INFO + Sabah Events and Festivals

BeeBuzz

• Long trousers and thick shirts are suitable clothing in the forest. Leeches are common and although not dangerous, they are unpleasant. Your best protection is to wear jungle boots or leech socks (on sale). Insect repellent helps, but tends to wear off.
  
• Do not enter the forest alone and remember to take a compass, map and water bottle, even if walking only a short distance. The only serious danger in the forest is getting lost. Sign up on the destination board before setting out.
  
• For your first walk in the forest try the two self-guided Nature Trails or the East Ridge Trail close to camp. If you cross the Segama bridge into the Conservation Area, stick to Main Trail West which is marked at 100m intervals.
  
• Do not take a parang with you : you are not permitted to slash plants. Of prime importance is the protection of various botanical plots which are surrounded by paint-marked trees as shown on the map. Please do not enter these areas.
  
• Bring binoculars, notebook and camera, but wrap your camera in a polythene bag if hiking in the forest. Slippers and a torch light are also useful
  
• Although malaria cases are rare and always brought in from elsewhere, visitors are advised to take a preventive drug, such as Maloprim or Paludrine.
  

BeeBuzz

• No hunting or trapping of animals, or collecting of plants is permitted in the Conservation Area or in adjacent logged-over forest, other than for scientific purposes approved by the Management Committee. Fishing is permitted but only by using hook and line techniques (and not within 200m of the Bridge). Firearms are absolutely forbidden anywhere in the Conversation Area or Silam Forest Products logging concession.
  
• Any scientific research or journalistic writing for publication requires prior approval of the Management Committee.
  
• The Field Centre Manager, Yayasan Sabah or the Danum Valley Management Committee shall not be responsible for any accidents, illness or other misfortune encountered while at the Centre. A written disclaimer to this effect must be signed in Lahad Datu or on arrival.
  
• The Field Centre Manager has full authority in day-to-day matters pertaining to visitors and staff. Visitors are expected to respect both the rules of the establishment and the spirit underlying them, which is a respect for nature and minimal disturbance of the environment.
  
• You are not permitted to drop litter either around the Centre or in the forest.
  

BeeBuzz

Kinabalu Park, which covers an area 754 sq. kilometres, is one of the greatest attraction of Sabah. The Park is visited yearly by thousands of tourists who come to enjoy its climatic, scenic, floral and faunal splendours.  


Among other things, it also contains the granitic massif of Mt. Kinabalu. At 4,093 metres, it is South East Asia's greatest challenge for climbers. Mt. Kinabalu is the highest mountain between Northern Burma and New Guinea, it is part of Sabah's beautiful Crocker Range and the 2,572 metre Mt. Tambuyukon.

Having an altitude which varies from 152 metres to 3,952 metres above sea level, the vastness of the Park enables the preservation of tropical lowland forest and wildlife, as well as the alpine-like associations of the summit zone.





Preserved for posterity, the Kinabalu Park is one of the world's  most unique ecological systems: having beauty, splendour and charm to delight any category of visitors. From the tired businessman in need of a rest to the restless mountaineer and the nature lover who is eager to study and enjoy its natural treasures.

The park opens at all seasons. It is self-contained with all the facilities for the casual visitors as well as campers. Those who wish to have a longer stay, nearby hotel or park's chalets are available.

The weather here is temperate in nature. With its refreshing inherit attractions, and beautiful environment, the Kinabalu Park is certainly a must for the visitors to the State.

History

An Ordinance of 1962 established the Sabah Park Trustees with the purpose of conserving the scenic, scientific and historic heritage of Sabah for the benefit and enjoyment of its people. The first obvious choice for inclusion in a park system was Mt. Kinabalu, and the Kinabalu Park was gazetted in 1964. This is followed by a century of interest in the mountain by naturalists, collectors and adventurers after the first recorded ascent made in 1851 by Sir Hugh Low, a government officer from Labuan Island. Since the Park's formation, its popularity has increased rapidly, and it attracts many visitors from overseas as well as the locals.




People

Mt. Kinabalu is intimately connected with the folklore and local traditions of Sabah. In particular is its slopes are the home of hill Dusuns or Kadazans, belonging to the largest racial group in the State. Noted for their basketry and other handicrafts, they live in small kampongs or villages scattered throughout the area and are still using traditional methods of farming on shifting cultivation basis. Their steep fields, planted with dry rice and other crops are thickly clothed in secondary jungle while lying fallow, reach right to the Park's boundaries.

