Leisure Walking at Poring's Treetop Canopy Walkway

I've heard about my friends' and other people's experiences at Poring canopy walkway, how they said it's an experience not for the faint-hearted and height-phobia people. One friend even told me how once a weak hearted lady almost suffered a heart-attack when a squirrel jumped on her head while she was concentrating on crossing the walkway. Before, I tried to imagine and picture myself, tried to feel what it would be like  walking on a walkway that is about 421 meters above sea-level and could feel my hair rising and my goosebumps getting goosebumps. At the time everything about Poring canopy walkway just sounded really scary. 

My friends dared me when we made a trip to Poring but I balked, telling them I was not ready and would rather spend time enjoying myself dipping in the sulfuric mineral bath. But just recently, on a lovely Friday, there I was with my family, wearing a T.shirt and a skirt and carrying a handbag...which makes me look more like joy walking than preparing for a 'live or die' experience. Funny, this time all the scary stories did not bother me at all. I was just, you know, feeling more relaxed and although I was not at my fittest condition (yea, thanks to no exercise, I've gained weight and I panted almost all the way up and stopped a few times, probably every 10 minutes or so, even rested at one of the the gazebos there) I was, I think, ready for the experience amid going there in a very unsuitable gear.

Nabalu Lodge

We started our journey from Nabalu Lodge, our lodging at Kundasang, at about 12.00 noon time. On the way to Poring, we passed by some very well known resorts such as the Kinabalu Pine Resort and Mountain Kinabalu Heritage Resort (used to be Perkasa Hotel), Sabah Tea Garden, the Luanti Fish Spa, Ranau town and we also noticed many new homestays along the way. We arrived at Poring about 45 minutes later. 

The Poring canopy walkway is a visit not to be missed by anyone especially foreigners who are first-time visitors in Poring Hot Springs. Just take a stroll amidst the lush canopy of the Menggaris tree, the tree which is known as 'king of the forest'. The walkway is about 157.8 meters long. It took us about one and a half hour to complete our canopy trip, starting from the bathing center and then back to there.

Signboard...Choose where you want to go

Trek to the Canopy Walkway...fairly easy ehhh

If you feel comfortable trekking in skirt...why not huhu

Beware of any falling things...branch, fruit, animals etc

Menggaris tree

Resting at one of the gazebos

I was not the only one who needed a rest...

Pondok Manggas is the starting point of the Canopy Walkway

Canopy Walkway

We're on a suspension bridge under the Menggaris Canopy

Menggaris is a huge tree...see if you can wrap your hands around it

Yahuuu...can't wait to dive-in the sulfuric bath!!

Of course, when we arrived at the sulfur bathing center, we wouldn't in the world miss the opportunity to dip our achy legs in the hot sulfuric baths. We chose the enclosed bathtub and spent about one and a half hour dipping and relaxing to soothe our achy muscles, also hoping for the sulfur to work its miracles on our skin (they say the sulfur kills all the harmful germs on your skin). The rate is RM20.00 per hour for a deluxe size bathtub which includes a jacuzzi and RM15.00 per hour for a standard size bathtub. It is on  first come first serve basis, you cannot pre-book the enclosed bathtubs.

Enclosed bathtub - standard type

Poring Hot Springs' daily opening hours is from 7am to 6pm. The conservation fee is RM5.00 for adult and RM3.00 for students (below 18 years-old). There is also an additional fee of RM5.00 for every camera and video that you bring with you.

Petagas War Memorial Garden

In January 1942, the Japanese Imperial Army successfully occupied North Borneo (now called Sabah). A very patriotic youth named Albert Kwok and some other three hundred men from all over the state fought against the Japanese military. Albert, being the Commander-in-Chief, organized the underground imperial force. He was helped by Kong Su Pui whom he chose as his deputy and Ling Keng Fatt became Albert's advisor. They used the plantation at Mansiang, Menggatal, a land owned by Liew Loi Kui as their secret training ground and headquarters.

Albert even risked his life once when he met the United States Armed Forces in Tawi-Tawi to request for military and other supplies. In September 1943, Albert received information that the Japanese military suffered a heavy defeat at the battle front in other countries in South-East Asia and they wanted to enlist 2,000 Sabahan youth to strengthen their front-line defense. It was at that stage that Commander Kwok suggested a plan to curb the move and to start taking action to disrupt the backside of the enemy army. The plan consisted of a strategy geared at weakening and de-stabilizing the enemy's strength, an attempt to help the Allied Forces to fight against them.

Without wasting any time, Albert immediately launched a surprise attack on the Japanese police station and the military police headquarters in Jesselton (now Kota Kinabalu). Armed with parang, they slashed to death a few scores of the enemy and started a fire at the Customs godown on the night of 9th October, 1943. The Japanese were considerably discouraged and their intention to enlist Sabahan youth eventually failed to materialize.

Unfortunately, the Japanese military soon received help from Kuching. They then conducted a massive search and captured the suspected members of the underground guerilla. The Japanese also stopped all food and other supplies to their secret hideout. With no reinforcement and proper supplies of food, the guerilla force suffered terribly and when the Japanese threatened to kill innocent children and women, within two months' time, almost all its members surrendered to the Japanese.

