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Rafflesia - World's largest bloom
Sabah |
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Proboscis Monkey Sanctuary
Labuk Bay, Sandakan, Sabah |
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| Sipilok Orang Utan Sanctuary, Sandakan, Sabah |
" Wanderlust - a strong desire for or impulse to wander or travel & explore the world "
KF Wong, my travel buddy together with 9 of his travel buddies are currently on a guided Cuti Cuti (Vacation) Malaysia tour to various touristy places in the Borneo state of Sabah, Malaysia commencing Nov 29 > Dec 20 2021 ! Here are some of the interesting pictures KF has forwarded to me & I am pleased to post them in my travel blog for your reading pleasure !
KF's group of travel buddies for this Borneo Rainforest guided tour visit to Sabah, Malaysia
Travel itinerary: Kuala Lumpur > Kota Kinabalu > Maragang Hills & Peak > Rafflesia Reserach Centre > Mount Kinabalu Botanical Garden > Proboscis Monkey Sanctuary, Labuk Bay (Sandakan) > Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre, > Kinabatangan River Safari > Tabin Wildlife Reserve & National Park trekking & Night Safari (Lahad Datu) > Semporna (Tawau) > Tun Sakaran Marine Park, Mabul Island, Bohey Dulang & Sipadan Island > Bukit Tawau National Park > Maliau Basin Conservation Park (Sandakan) > Donguan Hill (Keningau) >
Sabah is a Malaysian state in the northern part of the island of Borneo, nicknamed "Land Below the Wind" because it is located just south of the typhoon-prone region, making it free from typhoons, it's famed for its 4095m tall Mt Kinabalu, the country's highest peak crowned with distinctive granite spires (I had successfully climbed Mt Kinabalu in July 2011 at the age of 61), Sabah is also known for its beaches, rainforest, coral reefs & abundant wildlife, much of it within parks & reserves, offshore, the Sipadan & Mabul islands are popular diving destinations.
Day 1 & 2 (Nov 29 & 30 2021) - KF arriving in Kota Kinabalu, state capital of Sabah & on Day 2, KF's group was on a guided mountain trek & hike of the Maragang Hill & Peak (2232m, a major tourist attraction) located about 2 hour drive from Kota Kinabalu, Maragang is the Dusun (Sabah's native) name of Red or Maroon Leaf Monkey; for 1st timer, it's a great hiking experience for this leg of trekking covering rugged natural trails, thick forest, mossy paths, enjoying cool mountain air, stunning & beautiful panoramic views from wooden platform, majestic backdrop of Mt Kinabalu & Mesilau trail, the one way ascend (1.6km) may take 1.5hr to 2 hours from the base to Maragang Peak depending on one's physique & energy !
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KF's group of trekkers - The 5 Malaysian Musketeers
showing up in Maragang Hill ! |
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KF's group trekking uphill accompanied
by a local guide (mandatory) |
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| The 2 Charlie Angels of KF's Group |
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Beautiful mossy arch way while descending
from the peak of Maragang Peak |
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| A further 1.3km climb to reach Maragang Peak |
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| Smiling all the way up the Maragang Peak ! |
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Uphill trekking to Maragang Peak
A wooden viewpoint platform,
Background is Mesilou & Kundasang |
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| KF standing tall in Maragang Hill |
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| A thumb up for KF at Maragang Peak |
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KF's group at a viewing platform in Maragang Hill (2232m),
behind is Mt Kinabalu (4095m) |
KF's Maragang Peak trekking pictures indeed have relived old memories & Good Old Days of my Mt Kinabalu, Sabah climb (July 26 2011) - my 1st mountain trekking / climb (8.7km from the base to Low's Peak), my once in a lifetime & no doubt, an unforgettable experience ! Slow & steady, strong will & determination, my group of 4 managed to reach the summit of Mt Kinabalu (4095m), we were on top of the world (in jubilant mood & feeling extremely happy) when our group members posed for a picture besides the Mt Kinabalu erected signboard !
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| KM's group of trekkers from Peninsula Malaysia (July 2011) |
Rafflesia flower, Sabah - the world's largest bloom & can be over 100cm in diameter, Rafflesia is a carnivorous plant that smells of rotting meat to attract prey, it is rare & valuable, it is the state flower of Sabah, a total of 46 Rafflesia sites are known in Sabah and occurs between 260-940m of elevations, distributed from Mt Kinabalu to Crooker & Trus Madi Range extending to Tenom & Mt Danum, the highest concentration is around Poring Hot Spring station & the surrounding villages on the east side of Mt Kinabalu, this species very endemic to Sabah, it might be a subspecies to Rafflesia arnoldii & two varieties of Raffesia ciliate or Rafflesia witkampii, following are pictures taken by KF's group on Rafflesia - I have yet to see one in my life !