With development and greater prosperity, more Kadazans are now practising intensive cultivation: using terracing, fertilizers and pesticides. For them, Mt. Kinabalu is the resting place of their spirits of deceased ancestors and as such, remains sacred to the Kadazan people. The name Kinabalu is probably derived from the Kadazan words Aki and Nabalu, meaning The Revered Place of the Dead.

BeeBuzz

Kinabalu was born only 1

BeeBuzz

Many visitors to the Park enjoy a relaxing and "doing nothing" attitude. The clean air, scenery and cool mountain temperatures are a contrast to  the usual pressures of business and travel. In the Headquarters area, several miles of easy, graded trails have been constructed for visitors. These will lead through the forests, follow by valleys and ridges, and will lead to scenic viewpoints and clear mountain streams. Visitors can study the mountain flora, spot orchids in bloom, watch birds and occasionally see tree shrews or a barking deer. Shelters also provide a place to rest or a picnic. The first part of the Kinabalu Mountain Trail, between the Power Station and Kambarangoh Telecoms, also make a good day-trip. A waterfall, gnarled and stunted mossy forest, pitcher plants and panoramic views are some of its highlights.


The biggest attraction of the park is the Mt. Kinabalu. Watching it in the early hours of the morning, it mystically appears in view. It's an experience and an attraction in itself as the mountain in all its majesty disappears quickly from view as clouds and the sun take over to cover its summit a short while later.

Climbing Mt. Kinabalu is another thrill because the structure of the mountain is easy to climb. No mountaineering skills are required, except that the climber must be in good physical condition.

BeeBuzz

The prime attraction here is the Hot Springs. First developed by the Japanese during World War II, pipes are inserted into several open-air Japanese-style baths. For visitors with more time there are graded paths leading through rich lowland forest to the mountain rivers, waterfalls and the tumbled bat caves. Visitors often see birds and wildlife along the trail. A playing field and courts for volleyball and sepak raga are also available.



The hot springs' water contain sulphur, which have health as well curative properties for skin diseases. At Poring, one can find the world's biggest flower, the Refflesia which if you are lucky, you can see in bloom. Also, an orchid garden containing most of the native species, and a butterfly farm are some of the attraction at Poring.




The Forest Canopy walkways is constructed high up in the forest canopy for use by scientists to conduct research. With magnificent views, tourists can walk on it, seeing new insights into the canopy. On the ground, humans are characteristically regarded as hunters and are feared. Therefore, rarely animals like to be seen. Artificial lighting at night will be used to observe species not active by day.

BeeBuzz

Kinabalu's plantlife has evolved from an interaction of climate (including past climates) and geology (soils, exposure, geological history): the result is a flora diverse and complex and in many ways unique. Even untrained observers can see many of the mountain's features as they travel from the Hot Springs to Park Headquarters and to the summit. One of the great values and attractions of the Kinabalu Park is that it protects and preserves the complete spread of plantlife from lowland tropical forest to the limit of plant growth on the summit.





Poring Hot Springs lies within the lowest zone of vegetation, the lowland Dipterocarp forest which is part of the great tropical rain-forest extending from Thailand to New Guinea. It is characterised by huge trees, often supported by buttresses, several layers of foliage beneath the highest canopy, and hanging lianas.

Contrary to popular opinion the forest floor is usually too dark to support much ground cover. About half the trees belong to the Dipterocarp family, which supplies Sabah State's timber production. Notwithstanding this, diversity is the keynote of the tropical forest and some thousands of species can be found. An unusual component of the flora is the parasitic Rafflesia plants, which produces a fleshy red flower up to 45 cms in diameter. The dipterocarp forest extends up to about 912 metre elevation and comprises about 1/3 of the Park's area.

Between 912 metres and 1,824 metres elevation is the montane forest, occupying almost half of the Park's area. Trees are smaller and ground cover is much denser because more light reaches the ground. Increased moisture from low clouds leads to an abundance of epiphytes, such as orchids and mosses grows on the trunks and branches of trees. Species composition is almost wholly different from the lowland forest, oaks, chestnuts, laurels, myrtels, etc are abundant. Many of these are representative of temperature families; the tropical groups are less evident. Park Headquarters is located within this zone.

