Around The World - A Traveller Perspective

Bundu Tuhan – A Sacred Place

2008-11-10T14:26:00.007+08:00

The last time I step my foot in Bundu Tuhan was in 1992. I was 14 year old, a young boy sent there to attend a religious retreat. Since then, this place never had been so important or significant to me until I was there recently.

Bundu Tuhan is located about 35-40 km from Ranau or 60-70 km from the city of Kota Kinabalu depending which road one’s heading from. It is valley in between the mountain and hill ranges of the Crocker Range where the Kinabalu Park is majestically standing, the icon of Sabah’s tourism destination and a world heritage site. The close-knit population of Bundu Tuhan and its traditionally way of life coupled with lack of major development makes Bundu Tuhan an area ideal for countryside tourism. Here you can relax, enjoy the mild climate and venture into the rich cultural potpourri of the Dusunic ethnic group that make up most of Bundu Tuhanites.

View of Bundu Tuhan from Kg. Gondohon

The environmental setting of the 3 major villages, i.e. Sokid, Siba and Gondohon provides the alpine outlook of Bundu Tuhan, similar to those alpine villages found in Switzerland and Germany at the foot of the Alps in continental Europe. Houses are built on slopes along the road and scattered through out to the heart of Bundu Tuhan, and up on the slopes again to Gondohon and gateway to other remote villages (Terolobou, Piasau, Karanaan, Himbaan, Toboh) farther in the Crocker Range. It’s amazing that most Sabahan never reached this part of the planet in their lifetime or ever hear of these places throughout their life. I for one is fortunate enough to ever step on these villages!

Historically and culturally speaking, Bundu Tuhan has it own myriad of myths and folklore during the olden days. The Japanese were once here during the 2^nd World War where the war tracks are still visible to this day. Imagine how hard it was then during the war, where cannibalism had also occurred. During this period and probably in the earlier 20^th Century, head hunting was heavily practised. One was a hero then if a few beheaded heads can be found in one’s ceiling balcony. These beheaded heads were then sacrificed to a cluster of bamboo trees near to a river known as sagindai. Once these heads turn into skulls, these were then tied together with a rattan string (known as bangkavan) and hang at the balcony.

Sagindai - a cluster of bamboo used for ritual (good harvest) and scarification of heads

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Human skulls - Warriors in the olden days had been symbolised and iconised

as strong and paramount by the number of heads/skulls he owned.

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The House of Skulls - In the olden days these skulls are tied by a rattan

string andplaced on the veranda's ceiling.

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The population of Bundu Tuhan are pheasant farmers. They tend their farms everyday and hunt wildlife from the thick forest around the village. The fertility of the soil and to ensure good harvest year after year a sacrifice known as labok is performed. A chicken will be presented to a cluster of bamboo trees as sacrifice to the Almighty God by a bobohizan follow with chanting and blessing of water obtained from a nearby river. Other villages will join in the ceremony also to make peace among villages and ensure good harvest and prosperity among them.

Kg. Toboh - the last destination, a very isolated village further in of Bundu Tuhan.

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As we enter into the world of super highway (Internet), modernity, cultural transformation and religious advancement, all these ancient traditional ceremonials are no longer practised. What left is just ‘knowledge’ – traditional knowledge. This is why I am here.

One of the many ways to remember these almost forgotten cultural and traditional richness is through tourism - promoting them as assets, resources and products of tourism. Once these are all pursued I am sure I shall be back again in Bundu Tuhan, or maybe I don’t have to wait at all. Bundu Tuhan is a beautiful and amazing place to visit!

Cuti-Cuti Sabah - Highland/Alpine Destination

2008-10-21T18:31:00.002+08:00

We Sabahans are indeed blessed to have somewhere to go for holiday on an alpine environment. We don’t have to fly to Cameron Highland or Europe to experience the cool climate, the scenic view of mountain ranges, and diverse assortment of flora and fauna. It is also less than 2 hours away from the city of Kota Kinabalu, accessible by road, and what more – a World Heritage Site.

Kinabalu Park is a popular holiday destination for the locals and foreign tourists alike. Not only it offers climbing opportunity to the 7th tallest mountain in the world, this young non-volcanic mountain is in fact both magical and mysterious to visitors visiting the Park. Apart from climbing to the Low’s Peak summit, the park offers various attractions such as visit to botanical garden, various short and long trails, and so forth.

I have been a few times to the Park in the past. But having the opportunity to explore the entirety of the Park including the Mesilau and the Poring Hotspring is a mind boggling experience. If you are an eco-tourist and a naturalist, this is probably the best destination to visit. A well established tourism destination and an iconic tourism attraction for Sabah, Kinabalu Park, Mesilau and Poring Hotspring are the places to visit. It worths every penny you paid for.

Being part of a study team to assess the Kinabalu Park, Mesilau and Poring Hot Spring, we were given a VIP treatment to get access to all the attractions. Apart from climbing Mount Kinabalu, which is over booked (one has to pre-book at least 6 months in advance), the Kinabalu Park has many other attractions. The mountain garden at the main hall is well maintained with series of trails ranging from short walk about 15 minutes to longer trails which take up to an hour. Excellent interpretation and knowledgeable guides is an added bonus. The view of the mountain from the Park is a mouth full.

There are many attractions in Hot Spring. The surrounding forest provides a superb background to Poring Hot Spring. The canopy walk is a must-try. It is the first in Malaysia and only several in the world. It takes courage out of me to complete the 170m walk, and it sways from side to side on a slightly breezy day. The butterfly garden is very inviting to kids. Next to the research station building is the waiting platform for visitors to wait for the orang utan to come down from the forest to feed. Long-tailed macaques with their babies hanging to its mother are also visible, they are rather cute and funny. Near by, is an orchid garden showcasing Sabah’s collection of orchids. Of course, do not miss out for a rejuvenated bath at one of the hot spring’s many sulphur-filled outlets.

Mesilau offers a slightly different offering. This damp rather saturated moisture environment setting is quite eerie to certain visitors like me due to its isolation from the other mainstream tourism destination in Kundasang. I was tasked to climb to the Layang-layang station from Mesilau (6 km) and down to Timpohon Gate (4 km) in the next few days. Whether the mission successful or otherwise that we have to wait. Climbing to Mount Kinabalu is also possible from Mesilau but most climbers prefer climbing from Timpohon Gate. If more climbers take place from Mesilau that would reduce pressure to the trails from Timpohon Gate via Kinabalu Park. Perhaps in the next couple of years.

Waterfall - Its Magical and Splendour

2007-02-22T10:05:00.000+08:00

I vividly remembered I asked myself four years ago when I first tasked to conduct studies on tourism assessment in many parts of Sabah WHY on planet Mars is people so fascinated with WATERFALL? I love beaches, promenades, museums and art galleries, theme parks, skiing and white water rafting, nite market, mountain climbing, diving and snorkelling, horseback riding, biodiversity (that's flora and fauna diversity and composition in case one blurs!), river cruises, shopping malls (hellooo!) .... but waterfall??

The Ulu Membakut Waterfall at the heart of the

Crocker Range.

I had visited many waterfalls nationally and in overseas. I had seen a well developed waterfalls for family recreation like in Kionsom Waterfalls in Inanam, and Madai Waterfall in Kunak, - undeveloped waterfalls but highly potential for domestic tourism like the one .... in Sipitang, ... in Kudat, .... in Beaufort, ... in Pitas, ... in Keningau, where our team had walked and trekked high and low over streams and rivers, jumping up and down over rocks and boulders and crossing dead wood and logs in the endeavour to search natural waterfalls all over Sabah.

A waterfall in Sipitang District. I can't recall its name

but its quite marvellous!

In fact for the record, I visited nice waterfalls while camping in Switzerland and during my Easter Trip to the Basque State in Northern Spain. And by the way, yes I have seen the Niagara Waterfalls in the Discovery Channel. But still, what is so magical about waterfalls?

Sungai Api Waterfall in Kemabong. These few small pools is ideal
for family recreation and picnicking.

Put it simply in lay man term a waterfall is in essence water falling down stream from a slightly higher elevation. The height and width this water falling down determine the whole character of the waterfall. Matemathically, the higher the fall the better, Niagara Falls is a classice example in

contrast to Mahua Waterfall in Tambunan which stands at 55 feet high (which is still outstanding by comparison though).Pinawantai Waterfall in Kudat, a few of those

waterfalls that is still pristine.

The assessment on waterfall(s) for tourism product falls under two categories - its accessibility and its characteristics. The former is quite straight forward - how far the waterfall from the main road, the mode of transports to the waterfalls, i.e. 4WD, Kancil, walking or flying fox, etc., while the waterfall's characteristics are determined by measuring its height, depth, width, radius, and authenthicity (natural or man made).

Mesisilad Waterfall at the Melalap Sub-Station,

above 2500 feet from sea level.

Of course what makes a waterfall so aesthetic is the setting of the environment surrounding it which makes one feels so peaceful, relax and free. The sound of the wilderness, coupled with the thrusts of water persistently hitting the bottom pools and rocks, and flowing water down stream like veins carrying oxygen to the whole body are all simply refreshing and invigorating. Deep inside me I slowly come to term the magical wonders why WATERFALL, a gift of mother nature, is fascinated by most people.

Mahua Waterfall is an eye catcher to those visiting
Mahua Sub-Station in the District of Tambunan.
A good 15minutes drive from Tambunan town.

4 Wheel Drive Off Road Adventure

2007-02-14T11:50:00.001+08:00

The best thing about working in the tourism field is that you got to try out many adventures in the quest to find out tourism products in many parts of Sabah. The 4 Wheel Drive Off Road Experience is one example.

I have seen it on TV before - the Dakar Rally, Borneo Safari, other jungle/river 4WD Off Road competition and what not but having the thought of experiencing it myself - I mean on it in that 4WD car itself is far from my imgination. The steep slopes and terrain, muddy logging tracks, small streams and pools, narrow pathways and the fast pace adrenalin pumping into your body to stay in one piece inside this highly modified machine is something that I never tested myself off.

As part of the tasks to identify the routes of both marginal and hardcore roads (terms to differentiate graded road and rough/super gravel roads) that suit the tracks for 4WD drives in the interior, I was given the opportunity to be a part of it. Mr. Baxter the protem President of the Keningau 4WD Association provides us a hospitable preparation to bring us around for an afternoon experience to be in a 4WD on a hardcore roads.