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A picture of Rafflesia (76cm diameter) at Rafflesia Research Center
in Poring Hot Spring Resort in Kundasang Highlands in Ranau, Sabah,
started blooming 2 to 3 days ago, most beautiful & brilliant reddish color
before fading & wilting away |
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| A close up of Rafflesia Flower |
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A budding Rafflesia flower, takes two
weeks to blow up into a full blown flower |
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Rafflesia past its full blown glory
& turned from radiant reddish to
wilted black coloured flower |
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Dark colored round buds of Rafflesia at different stages of its maturity,
take 12 months to mature into a full blown Rafflesia flower |
Day 3 (Dec 1 2021) - KF's group visit to Mt Kinabalu Botanical Garden, 5,000 to 6,000 plant species grown in Kinabalu National Park, entrance fee is Rm2 (US$0.05) ! The main entrance of Mt Kinabalu Botanical Garden is situated at about 1,500m above sea level concealed by dense trees; KF's group spotted beautiful flowers & berries in botanical garden during trekking along the Bukit Tupai Trail inside the Kinabalu Park.
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| Mossy Arch entrance at Kinabalu Park |
Day 4 (Dec 2 2020) - KF's group lunch Seng Feng Restaurant, a small family run seafood restaurant (owner is also the chef) in the suburb of Sandakan, Sabah, this yummy, sumptuous, fresh seafood lunch (pre-ordered) costs Rm77 (US$11.80) per pax, smiling faces from every member awaiting for the seafood dishes to be served !
Day 5 (Dec 3 2021) - visit to Proboscis Monkey Sanctuary, Labuk Bay (privately owned, located within an oil palm estate about 38km from Sandakan), wild monkeys roam freely at this expansive sanctuary with popular scheduled feeding !
Day 6 (Dec 4 2021) - Sepilok OrangUtan Rehabilitation Centre, Sandakan, entrance fee is Rm5 (US$1.20) feeding time is around 10.00, the centre is located about 25km west of Sandakan, opened in 1964, the first official OrangUtan rehabilitation centre project for rescued baby orangutans from logging sites, plantations, illegal hunting or kept as pets.
Kinabatangan river safari in late afternoon looking out for wild animals, birds etc, a great wildlife watching experience in Borneo state of Sabah !
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Kinabatangan River Boat Safari to
the wild wild Borneo Forest interior ! |
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| An eagle spotted high up at the top of a tree ! |
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| A flying eagle ! |
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| An eagle resting on a tree branch |
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| A beautiful blue feather Kingfisher - a flying beauty ! |
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| Kingfisher with blue coloured feathers |
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| A Kingfisher resting on a tree branch - the tiny blue spot ! |
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2 Oriental Pied Hornbill birds resting on a tree branch
calm & motionless for KF's group to admire ! |
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A Rhino Hornbill bird high up on a tree
along the bank of Kinabatangan River
quite rare to sight this specie of bird ! |
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Jaw bone of a wild elephant (dead) left
on the bank of the Kinabatangan River |
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Close up photo of an Alpha proboscis monkey spotted on
a low tree branch near the boat along the Kinabatangan River |
Day 7 (Dec 6 2021) - breakfast (char siew / roasted BBQ meat with wanton mee / rice) in Tien Kee Restaurant, Kim Foong Market, Sandakan, the best char siew mee in town !
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| Tien Kee Restaurant, Sandakan |
2) KF's group arriving in Tabin Wildlife Reserve & National Park, Lahad Datu, Sabah (4 hrs drive from Sandakan) & staying for 2 nights; a nature reserve in Sabah, it was created in 1984 to preserve Sabah's disappearing wild animals, occupying a large part of the peninsula forming the northern headland of Darvel Bay, located 48km east of Lahad Datu.
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| Tabin Wildlife Reserve & National Park, Lahad Datu, Sabah |
3) Jungle trekking (commencing 15.30) in Tabin Wildlife Reserve & National Park, Lahad Datu, Sabah
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spotted a Serpent Eagle among branches
of oil palm trees along a gravel road |
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| Serpent Eagle |
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| Pig tail monkey |
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| A group of pig tail monkeys loitering around ! |
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| Tiger leech on a leave of a jungle plant |
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| Trail to Lipad Mud Volcano |
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Elephant's dungs left behind by
a herd of elephants last week |
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| Elephant footprints. KF's footprints ? |
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A huge elephant footprint approx 20"
diameter, probably from a big elephant |
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| Volcano mud rich in minerals |
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| Elephants come to volcanic mud for their salt licks |
4) Night Safari (commencing 20.00) - due to a technical issue, I am not able to post a video clip covering a sighting of an owl during KF's night safari in Tabin Wildlife Reserve & National Park, Lahad Datu, Sabah.