Most fascinating to visitors is the mossy or cloud forest that extend upwards from 1,824 metres. Here gnarled, often stunted trees are covered  thickly with mosses, lichen and orchids. Climbing bamboos, thorny rotans and shrubs make venturing off the cut paths almost impossible. The clouds that each day drift close to the ground and the cool temperatures are the primary factors in determining its structure. Rhododendrons with their showy flowers, other Ericaceae and southern hemisphere conifers are typical groups found here. Orchids are common, and Kinabalu has up to 1,500 varieties growing on its slopes. The cloud forest is also the favoured home of Nepenthes - the pitcher plants. These have certain leaves modified into liquid-containing pitcher that trap and digest insects. Three types are common along the Kinabalu Mountain Trail viz. N. Lowii, N. Villosa and N. Tentaculata.




In the summit zone plants survive in crevices or the lee of boulders. At these high altitudes only a limited number of types are adapted to withstand the intense sunlight, heavy rains and harsh winds of the upper mountain. The diversity of the lowlands is missing. Common are the bushy Leptospermum ("sayat-sayat"), with tiny leaves and white flowers; the dwarf Rhododendron ericoides with red, tube-shaped flowers; Schima with large white flowers and leaves often tinged purple; and several conifers. The delicate yellow flower of Low's buttercup can be seen in moister patches.



Over half of the plant species growing above 912 metres in the Park are endemic, found only on Mt. Kinabalu and nowhere in the world. The closest relatives of many of these plants are found in the high mountains of New Guinea or in Australia-New Zealand. Mt. Kinabalu is in effect a floral island, surrounded and isolated by hot lowland forest that has little in common with the higher zones. How the various groups first reached Kinabalu is still debated by plant geographers, but the importance of the mountain for the study of a "relict flora" and of ancient plant migrations between Australia and Eurasia is undeniable.

For the naturalists, the flora is, of course, a botanical and ecological paradise for observation and study. For the visitor, the enjoyment is no less, for here in this Park, assisted by a park guide book, the amateur can easily enjoy the flora and fauna and experience the thrill of discovery and identification.

BeeBuzz

The Park's fauna is much less specialised than its plantlife and is more representative of Borneo as a whole. Only the Kinabalu rat, a friendly and harmless inhabitant of the summit zone is restricted to the mountain. larger animals in the park include three species of deer, breaded pig, gibbon and the honey bear. Only the elephant and rhinoceros, are missing. The orang utan is quite common within the Park, but keeps to deep forest where it searches for fruits in small family groups. Squirrels, bats, tree shrews and rats are well represented and are the animals most likely to be seen by visitors.





An estimated 300 species of birds, 2/3 of those to be found in Borneo, live in or visit the park. Many of these can be easily observed from roads and trails. Each zone of vegetation has its characteristic birds. The rare Kinabalu Warbler lives on Kinabalu and Mt. Trus Madi (64 kms to the south), and no-where else in the world. The Mountain blackbird is not found elsewhere in Borneo. The Blackbird and the Mountain Blackeye are the two most common birds of the high altitudes on Kinabalu.





At Park Headquarters, in the montane forest, visitors are likely to notice the Grey Drongo (fork-taled and insect-catching), the noisy, long-tailed Malaysian Tee-pie and the quiet hunting parties of plump Chesnut-capped Laughing Thrushes. The chattering flocks of tiny crested birds are Minlas, representative of a Himalayan genus. As with the flora, birdlife in the lowlands is much more diverse than at the higher elevation. At the Hot Springs visitors will see the black and white Magpie Rohin and hear the melodious songs of the White-rumped Shama. Many others will also be observed there and for better observation, binoculars will be useful.

BeeBuzz

The Park can be reached from Kota Kinabalu, Sabah's capital. Kota Kinabalu is served from Kuala Lumpur and Singapore by daily jets from the Malaysian Airline System (MAS). Twice weekly from Manila by the same airline and from Hong Kong several times weekly by MAS and Cathay Pacific Airways. MAS also has daily flights from Sarawak and Brunei.
picture: you can see Nabalu Native Market on the way to Kinabalu Park





Park Headquarters is situated at the southern boundary of the Park and lies 83 kms from Kota Kinabalu by paved road, 24 kms further on is the small but busy town of Ranau, and 19 kms north of here is the Park's station at Poring Hot Springs.