We started from the small town of Tenom for a 7 km tarmac road towards Golden Hope Plantations at Chinta Mata. Here the thrill starts by passing oil palm's road heading into pristine unmaintained secondary forests. We passed a few small streams, absolutely unpassable narrow roads with uncountable number of uneven potholes, steep slopes of at least 30 degree angles, passable mud pools with the help of four wheel gears, fully covered bushes on the roads with the help of a 'parang' to clear the pathway, and of course me jumping on my seat every 3 second of a minute.

Heading home, the driver who is member of the 4WD Association asked me if this was my first time. He further asked me how do I feel about the drive. Vividly I replied that it was my first and preferred if the road would be more challenging.

My Journey in Picture Slide - The World

2006-12-12T14:07:00.000+08:00

I had known about it long time ago but never got the time to really pour my effort into putting my pictures with text into a slide show of the all the places I have visited. In the next few entries I shall by posting slide shows with themes. This is the first one. Enjoy it!

| View Show | Create Your Own

Merry Christmas Everyone

2006-12-11T09:29:00.000+08:00

I would like to wish all visitors
A MERRY CHRISTMAS 2006.
Hope All of You Have a Blessed Christmas!

Only In .......

2006-11-14T14:39:00.000+08:00

I have had travelled a lot in the past 10 years if u ask. I travel at every opportunity - while I am studying abroad, while on outstation works, while on attending meeting and seminars, and of course on planned holidays with friends, family and colleagues.

I visited most part of the British Isles from the white cliff of Dover to Nairn in northern Scotland. Visited most parks and cities in England, Wales and Scotland, crossing many borders of countries in Europe. I have also climbed (partly walking and boarding trains) the Alps from Germany (thru Black Forest at Freiburg) and Switzerland (thru Lauterbrunnen). I also visited 2 smallest countries in the world - the Kingdom of Monaco famous for its casino royale and Vatican City where the head of the Catholic church lives.

During my visits I have tried out all forms of transports ranging from planes, ferry cruisers, coaches to boats. I have stayed in various forms of accomodation too - from 5 star hotels to bed and breakfast, at camp sites, at youth hostels and at a community halls.

Back home in Malaysia, I am proud that I have visited many places too. Visited all the States in Malaysia except for Kelantan, visited many National Parks including TamanNegara at Pahang, Bako and Lambir in Sarawak and almost all parks in Sabah. Been to Langkawi, Labuan and Banggi Islands. Haven't tried the ferry cruiser from east Malaysia to Peninsular though, but I travelled before by ferry from Labuan to Brunei, and that is one hell of a trip - too choppy!, probably one of those rough afternoon ride.

I visited most part of Sabah - all direction of the compass if you must know or let me put it simply - from ocean deep to the higheast mountain. On the latter I climbed Mt. Kinabalu twice, the first endeavour was successful as it was unplanned, while the second planned climbing trip was unsuccessful - dont ask why I didnt reach the summit!, but at least I climbed the Alps twice, that easily should stop one from asking me why. As part of my works involve a substatial amount of outdoor tasks I visited many places which I think many you Sabahans ever visited before. Here are a sample of those experiences - heli ride to the interior part of Ranau, trekking trips in Long Pasia, boat trips to many islands coast of Kudat and Pitas (with army and police personnel as these places are very near to the Philippines).

If you ask what are my highlights of all my travelling as of to date, there are many in facts! First and foremost, I love shoping especially postcards, souvenirs and t-shirts. Bangkok and Bali are cheaps, the rest of the places are expensive! Best beaches and riviera I easily point out my middle fingers to the Kudat Riviera in Sabah, of course the French Riviera and the Italian Riviera. Best city I would say Rome and London. Romantic city definitely goes to Paris. Dirty city would be Pattaya and Amsterdam - dont get me wrong dirty in the sense of sensuality of the city itself - that's what I mean! Friendly people are the Scots and the Spaniards. Beautiful girls are of those Germans and Thais. Lost in Paris!

Anyway, the purpose of this entry is in fact has nothing to do with what I have just written. My mind must have gone somewhere which remind me of the many places of interest I have the opportunity to visit during my journey around the world. Those pictures below symbolise the common features that one may encounter when visiting such country. Happy Tuesday everyone!!

Only in Australia

Only in Bangladesh

Only in China

Only in Hawaii

Only in India

Only in Indonesia

Only in Japan

Only in Pakistan

Life is Simple - Don't Be Too Serious 'laa'

2006-11-07T13:03:00.001+08:00

Answer: If you answered that you are second to last, then you are wrong again. Tell me, how can you overtake the LAST Person?

You're not very good at this, are you?

Third Question:

Very tricky arithmetic! Note: This must be done in your head only
Do NOT use paper and pencil or a calculator. Try it.

Take 1000 and add 40 to it. Now add another 1000 . Now add 30 .
Add another 1000. Now add 20 . Now add another 1000
Now add 10 . What is the total?

Click here for answer.

Thailand - Dream Team AF1 and AF2

2006-10-26T14:20:00.000+08:00

Waktu bercuti di Bangkok Thailand Ogos lalu saya sempat mengambil gambar Dream Team, gabungan pemenang-pemenang Akademi Fantasia Musim 1 dan 2 dari Thailand di Siam Square di ibukota Bangkok. Pada ketika itu, pemenang-pemenang keluaran AF itu sedang membuat liputan media yang disiarkan secara live ke MTV Thailand yang dihoskan oleh dua pengacara remaja Thailand. Dalam sibuk-sibuk mereka melayan soalan-soalan yang diutarakan dan melayan kerenah para peminat saya pula sibuk mengambil gambar mereka untuk tatapan para tetamu ke blog ini.

Pattaya - Last Night At The Cabaret Show

2006-08-14T10:09:00.000+08:00

When I was young and naïve I used to watch these cabaret shows or broadway shows of that sort on TV where a group of gorgeous female dancers in glittering full body swimsuit swinging their legs up dancing to the tune of New York, New York. I never seemed to have the opportunity to watch live cabaret until I visited Pattaya. The cabaret show we attended is called the Alcazar. It boasts herself as the most outstanding cabaret show in Asia with the state of the art sound system, choreography, costumes, props and stage arrangement. It is also unique in the sense that all the performers are transformed women (transvestite or katoey).

The one and half hour show is indeed an eye opener to my self and the 3 pungits. I am pretty sure the impact of the show is more to the 3 pungits, gossshhh – they must had envied the performers’ beautiful body with silicon boobs, first class skin complexion, excellent hairdo and make up, not to mention how well these performers walk elegantly on high heels, stilettos and leather boots. At one point during the show as I turned to my 3 pungit friends I noticed a slight glum on their face probably thinking how they could ever or wish to be as beautiful as the performers, or at least to be able to walk gracefully on stilettos. But then again, it must be one of my non-existence imaginations.

The cabaret show runs twice daily at 6 and 8 pm, 7 days a week. It changes every 3 months. What impress me so much about the cabaret show is on the costumes and the stage props. It astonishes me on the details and energy put into making it like a fairy tale dream, but only on stage. The lighting was excellent as well as the music arrangement and the choreography although a bit easy and simple, it was executed beautifully on stage. After the show, half of the performers line up outside the hall to allow the audience to take pictures with them – at a price of 40 baht per picture which is reasonable.

Holiday Thailand - An Intro

2006-08-10T12:49:00.000+08:00

Holiday in Bangkok!! - Where do I begin?

Thailand is truly a wonderful country, and in fact I don’t know where to start with. It seems that so much can be talked about or reviewed about Bangkok/Pattaya or of the country itself for that matter, however, to make my review of Thailand easy and readable I decided to break down each of the reviews thematically, rather than making a general review of the whole trip in one entry. You just have to wait and see of what coming up next.

My holiday in Thailand was companied with three lovely and wonderful ladies. They are really wonderful, and I mean it. They’re not just wonderful – they are witty!, classy!, real sports!, easy going!, open minded!, adventurous! and oh my!! very very experienced one. Although a bit of ‘sakai-sakai’ at first, they really know how to blend in into any situations be it at the tiger show or at the famous night districts of Bangkok and Pattaya. More of these later in my upcoming reviews.

What so unique about Thailand lies in its people, culture, religion and simply its way of life. Mixing all these together make Thailand a must place visit by tourists all over the world. You mention about Pattaya and people automatically know what you are talking about. Of course the word ‘sex’ is a buzzword when one talks about Thailand. It is an industry that not only promotes tourism in Thailand but also bringing along tourism receipt to its people.

As a guide, the following entries would provide synopsis of the many interesting places in Bangkok and Pattaya, and ‘tourist must visit spots’ in Thailand. This is just a guide and for more comprehensive info, I recommend you again, the Lonely Planet Book - Guide to Thailand.

Bali - The Maccaroni Club

2006-07-11T12:06:00.000+08:00

Jln Legian's resident temple of cool features oh-so-trendy lounge music, exotic flowers, hip decor and scrumptious Italian eats. There's wi-fi internet access for the media savvy,
live music every night and a valet to park the motorbikes you have just hired.

Maccaroni -- Feel the Groove at Maccaroni - all Day - all Night.

Maccaroni was established in 1996. Using a blend of urban Milan and contemporary Bali,
the architecture creates a vibrant and uplifting atmosphere to be restaurant/lounge.
This exciting venue is both casual and upbeat, making a great place for families,
surfers and businessman alike.

The Executive Chef will tempt you with his extensive menu of Italian cuisine, Asian fusion
as well as his signature dishes, easily affordable and genuinely delicious food,
all prepared with the finest important ingredients.

Oxygen Therapy Bar open everyday. Experience the selection of soul, jazz Latin, house and deep house with special DJ's and resident DJ's every night. The Soul Flip band plays an exotic blend of traditional music and electronic beats, together with a cultural dance performance. Maccaroni Club's radiates chic Italian style in every form - from its awesome architecture and innovative menu to its cool ambience and sophisticated music.

