How Much More Suffers Like This?

A friend of mine posted this photo in her Facebook recently:

Notice that?  

This poor kitty was found minus 1 leg.

If it's in KK, I would already drag my brother to go and take it home...but the sad part is that this kitty is in Labuan.  If you happen to know anyone who lives in Labuan and can provide a good home for this kitty, please look for it behind the Hotel Pulau Labuan 2, near Kedai Kopi 126.

May God repay your kindness in 10 folds.

What are these?

Recently, my mom sent me some avocados and also some fruit that I never seen or heard of:

It has a bright yellow flesh, quite sweet but texture and smell is a little bit like a dried ciku.  

There's only a single seed for each fruit, and it's almost like a durian seed (to me).

And this ciku-like fruit.  Twice the size of the normal ciku, taste sweeter than a ciku.  

My mom said it's nice when made into juice.

I don't know what's the name of these...and ask my mom, she also said that she don't know.  I guess lately they had been coming up with all sorts of hybrid fruit, something like that.  But if you do know the name, please let me know ya!

Music Fest at the Tip of Borneo

If you missed this fest, you missed a whole lot of experience that you can't get everyday! Did I mention that the musical performance only starts when the sun goes down?  Imagine this:  sitting on the ground, enjoying your favorite food and drinks, watching a live music performance as the sun goes down, until the moon appears on the sky.  Occasionally, there's fireflies fluttering slowly and the cool breeze from the sea added the mood to the evening, sync with the beautiful music echoed, far from the busy city.  For just couple of hours, there's just you, the nature and music.

Anyway, on 16 July 2011 (Saturday), we arrived quite late due to the rain and road conditions in the midst of our journey that slowed us down.  Luckily, the weather is fine and fair when we arrived at 5:30pm.  I am excited when the first thing that I saw as I hopped down from the coach, there was a row of men and women, donned in their beautiful Rungus traditional costume lined up.  Tom went to look for Pamela of Sabah Tourism and returned shortly with our pass.

We're given a media pass, along with brochure of the event for 2 days and some information of the performers for this fest for our reference, all packed in a beautiful paper folder.  ^_^V

There aren't many stalls around (which I realised I forgot to take photo of it, because soon as I got my pass, I rushed to take photos of the lovely people with the beautiful traditional costume) - was kinda disappointed that there's no one selling roasted sweetcorn *sigh*.  Okay, I spotted there are rows of people selling it while on the way to Kudat, and was drooling at the sight of it!  Too bad the shuttle didn't stop there...uhuhuhu....apart from snacks, ice cream (Vedablu opened their booth), some Hoko products, drinks and souvenirs...that's was just about it...

Sorry if it's too small for you to see....just click on the photo for a better view ya...

These men and women wearing Rungus traditional costume.  I can't tell you how excited I am when I saw them and observing the details of their attire!

Also present, YB Datuk Masidi Manjun, 

Minister of Tourism, Culture & Environment Sabah.

The crowd is waiting patiently....however on 17th, the crowd seems to be less than the day before.  Maybe because it's Sunday so most people had to go to work.

On the first day, this petite young lady started the evening with her numbers:

Dayang Noraini.  She's the best performer and champion for the 1998's talent show 'Sinaran Passport Kegemilangan' hosted by TV3.  

...serenaded by the Jesselton Philharmonic Orchestra as the sun setting down...

These young people are so talented!

Imagine that...the sound echoes...as the sun goes down...

I think the highlight of the fest will be this group called N'jami from Japan.  

They are one of the performers of Sing Out Asia, been performing for several places where their proceeds goes to those in need.  They speak very little English...but it's just a small matter compare with their talent, good performances and powerful vocals!

You be the judge....

This cute singer is Art Thomya, from Thailand.

the beautiful Imel from Indonesia

Julianne from Philippines

Kinabalu Merdu Bamboo Orchestra

Marylleynney Fane Paul, the 2nd runner up for the 2011 Sugandoi (singing) competition.  

