Day 11 : Flower of Moon Bay Beach

Day 11 :  Flower of Moon Bay Beach
Kota Belud  2018-11-30 FRI 10:41

Strange little flower looks like half of the flower being carefully cut off, but its not. Growing by the sandy seaside of Moon Bay Beach,

I for long have the impression of  Kota Belud as a quiet boring farming town. Not until this trip when, Chun Xing, my son who studied Geography, specially pin pointed several sigh seeing locations in Kota Belud. It turned out to be eye opening.

Kota Belud is another town blessed with natural beauty.

If I have enough time to collect a sample of all the wild flowers by the road sides of this town. It will be easily 50 over difference wild species in nature, not to include those artificially grown horticultural flowers in houses and parks.
This indicated how rich in natural flora of Kota Belud.

Perhaps I should make a next trip to prove that there are really 50 over species of wild flowers natural growing in this town.

Day 11 : A tantalizing time in Moon Bay Beach

Day 11 :  Moon Bay Beach
Kota Belud  2018-11-30 FRI 11:01

Moon Bay Beach

A tantalizing time in Moon Bay Beach, Kota Belud. Photoshoped with four images

Moon Bay Beach is situated in the South Sea surrounded by a beautiful bay with reefs coral and marine life. A well kept secret beach of the local villagers until recent years the government paved a good road to this area.

A quiet place where a happy family wishing to enjoy a relaxing, peaceful, family bonding time in an isolated location.

哥打毛律的月亮灣海灘, 馬來西亞
Moon Bay Beach月亮灣位於哥打毛律，周圍環繞著美麗的海灣，珊瑚礁和海洋生物。

長久以來是當地村民的私密海灘，直到最近年政府鋪設了通往該地區的道路後。

這樣一個安靜無人的地方, 能享受到輕鬆和平. 是一個家庭戶外活動理想地點.

Day 10 : Feeding fishes at Kg. Telungan

Day 10 : Feeding fishes at Kg. Telungan
Kota Belud  2018-11-29 THU 11:23

Feeding fishes at Kg. Telungan

Feeding fishes at the river of Kg. Telungan a Tagal Conservation Site.

Kg. Telungan is a short drive from Kota Belud Town. This site has fresh air and clean mountain water. Ideal for family leisure activities.  .

Sistem Tagal (Tagal System) is part of the social and economy development  in 190 rivers in Sabah.  Under this Tagal System the villages restrict the frequency of catching fish in the rivers.  And instead have a big community harvest of the fish once or twice a year.

There are  190 rivers with Mahseer fish  in Sabah have been designated as conservation sites under the Tagal (conservation) System programme.

Day 10 : Cows and Horses

Day 10 :  Cows and Horses
Kota Belud  2018-11-29 THU 16:04

Cows and Horses 

Sabah tourism is promoting that “Everywhere in Kota Belud you can see cows, horses and Bajau Cowboys.”

It is not true to say “Everywhere”.  Only when we drive to the lonely roads in the country side, here to our great amusement are groups and teams of horses and cows.

Sabah tourism also promoting that “Bajau are Cowboys of the East.”.

We found this is not true after we visited Kota Belud. We see all the Bajau men are none is a Cowboy. Only on each Sunday market, a few men may dress up to look like a cowboy sitting on a horse for showing off to the public. International tourists’ Internet photos on these few fashion show men created the wide spread legend that Kota Belud is the cowboy town in the East. (We came on the wrong day, today is only Thursday)

But the teams of horses and cows in the country side excited us for the rest of the afternoon. In our hometown we can never see troops of animal wondering freely on the highway like this.

Day 10 : Nepenthes gracilis

Day 10 : Nepenthes gracilis
Kota Belud old road 2018-11-29 THU  16:36

Nepenthes gracilis is one of the most widespread Monkey Cup plant (Pitchers Plant) in Borneo.

Native to Borneo Island, Sulawesi, Sumatra, Malay Peninsula.

This is a great opportunity to see a Monkey Cup again. In Sabah these tropical pitchers plants usually to be seen in Mount Kinabalu and in protected forests.  To be able to see one just by the country road side of  Kota Belud indicated that this town still has it natural environment in control. This protection must keep up by the authority.