For more info:

The Maccaroni Club
Jln. Legian No. 52
Kuat Bali - Indonesia
Tel: 0361-754662
Fax: 0361-750437

Bali - Libur-libur di Indonesia

2006-07-10T23:24:00.000+08:00

Gue mohon ampun yang entry kali ini bisa dikarang dalam Bahasa Bali … oops Bahasa Indonesia. Ini kali ke-2 gue bersama teman-teman berlibur di Bali. Cuma kali ini liburannya lebih panjang sedikit.

Bali enggak semeriah tahun yang sudah. Yang pasti lawatan kali ini bisa bersamaan dengan acara World Cup. Juga Festival Budaya Bali diadakan di Denpasar dei. Kami ber-3 menginap di daerah Legian, enggak jauh dari daerah Kuta dan Seminyak. Bamboo Bed and Breakfast kepunyaan Villa de daun, tempat tinggal mewah pilihan kami kali ini. Mahal loe!

Seperti tahun sudah juga kami memilih tour persendirian, pengusaha yang sama Om Harry dan Om Harris. Ternyata peningkatan ongkos minyak bisa membuat pembayaran tour juga meningkat. Kali ini kami lewat tempat-tempat berbeda yang bolum dilewat tahun sudah.

Pada keesokan harinya (hari ke-2) kami berangkat ke utara Bali – Singaraja yang juga ibukota lama Bali. Disini enggak banyak tempat menarik, yang ada cuma Lovina sebuah kota kecil 10 km dari Singaraja. Kami makan tengahari di sebuah hotel di tepian pantai. Mahal loe Rupiah50,000 sekepala. Seterusnya kami ke kawasan gunung tinggi di Bedugul.

Ternyata dingin keadaannya. Pasti ada tourist cuma kurang aja. Kraftangan banyak disini terutama kalung-kalung manik dan pendant-pendant yang diperbuat dari kerang-kerangan, siput-siput, kelapa dan bahan hutan. Banyak yang gue beli dan setiap kali membeli siap meminta gratis mahupun diskon. Ada yang lumayan juga ongkosnya. Yang penting bisa beramah mesra bila membeli dan pandai berbahasa Indonesia. Ayat ini sering keluar dari mulut gue .. Bu, yang ini berapa sih?

Tempat-tempat lain yang dilewat langsung sepanjang perjalanan ialah Airterjun Gitgit. Airterjunnya cuma besa-besa aja, enggak ada yang spesel bangat. Cuma arah jalan ke airterjun mempunyai lingkungan tajam dan perlu berhati-hati.

Hari ke-3 dengan mobil kami ke Denpasar aja, putar-putar si sekitar kota, melawat museum, gedung gedung dan ke Kal Mal Bali gedung pakaian mahal dimana Planet Hollywood Bali terletak disini. Waduh uda banyak selebriti intranasional bisa uda ke sini loe, semuanya santik dan gantang-gantang dong. Sore sekitar 30 minit ke jam 6 kami balik ke Legian. Malamnya gue mengikut haluan sendirian, gue ke daerah Seminyak dengan mobil, teman lain santai di pantai, yang seorang tidur di kamar aja. Kepenatan katanya. Di daerah Seminyak ini banyak ya discotheque dan pub atau barnya. Ada yang mengenakan fee untuk masuk umpamanya ke Double Six.

Hari ke-4 kami menuju ke barat Bali ke Besakih – temple-temple Hindu yang dianuti penduduk Bali popular disini. Gunung Berapi Agung yang tertinggi di bali yang masih aktif lagi juga bisa disini. Pengunjung dikenakan memakai sarung agar aurat tertutup bila bisa melawat temple. Disepanjang jalan, ternyata adat tradisi Bali masih diamalkan dengan upacara-upacara agama, papan tanda dengan notis seperti ini kerap kelihatan – Hati-hati, ada upacara keagamaan.

Seterusnya kami melawat tarian Barong, tapi agak lambat ke tempat pertunjukkan. Selepas itu kami melawat cara-cara babi guling disediakan untuk dibuat sate babi, bubur, dan sebagainya. Di daerah Legian dan juga Kuta, Ubud, Seminyak, Besakih, Tabanaan, ternyata warung-warung menyediakan masakan tradisi babi guling banyak sekali.

Sekitar 30 minit lepas jam 5 sore, kami ke Uluwatu di selatan Bali untuk pertunjukkan tarian kecak. Tikit masuk ke pertunjukkan lumayan ongkosnya – Rupiah50,000. Balik ke hotel gue kepenatan bangat. Namun makan malam di restoran mewah enggak terlepas. The Maccaroni Club menghidangkan masakan barat terutama masakan Itali. Sebelum balik ke kamar kami berkunjung ke discotheque terbesar di Legian – Bounty Club.

Hari ke-5 dibiarkan kosong untuk acara membeli-belah di Kuta. Cuma kali ini gue kurang berminat membeli ole-ole karana ini lawatan kali ke-2 uda. Tapi gelang-gelang tangan logam silver tetap dibeli dan kalung-kalung manik yang unik untuk koleksi pribadi yang bisa digunakan dalam acara modeling dan fashion show di Sabah. Sebanyak Rupiah600,000 ribu dilabur untuk tujuan ini. Makan sorenya di warung terkenal – Made Warung di Jln Kuta Pantai, dan kembali ke hotel untuk beristi rihat.

Keseluruhannya gue dan teman-teman menjangka ini lawatan penghujung ke Bali. Cukup uda berlipur 2 tahun berturut-turut ke sini. Bali yang pernah suatu tika dahulu diagung-agungkan pulauan impian untuk bersantai dan berbulan madu nyata sekali benar. Kota ini memang unik dari segi budaya adat resam, dan upacara keagamaannya.

Bila seseorang itu bisa melawat Bali pasti terasa perbedaannya yang enggak ada di negara sendiri. Inilah yang dikatakan jauh perjalanan lebih banyak pengetahuan. Yang pasti ini cuma tinggalan kenangan manis gue dan teman-teman semasa di Bali. Bisa ke temu lagi pak, mas, bu. Sekian buat kali ini.

Bali – Her Common Features

2006-07-03T23:32:00.000+08:00

Being a traveler it doesn’t take me long to notice the common features found in Bali. Here are some of the commonest stuff the moment you step your foot in beautiful Bali.

Motorcycles – oh yes! they are more of them than cars, there are for hire, used by both tourists and Balinese, and the most convenient vehicle to go around Bali.

Massage – thousand of these services are available ranging from foot reflexology, authentic Balinese aromatherapy to full body massage, pretty cheap dude.

Tattoo – something to remember from your trip in Bali, permanent or semi-permanent by excellent tattooists.

Fun T – various fun tees are popular among tourist, make sure you to get one for yourselves wear them back home if you dare.

Surfing – Bali is a paradise for surfers, there are lots of surf shops and surfing lesson is available for the novice.

$$ Exchange – double check/count and ask for receipt every time you exchange your currency, be cautious if you are a first timer to Bali.

Offerings – it would be nice if you don’t step on these small offerings placed in front of the shops along the road.

Babi Guling – a toasted piglet, a traditional Balinese delicacies found in many parts of Bali, I pity those Babe.

Cigarettes – a policy that us still practiced in Indonesia – public advertisement of various cigarettes brands. Gudang Garam – Pria Punya Selera it says.

Bintang – an Indonesian version of Heineken simply because it owns by Heineken, a Dutch company. Anchor is know an Ankor here.

Wood carving – the Balinese are skillful artisans especially wood carving the Ramanyana epic, animals and plants found in Bali.

Paintings – reprinted paintings are abundant while authentic ones are sold in US$.

Trip to Bali, Indonesia – The Asian Tour

2006-07-03T22:54:00.000+08:00

Since most of my previous trips were mainly in UK and continental Europe I will be visiting more and more of the Asian countries in my next few years on holidays. I visited Bali Indonesia, Singapore and Brunei Darusalam last year and this year (2006) I have just returned from my repeat trip to Bali. I will be heading to Bangkok, Thailand in August and Manila, Philippines in October.

Just a rough guide to those visiting Bali, here are excerpts taken from Lonely Planet – Southeast Asia: On a Shoestring (2006) a company that is always in my baggage. This is just a guide, for more info you may need to purchase the book.

Dangers and Annoyances

Persistent hawkers are the bane of most visitors in Bali. The best way to deal with them is to ignore them from the first instance. You may be offered drugs on the street, particularly in Kuta, but you’re unlikely to get a good deal. The government takes the smuggling, use and sale of drugs very seriously, and entrapment by police us a real possibility. Bali’s famed oong (magic mushrooms) contain psilocybin, a powerful hallucinogen that can have unpredictable effects. A different danger exists at the beaches at Kuta and Legian, which are subject to heavy surf and strong currents – swim between the flags.

Scams

Travelers have been stung badly by card game cons and dodgy holiday ‘timeshare’ deals. Some have been tricked into paying large amounts for unnecessary repairs to rental cars and motorcycles. Gigolos, ‘guides’ and friendly locals have persuaded visitors to handover money to help pay for education expenses and life-saving operations and moneychangers are adept at switching notes at the last minutes – a healthy skepticism is your best defense.

Hinduism

Although the Balinese are nominal Hindus, there are dozens of differences between the way the religion is practiced in Bali and India. While the Balinese worship the same trinity of Brahma, Shiva and Vishnu, they also have their own supreme deity, Sanghyang Widi. Additionally, the Balinese never put their trinity on show, employing vacant shrines and empty thrones where Indian Hindu use layers of Technicolor iconography. One element of Balinese Hinduism that is impossible to avoid – try not to step on them – are the small offerings placed on the pavement every morning to placate bad spirits and pay homage to the good ones.

Denpasar

At first glance, Denpasar is the Jekyll to Kuta’s Hyde, straight-faced city of government and bureaucracy, where tourists are anathema and life plods along at a distinctly workday pace. Although little more than a skip and a jump from Kuta’s seafront strip, Denpasar feels a million miles from the razzmatazz of its most boistrous suburb, offering little more than a handful of hotels and nothing in the way of night life.

Kuta

Bali’s backpackers and package tourists meet on the promenade of Kuta Beach, a boisterous, fun-filled moment to holiday hedonism. Tourists sizzlw in the sunshine by day, gyrate through the happy hours of Jln Legian and Jln Seminyak at night and then stay in bed with their hangovers and who ever else they might have met over their cocktails – the following morning. A bustling menageric of surf shops, bars, touts and travelers, Kuta is the place where Indonesia slips on its boldest Bermudas and really lets its hair down.

