September 2008

September 2008 Volume

Volume 91
91
RM 1.00

Paradise
Islands

INSIDE: Ramadhan Bazaar, Mooncake Celebrations, The Nose Flute and more!
 Contents
ADVISOR YBhg. Dato’ Seri Tengku Zainal Adlin / Sitti B. Damsal

EDITOR Yolanda Graham

DESIGNER Trevor Thomson Lam C.W.

Charlieking Padasian (Kadaiku Sections)

PUBLISHER Sabah Tourism Board / Sri Pelancongan Sabah Sdn. Bhd.

51 Gaya Street, 88000 Kota Kinabalu 3 Happenings & Highlights
BAHASA MALAYSIA EDITOR Puan Hjh. Asmiah Ajamain TRANSLATORS Chin Yen Sang (Chinese) Ramadhan Bazaar
(Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka) Rie Harada (Japanese) Mooncake Celebrations
Emzee Lee (Korean)
DESIGNED & PRINTED BY Cover: scubazoo.com Malaysia Day
Inna Kinabalu Sdn Bhd 2008 Borneo International Football Cups
(Publisher of The New Sabah Times) Borneo International Marathon
Jalan Pusat Pembangunan Masyarakat, Sembulan
88100 Kota Kinabalu
News - Cebu Flight, Aussie Visit, MICE - Nokia Philippines

Ever y effort has been made to ensure that the information is 5 Eating Out
correct at the time of publication. The publisher cannot be held responsible for any
inaccuracies, omissions and alterations which may occur as a result of last minute Alu Alu Restaurant
changes. No par t of this magazine may be reproduced without the written permis- Bintulu Korean Delight
sion of the Sabah Tourism Board.

7 Leisure
Sunset in Kota Kinabalu

Message from 8 Places of Interest

Mt. Trusmadi & Trusmadi Forest Reserve

the Editor 9 Leisure

KK Paintball Centre

Welcome to Sabah! 10 Feature

Paradise Islands

W
ith the prominence of the
presence of the Chinese 12 Through The Lens
community here in Sabah, SK Khoo
the mooncake festival which falls in the
month of September is quite an affair. 14 Culture
Thousands of boxes of mooncakes are The Story of the Nose Flute
bought and exchanged this month to
celebrate the Mooncake Festival, also 15 Products of the Month at Kadaiku
known as the Mid-Autumn festival. Sabah Souvenirs & Handicrafts
Sipadan, Kapalai and Mabul are
spread out in our feature pages. Go
Check out our Happenings and straight to pages 10 to 11 to get a
16 Bahasa Malaysia Section
Highlights pages to join the Chinese depiction of Sabah’s east coast ocean
community as they celebrate the occa- life. 18 Chinese Section
sion with displays of song and dance.
Many more things fill this month’s 20 Japanese Section
September is also the Ramadhan fast- pages, so let me leave you to enjoy the
ing month this year, but it is also a time rest of you read. 22 Korean Section
when it’s all about food. It is during this
time that food stalls are specially set up Until next month, jumpa lagi! 24 Directory Listings
to sell all sorts of delicious food for
breaking fast. You’ll find local favourites
sold at these stalls, a perfect time for vis- 25 Sabah Map & Listings
itors to sample some of what the locals
love to eat. 26 Aquarium and Marine Museum UMS (AMUMS)