The last time I saw one just by the road side was in 1978 in Kuching City. At that time Kuching was still a town with many well covered hills by the country road sides. Flatten and gone are these green hills with pitchers plants in an over developed Kuching today.  One has to go deeper in the jungle to find one now a day.

Day 8 : Polumpung Melangkap Camp Site

Day 8 : Polumpung Melangkap Camp Site
Kota Belud 2018-11-27 TUE 07:09

Polumpung Melangkap Camp Site

Another graduation photo with Mount Kinabalu as background.

We all woke up early in the morning and stand ready infront Mount Kinabalu to catch the first ray of the sun rising above Mount Kinabalu. It’s the most famous mountain in Southeast Asia.

Day 8 : Polumpung Melangkap Camp Site

Day 8 : Polumpung Melangkap Camp Site
Kota Belud 2018-11-27 TUE 17:47

Polumpung Melangkap Camp Site

Camping create lasting memories.

Elegant river, exquisite landscape, and a jaw-dropping view of the majestic Mount Kinabalu in the morning and evening.

This is Kota Belud’s Kampung Melangkap Village where several camping sites operated by villagers on their own lands where generation ago were still rice fields.

Less then 2 hours drive from Kota Kinabalu city on good road. We chose this family friendly camp site which is getting popular in recent two years for its river and view on Mount Kinbalu.

Day 7 : Polumpung Melangkap Camp Site

Day 7 : Polumpung Melangkap Camp Site
Kota Belud 2018-11-26 MON 17:51

Day 7 : Polumpung Melangkap Camp Site

Camping under the Rainbow.

If camping create lasting memories, camping under the rainbow create everlasting memories. How shell I say an everlasting praise to Mother Nature when camping under a double rainbow?

With a canopy and two camping tents, we spend two wonderful nights at Polumpung Melangkap Camp Site. Above us is rainbow when sunset. Above us is a night sky with starlight.

Nightfall, I slept in the open air directly under the starlight, only to be defeated by  cold in midnight to take refuge into a tent squeezing with other family members.

Day 7 : Resting place of ancestors

Day 7 :  Resting place of ancestors
Nirvana Memorial Park – Kota Kinabalu 2018-11-26 MON 12:20

Resting place of ancestors

Resting place of Great-grandmother and Grandparent.

As a respect and remembrance of the ancestors, we pay a visit and offered a prayer in Nirvana Memorial Park富貴山莊 (亞庇) about 8 km from the city.  Shirley, though married to the Wong family for over 20 years, this is her first time to visit this ancestor site.

Great-grandmother and Grandparent came to Borneo Island from China during the darkest history of China 100 years ago. Their six children were all born in North Borneo (now Sabah).  As descending continue, there are now grand and great-grand children being born in Australia and Canada.

This is not the ancestors’ original burial place. This is their migrated and integrated grave in 1999. Three of them were originally buried separately in a small old cemetery near Kota Kinabalu city. In order that the future descendents can easier to find them together, their remaining bones were collected and transferred into this modern cemetery.

We are descendents of the Hakka people from Guangzhou 廣州 in Southern China, as their tombstone reminded us.

Day 7 : After Convocation

Day 7 :  After Convocation
UMS 2018-11-26 MON 10:19

After Convocation

Don’t know why these grown up kids need to play with their cap in this way.

But it is a global tradition of graduates all over the world throwing their caps to the air after convocation ceremony.

Chun Xing Wong - Bachelor Social Science (Geography).

Day 6 : UMS 20th Convocation Ceremony

Day 6 :  UMS 20th  Convocation Ceremony
Chancellors Hall 2018-11-25 SUN 10:26

UMS 20th  Convocation Ceremony 

Chun Xing Wong getting his scroll and graduated with a Bachelor degree in Social Science (Geography).

Total 5,003 students graduated during University Malaysia Sabah’s 20th Convocation Ceremony.

Day 5 : Musical Fountain at Perdana Park

Day 5 : Musical Fountain at Perdana Park
Kota Kinabalu 2018-11-24 SAT 20:09



Musical Water Fountain is the main attraction of Perdana Park which comes alive from 7:00pm to 9:00pm daily. Each sessions runs for 20 minutes with 10-minutes intervals.