Central Kuta

Many cheap places are along the tiny alleys and lanes between Jln Legian and Jln Pantai Kuta, only a short walk from the beach, shops, bars, and restaurants.

Jalan Jalan Cari Makan - Hinava Penampang

2006-05-09T08:50:00.000+08:00

Hinava or sushi is one of the most popular local delicacies of the Kadazandusun community in Sabah. Almost all Kadazandusun households know how to prepare the hinava. The hinava making is quite simple although the taste might differ from one person to other depending on the amount of ingredients used to make it. Below is the basic preparation and the required ingredients of making hinava from the Kadazandusun in Penampang.

Hinava Sada' (Tuna Hinava with Lime Juice)

Ingredients:
600g - 'Tenggiri'/tuna (finely sliced)
200g - bitter gourd (sliced into thin strips)
200g - ginger (sliced into thin strips)
100g - shallots (sliced into thin strips)
8 pcs - bird chillies (sliced into thin strips)
125ml - lime juice
4 tbsp - dried grated 'Bambangan' seed
salt to taste

Method:

In a bowl, mix sliced fish meat with salt and lime juice. Marinate for 10 minutes before adding in the rest of the ingredients. toss well and serve.

-------------------------------------------------

Answer to Bonus Question.

He just has to open his mouth and ask...
It's really very simple.... Like you!

Wanna know what this is all about .... Click here to test how you view life is - simple or otherwise.

Banggi Island Revisited

2006-04-29T18:25:00.000+08:00

Ini adalah lakaran perjalanan lawatan ke Pulau Banggi di utara negeri Sabah oleh penulis serta teamnya. Ini merupakan lawatan kedua penulis dan ikuti lah ceritanya dalam Bahasa Inggeris di bawah.

It was a fine morning - the sun is shining bright when we left the town of Kudat heading to Banggi and Balambangan Island. We were taken onboard by a UMS boat, hosted by 3 officers who will accompany and show us around Banggi and Balambangan. Our task was to assess the UMS's seaweed project on these islands.

As this is my 2nd visit to Banggi I was not as excited compared to four other companions of mine as the trip was their first. jokingly Ramlan and Azlin - the UMS officers informed us that we must had consulted 'bomoh' (black magician) as the weather was quite accomodating as we cruised the 1 hour journey to the islands. However, towards approaching Balambangan Island (the farthest of the two to mainland), the ride was getting bumpier (indeed a rather excellent form of exercise for our butts) as the waves getting rougher and choppy. Still we must go on. To the the UMS team the sea condition was pretty normal as these islands are exposed to the southwest and north east monsoons.

After visiting and taking photographs at the sites planted with seaweed, we stopped at Karakit town at Banggi. We check in at the newly built resthouse and had our lunch. The afternoon exercise includes visiting the seaweed collection centre before they are transferred to the mainland for processing, few more seaweed cultivation areas and a couple of seaweed nurseries where they breed seaweed for the local farmers venturing into seaweed farming.
For me, Banggi Island is quite special in its own right. The island was known to be one of the top 10 spots in the world for treasure seekers. The island is thought to house valuable treasure consisted of ancient porcelain and jars during the Chinese Dynasty era, million dollar worth of gold plates during the British Colonial era, and other valuable germstones and metal brough from the Far East and Africa. All of which these treasures are brought by ships and sunk somewhere around the sea channel of Banggi and Balambangan islands. The theory was strengthened with a book/article published by a Brit last year that a royal ship has gone missing in the 1920-40s. The ship concerned has in it plentiful of gold plates to be brought over to South East Asia to build new cities under the British Colony. During those days, a gold plates say weigh 5 kg is sufficient enough to build a city. The cities of Goa, Georgetown and Singapore were examples where a single gold plate is used to build and develop a city.

Another theory was the ships used by the chinese Dynasty bringing valuable jars, porcelain, gold coins and other artifacts as gifts for the Brunei/Sulu Sultans claimed to be missing and sunk around the islands. Same goes with chinese trading vessels and ships bringing other valuable for trade/barter trade with the SEAsian traders believed to be missing in the areas of Banggi and Balambangan islands. Around 5-10 years, some of the remnants of the missing vessels/ships and artifacts were found scattered in pieces in few areas around the islands. Thus, this strengthen the theory of the missing ships/vessels in the area, and therefore, attracted local and international treasure seekers coming to the island hoping to find and capture a share of the valuables.

As the afternoon boat ride is getting smoother as the weather improved we managed to round a few of the smaller islands. While enjoying the sight of Banggi Island from far, Ramlan of UMS kept asking us of the aim of visit. In between lines, jokingly he asked us whether we brought metal detector assuming that our visit was not for the seaweed assessment task but rather a team of treasure seeker ambitiously hoping to find treasure. We laughed and soon enough we were already at the Moleangin Besar Island. I visitied this island before and the place is pretty much entirely the same as the last time I was here, 14 months ago. I recalled there were a team of investor, consisting of an austrian, chinese and a penang guy from West Malaysian, planning to develop a resort on the island specialising in scuba diving, yet knowingly that the sea current is rough and unsuitable for diving or snorkelling. We were suspicious and thought of them as treasure seekers!

Lastly, for those of you who are adventurous in nature and (possibly) wannabe treasure seekers here are some facts you should know about Banggi and Balambangan islands.

It takes less than 30 minutes to the Pahlawan Island, Philippines. So you might see some smuggle contrabands used by the Banggian, cigarettes especially.
Some of the Bonggi Dusun tribe still lives on tree, you have to go deep into the village to experience this.
Fish are aplenty and cheap, but be cautious you might be eating a bombed fish. Sabahans don't eat raw seaweed.
At average you can hear a fish bombing activity every single minute. WWF is currently educating the locals to just fish and not bomb.
Pulau Hairan (popped up island) was somewhere near the area but its gone now. I think! This was one of the most debatable subject on the newspaper many years ago.
Army personnel are aplenty and they fish near the jetties, so the sense of security is there. But there are young recruits.
The resthouse is haunted, don't be suprised you wake up outside your room. We havent experienced this before and not looking forward for it.
Deep sea and reef fishing is enjoyable at night time. One's guaranteed to get fish with a fish finder tool on board.

Do I come to Banggi Island again? The last time I went here I told my friends that I am not looking forward to come back again. SO, my answer this time Yes Yes Yes .. I will come here again. I love the sea, sand and sun .. but I hate big time of the after effects - being fatigue and the skin peeling sun burnt! See you in my next adventure.

Walking Walking Find Food - Mata Mata

2006-03-05T23:01:00.000+08:00

Mata Mata Drink/Dessert

125 kilometres from the capital lies Kg. Toporoi, my weekend gateway from the city life with one aim - to taste and savour a local delicacy, the mata mata.

Mata mata is a term for a local delicacy which made up of young rice grain mixed with young coconut water/its flesh. Mata mata can be served either chilled and excellent for afternoon drink or dessert after meal.

Fresh young pandan leaves could be added into the mata mata drink to give aromatic smell to the drink. The mata mata can be prepared a couple of hours earlier to allow the rice grains to get softer before eating it.

Preparation for the mata mata from hill paddy (known locally as tidong) is quite a simple process. A bunch of young paddy grain (still in its husks/stalk) are harvested manually from the paddy field.

Young paddy in the field which will be harvested to make the mata.

After the grains are separated from its stalks, the husked paddy grains are fried for a good 3-4 minutes in a hot pan to ensure there are cooked for consumption. Next, the paddy grains are pounded in a traditional pounding hole or lesung to get rid the husks from the rice.

A woman seen here pounding paddy grain using a lesung

Ready to mix with coconut water, this is the mata mata.

Adding all the ingredients in for a mata mata drink.

Now that we have all the ingredients, we are ready to make a mata mata drink.
1. 2-3 spoonful of cooked and pounded young rice
2. 500-1000 litre of young coconut water and coconut flesh
3. 1 spoonful of sugar to taste.

*The drink can be kept in the refrigerator to last for a couple of days. Walla!!.

** Note: Walking Walking Find Food is a direct translation from the Malay words Jalan Jalan Cari Makan, a popular local TV program in Malaysia.

Enchanting Venice, Italy

2006-03-02T08:23:00.000+08:00

It has always been my dream to visit the enchanting city of Venice and here I am! The city can be reached by aeroplane, train or car from Rome then a ferry or boat ride to the island. A feeling of amazement of the architecture and the authencity of such civilization is an eye opener for anyone like me to see the city from far as our boat approached the harbour which serves the gateway to the city of Venice.

We did a walking tour around the city passing the famous Rialto Bridge where a market is normally held for the Venetian, the Doges Palace and the Bridge of Sighs. The Guggenhiem Musuem, one of the 3 such museums in the world by world renowned philantropist Mr. Guggenhiem , is located here. (The other two museums are in New York and Bilbao in Spain - I visited the latter on my Easter holiday in Basque State, Spain).

Rialto Bridge on the background.

The streets or walkways of Venice are narrow and crowded with walking tourists. I wonder if anyone ever fell into the canal (possible drunk at night)was one of my wild imaginations looking at how deep or cold the water could be especially in winter. We also visited the strategic landmark of St. Mark's Basilica and ate lots of ice cream at St. Mark's square. Here at the square are rows of restaurant serving famous Italian cuisines including the pizzas, apart from local boutiques and mask shops. Next we visited the Venetian traditional craftspeople at work - glass blowing and lace making.

If you ever in Venice do not miss to cruise the canals by gondola. The gondolier, who wear standard uniform is a type of profession inherited from their fore father passed down to the current generation. For them it was an honour to be a gondelier. Gondola taxis are also available for the Venetian as well for the tourists.

Gondola - a stylish mideaval boat is a trademark of Venice.

Links to other places that I have visited:-
• Amazing Lauterbrunnen, Switzerland
• Places of Interest - Paris
• Lost in Paris

Sun, Sea, and Sand - Beaches of Sabah

2006-02-27T10:20:00.000+08:00

Probably one of the most interesting parts of my job is related to beaches - Sabah's beautiful and not so beautiful beaches. The task is to assess the quality of these beaches in terms of its setting, sand textures, color, quantity, depth, beach gradient, cleanliness, sea colour, distance of high water mark from shore, accessibility to the beaches, and the availability of infrastructures and amenities. Normally, the assessment took place on both at high and low tides as sedimentation of sand and other particles may or could be deposited on the beach area and these will have a bearing to the quality of such beaches.