The Tuaran United Transport Co. runs a daily bus service between Kota Kinabalu and Ranau, stopping at the Park Headquarters. It departs from the Kota Kinabalu bus station at 7.30 a.m. and the journey to the Park takes about 2 hours. The fare is RM 8.50 per person one way. The return trip to Kota Kinabalu passes the Headquarters about 8.00 a.m.

Numerous charter landrovers and buses are available and are recommended for groups and most tourists. Rates at: RM 95.00 Kota Kinabalu - Park Headquarters in a 12-passengers model, RM 224.00 in a 28 seater mini-bus. Chartering is virtually the only way to get to Poring Hot Springs. Charter information and arrangements can be obtained through the Park Warden.

A helicopter landing pad is avilable at the park Headquarters. Several companies can provide small aircrafe and helicopters for charter.

BeeBuzz

Originally posted by rhoyo at 15-4-2004 03:29:
dari mana beebuzz dapat info ni  ?  :bgrin:

Dari web2 yg bermastautin di sabah...hehehe

BeeBuzz

The Sepilok Orang Utan Rehabilitation Centre is a place where people can go to see orang-utans (Pongo pygmaeus) - the wild red apes of Borneo and Sumatra - in their natural habitat, the tropical rainforest. It is important to understand, however, that the purpose of the Centre is to train young orang-utans, which for one reason or another have been held in captivity, so that they may learn to live unaided in the forest. Viewed in a historical context, the story is more complicated and more interesting.

Sepilok is an old Forest Reserve, about 43 square kilometres in area, which before the introduction of heavy machinery was logged by hand for timber. In 1957, logging was banned and the Reserve was desinated for research and conservation. When Sabah became an independent state in Malaysia in 1963, a Game Branch was created in the Forest Department for the conservation of wild animals. At that time, it was believed that the orang-utan was a very rare species, endangered with extinction. Up to that time, young orang-utan had been a popular pet amongst people in Sabah and elsewhere, and any young one caught during logging or forest clearance was in wide demand. With the new Game Branch came a new law which prohibited anyone from catching or keeping an orang-utan.





Many orang-utans which had been kept in captivity were confiscated - but something had to be done with them. Sepilok was chosen as the place where these orang-utans would be brought and trained to live a natural life in the forest. The rehabilitation process, as it became known, met and continues to meet varying degrees of success. Some orang-utans disappeared, some died, some grew to live a semi-natural existence... and some were successfully rehabilitated to survive unaided in the forest. Indeed, some have mated with wild orang-utans and produced babies. One such baby - Juliana, born in 1976 - herself gave birth in Sepilok in 1987.




Since the early days, it has become apparent that while orang-utans are rare, they are not endangered at present. It is now known that conservation of large areas of natural habitat is a surer way to conserve orang-utans than the rehabilitation programme at Sepilok. But orang-utans continue to come into Sepilok, nowadays not from captivity, but directly from areas where forest is being cleared for agriculture. Sepilok serves to give these unfortunate animals life in the forest rather than an uncertain future in a plantation. And, perhaps most importantly, Sepilok serves as a link between people and Sabah's marvellous wildlife, where the young can gain their first insights into nature and the importance of caring for the natural environment.




An even rarer creature of the Borneo rainforests than the orang-utan can be seen at Sepilok - the Asian two-horned rhinoceros (Dicerorhinus sumatrensis), often known as the Sumatran rhino. This splendid animal was once widespread throughout South-east Asia. Indeed, during the first three decades of the development of Sandakan by the British Chartered Company, rhinos would often wander into the town and outlaying gardens. Early issues of the British North Borneo Herald mention visitors going off into the forests of the Sandakan hinterland to hunt rhinos, and there are advertisements giving the cost of rhino horn in local Chinese shops. Since those days, the Asian two-horned rhino has been reduced by excessive hunting as well as loss of forest to scattered remnants in Borneo, Sumatra and Peninsular Malaysia. A number of National Parks and Reserves have been established in all three regions in efforts to conserve the rhinoceros in the wild. Unfortunately, the horn of this rhino is worth more than its weight in gold in Chinese apothecaries, for it is believed by Asians of Chinese descent to be the most effective medicine to reduce fevers.