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An owl sighted during the Night Safari in
Tabin Wildlife Reserve, Lahad Datu, Sabah |
Day 8 & 9 (Dec 6 & 7 2020) - early morning trekking (commencing 06.45) in Tabin Wildlife Reserve & National Park, Lahad Datu, Sabah !
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| Tabin Wildlife Reserve & National Park Visitor Centre, Lahad Datu, Sabah |
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| KF's group's accommodation along a river bank inside Tabin Wildlife Reserve |
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Beware ! No entry for any visitor
without a ranger guide |
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KF in full gear, wearing gum boots,
leech socks, water resistant pant & hat
for a morning (06.45) trekking trip |
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| Footprints of Sambal Deer |
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| Group's crossing a stream during the morning trekking trip |
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Tabin Giant Tree.
World's tallest tropical tree ? |
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| Tabin Giant Tree. 90m tall ? |
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| Now you can see how tall is this Giant Tree ! |
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| Trail to Lipad Waterfall |
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| River crossing ! |
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| A safety rope ! |
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| Lipad Waterfall |
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| KF enjoying a swim in Lipid Waterfall ! |
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| KF's group having a jolly good time ! |
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| Spotted another beautiful Rhino Hornbill in today's trekking |
Day 10 & 11 (Dec 8 & 9 2020) - visit to Semporna, a town on the island of Borneo Sabah, its the gateway to Tun Sakaran Marine Park, a group of 8 islands with dive sites on the Kapikan & Church reefs, Bodgaya Lagoon is home to eagle rays & barracudas; on Bohey Dulang Island, the rocky Dulang Nature Trail has panoramic views; Hawksbill & green turtles hatch their eggs on the biodiverse Pom Pom Island.
KF's group overnight stay in Mabul Island, Tawau, Sabah (tour package includes accommodation & 3 meals & 3 snorkelling sessions) at Mabul Island & a nearby Kapalai Resort; due to the Covid-19 pandemic & mobility restrictions, tourism business in this famous island resort in Tawau, Sabah is gravely affected !
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| Big John Scuba agency in Semporna, Sabah |
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| Semporna Ocean Tourism Centre |
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| Arriving at Mabul Island, Sabah |
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| Big John Scuba conducted 2 snorkeling training sessions for KF's group (10.30 & 14.30); KF saw 1 big turtle & a small one while doing the 2nd snorkeling session |
Day 12 (Dec 10 2021) - KF's group visit to BoheyDulang Island, Tun Sakaran Marine Park, Tawau, Sabah, also known as Semporna Islands Park, consists of the islands of Bodgaya, Bohedulang, Sebangkat, Salakan, the sand cays of Maiga, Sibuan & Mantabuan and the patch reefs of Church & Kapikan - a beautiful marine park & a paradise especially for those who enjoy scuba diving, snorkeling & water sports & trekking in the Park etc !
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| Arriving at Tun Sakaran Marine Park, Tawau, Sabah |
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BoheyDulang Island Registration Counter
Tun Sakaran Marine Park, Tawau, Sabah |
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| Magnificent Looking ! |
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| Another Great View ! |
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| Incredible ! Scenic Coastline ! How not to fall in love in this place ! |
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| KF in jubilant mood standing at the top of a view point ! |
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KF's group photo at Bohey Island - the pink circle is the view point at the peak !
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| Photo taken at a view point 600m high at the Bohey Island (a panoramic view) |
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| Awesome & Gorgeous Looking ! |
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| Calm & Peaceful ! |
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| Very Scenic ! |
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| Wow & Wow ! |
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| KF (on the right)'s group 3rd snorkeling session with the tour leader in red life vest |
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| Underwater beautiful fishes |
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Underwater video taken by
one of KF's group member |
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Sun setting down progressively in Mabul Island
as viewed from the hotel |
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| What a great photo ! A Beautiful Day ! |
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| The Cloud ! The Setting Sun ! The Sea ! |
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Capturing the right moment !
A beautiful setting sun in Mabul Island, Sabah ! |
Day 12 (Dec 10 2021) - KF's group visit to Sipadan Island, Sabah - Sipadan is only 30 acres & is covered by pristine forest, the amazing diversity & abundance of marine life found at Sipadan makes it one of the world's top diving spot & most famous scuba destination
KF getting ready to go for a snorkelling to explore the underwater world !