Perdana Park is a recreational park in Tanjung Aru, Kota Kinabalu.

Day 5 : Tanjung Aru Beach Festival 2018

Day 5 : Tanjung Aru Beach Festival 2018
Kota Kinabalu 2018-11-24 SAT 19:35

Tanjung Aru Beach Festival 2018

“Drink plenty of water!” Aunty Patrin giving free palm reading to participants of Tanjung Aru Beach Festival 2018

Tanjung Aru Beach Festival 2018,  23rd to 25th November at Prince Phillip Park, Tanjung Aru Beach, Kota Kinabalu, 9:00am to 10:00pm.

Organized by the tourist industry to encourage beach-goers in keeping Kota Kinabalu beaches clean. This festival is a “Trash-Free Event” with hope that the beauty and cleanliness of Tanjung Aru Beach continue to be a tourism product with an amazing sunset view all year round.

Day 4 : FREE RIDE available in K. K.

Day 4 : FREE RIDE available in K. K.
2018-11-23 FRI 08:17

FREE RIDE available in K. K.

FREE RIDE bicycles are available in Kota Kinabalu. Must try out my next trip to KK.
This free bicycle riding services is implemented by Kota Kinabalu City Hall (DBKK)


To get a 24 hours Free Ride bicycle the following needed:
1- Produce MyKad or Passport (for non-Malaysian);
2- Register at DBKK Counter

A Rm200 deposit MAY be required.


Those cycling fens and use bicycles to explore the water front of Kota Kinabalu City. There are two bicycle routes completed recent years:
1- Tanjung Lipat Cycleway (TLC) Coastal Scenic Ride
2- Tanjung Aru Cycleway (TAC) Sunset Scenic Ride

Day 3 : With Rainbow and Mountain

Day 3 :  With Rainbow and Mountain
Kundasang 2018-11-22 THU 07:18

With Rainbow and Mountain

藍天白雲下還有彩虹和高山

Day 3 : Rainbow over Crocker Range

Day 3 :  Rainbow over Crocker Range
2018-11-22 THU 07:15

Rainbow over Crocker Range

Woke up early for morning walk. And what a nature wonder I found, a gorgeous full arch rainbow appeared above Crocker Range just beside Mount Kinabalu.

I have just started the trip and already this is the second rainbow seen.
Rainbows usually seem so far off, but this rainbow is just behind the trees nearby. A rainbow in  a full arch across the sky like this is not easy to come across.

Day 3 :
2018-11-22 THU 19:13

LA MIAN拉麵
(hand pulled noodle)

China Muslim Foods

Stewed Beef with Rice燉牛肉蓋飯

In the Food Court of Suria Sabah Shopping Mall in Kota Kinabalu is a newly opened Halal food stall中國穆斯林美食 by  Muslims from China serving authentic Xinjiang新疆cuisine.

Muslims are well known in preparing beef cuisine. Today I tried the Stewed Beef for the first time. The test of this plate of tender  stewed beef is excellent and is different from the taste of  local beef preparation in Sabah. Lot of green hot chilly (Didn’t know before that people over there also love chilly like us)

This La Mian master in the picture came from Xing Jiang Province Ürümchi City烏魯木齊 of China.

Day 3 : Kundasang Town

Day 3 : Kundasang Town

BCCM 2018-11-22 THU 07:51

Crotalaria sp ? Unidentified. (Crotalaria retusa ?)

I spotted this species of Crotalaria flower for the first time. (Despite I visited Kundasang many times). I do not know this species name yet and hope someone can help. Most likely to be a Crotalaria retusa which original native land  is tropical Asia.

This is the second species of Crotalaria I came across in Sabah (and Borneo Island).

The first species is Crotalaria pallida猪屎豆 which can be spotted in several locations in Kota Kinabalu and Tawau.

Day 3 : Mount Kinabalu

Day 3 :  Mount Kinabalu
2018-11-22 THU  08:00

Mount Kinabalu

For many years I was wrongly proud to believe that I have twice conquered the highest mountain of South East Asia. But recent years I must admit that it was not true.