Worries over continued illegal hunting, as well as the risk of natural calamities or disease, have led the relevant governments to join forces with conservationists and zoos. The aim is to build up a captive population, as a precaution against the possibility that the wild populations may go extinct. For the time being, the Sabah government's contribution to this effort is being developed at Sepilok. Finally, Sepilok is an excellent opportunity to take a walk in the Borneo rainforest without the need to organise a major expedition. Look out for the diversity of trees, climbing plants, ferns and other plants, as well as birds and insects. Do not be disappointed when hordes of colourful wild birds and mammals fail to make a showing. The beauty of rainforest lies in its plants, in its sheer intricacy and complexity, and in its shapes, sounds and subtle relationships.


Daily Feeding Time: 10:00 am, 2:30 pm
Entrance Fee: RM 10.00 per person
Still Cameras: Free
Video Cameras: RM 10.00

BeeBuzz

Huge pitcher plants containing a drowned rat, four litres of liquid, and rotten insect bodies were reported from Mt. Kinabalu over a century ago. Since then, nine species of pitcher plants or Nepenthes have been discovered in Kinabalu Park, and three of these are found nowhere else in the world.

Insects are attracted to sweet nectar secreted from glands near the mouth of the pitchers. Upon entering the cup, insects slide down the slippery sides; their escape out is blocked by downward pointing spines. The animals eventually drown in the slimy ooze at the bottom and are digested. The plant absorbs its lunch through the walls of the leaf. Thus pitcher plants can grow in areas with poor soil, getting their nourishment from the insect corpses.

Pitcher plants of Sabah...




[ Last edited by ~bEeBuZz~ on 18-4-2004 at 04:29 PM ]

BeeBuzz

Many Rungus peoples, a sub group of the Dusun/Kadazan family, still live in longhouses and hold on to their traditional spiritual/animistic beliefs. They have managed to retain more of the old day ways than many of the other tribes. There are still thatched roofed longhouse only about 20 miles from Kudat. The architecture of their longhouse has a distinct outward leaning style and this is represented in the design of the State Museum. Each family has its own apartment but share a common living area. A longhouse may be made up of 20 to 40 families.




The women folk in the not too distant past used to wear coils of brass around the neck, the forearms and the lower legs. Although it is not common to see the leg and neck coils now the forearm coils are still in use on a regular basis. The Rungus are also renowed for their fine bead work and weaving.

BeeBuzz

The Rungus live in their thatched traditional longhouse called binatang that provides them with shelter and protection from the elements. The traditional setting of the Rungus longhouse provide visitors with an opportunity to experince and appreciate the unique rustic lifestyle of the Rungus.
The binatang takes a few months to build, depending on the size and availability of building materials. The Rungus position their longhouse on a west-east facing Mount Kinabalu with the belief that a cool, airy atmosphere is attained for ideal living and good health.



The binatang is on stilts and holds several famaily units, sirang, earch with an area of about 300 square feet. For each siring, there is a sleeping area - tingkang sid ongkob; a dining area - lansang sid ongkob; attic - abai sid ongkob and abai sid apad; corridor - langsang sid apad and the livind area - tingkang sid apad. There are two types of tingkang sid apad - a raised, flat platfrom or merely an extension of the corridor.

As you climb up the entrance stairway or tukad simbatu that is made of a small tree trunk with notches chopped into it, this will lead you into the main longhouse communal living area. Walking along the corridor, you will note the wooden floors made from the tonibung (Oncosprema horridum) and tivung (Bambusa Scortechnii), small, split tree trunks tightened with rattan and bark strips to hold them together.

The roof of the longhouse is made up of thatched rumbizo (Metrovylon Sagus) and pagung (Nypu Fruiticans) leaves. Walls are made from tree bark. The traditional building materials of the binatang's main structures are made of durable timber such as bakau tsngob (Rhizophara mucronata) and tagas (Eusideroxylon Zwageri).

Rangus builders choose only trees that bring good luck. Tree apecies to be avoided as building materials as they are believed to bring bad luck are

Ginduvus (brittle plants which symbolise instability)
Mindaraha (a plant with red sap which signifies blood)
Toodopon Puvok (Fragraea elliptica - the preferred sleeping place by owls indicates a dwelling for bad spirits).

BeeBuzz

The Bavaggazo longhouses are unique attractions for visitors as they were planned and developed as a cultural centerpiece by the Rungus community at kampung Bavaggazo. Together with the Sabah Tourism Promotion Coporation (Sabah Tourism) and local tour operators, the Rungus marketed the longhouses as a means to display and conserve their culture heritage whilst engaging in an economically sustainable venture. Kampung Bavanggazo is an ideal example of a successful community tourism project operated by the indigenous community of a particular region.
The two Bavanggazo longhouses each took about eight months to build. There are ten sirang in each longhouse. Nearby are two sulap which are traditional paddy atores. Located a few feet away are the village's only modern amenities, toilets and showers equipped with tapped water from the hills.