We would like to give a special thank

you to Ivan Choong, the Field Editor
with Scuba Diver Australasia magazine, Yolanda Graham
whose article on the creatures immersed Editor
in the waters surrounding the islands
 variety of entertainment and browse
through the stalls set up for the day.
Organiser:
Sabah Progressive Party
Venue: Taman Foh Sang, Luyang
For further info:
Ramadhan Bazaar Datuk Richard Yong We Kong
1-30 September 2008 Tel: +60 88 242107
The Ramadhan Bazaar is open to the pub- Fax: +60 88 249188
lic during the month-long fasting period Email: sappkk@streamyx.com
prior to the Hari Raya Aidilfitri celebration.
Local mouth-watering delicacies are on
sale during the bazaar at various locations
in Kota Kinabalu.
Organiser:
Kota Kinabalu City Hall
Venue: Please refer to schedule on page 3
For further info:
Elizabeth Borubui
Tel: +60 88 521800
Fax: +60 88 316137
Email: elizabeth@dbkk.sabah.gov.my
Malaysia Day & Birthday of Sabah’s
Head of State
Gaya Street Mooncake 16 September 2008
Celebration 2008 The Federation of Malaysia was formed on
13 September 2008 this date and it is also celebrated as the
Head to Gaya Street this month for more official Birthday of His Excellency the Head
Mooncake Festival celebrations. Visit the of State of Sabah. A series of activities will
various stalls and enjoy the stage perform- be held in conjunction with His
ances. Don’t forget to purchase your Excellency’s birthday. However as it falls
favourite mooncake. within the Muslim fasting month this year,
Organiser: the Malaysia Day parade has been post-
Sabah Progressive Party poned to October 11. This is declared a
Venue: Gaya Street public holiday in Sabah.
For further info: Organiser:
Datuk Richard Yong We Kong Kota Kinabalu City Hall
Tel: +60 88 242107 Venue: Padang Merdeka
Luyang Mooncake Celebration 2008 Fax: +60 88 249188
7 September 2008 For further info:
Email: sappkk@streamyx.com Elizabeth Borubui
The Sabah Progressive Party brings the
Mooncake festivities to the district of Tel: +60 88 521800
Luyang, known for its strong Chinese com- Fax: +60 88 316137
munity. Children will be parading their Email: elizabeth@dbkk.sabah.gov.my
colourful lanterns while others can enjoy a
 Happenings & Highlights 3

Mooncake Celebrations
September 2008
his year the Chinese mooncake festival falls on the 14th September,
T a celebration also known as the Lantern Festival or the Mid-Autumn
Festival. The most famous legend surrounding the mooncake festival is
connected to the role of the mooncake in Chinese history, which dates

Ramadhan Bazaar back to a 14th century revolt by the Chinese against the Mongols. In
1376, the Chinese overthrew the Yuan (Mongols) dynasty (1280-1376)
in an uprising brilliantly devised by lantern-bearing messengers who
delivered mooncakes. Legend has it that the time and place of revolu-

September 2008
hile the month of Ramadan is the fasting month for the Moslems
W the world over, it also the time when food stalls start to emerge,
selling tantalizing food for breaking fast. But the bazaar is not just for
those taking part in the fasting month. Mention the Ramadan Bazaar
and food lovers will perk up with excitement. A huge variety of food and
drinks will be sold for takeaway. Look out for food items like chicken rice,
soto (noodle soup), kebabs and an array of colourful local cakes. Try out
extraordinary looking drinks such as cincau (grass jelly drink), chendol
(green jelly drink) or air bandung (a pink drink made out of milk and rose
syrup).
tion were concealed in the mooncakes send to friends and relatives.
The midnight massacre of the Mongols was led by Liu Bowen who
helped to establish a new era the Ming Dynasty.
Throughout the month of September, several areas around Kota
Kinabalu will be gaily decorated with Chinese ornaments in a celebra-
tion of the Mooncake Festival. The colourful occasion will be filled with
lion dances, live entertainment and food fairs - a grand affair indeed!
This year’s special highlight will be the acrobatic lion dances by the Yit
Nam Lion Dancing Troupe which won the coveted title in “the world Lion
King” championship held in China last year. The Yit Nam Troupe is well
trained in the Martial arts (Kung Fu) and their members are skilled acro-
bats. Other attractions of the variety show include a magic show, folk
dancing and a fashion parade.