Ms. Lala from Indonesia...she reminded me of the singer Michelle Branch.

Amir Yussof, a no stranger to the local entertainment industry.

Personally, I love this shot... 

Fred Feraddy A. Okuling, the winner of the 2011 Sugandoi competition.

Marco from Indonesia.  

Yoshiro Maehama from Japan, a talented guitarist.

Another musician from Indonesia...I forgot his name *blush*

ah well...the performers that I didn't get to take photo or watch is by Roger Wang and friends, also the supposedly there's a pocket show by the Misompuru Homestay Cultural Group on the first day.  Reason?  Me, Tom and Charlotte went to the only available restaurant there, waited for more an hour for our food, only to get our ordered getting sent to the other table and they sent different food to ours!

Plus...the lady who supposedly operating the restaurant almost over-charged me, not even apologizing for being late, and for the price 'error' (2 cokes + 1 fried rice, she told me it's RM13.70.  Then when I handed over RM15 to her, she told me it's RM17!  Charlotte immediately grabbed the calculator on the counter and wanted to start calculating, the lady immediately took RM10 from my hand and left me with the RM5 note, no sorry, nothing.  I can't sleep the whole night and kept on thinking about it and something came to my senses...the coke was supposed to be RM2 per can and the fried rice is about RM6-RM7 per plate.  By right it was RM4 + RM7 (the most) = RM11!  So even if she charged me RM13.70 that night, I will still be over charged!)...Okay, so you suddenly have a lot of people coming in, but please at least give your customer a menu, not after we been calling for it for 4 times!  And it's just not us...there are many other customers who are frustrated, one man almost had an argument with the lady who manned the counter (I presume she might be the owner); hungry foreigners too!  It's not a good impression to the local and over seas visitors.  *sigh*

Someone asked me how is this festival going comparing to the Rainforest World Music Festival I went the weekend before.  It's unfair to compare these 2 events, really.  Overall, the 2 days fest is good, except the staging area is quite 'packed' on the first day to accommodate the orchestra, and if there is a next year for me, I don't want to visit the restaurant, ever!  Also, maybe there will be more food stalls opened?  At least the locals can earn a little extra, and we don't have to rely on to the mercy of the lousy operator to feed us.  I am sure many will agree on this.  

Again, my special thanks goes to Sabah Tourism for the opportunity given to me to the fest, Tom Rungitom from Borneocolours for recommending my blog, also to the staff and management of Tropical Holiday Paradise for their kind hospitality, and getting us to and fro KK-Kudat safe and sound (if you plan to visit Sabah, I really recommend them!).  

Till then, see you in the next event!

Note:  Thousand apologies for my delayed post.  Had lots of issues going on with my work.

Music Fest at the Tip of Borneo: My Journey to Kudat

Believe it or not, last weekend was my first time to Kudat.  So, as I mentioned in my previous post, I went to the Music Fest at the Tip of Borneo courtesy of Sabah Tourism.  From the rainforest at the end of Borneo, I'm off to the very Tip of Borneo within a week.  Isn't that awesome?

Well...here it goes:

That afternoon (16/07/2011), I went to the pick up point at Likas Square bus stop to supposedly get the shuttle going towards Kudat.  There I was greeted by the friendly staff of Tropical Holiday Paradise, and I was handed my bus ticket.  Tom & Charlotte was a little late, but we managed to get into the same bus, phew!

The shuttle.  The lady and the man in red is the management of Tropical Holiday Paradise.  Very friendly people. =)

This is Ray.  He's a funny guy, really.  

I heard from friends that the journey from KK to Kudat is about 2 hours but due to the weather, road condition (especially on the 1st day) and for the safety of everyone on board, our journey take about 4 hours!  I am inside a comfortable coach anyway, so nothing to complain about...and yes, going to the washroom before starting the journey and to the washroom again during the 10 minute break halfway from the destination is a wise thing to do!  