The large living area also hold holds the main indorse working area. And a stay at the longhouse will enable visitors to observe, enjoy and take part in the Rungus unique lifestyle. During the day, the longhouse corridor is busy with Rungus womenfolk at work stringing elaborate beadworks, weaving baskets and their traditional colth. Visitors can experience and participate Longhouse meals are mainly homegrown or harvested from around the village, including wild ferns and fruits. Your longhouse menu may include native salads such as tivak dot polod and tomboruvah. Fish and seafood come from nearby fishing villages. For drinks, there are always plenty of young coconuts available and several varieties of the local brew to further with their colourful and elaborate beads.

The evening brings a festive 'party' atmosphere to the longhouse with the rhythmic playing of gongs and the villlagers resplendent in their traditional black costume complete witj their colourful and elaborate beads.



Kampung Gombizau and Kampung Sumangkap

At Kampung Gombizau, visitors get to see bee-keeping and the process of harvesting beeswax, honey and royal jelly. At Kampung Sumangkap, an enterprising small village, visitors can observe traditional gong-making and handicraft-making by the villagers.

BeeBuzz

While all visitors are very welcome, you are remaind to kindly respect and a here to local customs, values ans traditions. AT all times, visitors are remainded of the need to respect the privacy and personal space of the longhouse residents. When in doubt, please refer to your guide, the village headman or Native Chief.

• Enter a longhouse only when invited.
• Always make your presence knows as you approach a longhouse dwelling.
• Do not walk UNDER the longhouse. It is considered mast ill-mannered or that the person has ill-intentions.
• During the construction of a new longhouse, visitors are prohibited from entering the building as the Rungus belive the visitors may bring bad luck.
• Visitors should not enter the sleeping quarters or sirang without the prior consent of the residents.
• When leaving the longhouse, visitors should have the courtesy of informing the longhouse head and to stop for a chat to its residents when passing their rooms or sirang. If the visitors chooses to do otherwise, the longhouse residents will see the visitors as being ill-mannered and may request compensation known as sogit.
• Visitors are kindly remainded not to wear their footwear in the longhouse and to leave them outside.
• In moving about the longhouse, always tread lightly and 'wind' your may around other persons. NEVER walk over a person, man, women or child.
  

What to Wear and bring

• Comfortable walking shores are essential.
• Light cotton clothing.
• A hat, sunglasses, torchlight and an umbrella can be useful.
• Persons toiletries and towels.
• Bring small currencies for making purchases.
• It is suggested that extras bags be brought to store your footwear.
  

BeeBuzz

Sesiapa teringin nak pegi sabah klik bawah nie....info ni memang berguna..dan untuk sabahan sekali sila klik..

Klik nie..>>>> Map Guide Of Sabah

BeeBuzz

Generally Sabah follows the same religious and ethnic festivals as the rest of Malaysia though it does hold a few of it抯 own that are unique to the area. The most popular of these is the Pesta Kaamatan or harvest festival celebrated in May by the Kadazan and Dusun tribes. This is a good time to watch traditional performances and experience different taste sensations with the many different dishes that are prepared at the time of the festival. Other interesting festivals are those of Chinese New Year and Hari Raya.

Chinese New Year (January/February) This is a joyous time when friends and relatives give each other "angpows" - red packets with a gift of cash as a token of prosperity and celebrate with feasts and lion dances to ward off evil spirits and usher in the lunar new year. Family reunion dinners are a must among Chinese on the eve of the new year.

Mt. Kinabalu Mountain Bike Challenge (March)

Sabah Festival (April or May) Over 30 colourful ethnic communities will gather with their gongs and flamboyant dancing skills in Kota Kinabalu to showcase Sabah's rich cultural heritage. Exotic village handicrafts immaculately made with fine handiwork will be available for sale during this occasion.

The Harvest Festival Regatta (April or May)

Patterns and Colours of Sabah (mid May to mid June) This is an annual exhibition featuring paintings and handicrafts of Sabah.

