Cuti-cuti Sabah: Going into the mangrove P1

This is my second time visited the KK City Bird Sanctuary in Likas. The first time was 4 years ago, also during SIL's visit to KK. Nothing much has changed, which is good; apart from some buildings deteriorated and closed down. DH & myself always apreciate this pleasant 1.5km boardwalk around the mangrove forest, while experiencing the ecosystem up close.

The Bird Sanctuary that remains is an important refuge and feeding ground for many species of resident birds, as well as several migratory bird species from Northern Asia. The Kota Kinabalu Bird Sanctuary in Malaysia also acts as a breeding ground for the marine life that is protected by the Fishery Department of Sabah. Tiny fishes hide under the intertwined mangrove roots from feeding birds. [source]

Geared up with his binocular. He was quite excited spotting the mudskippers and fiddler crabs. Walking along the boardwalk, we could hear clucking/tapping sound made by the male fiddler crabs - as they wave their oversized claws high in the air and tap them on the ground in an effort to attract females.

"tap!" "tap!"

Quite interesting to see this amphibious fish uses its pectoral fin, to "walk" on mud.

Baby C enjoyed himself too

Mama, carry me please.

At the platform where the three generations were bird-watching.

We didnt see many birds, probably it was too early for the birds to come home (It was around 5pm). We spotted a little Egret and a kingfisher searching their pre-dinner meal.

The locals called this bird Keruak, or other name is the white-breasted Waterhen. I had always wanted to catch this bird when I was little; but it was too fast for me. It is one noisy bird that made the ruak ruak ruak sound. I guess, that's where it get its local name from.

Unfortunately, it is sad to see lots of rubbish in the mangrove swamp. Those rubbish probably was washed in during high tide, or could also dumped by irresponsible patrons. Wonder if people would ever change and start to care the environment. By the way, do you see a little crab next to the green bottle?

Cuti-Cuti Sabah: Kundasang / Ranau

We decided to stay at Zen Garden Resort this time, the previous years were at Mesilau / National Park / Pine Resort. Quite spacious, a chalet with four bedrooms inc WC in each room. It has a kitchen, a dining area and a living room with TV (But who wants to watch TV during vacation? - Well, we did as it was a very cold and windy night that time, we dare not to go out - not after dinner, at least!).

It was a good decision that we did steamboat at the balcony, bought fresh vegetables at the close by market place. BILs barbequed some chicken wings while SIL & MIL prepared the steamboat tom yam & chicken s. Well, I was busy as usual, the amah (maid) for the kids who were monkeying around, having good fun.

Tickle Koko! Lately, the two boys were seen playing together well.

Cheeky C!

My turn!

We visited the Kinabalu National Park. It was raining, so we decided to visit the Kinabalu Natural History Gallery instead. Local handicraft, local musical instruments, animal/insect/plant specimen, history, rocks and minerals and other info relates to the National Park; a small gallery, but I think its worth visiting. But the best part was : hillarious when my nephew read the Malay text in his American accent : SELEMET DETHENG! bla bla bla. more reading..bla bla.. kewesen kundeseng! bla bla..... haha! We got nothing better to do as we were killing time waiting for the rain to stop.

We visited the Kundasang War Memorial too, which was built in 1962 to remember the 2,428 Australian-British POWs during the WWII who died during the Sandakan Death March in 1945. From the info I read, only 6 survived to tell the story. I remembered that my parents did bring us here some donkey years... But with the newly restoration done sometime in 2005, it is so beautiful with three gardens - the Australian, English & Borneo garden.

Lest We Forget!

As we entered, these notice board caught our attention. hmmm... Just wondering if they could have word them better.

At the Australian Garden (^_^)

The top is a contemplation garden to commomerate those names who didnt return home. Reading their names, age and how they died gave me the chill. I was taken aback, overwhelmed with what were written, at the same time remembered Agnes Keith's Three Came Home book where she did mentioned about her encounter with a few of the Australian soldiers who tried to run away from the Japanese. RIP, dear brothers!

Commomeration of those who never return home. Rest In Peace.

At the top of the roof, overlooking part of Kundasang village.

The next day, we visited the Poring Hot Spring... again! hehehe.. yeah, it will not be complete to visit Kundasang without going to Poring. With the little toddler with me, I decided to forgo the canopy walk this time, instead chilled (more like steamed) with MIL at one of the enclosed bath tubs. However, we were quit dissapointed that the running hot water doesnt smell rotten egg sulphuric enough.. U know, we were like, did they use the actual Hot Spring water? Just wondering....

Koko C decided to join Papa for the canopy walk, which again suprised us as he became more adventurers than we expected. (Did you know that the name Poring comes from a dusun word for a bamboo species found in that area? - Wiki).

On the hanging bridge

Lets hug a tree

This definitely more than a century old tree.

Taking a break before heading downwards.. corn corn corn!

And before we headed home, we stopped by at Tagal Sg Moroli, Ranau. Can you guess what we did there? Check out the few pictures below.

Care for fish massage anyone? hehehe

The kelah fish are so tame, they rub their body against our feet. With food in our hand, they rush towards it and start sucking the food - and suck our skin too, just like a sensation of a vacuum cleaner against our skin.. Suprisingly, they seemed to have no teeth....