I had to say, the road seems like endless...like going somewhere very far...or maybe the thought of going to the 'Tip of Borneo' makes me feel that way?  When we finally arrived, the view is...breathtaking!

 From here, you can see the South China Sea met with Sulu Sea.  Sea breeze, beautiful, peaceful and serene. It was as if the time stood still!

and...I am amazed by the rocks.  Imagine how long does it take for it to shape like that?  It must taken a long time for Mother Nature to get her masterpiece done before someone discovered it.  I didn't get down there...though I am tempted to.  If you are afraid of heights, unsure of where to step down or thinks it's unsafe for you, best not to go down...and don't ever think of going down there when it's slippery and wet!

No visit to the Tip of Borneo will be complete if you haven't taken photo with this globe!  I got my shot, but in Charlotte and Tom's camera...*sigh*

Did I told you that the sunset view here is spectacular?

Just a short introduction about this district here: 

Kudat is a small town located at the northern part of Sabah, and it's accessible by road or by plane.

Located about 190km away from Kota Kinabalu, this town has a population of about 68,000 people which it's ethnic composition is mainly the Rungus.  This town was founded on 7 December, 1881 by A H Everett from the British North Borneo Company which supposed to serve as the first capital of British North Borneo, due to it's strategic location where it faces the South China Sea and on the East of Sulu Sea .  However, because of the rampant disturbance by the pirates the capital was shifted into a more secure location on 1883.  

Other places of interest in Kudat: 

Kg. Bavanggazo - you can visit the traditional Rungus longhouse and experience the lifestyle of the Rungus community.

Kg. Gombizan - Honey bee farm.  You can witness how honey is harvested and processed before sending it out to sell.  You may also purchase one for yourself at reasonable price.

Kg. Sumangkap - Gong factory.  Gong is valued both as a musical instrument and symbol of wealth.  Here, you learn how it was made.

Tamu Kudat - Every Tuesday and Wednesday, you might find anything interesting freshly harvested from their farm, or from the jungle displayed for sale.

Tinangol Beads Centre - If you fancy of beaded jewelry like me, you wouldn't want to miss this.  You can witness the complicated task of making beautiful accessories made of colorful beads of different size and colors.  Basket weavers displayed their beautiful work will be here too.


More info about Kudat, places to stay you may refer to www.sabahtourism.com 

For sure...I really wanted to return to Kudat again someday.  ^_^V

Now, let's get to the Music Fest!

Music Fest at the Tip of Borneo

*Cough..cough*

Yes, I am still coughing, the fever's gone down. 

Seems like maybe..just maybe...you all will have to wait for my Kuching stories for few more days because I just got a call from Tom Rungitom of BorneoColors that I was one of the bloggers chosen to the Music Fest at Tip of Borneo courtesy of Sabah Tourism!

From the rainforest last weekend, this weekend I will be at the Tip of Borneo!  It's like going from one end to another, right?  

Anyway, in case you are wondering what is this fest about, Music Fest at the Tip of Borneo will held it's 5th year this year in Kudat; this year will be featuring musicians/performers from several countries including Njami, Yoshiro (Japan), Amir Yussof, Jesselton Philharmonic Orchestra, Roger Wang and Friends (Malaysia), Julianne & Nino (Philippines) to name a few.

The festival will start at 5pm - 9:30pm on 16th & 17th July 2011 located at the Tip of Borneo, or also known as Simpang Mengayau, Kudat.  Tickets are sold at RM30 (Arena view with sitting mats) & RM50 (Grand stand) respectively.  For more info of this fest, check it out HERE.

You may also contact:

Organiser : Sabah Tourism Board / Sri Pelancongan Sabah Sdn. Bhd 
Contact Person : Ms. Susan Shahira 
Telephone : +6088 232121 
Fax : +6088 265540 
Email Contact : shahira@sabahtourism.com 




I see you there! ^_^V