Mt Kinabalu used to be believed as the highest mountain in South East Asia,
But scientists’ researches show that  Mount Kinabalu, at 4,095.2m, is not the highest mountain in South East Asia. Neither is it the second highest. Mount Hkakabo Razi in Myanmar is the highest at 5,881 m, and there are a few other mountains in Indonesia that are higher than Mount Kinabalu.

Even with this downgrade in status, I still have the desire to climb Mount Kinabalu for the third time one day. For today I just woke up early to look at it from afar.
Mount Kinabalu lift my spirits and keep my dreams alive during tough times while needing a little encouragement.

Day 2 : View of Mt. Kinabalu from B-Inspired Abode

Day 2 : View of Mt. Kinabalu from B-Inspired Abode
2018-11-21 WED 10:09

View of Mt. Kinabalu from B-Inspired Abode

If Darjeeling is the Queen of India's hill stations
Then Kundasang is the Queen of Borneo’s hill station

Day time is around 21 degree. Like in an air-conditioned building.
After sunset, temperature will drop to less then 20 degree to 10 degree. Remember to bring enough warm clothing when you come to stay in Kundasang.

白天約21度, 就像在空調裡一樣。
但日落之後，溫度將降至10度。 來昆達山時，記得帶足夠的保暖衣物哦。

Day 2 : The newly completed B-Inspired Abode

Day 2 : The newly completed B-Inspired Abode
2018-11-21 WED 10:52

The newly completed B-Inspired Abode

Day 2 : Rainbow over valleys of Kundasang Town

Day 2 : Rainbow over valleys of  Kundasang Town
2018-11-21 WED 16:28
昆達山的彩虹

Rainbow over valleys of  Kundasang Town

天氣晴朗時來到昆達山的遊客對眼前大自然景色都為之驚嘆。

藍天白雲襯托，一道拱橋彩虹劃過雄偉的神山，彩虹隨著天氣變幻，一舜間難得一見的美景。

Day 2 : Lavandula of KINABALU

Day 2 : Lavandula of KINABALU
Kinabalu National Park 2018-11-21 WED  08:15




Shy little pink flowers blooming quietly by car park side of Kinabalu National Park.

Unassuming little wildflowers always surprises and delights me whenever and wherever I spotted them. This species I notice today for the first time, thought it has grown and prosper here since time ancient.

This highland species is different from the common species found in my lowland area.

Day 1 : Tawau to Kundasang. Pan Borneo Highway at Balung

Day 1 : Tawau to Kundasang. Pan Borneo Highway at Balung
2018-11-20 TUE 07:27

Day 1 : Tawau to Kundasang. Pan Borneo Highway at Balung

The new Pan-Borneo Highway section at Balung Town is completed. Nice to drive on new smooth road with no potholes.

Day 1 : Pan Borneo Highway at Kunak section

Day 1 : Pan Borneo Highway at Kunak section
2018-11-20 TUE 12:59

Day 1 : Pan Borneo Highway at Kunak section

The new Pan-Borneo Highway section at Kunak section is in progress.

Day 1 : Lunch break at Junction Kg. Toupus

2018-11-20 TUE 16:10

Day 1 : Lunch break at Junction Kg. Toupus

Time to stop driving for some foods. 60km before Ranau Town is this shade at the junction to Kg. Toupus. A good shade with table and benches. Here I have a pack of instant noodle of extra energy for another 2 hours drive to Kundasang.

On the table is an old rusty iron cash box for grateful users of the place, like me, to drop in a dollar or two.  The interesting thing about this box is that though it has a pad locked but it is loosely tied with tin wire to the table leg.  Certainly not good enough to prevent human thief. But just to prevent it from wild dogs and naughty monkeys.

There are many such unattended Cash-Boxes along the Ranau Road. Vegetables stalls by the road side with fresh vegetables for sales yet no one is around except an open tin or box served as cash box. Buyers stopped by just pick up what vegetable they like and pay by dropping the cash into such cash-boxes.
I like this type of trust among the local people.

Day 1 : Neonauclea endertii 婆羅洲新烏檀

Day 1 : Neonauclea endertii 婆羅洲新烏檀
Madai Water Fall 2018-11-20 TUE 09:22








Neonauclea endertii is a rear forest flower that found only in undisturbed forests on limestone soils. Usually on ridges.  This is a Borneo endemic species not grown in other region except botanical garden such as Singapore Botanical Garden.