Baby C was enjoying the massage. In fact he was trying to hit catch some fish around him.

Cant get enough of the fish, BIL carried him dipping the whole body in to the river. He just love the cold dip, refused to come out when we called him. Too bad, one only allowed to dip for 15 minutes. I guess the management dont want to stress the fish too!

and koko decided to stay out of the water, he rather feed the fish from the river bank.

It has been a fun trip, except that the majestic mountain has shied away from us. Too bad, with rainy day like this, its too cloudy to enjoy the scenic view.

Next post: Kinabatangan / Sandakan trip. Stay Tune!

Cuti-Cuti Sabah: Nexus Karambunai

We stayed at one of the Nexus Pool Villa for 3D2N. Everyone loved the place, very spacious - 3 rooms with a kitchenette, and a private lap pool by the side.

Baby C just love the water, demanded to be in it every time he remembered;

while koko C was getting use to the water.

Koko C was having fun, with his cousins around him.

(Thank you Felyx & Rikki)

Live pawns!

Batik painting with Dai Gu (Papa's elder sister)

Dipping himself at the poolside

At the beach, it seemed like he was in deep thought.. felt insecure as he held Rikki's hand.

Trying to overcome the fear in water - arrrhhhhhhhhhhhh!!! - showing his masculinity at a young age!

Finally, he forgot all his fears and went into the sea water!

The kids physically enjoyed themselves, esp being in the water (pool & beach). They cycled, tandem biking, surfed (unfortunately, our waves arent big enough), swam and swam and swam.... and got sun burn all over!

U Wilson & koko C, kayaking at the Nexus Lagoon; before we went back home. We were suprised, despite having fear of water, Koko persuaded to do kayaking.

Next trip: Kundasang

Cuti-Cuti Sabah: Lok Kawi Wild Life

It has been a while since the last break we took with the Vuns. Due to the H1N1 outbreak, we decided not to venture out to Bangkok nor Perth. Instead, we did the cuti-cuti Sabah.

My BIL always say OHANA, that means family ~ family means nobody gets left behind or forgotten (excerpts from Lilo & Stitch). So that means, whatever crazy adventure we were heading for, all must join.

So there we were, driving from the western to the eastern of North Borneo. We cancelled the northern part as we figured that we were too exhausted to drive another 3 hour journey to the tip of Borneo, instead we went down south, an hour and a half drive to the Padas River.

The best part of this holiday was seeing the kids spending time together, where before this, they only met each other via skype. To koko C, they are the big bro/sis he never had. A good 17days spending time with them, koko C had forgotten to seek attention from his parents - hehehe - a good thing, that gave us a break. Slowly, we'd noticed that koko C started to pick up accent in his conversation. and both the boys were growing at a faster rate... (hey, I didnt realise that baby C could understand Malay too!)

Some pix at Lok Kawi Wildlife Park, the most economical visit where we only paid minimum RM10 and spent time there for almost 6 long hours. This is one place where we always love to visit.

Bumpy ride!

Hey, papa!

With uncle Wilson, the mad photograper from Seattle & his daughter Rikki, a future botanist/zoologist in the making. She knows the name/details of most plants/animals that we came across with... and she is only 13yo.

Felyx, the future Malaysia International soccer player - kidding! the machoman in the making... one of the family's most talented kid - always excels in whatever field he chooses to be in. One determined kid - only 16yo, his future is in his own hand!

Cant resist to share this pix - elephants bonding, taken by BIL. This is one of my favourite animals - the elephant in general. These ones here are the Borneo Elephants. There are more of the pictures, but I must only pick one (else this blog post will be flooded!)

BIL sees things differently, that shows by the photos that he took. Instead of an animal, he take the details of it. Fascinating shots! Well, I rather not post too many of his photos here... I cant afford to pay royalty fees. hehehe. Btw, do you know that a male zebra is the black one with white stripes, and a female one is the white with black stripes.

Next was the Nexus trip.

Random April

Joyride with the boys.
I have not been sitting at the front seat for a very long time.. prolly eversince lil C was born... seriously!! Now, with both carseats at the back seat, my fat butt cant squeeze in between the spaces anymore (Thank God! lol). Lil C is happy to have his brother to sit next to him, and Baby C does not cry knowing his koko is always there to keep him distracted happy!

One of his favourite past times. This was the first time Lil C played at the sand bunker. He was having difficulty hitting the ball out into the fairway. While every golfer hates this section, lil C was having fun being in here. The sand was everywhere on his head, body, in shoe.. Finally, after a number of hits, he managed to hit the ball out! Pheww!!

Wait... Not to forget to instill the golf etiquette in this young tiger! Rake the bunker to smooth out the footprints and other marks made before leaving the bunker :)

carrying his own golf bag, back to the driving range..

and hit another 50 balls... The most important is that he enjoyed the whole learning process.

Some random pictures: lil C's collection of airplanes made using duplo & lepao blocks.

Picture taken by Lil C.. say cheese!

meanwhile, update on baby C, he started walking 2 days after he turned 1. Now, he can walk without support and trying to run after his koko :) Now.. where is the video I took...??