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Bajau folks hawking live lobsters &
crayfish cockles to hotel guests
staying near the diving centres |
Day 13 (Dec 11 2020) - Jalan Jalan (Walkabout) & Makan Makan (Eating - breakfast, lunch & dinner) in Semporna town, Tawau, Sabah. Eat & enjoy the local yummy food !
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KF group's breakfast (toasted bread &kaya) in this renowned Kopitiam
(Coffee Shop) in Semporna Town |
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| KF Group's lunch in this restaurant serving loacal Bajau Laur dishes - yummy taste ! |
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| "Latok" seaweed salad (grape seaweed) - fishy taste ! |
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Dinner time ! KF's group queuing up
at this famous Porridge shop in Tawau |
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| Hot claypot porridge Rm9 > Rm12 |
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Seafood porridge with fresh prawns
& fish fillets |
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KF ordered 6 pcs of pan fried
meat pie - Shandong recipe ! |
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| Pork satay ! |
Day 13 (Dec 11 2021) - KF group's trekking in Bukit Tawau National Park, Sabah, an exciting day after witnessing the world's tallest tropical tree !
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KF Wong - well attired in long pant,
leech socks & shoes |
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Group photo - World Tallest Tropical Tree (88.32m),
Tawau Hills Park, Sabah |
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World Tallest Tropical Tree, Tawau Hills Park
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Day 14 & 15 (Dec 12 & 13 2021) - KF's group visit to Maliau Basin Conservation Centre aka "Lost World of Sabah" located in the deep isolated interiors of Sabah enroute from Tawau to Keningau (350km or 5.5 hours drive), longer drive time due to very poor country road conditions with numerous potholes & damaged road sections ! The Observation Tower in Maliau Basin Conservation Park is located 2 hours drive from the small town of Keningau, Sabah, many herds of wild elephants roam freely in this Park, best time to watch elephants are in the morning (06.00 > 09.00) & in the late afternoon / evening (16.00 > 20.00)
Maliau Basin Conservation Area is a region in Tongod District of Sabah which represents a geographical catchment surrounding the Maliau River, located around the centre of Sabah in the Sandakan Division, it was designated as a Conservation area by the Sabah Foundation in 1981.
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Map on Maliau Basin Conservation
Area & its Buffer Zones, Sandakan |
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Welcome to Maliau Basin
Studies Centre, Sandakan, Sabah |
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KF's group trekking along "Knowledge Trail" inside Maliau Basin National Park,
half of the Maliau Basin is banned for entry for 50 years (till 2040) to the public & commercial activities to preserve its pristine virgin jungles, animal species & flora ! |
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KF at the base of Observatory Tower,
Maliau Basin Conservation Park |
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KF posing for a picture by the side of a
Maliau Rim Observation Tower sign !
Thumbs up ! |
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Maliau Rim Observation Tower sign
Sandakan, Sabah
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| Maliau Rim Observation Tower |
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KF at the Observatory Tower
Any luck on sighting of wild elephants ?
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Direction Sign > Sky Bridge, Belian
Camp & Trail, Knowledge Trail,
Suspension Bridge, Riparian Nature Trail |
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| KF standing on a Suspension Bridge |
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spotted a venomous snake while trekking
at Maliau Basin Conservation Park |
Day 16 (Dec 14 2021) - KF's group trekking in Donguan Hill, Dirikohon Hill (502m) & Neretyan Hill, Keningau, Sabah; Donguan Hill is a 2.9km out & back trail located near Keningau, the trail is primarily used foir hiking & walking & offers the chance to see wildlife !
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Welcome to Donguan Hill, Tenom, Sabah - The starting point for KF's group
ascend to the peak of Doguan Hill |
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| KF getting ready to do the Donguan Hill Hiking Trail |
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| KF's group trekking uphill |
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| When the going is tough, the tough gets going |
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Donguan Hill trekking - arduous uphill climb
with the help of rope inching the way to the top ! |
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| KF at the 1st peak of the Dirikohon Hill (502m above sea level) |
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| KF's group made it to the peak of Donguan Hill, Keningau |
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KF's group continued their ascend to a further & higher peak (Neretuan Hill) after Donguan Hill - The final score ie 1 big smile, 2 victory signs & 2 thumbs-up !
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KF thumbs-up at Neretuan Hill Peak
Highest Point |
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KF at Donguan Hill Peak - leaving
his footprints behind ! |
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