan sini bos", she says.. (the people from the government came before the election, erect all the electric post here and promised to supply electricity to the place, the election is over, yet the electrictity still not available). But people here never complains, the smile on the face is genuine, the warmth of a friendship is true. Something that makes you love the place more and more.

Now back to my story... I finally reached Beluran, its not hard to find it actually.. Just follow the signboard and your are there, 5 hours away from KK.. a long drive yet wonderful to see all the lovely scenes along the road.

Well, The best part is yet to come.. Kampung Air???? When did my friend told me that he is living in a house in Kampung Air (water village - houses built on stilts above the water).. And why he look like a stranger now?? He dun have the kadazan look anymore (pendek tagap), he's skinny now and blends well with the locals there, mostly bugis, tidong and sungai,

And guess where was my 1st stop?? Kenduri doa tahlil, at one of the houses in the kampung hahaha.. KRAZY...!! Why the hell he took me there when i'm not even a muslim (tapi takpe la, kena jaga air muka tuan rumah, bedal jer la labu) had my lunch there and chill all day long.. a simple home, friendly neighbourhood, not a single door was shut close and every where you go, you feel welcomed. Didnt know they are this friendly.. hahhaha.. (Phobia pas kes Pulau Gaya). The night i went to Pak Ujang's house, an experienced boat man, to take me along the Beluran river, something like a river cruise thingy la, without any tour operator along to cut your throat. Deal was sealed and went to bed feeling great.

The break of dawn and we were cruising out from the village into the main river, the scene was gorgeous, beautiful. How lucky this people are to live in this part of the world, come on.. how many of us get to see this view everyday? All we know is we wake up and rush to work and by the time the sunsets where are too tired to even smell the roses in our own yard, provided you have your own yard that is..

And this, would be the greatest photo i took that day. I saw the birds (eagles, mostly the seahawks, brahminy kites and crested serpents eagles) circling the water, like a dive bombers they hit the water from the sky. and i tot they didnt get anything, futile attempts.. only to realise it was a great catch, for me and the birds after uploading into my laptop.. ahahaha.. how our eyes perceive things.. Note to myself - amma (mom) always says, never judge a book by its cover. (topik takde kaitan)

And in this wooden boat i cruised down the river, or was it cruising up the river.. i dun even know where we were heading, all i know, the boat man took me along the river, in and out the forks along it. And this is one of the highlight of the cruise, Mendagu waterfall.. waterfall eh?? hahha.. water falling from a plateau into the pond thats is connected to the river.. but the route to this place is gorgeous.. and its hidden well inside the nipah vegetation.. not all know the way to go there, only the locals and few outsiders ever knew about it..

the whole trip was great... so many beautiful creatures.. how many people out there really knows that proboscis monkey thrive here?? at least one thing for sure, there aren't any tourist flocking this wilderness yet.. maybe one day they will come in dozen or maybe they'll develop this scenic wilderness into oil palm plantation.. we'll never know..

Left the place with one thing in my mind.. how long will all the wildlife here survive. How long will it take for human to understand that this animals has rights to live a life the way they want to.. instead of cages, wildlife park or something.. if money comes in (eco-tourism) they are protected, if not this proboscis are shot for being the pest to farmers. well.. wonder who invade whose land here, the animal or the human..

Sabah Fest 2009, Kota Kinabalu

2009-05-03T21:52:00.000-07:00

Sutera Harbour Marina - Sunset

2009-05-01T02:03:00.000-07:00

Sutera Harbour - A name known thru out Malaysia, i would say.. beautiful place that no one should ever miss during their stay in KK...

Tanjung Aru, Best Sunset View in KK

2009-04-30T22:56:00.000-07:00

Ppl taking their pets out, lovers strolling down the sandy beach, photographers hunting for the best views for their photo.... Tanjung Aru never stops amaze me with all the life around it.. known best for its magnificient sunsets each day, ppl comes here by dozens..

Ppl chill out at one of the many seaside restaurants around here, waiting for that moment everyday.. the sunset.. you can chose to be at either the 1st beach with nice restaurants around or 2nd beach thats deeper inside, with huts and parks for you to enjoy a brisk walk around it.. but make sure you down litter the place, for you'll never know when you'll get caught for doing that.. hahahaha..

Highly recommended for its gorgeous sunset, the food is not that bad.. so and so.. the little ones will love the water here..

Kawang Forest Reserve

2009-04-30T21:40:00.000-07:00

Just after sunrise, i went there, and the gate was CLOSED..!!! Some one should have told me they open at 0800 hrs.. Damn.. but it was worth waiting tho.. the interlock pavement lead straight to the tanaki waterfall.. but dun even think of skin dipping here, this is strictly used for water catchment.. but there are pools down the stream where you chill all day long..

Entrance fee is RM2, if i'm not mistaken.. it opens at 8 until 4.. nothing much you can do here if you are not into nature, but for nature lovers, the park offers alot.. there is a 3 room chalet that can be rented here, RM250 per day, and they offer a jungle trekking along the park, at night wit a guide that is, which according to the park keeper, takes abt 6 hours to complete and tonnes of fauna and flora to be seen.. and watch out for the leeches here.. i got 4, and who's complaining.. hahhaha..

Lok Kawi Wild Life Park

2009-04-30T21:10:00.000-07:00

Dont know wat to do, so i decided to go to Lok Kawi Zoo again...!! Well always got different shots everytime i go there.. The animals never disappoint me.. Being an animal and nature lover, its never enough to see all this beautiful things. The heat was quite ok, compared to yesterday..

How to go here - Use the Penampang - Papar old road, you can see the signboard as you drive down the hill.

Entrance fee - RM10 for adults and RM5 for those under 18 and you double that if you r not a malaysian.

They have quite a number of animals here, mostly rescued from poachers or from those who been keeping them as pets. and they have Wild Borneo - Animal Show everyday except friday twice everyday, at 1115 hours and 1530 hours. Be sure to catch it.. and do get a pamphlet at the entrance, it is useful when you wanna see the animal feeding time and the direction around the park..

have fun there k.. ciao...

Kiansom Waterfall, Kota Kinabalu, Sabah

2009-04-30T20:11:00.001-07:00

A beautiful monday, no crowds except for some school kids that obviously hated the class, chose to be here instead of being in the class room.. i hiked for abt 15-20 mins until i saw this magnificent waterfall. Been a while since i been in places like this, quiet, only birds, butterflies n frogs to be around you and the cold mist created by this fall..

They have basic facilities here, though there are lots of room for improvements. To go to the highest point, you need to track up the hill, which takes you thru slippery yet quite an easy track. you'll be able to see lots of interesting fauna around here, but leeches is not one of them.

To go here, you have to go to inanam town, and drive to kiansom. Its a 30-40 mins drive from KK town.