A long stretch of beach with smooth sand texture preferably sparkle white with gentle gradient/slope and clean from rubbish that may be washed ashore from other areas of the island (or mainland) will be definitely rated as first class beach. There are many such beaches fall under these criteria in Sabah, however, due to poor road accessibility and lack of infrastructures such as water and electricity supplies, have jeopardised the full potential of these beaches as best beach destination in Borneo. Most of these beaches are far far beautiful and stunning in terms of esthetic value and vistas in comparable to beaches in well-known destinations of the world such as Bali, Pulau Langkawi, Playa of San Sebastian in Spain or the French Reviera (*you just have to believe me on this one as I have been to these places*).

Anyway, here are some of the best beaches found in Sabah for your viewing pleasure. I also include a few beaches of the world not for comparison purposes but something to admire for. Enjoy the randomness.

Terongkongon Beach at Kg. Minyak, Matunggung.

Molleagin Kecil Beach at Molleagin Kecil Island a 25 minites boat ride from Banggi Island, northern part of Sabah/Borneo Island.

A bird eye view of Teringai Laut Beach from Keniung Hill in Kudat District.

Long stretches of Kimihang Beach in north-western of Borneo.

Kuta Beach, Bali Indonesia - the main attraction here is the wave which is heaven for surfers.

Sentosa Beach, a man made beach at Pulau Sentosa, Singapore.

At the French Reviera - most of the beaches here are privately owned by the hotel across the street. A public beach at the size of a football pitch will cost a visitor 5 franc to enter at a specified time limit. Here with friend Ms. daisy from Korea.

Basic Spanish for Travellers

2006-02-23T13:58:00.000+08:00

Learning a few words of foreign language when visiting abroad is always helpful to get you around especially when you ask for direction, buying basic stuff like mineral water or stamps, getting cigarettes from 7-11 or when you get on public transportation. Learning basic greetings such as hello, how are you, see you again, thank you and good night do not only show that you are courteous to the host but also it shows appreciation to the people and culture of that country.

During my visit to Paris and some other places in France has taught me a lesson or two. Before my visit there, I had heard that the French are quite snobbish and they are not willing to response when asked unless you said it in French - which is true though. So I learn a few phrases in French. A few times I got lost my way in Paris so that bring me no choice but to ask for direction. The tactic that I used was to say (in broken French) - excuso mour silvo plait, palle vour jerna comprampa de francais, angley noh (meaning, excuse me please, I can't speak French, English okay?). When the French say okay by nodding, then I ask in English. They always at hand to help and that's marvellous. I love the French!!

Here are some basic spanish conversation if you are visiting spanish-speaking countries in your upcoming holiday abroad.

Good Morning: Buenos Días
Good Afternoon: Buenas tardes
Do you speak English: Habla ingles
I don´t speak Spanish: No hablo español
I am lost: Estoy perdido
What time is it: Que hora es?
The bill please: La cuenta por favor
How much is it: Cuanto cuesta?
Right: Derecha
Left: Izquierda
Could you help me: Podría ayudarme?
Nice to meet you: Mucho gusto
Thanks: Gracias
You are welcome: Con mucho gusto
I want a beer : Una cerveza por favor
Can I smoke: Puedo fumar?

Travelling Tips

2006-02-23T13:42:00.000+08:00

Getting yourself prepared before travelling is a must for all avid traveller. Basic information such as the weather, requirement for visa, currency exchange rates and so forth would not only alarm you in terms of monetary and budgetary preparation but these information would also determine the success and/or failure of your trip/holiday abroad. Amid the anxiety especially for first-time travellers, the following travel tips provide you a checklist or guideline before you aboard the plane. Have fun travelling!!

Before Leaving

* Allow plenty of time to get the relevant visa.
* Read up about your destinations before leaving so you can enjoy yourself straight away on arrival. Check out travel deals that are available on the Internet.
* Don't buy loads of new clothes - be ruthless when packing - most people can manage with half what they take.
* Take an extra duffel bag - it can be used as a day bag and to bring back a few souvenirs.
* Don't pack your passport in your rucksack - keep it in your hand luggage with your tickets.
* Try and memorise your passport number incase you lose it!
* Write down addresses of friends and family, you may want to send postcards to, in a small address book.
* Arrange for diabetic/vegetarian/vegan meals for your flight with your travel agent.
* Remove old destination tags to avoid confusion
* On the day of your flight call the airport to check that your flight is on time.
* Find out how many 'carry on bags' your airlina allows - luggage 20"x15"x10" is average
* Purchase some water purification tablets if you are planning a stop over in a country with suspect water sources.
* Pack essentials such as a toothbrush, clean underwear and money in hand luggage, incase your check in bags get lost.

During Journey

* Reduce the pain of popping ears; suck a sweet, swallow hard or gently blow your nose.
* Try to drink plenty of water to avoid becoming dehydrated- the cabins highly pressurised air is very dry.
* Ask cabin crew if you can move to a row of unoccupied seats so you can travel in style.
* Minimise jet lag by adjusting your watch to 'local' time along your journey.
* Walk around a little on the plane to help circulation and make the most of any refuel stops for a good stretch.
* Try to sleep during the flight (airlines normally turn the lights off to help).

On Arrival

* Try to be as alert as you can; weary travellers make easy prey for pickpockets etc.
* Avoid making long distance calls from your hotel room; it's likely to attract a huge premium.
* Make sure any taxi you get into is legitimate to avoid any shady goings on
* If hiring a car, collision damage insurance/waiver is a good investment
* If hiring a car carefully check it for dents, scratches etc and insist the rental company makes a written note to confirm.
* Carry a 2nd 'dummy' wallet with a small amount of cash in case you are mugged.
* Be aware of the fierce sun (esp. in tropical countries) - use sunscreen, wear shades and lip protection.
* Check for hazardous currents/ tides or dangerous marine life before swimming/surfing etc.

It is a Good Idea to...

* Book internal airline tickets at least three weeks in advance for discount.
* Open a bank account if it is your intention to stay for more than a month.
* Get vaccinations for other foreign destinations before leaving.
* Never let a stranger look after your bag - they may steal or put something in there.
* Use reduced rate phone cards to phone home.
* Travel in a group, it is safer, cheaper and more fun.
* Plan a rough itenirary of where you would like to go.
* Book internal flights or transport before you go, as sometimes discounts are available.
* Travel in the southern states during the Summer and the northern states during the Winter.
* Buy a map if you are planning on driving, or a relevant map if you are planning on doing some serious bushwalking.
* Find the suitable Insurance policy that covers money, medical and activities.

Equipment

* Camping/sports towels are extremely small and lightweight, they don't smell and can be packed damp.
* Shaving oil rather than shaving cream saves valuable storage space and weight.
* A small first aid kit could be very useful for minor injuries.
* Swiss army style knives are a good idea for peeling fruit, cutting toe nails etc.
* A wide brimmed hat or cap can be very useful for preventing sun stroke on very hot days.
* High factor sun cream will help to minimise the risks of sun burn and skin cancer.
* Good quality sun glasses will make you look cool and stop you from cooking your eyeballs
* Ear plugs can be a real 'God send' when there is a loud snorer in your dorm!
* Headache tablets for hangovers etc.
* A lightweight showerproof jacket can be useful if it does rain.
* Clothes that don't run (so you only have to do one washing load for everything).
* Comfortable shoes that don't take up much room, and are suitable for various occassions.

The Ruck Sack

* A 65 litre rucksack should definitely be large enough.
* A rucksack which opens up like a suitcase is excellent for keeping clothes crease free and easily accessible.
* A rucksack with a detachable smaller bag is desirable. They are ideal for day trips etc.
* Wire Ruck Sack security bags are available to safeguard your valuables.
* A rucksack with an additional removable water proof cover can be a good investment.

If you the type of person who is sporty, these travelling tips maybe your guide for your upcoming holidays abroad. Happy Travelling !!

MAS Travel Fair 2006

2006-02-16T09:44:00.000+08:00

MAS Travel Fair 2006 start today people, go and grab your ticket. For more info, click here

Places of Interest - Paris

2006-02-11T03:28:00.000+08:00

Read previous post on Lost in Paris

Sememangnya bandaraya Paris sebuah bandar metropolitan yang romantis. Bandar metro ini memang lain dari yang lain. Sering kita mendengar rungutan bahawa penduduknya (the french!) kebanyakannya angkuh atau sombong terutama sekali bila kita bertanya mereka dalam bahasa English dan bukannya French. Sungai Seine yang melintasi di tengah tengah bandar metro ini sememangnya unik. Selain daripada aktiviti perkhidmatan bot atau feri pelancong yang dilengkapi dengan restoran bergerak yang memenuhi ruangan River Seine, banyak pergembaraan sedang giat dilakukan berlatarblakangkan sungai ini.

River Seine yang bersih dan tumpuan para pelancong.

Saya dan 3 gadis dr Quangdong China memulakan langkah untuk aktiviti lawatan sendiri di setiap pelusuk Paris memandangkan jam baru menunjukkan tepat 12 noon. Kesemua kami akan bertemu di bawah mercutanda Eiffel Tower tepat jam 7 mlm untuk berpiknik serta makan malam, sebelum balik ke tapak perkhemahan.

Dengan geng yang baru ditemui, berbekalkan sebuah peta dan coretan beberapa perkataan English-French kami membuat keputusan untuk berjalan kaki melawati tempat tempat menarik di Paris. Pertama sekali kami ke arah Avenue des Champs Elysees. Kedua dua belah jalan di Champs De E'lysee merupakan pusat tempat membeli belah dengan gedung gedung rumah fashion terkenal dunia seperti Chanel, Armani, Zara, DKNY, FCUK, dan sewaktunya kesemuanya terletak disini. Les Champs Elysees avenue is a 2km (1mi) long, 70m (235ft) wide stretch and is an ideal place for evening walks shopping and relishing the food at overpriced restaurants.At Christmas this is where the fairy lights go, and on December 31 everyone happily jams in, in their cars, to hoot in the New Year.Sesetengah gedung tidak boleh dimasuki sesuka hati jak. Seseorang perlu menunjukkan credit card emas sebelum memasukinya. Pelancong atau orang awam juga tidak dibenarkan berdiri berteduh atau berbual bual panjang di depan gedung ini. Di kawasan ini juga dipenuhi restoran restoran bertaraf bintang bintang samada secara indoor (beraircon) dan di luar kedai. Lazimnya dari segi harga customer yang minum/makan di luar kedai membayar 2-3 kali ganda dengan yang makan/minum di indoor.