The Sabah Dragon Boat Race (June) Local and international teams pit their skills and energy against one another for top honours. Join thousands to watch the action from the shore of scenic Likas Bay and cheer for your favourite Dragon Boat team.

Merdeka Regatta  (August) Held over a period of one week with more than 12 races to determine the champion/s in different classes of boats. The race is to commemorate Malaysia's Independence Day. Sailors from all over the world are invited to take part in the weeklong competition.

National Day (31 August) The country celebrates it's independence on 31 August with parades and shows. Towns and cities throughout Malaysia will be gaily decorated and adorned with lights for the grand occasion.

Pesta Kelapa (September) A popular annual event in Kudat with lots of fun games and contests, and it also features the vast variety of the coconut species. Catch the interesting exhibition featuring all coconut-made products.

Malaysia Fest (September) For two weeks, all the major hotels and shopping complexes join forces to feature the culture, cuisine and handicrafts of the various states in Malaysia.

Deepavali (October/November) The "Festival of Lights" is a celebration which marks the triumph of good over evil. During this festival, Hindu homes are emblazoned with lights to symbolize this triumph.


Kiulu 4M Challenge (November) Come witness this traditional endurance event! Four kinds of indigenous sports cum survival skills of the natives are tested. In the Kadazandusun language, the 4M stand for Manangkus (running), Mamangkar (bamboo rafting), Manampatau (swimming with a piece of bamboo as float), and Mamarampanau (walking on bamboo stilts).

KYC Match Racing Regatta (November) Teams from all over the world are invited to match their skills against one another in a knock out, one against one duel. The winner will be decided by the most number of wins in the knock out series.

Christmas (25 December) Celebrated by Christians similar to any other part of the world. Midnight services are held at churches on Christmas eve. Shopping centres, hotels, old folks homes and children's homes echo with beautiful carols. The revelry and yuletide spirit of Christmas is enjoyed by Christians and non-Christians alike.

Hari Raya Aidil Fitri  is celebrated by Muslims after the month-long Ramadan (fasting month). Muslims usher in the new year with prayers in the mosques followed by receiving well-wishers in their homes.

Public Holidays

Malaysia celebrates 44 holidays a year, listed here are the most important.
Jan 01 - New Year's Day
Feb 05 & 06 - Chinese New Year
Feb 01 - Federal Territory Day (Kuala Lumpur and Labuan only)
edit - Hari Raya Haji
Apr 06 - Awal Muharram
May 01 - Workers' Day
May 18 - Wesak Day
Jun 03 - Birthday of Sri Paduka Baginda Yang di Pertuan Agong
Jul 15 - Birthday of Prophet Muhammad SAW
Aug 31 - National Day
Oct 28 - Deepavali (except in Sarawak and Labuan)
Dec 25 - Christmas
edit - Hari Raya Puasa

BeeBuzz

Beaufort-Tenom Railway Sabah抯 only railway system takes visitors on a winding mountainous, jungle track that affords spectacular views and can be lots of fun. A good choice in any weather and an excellent one for the whole family to enjoy.

Diving The ocean waters around Sabah beg one to jump in with at least a pair of goggles on if not the full scuba gear. There is an abundance of marine life in these tropical waters that would be a shame to miss if you are visiting. Many hotels rent out diving equipment and offer dive trips to the outlying islands.

The Sabah Flying Club If you like flying or would like to know about trips in a small aircraft then contact the Sabah Flying Club on telephone: (6)088-219406, 255049

Go Caving These are plentiful throughout the area and many of the mountains and islands are riddled with these 慹xplorer paradises

BeeBuzz

Dining

Dishes from many countries are available in nearly all the main centres from Italian, German and English to French but as this is Malaysia, one should attempt the delicious local fare as well.

Hawker food is generally very good and these serve everything from local seafood to Italian dishes, though most concentrate on the standard rice or noodle dishes so enjoyed by the locals.

Seafood varies according to the season and the catch so it抯 a good idea to check the prices before ordering.

Food centres or open-air markets everywhere are always a taste sensation and many have their own specialties worth trying.

Chinese food is good due to the Chinese influence throughout the history of Sarawak and restaurants selling Chinese fare can be found throughout Sarawak.

Malay food is always popular especially around breakfast time when one of the most favoured dishes with both locals and visitors alike has to be roti with its various sauces or one of the goring dishes.

Vegetarian dishes are more difficult to find but Kuching itself boasts two that are popular, The Green Vegetable Caf