Then, On 21st January 1944, 176 men of the guerrillas (including sympathizers, followers and supporters) were transported by railway cargo wagons from the 'Batu Tiga' prison camp. Another group of 131 men were sent to Labuan to serve their imprisonment but 117 of them died of starvation, maltreatment, torture and the inhumanity living conditions. Some of the guerrilla members were known to have been tortured, killed and buried in other places and at other times.

After the war, a special committee was formed by the few remaining living members of the guerrilla force and their families. They re-buried those who had been brutally murdered together with the remains of the dead which were removed from Labuan, in this common burial ground. A monument was built over the grave and the surrounding was made into a beautiful garden in everlasting memory and in honour of their gallantry and selfless sacrifice for their country. The names of all those whose remains were buried here and all other known guerrilla force members who had been murdered by the Japanese military forces and buried in other places were engraved on this plaque. A yearly memorial service is held on the 21st January in memory of those brave men who fought against the Japanese occupation Forces.

 

Petagas War Memorial Monument

Here is the resting place for KK fallen heroes

Names of the Kinabalu Guerrillas inscribed on this plaque

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Visit Kinabalu National Park, A World Heritage Site

Mt Kinabalu

In December 2000, at the World Heritage Conference in Cairn Australia, an announcement was made that Kinabalu Park had been chosen as one of the World Heritage Sites in the natural site category. It is also Malaysia’s very first world heritage site.

Kinabalu had attained two criteria which warranted for inscription Criteria (ix) and (x): The site has a various biota and substantial endemism. The altitudinal and climatic gradient from tropical forest to alpine conditions  blend together with precipitous topography, diverse geology and frequent climate oscillations to give conditions suitable for the growth of the rare varieties of plants.

Beautiful Valley

The Park features high biodiversity with representatives from more than half the families of all flowering plants. The majority of Borneo’s animals, birds, amphibians and invertebrates, many endangered and vulnerable, can be found in the dense forest of the Park.

Mt Kinabalu at 4095m is the highest mountain in South-East Asia and is located in the Kinabalu National Park in the province of Sabah in Malaysian Borneo. Countless numbers of tourists visit Kinabalu National Park each year and most come here determined to conquer Mt Kinabalu.

Results of Climbathon 2011

The Climbathon, an international sport event which has attracted participants from all over the world, is being held here every two years.

There is good news for the not so confident climbers! Mt Kinabalu is one of the least difficult peaks in the world to overcome. It requires just two days and climbers don't need any previous experience at mountain climbing. At sunrise, the views from Mt Kinabalu's summit at Low's Peak are spectacular, a sweet reward for all of the  hard work.

Frequently, climbers take two days to climb up and descend Mt Kinabalu. The eight-kilometre climb starts from the Timpohon Gate near park headquarters at 1800m, with an over night stay at one of the visitor houses at Laban Rata which is at 3273m high. Early next morning, climbers will proceed to the summit which takes about 2- 3 hours to arrive. If the weather is fine, Mt Kinabalu's summit will be reached in time to view the sunrise, before going back to Laban Rata for morning meal. Climbers then descend the mountain, generally reaching the park headquarters by late-afternoon.

Timpohon Gate, the Starting Point of  Mt Climbing

Anyone with a fair level of fitness and the determination to persevere through fatigue and discomfort can climb to the peak of Mt Kinabalu. It is achievable and extremely fulfilling.

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Copyright@2012 Kota Kinabalu Tourism.Com. All Rights Reserved.

Kipandi Butterly Park, A Great Place For the Nature Lovers

Kipandi Butterfly Park

The Kipandi Butterfly Park is located in the Crocker Range which is a complex of high altitude hills, up to 1500m, extending southward from this summit. These hills are mostly covered with primary forest in which at least 8000 species of  plants including 2500 species of trees have been recorded and this area is one of the most important sanctuary for the biodiversity in the world. The entomological fauna of this area is one of the richest in the world.

Kipandi Butterfly Park is situated in Moyog, in the district of Penampang and lies at 700 meter altitude in the heart of the Crocker Range. It  is a very beautiful place, great for relaxing and enjoying the cool mountain air. It is also a favourite place for photographers who enjoy taking nature photographs especially gorgeous butterflies and exotic flowering plants. The park is surrounded with forest and taking a walk in it will bring you back to a lost paradise with the song of cicadas and birds and fluttering butterflies sipping the nectar of rare flowers. Many butterflies come into the garden to suck nectar from the many flower shrubs. Over 100 species have been recorded and they can be easily photographed inside the enclosure.

A Rare Butterfly

Some of the rarest species of butterflies that can be seen at the park are the Rajah Brooks' and Golden Birdwings. The breeding of these species is carried out through a joint venture project with Sabah's Wildlife Department. This joint work aims to repopulate the forest with the threatened species and since its inception, have several times released hundreds of birdwings butterflies into the wild.

First Insect Museum in Sabah

You will also be able to visit the very first Insect Museum of Sabah at the Park. There, you will see a great diversity of butterflies in various shapes and colours. The museum has over 500 butterflies and over 3000 beetles. It also showcases some very rare endemic species recently discovered by scientists.

Butterfly Enclosure

Special enclosures have been constructed to house some of the rare and endangered orchids and pitcher plants in Sabah.

Native Orchids

These botanical collections allow specialists to study the more than 500 species of native orchids, which are known to be extremely rare and therefore, difficult to find in the forest.

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