Di persekitaran des Champ Elysees ini kelihatan dari jauh keunggulan sebuah lagi mercutanda Paris - Arc De Triomphe, sebuah tugu tanda kemenangan dan keagungan Napolean Bonaparte menakluki negara negara di Eropah dan Parsi di zaman silam dahulukala.

Arc De Triomphe. Mercutanda ini sering digunakan dalam iklan DUNHILL dahulukala yang memberi erti KEUNGGULAN!

Saya berada di persekitaran des Champs de Elysees. Di penghunjung jalan sana tersergam indah de Triomphe. The Arc De Triomphe arch was built in memory of Napoléon's Great Army at the top of the Champs-Elysées in 1730 and inaugurated in 1836. It offers a panoramic view, with a museum linked to the monument history.To get a closer look at the Arc de Triomphe, you can take an underpass on the Champs-Elysees or Avenue de la Grande Armee that leads you to the center of the plaza.

Kami seterusnya melawat beberapa lagu buah bangunan yang antara lainnya bangunan teater, art gallery dan yang paling kerap dilawati Palais De La Concorde, sebuah istana atau palace zaman dulu dulu. Kini de la Concorde merupakan sebuah hotel mewah bertaraf 5 bintang di Paris.

Dihadapan Palais (place) de la Concorde.

Seterusnya kami melawati Musee De Lurve (the Lurve Museum) yang mempunyai keluasan 4 penjuru bangunan termasuk 2 tingkat di bawah tanah. Museum ini merupakan sebuah museum yang terbesar pernah saya lawati dengan koleksinya antara terbesar du dunia. Menurut pemandu muzium ini, sekiranya seseorang mengambil masa seminit (1 minute) meneliti dan membaca penjelasan setiap lukisan mahupun sculpture, ianya akan mengambil masa 9 bulan (60 minit x 270 = 17,400). Oleh kerana terlalu lama berjalan dan masa melihat keseluruhan lukisan kami bergegas ke bahagian pameran lukisan terkenal Leonardo De Vinci Monalisa. Galleri lukisan Monalisa ini memang sesak dan terdapat sebuah tali sekitar 10 m dari lukisan tersebut nyang memisahkan ratusan peminat Monalisa dari lukisan tersebut. Disini kamera dilarang sama sekali memandangkan flash dari kamera boleh melunturkan cat yang digunakan untuk potret Monalisa yang terkemuka ini.

Berlatarbelakan Musee de Lurve. The Louvre Museum presents collections of western art from the Middle Ages to 1850, and the antique civilisations that have preceded and influenced this art.

Geng ber-4 kami akan terputus memandangkan 2 daripada gadis Quangdong ini ingin meneruskan lawatan ke wing utara muzium Lurve. Mereka akan menaiki keretapi bawah tanah METRO trus ke Eiffel Tower memandangkan hanya ada 2.5 jam saja lagi menuju jam 7 mlm (matahari terbenam jam 9.30 pm pada musim panas!). Saya dan Carol membuat keputusan untuk berjalan ke Eiffel Tower dengan peta ditangan sambil membeli belah di merata rata tempat disepanjang perjalanan ke tower. Beberapa kali kami tersesat jalan ... dengan bahasa french yang serba tidak saya bertanya kan arah kepada sebuah pasangan berbangsa peranchis ini ... palle vous comprapa francais, angley silvous plait (betul tak betual tak pasti la pulak .. tapi lebih kurang la tuh) yang bermaksud ... saya tidak pandai berbahasa french, cuma english sahaja tolong .. sambil menunjuk diatas peta yang kami nak ke Eiffel Tower dengan berjalan kaki .. dengan sopannya pasangan tersebut menjawab slang peranchis ... wok straight noh .. torn (turn) left (jalan lurus dan belok ke kiri) .. dengan menunduk kepala kami serentak bercakap .. merci merci, merci beaucoup monsieur/madam (ini kitarang jawab perfect la .. maknaya TQ!). Kami pun berjalan ke arah yang ditunjuk tadi ... lebih kurang 50 meter .. terdengar jeritan dari arah belakang kami !!!! .... ton left torn left ... kami pun menoleh blakang ke arah jeritan itu ... RUPA RUPANYA PASANGAN TERSEBUT MENGINTAI UNTUK MEMASTIKAN KAMI MEMBELOK KE KIRI KE ARAH JALAN YANG BETUL ... apa tidak dengan jeritan yang terlolong tadi ... KAMI MEMBELOK KE KANAN LA PULAK WAKTU TU .. patutpun kena jerit! Walaubagaimanapun jeritan itu satu hospitality atau keperihatinan pasangan peranchis itu kepada kami! ... MERCI BEUACOUP, GBU.

Kepenatan memang dirasai seharian melawat tempat tempat menarik di Paris sejurus sahaja kami tiba di Eiffel Tower.

Saya dan Eiffel, akhirnya tiba di sini untuk berpiknik.

Saya dan Carol suda tidak berdaya untuk berbaris menaiki Eiffel Tower yang tersergam indah dan kukuh dari jarak dekat didepan mata kami. Sambil duduk menunggu ahli ahli dari ketiga tiga bas muncul, kami berdua cuma terdaya tersenyum mengingati pengalaman seharian di badar metropolitan Paris yang romantis ini. Sejurusnya tepat jam 7 kami menikmati hidangan yang telahpun disediakan oleh tukang masak. Kami seterusnya balik ke khemah kepenatan, mandi dan tidur. Sebahagian sempat ke pub untuk menghilangkan dahaga dengan minuman berkibonate. Aktiviti untuk kesiokan hari adalah perkhemahan ke French Riveira melawat Nice, Cannes, St. Tropez dan seterusnya ke negara kedua kecil dunia - Monaco! Jumpa di sana!

Lost in Paris

2006-02-11T02:24:00.000+08:00

Lawatan ke France pada kali ini merupakan lawatan yang ketiga. Cuma pada kali ini lawatan ini merupakan sebahagian daripada lawatan camping trip ke benua Eropah. Perjalanan melalui ke Paris pada kali ini melalui pelabuhan Dover di selatan England yang akan menaiki ferry ke pelabuhan Calais di France dan seterusnya ke bandaraya romantik Paris melalui coach (bas pelancong).

Oleh kerana Paris merupakan destinasi pertama lawatan ini, setibanya kami di tapak perkhemahan kami diberi briefing tentang pemasangan khemah. Setiap khemah akan diduduki 2 org. Kami dibekalkan dengan tilam angin yang dipam melalui enjin bas. Camping trip ini dianjurkan oleh sebuah agensi pelancongan berpusat di London. Untuk trip kali ini sebanyak 120 orang campers dimana 3 buah bas pelancongan digunakan. Bas bas ini akan membawa kami secara konvoi yang akan melawati 8 buah negara selama 19 hari yang akan datang. Selain drebar bas, setiap bas mempunyai seorang tukang masak dan seorang tourist guide. Kesemua drebar bas, tukang masak dan pemandu pelancong ini berasal dari Australia. Manakala 120 campers ini merangkumi pelajar pelajar university di serata UK yang datangnya dr pelusuk dunia.

Setiap bas mempunyai lagu thema sendiri yang dipilih serta diundi oleh ahli ahli yang duduk dalam bas tersebut. Lagu tema untuk bas kami adalah lagu nyanyian Blink 182 All The Small Things sebuah band dari Australia. Lagu tema ini akan diputarkan dan dinyanyikan oleh semua ahli setiap kali bas ini memulakan perjalanan ke sesuatu destinasi dan setiap kali bas ini mengadakan toilet break. Setiap bas juga mempunyai undang undang kecilnya yang tersendiri. Sesiapa yang tersangat lambat memasuki bas setiap kali bas mengadakan toilet break akan disuruh ke depan dan menyanyikan sebuah lagu dari negara asal ahli. Sekiranya anda seorang pemalu maka anda sentiasa menepati masa! Setiap bas akan mengambil giliran mengetuai bas konvoi secara bergilir gilir. Pada waktu bas yang dibelakang mengambil giliran memintas ke depan setiap ahli dalam bas tersebut akan melakukan adegan adegan yang melucukan kepada ahli ahli bas yang akan dipintas dan seterusnya kepada ahli ahli bas yang dipintas akan melakukan adegan adegan yang melucukan untuk tatapan ahli ahli dari bas yang lain.

Selepas khemah didirikan di tapak perkhemahan yang terletak di pinggir bandaraya Paris, kami dibawa melihat keindahan Paris pada waktu malam. Pertama sekali kami dibawa melihat mercutanda terkenal Eiffel Tower yang berkelip kelip setiap 5 saat, kami dibenarkan keluar dari bas untuk menangkap gambar, kemudian di terowong dimana Princess Diana menemui ajalnya bila dikejar paparazzi, gelanggang Roland Garros, hotel Ritz Carlton, serta hotel hotel mewah yang pernah didiami oleh celebrity celebrity terkenal antarabangsa. Selama 2 jam mengelilingi dan menikmati keindahan malam di Paris kami balik ke khemah untuk makan malam. Aktiviti seterusnya adalah ke pub yang terdapat dlm kawasan perkhemahan tersebut.

In 1889, when the Tour Eiffel was completed, it was the tallest building in the world at 300m. The Tour Eiffel was originally built as a temporary structure to commemorate the centenary of the Revolution.And since, the Eiffel Tower has become an enduring symbol of the city of Paris.The most famous monument in the world (324 metres, 10 100 tonnes)the Eiffel Tower was built by Gustave Eiffel in 1889 for the World Exhibition, where it was the star attraction.

