Milky stork at The National Zoo

Milky storks can be found in the same habitat as the white flamingo. As you walk around the zoo, you can easily get clear view of them as they spend most of their time resting rather than food searching.

In contrast to flamingos which mingle just around the lake area, storks like to rest on higher ground including trees and buildings. If you are lucky, you can get bird droppings on your head while photographing them.

high up

Storks are social animal. They 'congregate' in large number even when doing nothing

 but there are lone-ranger who prefer to mind only his own business

like him

and like him (the bay-watcher)

beware of byproduct from their meeting

"I'm no stork. I'm just a passer by"

Let's watch a Sunset

Taken in Tg Aru beach sometime ago.

Would love to watch sunset today. Won't be able to make it but this will do. For now.

The story of a Crow

I was sitting on a verandah one afternoon when a couple of beautiful crow pass by, probably on their way to a lunch date. They decided that the coconut tree is the best place to 'rest' and spy for food from the nearby campers tent.

So, they chit chatted:

Crookkk, crookkk, crookkk, crookkk (Meaning: do you think we can steal food from these campers?)

He & She: Let see. Oh no, we've got sniper watching!

He: Are you sure that sniper guy can do any harm?

She: Yes! Let's just get out of here.

He: (giggles) No, I think he likes us.

She: I said let's go. He's pointing his gun at you!

He: You go ahead. I'll take care of things.

 (thinking hard)

 (3 hours later) He: Hrmmm, thay guy can't stop admiring me

He: Let's give him something worth watching

"Did you see that, sniper guy?"

"I'm off. Please take care of my sh**"

THE END

Along Ranau road towards Mount Kinabalu

Not exactly along the 70-km Tamparuli-Ranau road but a bit of connection to what you can find while traveling up to Ranau.

Welcome to Sabah!

This is 'Land Below The Wind' where you can climb the trees without being called "the man who lives on the tree"

The fun begins in Pekan Nabalu.

Here you can see Mt. Kinabalu in all its glory, provided you are lucky to have a fine cloudless morning.

Pekan Nabalu is the border to three neighbouring Districts (Tuaran, Kota Belud and Ranau Disctict). Inhabitated by the Dusun, this place is famous for its tasty pineapple and wide range of handicraft products.

If time is not an issue, spend sometime and sit in the gazebo. Wait for the sky to clear and shoot some great pictures of Mt. Kinabalu.

Otherwise, be contented with enjoying the panoramic view of Kinabalu's smaller cousin, The No'okok

I took this pic during one of our trips to Ranau. It was a beautiful afternoon with slight drizzle.

Drive further up and get to see Kg Kiau. Several villages at the foot of Mt Kinabalu - Kg Kiau Nuluh, Kg. Kiau Taburi, and a couple others.

This is Kundasang.

In Kundasang, you will see the northeast side of the mountain where it appears less steep from here.

If  you decide not to drop by Kinabalu National Park (located just before Kundasang township) then your best bet to view Mt Kinabalu at close range is Kundasang. This was shot at 200mm, f/8 with nikkor 18-200mm DX lens.

A village in Kundasang overlooking a steep valley. Location: Strawberry Garden Hotel. It's called hotel but in actual fact it's just a small resort.

Desa Cattle in Kundasang is a good place to see first-hand the complete process in milk production. If the sky is clear, you get a bonus of viewing the majestic mountain right behind you for a Salem High Country experience.

A trip to Ranau is incomplete if you don't visit and take a dip at Poring Hot Spring. This is the first hot spring discovered long ago in the interior of Sabah. Today, you can find similar spring in the Eastcoast although it's lesser known.

If hot water is not your cup of tea, try the swimming pool. Apart from the cubicled hot tubs, we have two huge swimming pools (with water slider - entrance fee applicable) and one smaller public pool (FOC) at Poring Hot Spring.

Thank you for visiting Sabah!

Sabah Dragon Boat Race

Dragon Boat Race is held every year at Likas Bay in Kota Kinabalu featuring both local and international teams. Organised in conjunction with the Duan Wu festival, these traditional Chinese longboats are fitted with decorative dragon heads during the race. It is one of the main sporting events in the tourism calendar.

Young rowers gearing up.

Penampang Harvest Festival 2012

A bit about Penampang

The name Penampang in contemporary usage refers more often to the district, with the town of Donggongon as the main town within the district. Donggongon means 'shelter' or 'rest area' in the native Kadazan language, referring to its historical role as a stop-over for people from the hills who journeyed down the coast for trade.

Penampang is often considered a stronghold of the Kadazan community, and the main centre for their political and cultural development. The Kadazandusun Cultural Association (KDCA) community hall hosts many of Kadazan's traditional festivities, chief among them the annual Kaamatan or 'harvest festival', their most important cultural event. [wikipedia]

Penampang Harvest Festival 2012

May is a busy month for the Kadazan, Dusun and Murut ethnic groups,  as this is the month that they celebrate and show appreciation for a bountiful harvest of their staple food -  rice. Similar to all other districts in Sabah, Penampang hold its Pesta Kaamatan (Harvest Festival) annually and this year that happened on 19 May 2012. This year's Kaamatan theme is:

"Kobingginavaan Do Koubasanan Kohodi Sunduvan Di Obingginavo"

"Love for Culture Creates a caring Society"

"Cinta Terhadap kebudayaan Membentuk Masyarakat Penyayang"

(In Kadazan, English and Malay respectively)

Daytime activities : held at District Council football field (near Tun Fuad Stephen Hall)
Evening activities : at Buhavan Square, starting at 7.15pm

Tan Sri Bernard Dompok is seen officiating the event

Penampang district winner of the choir competition

Magavau ritual performed by young lads

Traditional Kadazan dance - The Sumazau

Young Kadazan dancer in full traditional costume

Local singers with one of the Penampang 'Sugandoi' winners.

The peak of the district level harvest festival celebration was marked with the crowning of the 2012 Unduk Ngadau beauty late in the evening. A total of 20 young ladies took part in the competition.

So, let the Unduk Ngadau extravaganza begin....

The ladies introducing themselves

The 10 finalists:

The 10 finalists standing infront of the judges

From 10, now it's down to the two of them. Anxiously waiting for the announcement of the 2012 winner.

'Tarik nafas panjang-panjang, kio'

..and Miss Samantha won it this year.

I think she's got the approval of the crown judging from the thunderous applause from them.

Penampang Unduk Ngadau 2012: Miss Samantha Sharon Laujang

Congratulations! 

 The top 7 with their prizes

Miss Samantha will represent Penampang district at the state level Unduk Ngadau Kaamatan beauty peagant on 30-31 May 2012 @ Hongkod Koisaan KDCA in Penampang.