I stop my car at Baturong Forest Reserve after Kunak Town for half an hour rest and a walk to the Madai Waterfall and saw this flowering plant by the deep slop.

Gadgets for the camping trip

Gadgets for the camping trip

1976 Bicycle Racing in Kota Kinabalu

1976 Bicycle Racing in Kota Kinabalu

The 11th arrival sprinting to the finishing point while the Finish Judge acknowledge official records. 

I participated the bicycle race and finished at 11th position and rewarded with a fountain pen and a tin of MILO.

The race started at Penampang before the hill and finish at Tanjung Aru Beach. The route took less then 1 hour to cycle..

On that morning, about 80 cyclists including me gathered at the Central Padang in down town. A few lorries carry our bicycles and us all the way to the starting point at Penampang road before going up the hills. There were organizing staff ready here and get every one prepared for the start.
Each one was given a tag number. The tag number was according to sequent number of registration.  Out of about 80 participants,  I was the number 13th cyclist to register soon after the town board announced the event on news paper . This indicated I was quite a cycling enthusiastic in town those days. Today if there is a Senior Citizen Bicycle Race, I will be among the first to register and will be happy even among the last during the race.

This amateur level bicycle race was, and has since being, organized by the Kota Kinabalu Town Board.

This 1976 bicycle race was organized by Kota Kinabalu Town board. Ever since, the Town board never neglected cycling activity.

In 2017, 40 years later, Kota Kinabalu Town board has progress to the stage of offering the KK FREE BICYCLE RIDE system with 150 bicycles for the public and tourists.

The 11th prize :  A fountain pen and  A tin of MILO

No: 13 may not be a lucky number. But I managed to have a fountain pen and a tin of MILO for the bicycle ride from Penampang to Tanjung Aru.

The champion receiving the 1st prize a Raleigh Chopper bicycle

1976 Bicycle Racing finish at Tanjung Aru Beach on 31st August 1976 TUESDAY
The Champion receiving the 1st prize : A Raleigh Chopper bicycle

The Raleigh Chopper is a children's bicycle of the 1970s by the Raleigh Bicycle Company of Nottingham, England. Its unique design became a cultural icon and is fondly remembered by many who grew up in that period. Rich children in the 1970s must ride on one of this Chopper to show off.

Raleigh Chopper - cultural icon in the 1970s
  

similar model as mine from Google Images

I do not have a picture of my red bicycle for remembrance.  But manage to find this similar model from Google Images.

Over development killing the City

Over development killing the City

From 1978 to 2008. Changing shoreline of Kota Kinabalu.

According to statistics, between 1976 and 1985 a total of 73,000 Filipino refugees were registered in Sabah.

Over the last few decades the narrow shoreline of Kota Kinabalu has changed. What KK was in the 1970s, is now almost unrecognizable to those who grew up close to it like me. The shoreline has changed over the last three decades with most of the city centre built on reclaimed land.

1978 The old fish market of Kota Kinabalu Town

1978 The old fish market of Kota Kinabalu Town (now city)

1978 The old fish market of Kota Kinabalu Town (now city)

Opposite the old fish market was a slum area of about 100 illegal squatter families (see right corner of the photo). The longboats in front the fish market were their daily transportation. Most probably the same boats used by them to escape from Philippines to seek asylum in Sabah.

The 1970s' Philippines Muslims seeking asylum in Sabah is similar to 2000s Rohingya  Muslims seeking asylum in West Malaysia.

In 1980s, the local authority begun to relocate  these refugees away from the city water front. These refugees filled the shortage of cheap labors in the fishing industries. Without them, there will be no cheap seafood in Sabah.

In 2000s Chinese from China begun flowing  the beautified waterfront. Almost all of them consume the cheap seafood while in Kota Kinabalu. Keeping the fishing industries bloom alive. Keeping these cheap laborers originated from Philippines in highly employed.

1978 Happy refugee child with his boat at Kota Kinabalu waterfront.

Today, many Malaysian born children of the Philippines refugees are still without Malaysia citizenship. But they are highly demanded as cheap labors  keeping Sabah fishing industries stable growth.