Aktiviti keesokan harinya adalah bebas. Kami dilepaskan di tengah tengah bandar Paris untuk aktiviti membeli belah dan sightseeing sendiri. Geng saya pada kali ini terdiri daripada seorang female dari mesia, beberapa budak china dr shanghai (3 org kesemuanya female), seorang dari nigeria (m), 2 org dr colombia (m and f), a spanish girl, dan a costa rican girl. Pertama sekali kami melawat Cathedrale de Notre Dame yang mana sebuah gereja yang mana dibina beratus tahun yang lalu dengan architecture senibinanya yang mengkagumkan. Barisan memasuki bangunan tersebut terlalu panjang maka kami tidak berniat untuk berbaris.

The major french religious building, masterpiece of gothic architecture, Notre-Dame is now viewed as one of the key defining examples of the style which was to become known as Ile-de-France Gothic.After having climbed 387 steps, superb view over the spire, the flying butteresses, the City and Paris. Discovery of the famous great bell "Emmanuel" located in the South Tower (13 tonnes).And in front of the cathedral, is a very well-displayed and interesting museum, the crypte archeologique, in which are revealed the remains of the church which predated the cathedral, as well as streets and houses of the Cite dating as far back as the Roman era.

Selesai menangkap gambar kami trus melakukan aktiviti membeli belah. Setiap kedai kami masuki .. pada masa ini ternampak sebuah kedai planet hollywood yang terletak 5 blok kedai dihadapan. Tanpa berlengah masasaya bergegas ke arah kedai ini memandangkan kesemua teman teman yang lain sedang sibuk membeli di kedai sebelumnya. Pada ketika ini saya beranggapan bahawa saya mempunyai cukup masa untuk membeli sebuah baju T sementara teman teman akan terus berjalan dan melimpasi kedai planet hollywood yang arahnya memang ke hadapan.

Kebanyakan baju T di kedai ini semuanya bersaiz besar. Maka saya meminta untuk dicari baju T bersaiz S. Jurujual tersebut pun bergegas ke store dan memberi baju bersaiz T kepada saya. Dengan puas hati saya pun terus membelinya. Sejurusnya saya bergegas keluar dengan harapan akan menemui teman teman yang lain .. pada ketika ini hujan turun ... kesemua pelancong mengambil kesempatan berteduh di luar kedai dari terkena hujan. 3 minit kemudian hujan berhenti dan pancaran sinaran matahari muncul semula. Paris merupakan sebuah bandar aneh .. sekelip mata hujan dan seterusnya sinar matahari muncul semula ... Pada ketika ini saya mula merasa cemas ... maka saya terus berjalan ke hadapan dengan langkah yang lebih besar dan laju .. menoleh ke kanan dan kiri dengan ribuan manusia yang berjalan jalan. Apatah lagi ribuan manusia disini terdiri daripada pelbagai lapisan bangsa. Tanpa putus asa saya terus berjalan dan mencari .. setibanya di hujung jalan teman teman masih tidak kelihatan. Saya berjalan ke arah kedai kedai yang terakhir saya meninggalkan mereka sebelum memasuki kedai planet hollywood .. namun tiada seorang masih berada di sini. Seterusnya saya kembali semula ke arah gereja Notre Dame dengan andaian mereka mungkin kembali disini untuk menangkap semula gambar ... masih gagal menemui mereka di walaupun 2 pusingan saya berjalan sambil berlari anak melintasi rubuan manusia disetiap penjuru jalan.

Saya kembali semula ke arah bangunan deretan kedai kedai gedung pakaian di seberang jalan. Pada ketika ini sia beranggapan ada kemungkinan kesua teman teman saya mungkin membeli belah di gedung gedung pakaian di seberang jalan. Namun saya masih gagal menemui mereka ..... Dengan gantung berdebar debar saya terus berjalan/berlari anak tanpa putus asa berulang alik disekitar deretan kedai kedai ini .. namun hasilnya mereka masih tidak kelihatan langsung.

Pada ketika ini sia berjumpa 3 pelancong dari China kesemuanya mereka dari Guangdong, selatan China yang juga sebahagian daripada kumpulan lawatan berkhemah kami tapi dari bas yang berlainan. Maka saya merapati mereka dan bertanya sekiranya mereka ada melihat teman teman saya disekitar kawasan tersebut. No .. we didnt see them. Dengan nada suara lembut saya bertanya kepada mereka ... Can I join your group? I dunno the way to Eiffel Tower!

Trekking in Long Pa Sia - The Pacat World

2006-02-08T10:49:00.000+08:00

If you ever been to Long Pasia, consider yourself lucky enough to go to one of the most remote places in Sabah. Perjalanan ke Long Pasia mengambil masa lebi kurang 3-4 jam dr pekan Sipitang yang jauhnya lebih kurang 123 km. Masa perjalanan boleh menjangkau 6-7 jam bergantung kepada keadaan cuaca dan banjir yg anytime boleh menutupi jambatan. Jarak ini bersamaaan dengan perjalanan dr KK ke pekan Sipitang yg sejauh 120 km memakan masa 2 jam (kalu drive laju la .. say maintain 80-90 km/hour). Keadaan jalanraya mmg tahap gravel kalu 'buhus' inda steadi tatapz sakit, jan cakap sakit belakang dan yg sewaktu dengannya.

Perkampungan Long Pa Sia dan Long Mio yg indak sampai 300 penghuni ini bersuhu sederhana less than 25 degree C pd waktu mlm. Logikla coz perkampungan ini dekelilingi hutan simpan malar hijau di setiap penjuru. Kami akan menentap di sini selama 4 hari 3 mlm di rumah2 kg bersama keluarga melalui program homestay. Ketibaan kami disambut meriah diiringi paluan gong dan persembahan tarian lundayeh penduduk kg. Seterusnya kami dihidang dgn mkn mlm .. kesemuanya dish bertemakan daging rusa .. sup rusa, rusa masak kicap, sayur berdagingkan rusa, serta nasi.

Keesokan harinya dan hari hari yg berikutnya saya ditugaskan untuk membuat trekking dalam hutan untuk meninjau kepelbagaian tumbuh2an dan haiwan, serta meninjau kualiti air terjun di sini. Kumpulan lain akan meninjau kualiti sungai dan perkhidmatan boat, kualiti gunung melalui hiking dan meninjau tumbuh2an seperti periuk kera, orkid, temuduga penduduk kg, dll. Kami dibekal makanan ala ala pack lunch dgn telur dan food ration untuk askar untuk perjalanan ke hutan. (Ada pangkalan tentera disini untuk tujuan pemantauan sempadan Sarawak dan Indonesia). Melalui jalan hutan (trails) masa perjalanan adalah 45 minit ko sempadan Sarawak dan kurang 1.5 jam ke sempadan Kalimantan (ini masa perjalanan untuk org kg, city dwellers cam saya ... darab 3 atau 4).

Hiking/Trekking mmg satu kesengsaraan untuk saya berdasarkan pengalaman hiking di Taman Negara di Pahang mahupun Taman Negara Bako di Sarawak. Hiking di musim sejuk lebih mengsengsarakan seperti yg saya pernah lalui di Black Forest di Germany. Namun pendakian Gunung Kinabalu yg kedua kali (pertama kali successful uu !!)tetap tinggal seribu satu kenangan dimana saya tumpas tanpa sampai ke puncak (cramp kaki bah saya ... :(

Trekking di hutan Agathis di Long Pa Sia yg penuh pacat dan nyamuk merupakan satu pengalaman yang menjijikkan. 3 teman yg lain bersarungkan stokin besa siap dispray dengan ridsect tidak memberi kesan apa apa. Kami meneruskan perjalanan selama 6 jam dengan membuat 4 short breaks sahaja. Sekiranya berehat terlalu lama kebarangkalian dihinggapi pacat adalah tinggi. Besanya, org yang paling depan sekali mempunyai kebarangkalian paling rendah dihinggapi lalat (lalat la pulak ... pacatttttt) kerana pada masa ini pacat yg sedang berehat ini baru sahaja terganggu domainnya. Orang kedua dan ketiga yg melintasi laluan trail tersebut sebaliknya mangsa utama untuk para pacat melompat ke arah mereka. Op kos la kawasan kaki kena hinggap coz da pacat kan di atas lantai hutan. Jadi, setiap kali saya ketinggalan di belakang berlari la saya memintas teman teman di depan untuk ke depan dan menjadi leader of the trail (cam bunyi lords of the ring la pulak, kekekkek).

Trekking yg dibuat merupakan satu loop (satu pusingan) tanpa melalui jalan balik semula ke tempat asal. Biasanya trekking melalui loop adalah lebih selamat terutamanya di kawasan hutan yang jarang diterokai manusia kerana bukan sahaja jalan trail yg dilalui tadi itu penuh dgn pacat tetapi juga dengan haiwan2 berbisa yang lain (simply because their domain has been disturbed and it is a payback time for these organisms to attack).

Pandangan mata seorang pengembara sentiasa terkagum dan ternganga tentang kehidupan penduduk2 di sini. Sumber hutan merupakan makanan utama seiring dengan keperluan hutan dimana penduduk2 cukup memelihara tumbuh2an serta binatang2 yg terdpt di persekitaran mereka. Saban hari penduduk disini berbekalkan makanan berjalan ke dusun2 mereka sejauh 5-6 kilometre menanam dan mengutip hasil pertainian seperti lada merah, kubis dsb. Ikan diperolehi dr sungai, sumber daging terutama rusa dr hutan belantara, sayur2 seperti lombiding, pakis dan bamboo shoot dr kawasan pinggir hutan yg berdekatan dengan kg. Kemudahan solar untuk menjana elektrik besanya pada waktu mlm shj, sebuah padang bola, 2 buah kedai dan sebilik perpustakaan merupakan kelengkapan serba ada di perkampungan ini. Wang mahupun segala bentuk kemewahan sukar dicari di sini mahupun dilihat dengan selua mata memandang. Berat lagi mata melihat lihat berat lah pulak bahu memikul bebanan yang dilalui penduduk2 di sini. Walaupun bebanan tetap diharungi oleh mereka namun hospitality yg diberi kepada pelawat2 seperti kami tetap di tahap sultan sultan melayu dahulu kala.

Saya dan beberapa teman2 serta 2 orang consultant wanita tetap meneruskan hiking untuk hari kedua ke arah mencari air terjun2 di kawasan sini. Perjalanan agak rilek sedikit pada kali ini kerana kehadiran 2 teman wanita yang puratanya berteriak setiap 15 minit setiap kali pacat hinggap ke kaki mereka. Walaupun perjalanan mengambil masa lebih kurang 6 jam seperti hari semalam namun jarak perjalanan sebenarnya jauh lebih singkat. Lebih kurang 20+ kali berhenti saja untuk memberi peluang 2 teman wanita team ini membuka-memeriksa-menyapu ridsect dan insect reppellant-memeriksa-dan-memasang semula kasut mereka. Akhirnya tiba ke air terjun kami berehat sambil menjama hidangan tgh hari sambil bergambar sambil tergelak gelak ketawa teringat telatah masing2.

Masa mlm merupakan masa yg tidak ditunggu tunggu, pada masa ini lah perbincangan akan dilakukan untuk menceritakan pengalaman masing2 yg telah dilalui sepjg hari untuk tatapan semua consultant. Nilaian tentang tempat tersebut dan keunikannya dari segi pembangunan sektor pelancongan akan dibuat dan segala rekomendasi akan disampaikan kepada pihak2 kerajaan untuk digunapakai dlm pembentukaan sesuatu projek pembangunan mahupun polisi perlancongan yg merangkumi bukan sahaja untuk kawasan ini malahan untuk keseluruhan kawasan di negeri ini.

Perkampungan Long Pa Sia yang diambil di pintu utama masuk ke kampung ini.

Persembahan tarian menyambut kedatangan pelawat ke Long Pa Sia.

Trekking di dalam hutan.

Trekking melalui tanah lumpur dipinggir hutan.

Sungai kecil seperti ini perlu dilalui untuk meneruskan perjalan ke arah hutan dalam pencarian air terjun di kawasan ini.

Antara okid hutan yang ditemui di sini.

Penduduk kg, tour guide kami sedang menunjukkan bunga kantan (sumber hutan) yg dikutip untuk dibawah balik ke rumah.

Teman teman consultant kepenatan kot.

Amazing Lauterbrunnen, Switzerland

2006-02-07T21:03:00.000+08:00

Perjalanan ke Luaterbrunnen di Switzerland melintasi sempadan dari Italian Riviera di Italy mengambil masa beberapa jam. Perjalanan memang menyeronokan melalui terowong2 jalanraya yang tertopografikan bukit bukau yang tidak dicemari dengan pembangunan jaringan jalanraya. Pemandangan yang berbackgroundkan bukit bukau dengan tasik tasik memang sinonim dengan bentuk muka bumi Switzerland yang bertasik antara bukit.

Setibanya kami di perkampungan Lauterbrunnen, kami seterusnya mendirikan khemah. Diberi pilihan sama ada hendak menaiki pergunungan Jungfraujoch melalui keretapi hingga ke puncak ataupun mendaki sampai ke Murren dan seterusnya perjalanan melalui keretapi dr sana. Saya memilih menaiki keretapi hingga ke puncak!!! Memang sengsara mendaki walaupun jalannya elok .. tetapi pengalaman mendaki sebahagian kecil Black Forest yg juga merupakan sebahagian drpd Banjaran Alps di Germany mengingatkan saya keperitan pendakian banjaran alps di musim salji turun dan keadaan suhu yg sejuk giler.

Acara di sebelah petang adalah bebas, kebykkan kami menghabiskan masa berjalan sekitar perkampungan tersebut. Kawasan perkampungan ini memang dikira mewah memandangkan sektor pelancongan merupaka pendapatan utama penduduk di sini. Setengah drpd penduduk sini mengusahakan kedai kedai handicraft dan retail menjual baju baju T bercorakan bendera mahupun jenama SWISS POLO, jam SWATCH dan pisau serba guna Swiss. Pisau pisau serba guba SWISS boleh dicustomise mengikut kehendak pembeli dgn ukiran nama dan msg2 for loved ones. Sempat juga melawat beberapa sebuah waterfall yang menarik di hujung perkampungan di sini.

Tapak perkhemahan memang besar boleh memuatkan beberapa ratus penghuni. Sekitar 200 campers pd waktu tu. Ada sebahagian campers terdiri drpd askar askar america dan negara eropah yg lain. Riuh rendah sekali terutama sekali kawasan tandas yg mmg tidak mencukupi. Dah tuh askar askar ni bukan jak ganas malah ganas menghisap weed yang dimasukkan ke dalam rokok. 3-4 orang isap memang penuh kawasan tandas dengan asap asap berbauan weed. I tak join tau !!

Perjalanan ke puncak Jungfraujoch dgn keretapi mengambil masa sejam. Keretapi ni melintasi beberapa perkampungan yg terletak di pertengahan gunung yang mana kedai kedai menjual makanan laju (fastfood), peralatan ski, handicraft dan hostel hostel kecil. Kami singgah disini sebentar untuk membolehkan mereka yang mendaki tadi naik ke atas train/trem (watever la nama train tuh). Kemudian train tu singgah beberapa perhentian lagi ubtuk membolehkan tourist memgambil gambar perkampungan Lauterbrunnen dr atas diiringi dengan penjelasan tentang sejarah, ketinggian dr atas laut dsb sebelum tiba ke puncak. Setibanya di puncak ratusan tourist suda sedia menunggu train untuk turun ke bawah. Pada tahap ketinggian ini memang tidak dijanka Jungfraujoch merupakan pusat peranginan terunggul di Switzerland. Perhentian keretapi ini dilengkapi dengan sebuah shopping mall (setengah besar), post office siap dengan cop Jungfraujoch, restoran restoran, kedai perlatan ski dan handicraft dsb. Sesetengah tourist trus ke post office semata mata mengecop stamper ke dlm passport masing2. Sajalah tu nak tunjuk kat teman2 yg diorang dah naik pusat peranginan tertinggi di Europe. I tgk jak .. malas ler nak ikut ikut.

Di kiri kanan singboard2 ke pusat aktiviti perlancongan seperti ke menara, istana ice, dog-sledge, human-sledge pun ada (sledge = gelungsur), hiking (ini kena ikut keadaan cuaca, kot hilang sepa juga yg susah kan?). Okay, mula mula sekali saya dgn geng geng pegi ko istana ice tu .. kena lalui terowong terowong bertangga yg mempunyai side bars kerana keaddan jalan agak licin sedikit. Setibanya di pintu istana ianya seakan akan sebuah museum siap dgn segala sculpture binatang dan burung, sebar pelantar bar, tpt duduk dan sebagainya. Istana tidak mudah cair, kira all year round la kerana suhu tatapz maintain sejuk maka tak cair la kan. Pusing punya pusing abisla tour dia. Terus kita kita pelantar terbuka kat atas la pulak, kena masuk lebi kurang 10 org sekali abis pelantar menara tu agak sempit, preep preep bunyi camera kitarang pegi la pulak ke pelantar terbuka tpt dog sledge, ini kena bayar ada tempat duduk dan ditarik dengan 12-14 ekor anjing. I tak ikut, abis takut prussssss ke lembah pergunungan Lauterbrunnen la pulak ... sledge sendiri2 pun tak ikut takut trus ke hell. so preep preep ambil gambar jak.

briefly ttg pusat peranginan ini dr pandangan blur2 saya. Kena pakai spek itam kat atas kerana pancaran cahaya matahari ke atas salji/ice boleh memudaratkan mata. Ada signboard suru bawa spek itam serta risalah2 reminding tourist bawa spek itam. Kena pakai sun blok juga sekiranya nak pakai baju lengan pendek (yg mana impossible la juga). pusat peranginan ini sebenarnya terletak ditengah2 lembah yg mana dilitupi dengan salji dan ice yang mmg sukar cair (kecuali suhu dunia/global warming meloncak naik). penggunaan teknologi mmg I salute tahap dewa dewa. terowong twerowong bawa tanah dalam gunung tu mmg mengkagumkan serta tahap servis mmg tinggi. kebanyakan tourist rata rata dari jipun. papan papan tanda 3 bhs - jipun, french and english.

Perjalanan turun cam besa jak ... kena berkhemah mlm ni lagi. Oleh kerana cuaca agak sejuk bawah 10 degree C kami pun membuat campfire untuk memanaskan badan. Sempat ke pub minum2 sama bil menunggu untuk tidur untuk perjalan seterusnya.

Lauterbrunnen is best visited between the month of June to September. Pada bulan ini keadaan masih sejuk terutama sekali perjalanan keretapi ke Jungfraujoch yang merupakan pusat peranginan tertinggi di Eropah yang juga merupakan sebahagian daripada Banjaran Alps.

Kelihatan pergunungan Jungfraujoch dari jauh, nampak menggerunkan juga.

Berlatarbelakangkan perkampungan Lauterbrunnen, tapi tak la byk rumah yg dalam gambar ni.

Lagi di perkampungan Lauterbrunnen.

Di pelantar terbuka menikmati angin sejuk.

Bersama teman teman dari Korea.

Perjalanan melalui terowong bertangga ke Istana Ice

Antara sculpture yang terdapat di Istana Ice.

Di kawasan terbuka di mana aktiviti aktiviti seperti dog-sledge dan hiking diadakan.

In The Eye Of A Traveller

2006-02-07T19:04:00.000+08:00

Travelling has been part of myself - since my heyday when I studied locally, in Sarawak and of course abroad. At the present time, I either travel for holiday or for work trips which is mainly at the local and national level.

Travelling has opened up my eyes a great deal ... be it in terms of people, culture, way of life to name you a few, travelling is always gonna be part of me, something is meaningful to me both personally and professionally. It widen my horizon, appreciation of things that I see and not see and a memory that I always forever remembered and cherished. I am glad that I had experienced ferry cruisers along the Biscay of France, the channel tunnel and the North Sea, camping trip around Europe, trip around Peninsular Malaysia, crossing the border of Scotland/England,Spain/France and the continental Europe, hiking in Long Pasia and the Black Forest of Germany, boat trip to Brunei, and the uncountable cross roads trips within Sabah and neighbouring Sarawak.

Travelling enable me to meet an array of wonderful people. People that has shown so much hospitality, warm and so welcoming that it was always hard to leave them, their way of life and their culture. Travelling has also taught me many basic words of saying thank you and I love you which are always the dessert of the last meal before leaving them.

I will be travelling again beginning in June 2006 and more will be written here later.