Visit these bazaars in the fasting month of September: Check out the Mooncake celebrations below:

Location Time Location Date and Time

Sembulan
Asia City Market Luyang Mooncake Celebration 7 September
Lintasan Deasoka, Gaya Street Foh Sang shopping area 7.00pm- 9.30pm
Wawasan Plaza 1.30pm to 6.30pm
Sinsuran Night Market Gaya Street Mooncake Celebration 13 September
Inanam Traditional Tamu Gaya Street 7.00pm- 9.30pm
Indah Permai (near the Giant Hypermarket)

For further information, contact Elizabeth Borubui of the Kota

Kinabalu City Hall at 088 521800, fax 088 316137 or email For further information, contact Datuk Richard Yong We Kong at
elizabeth@dbkk.sabah.gov.my 088 242107, fax 088 249188 or email sappkk@streamyx.com
4 Happenings & Highlights

Malaysia Day
and Birthday
of Sabah’s
Head of State
16th September M alaya gained its independence on the 31st August 1957 but Malaysia Day marks
the joining together of Malaya (now Peninsula Malaysia), North Borneo (now
Sabah), Sarawak and Singapore to form Malaysia on 16th September 1963. As this
year the occasion falls in the Ramadan fasting month, celebrations have been post-
2008 poned to the 11th October 2008.
This day is also the Birthday of Sabah’s Head of State and is a
public holiday.

Figos Borneo Football Cup,

October-November 2008
n October and November, the inaugural Figos Borneo Football Cup will
Itake place at the Likas Stadium, Kota Kinabalu, seeing amateur teams
within Australasia compete in 5 football match categories: Under 12, 14, 16,
18 and Veterans. Aiming to provide budding and senior footballers with the
opportunity to play in a well organised tournament against teams from dif-
ferent countries and cultures! Currently, football-loving teams from Australia,
Brunei, Singapore and Kuala Lumpur have already signed up to take part in
this exciting event, and the organisers are inviting local teams from Sabah
to participate! What are you waiting for, check out their website www.borne-
ofootballcup.com or call 088 249002 for information and updates!
In October
The Borneo
International Marathon
News
Sabah Minister of Tourism,
Culture and Environment
Visits Australia
The Minister of Tourism, Culture and
Environment Sabah, YB Datuk Masidi
Manjun, went on a 5 day- working trip to
Australia, namely to the cities of Brisbane
and Sydney. The Minister’s trip was
primarily a market development and business meetings with Airlines and
wholesale tourism partners. This is the first business trip led by the Minister
to Australia, a market that is fast growing for Sabah. During the visit, YB
Datuk Masidi expressed his sincere appreciation for the trust and confidence
by the Australian agents in promoting Sabah as a choice of holiday
destination to their clients. He also voiced the commitment of our Ministry of
Tourism to continue our joint promotions and marketing with the agents
through the Sabah Tourism Board. The joint promotions would be mainly in
embarking on familiarization trips to Sabah for the frontliners and product
managers of both wholesale and retail agents in Australia.

egistration is still open for this October’s

R Borneo International Marathon, an event
that has already pulled in some interesting par-
Cebu Pacific Starts Direct
Manila-Kota Kinabalu Service
Cebu Pacific (CEB), the Philippines’
ticipants for a challenging race. Among the run- leading carrier to the ASEAN region
ners who have registered for the event are inaugurated its direct service from Manila
Nathan Kiplimo from Kenya (winner of the to Kota Kinabalu in July. Using CEB’s
Ambank KL Marathon), British elite runner brand new Airbus A319 aircraft, the flight
departs from Ninoy Aquino International
Mark Williams and Singaporean Chan Meng
Airport Terminal 1 at 4.40pm and arrives
Hui, who at age 78 is their oldest participant so far. In the half-marathon at Kota Kinabalu International Airport at 6.30pm. The return flight leaves for
races, marathon celebrity Ms. Jenap M Said, the noted "catwoman" of South Manila at 7.00pm and arrives at 8.50 pm. The flight operates every Monday
East Asia who has a penchant for running in full catwoman costume and and Friday. CEB is the only Filipino carrier operating this route and Kota
Malaysia's most popular blogger Kenny Sia will be among the runners. If the Kinabalu is the second city that CEB flies to in Malaysia after Kuala Lumpur.
full marathon and the half marathon sound a little daunting, there is also a
10km run and for children, 800m and 400m runs. Registration forms and Nokia Philippines Picks Sabah
information are available at www.borneomarathon.com. The Nokia Phillipines Dealers’
Convention was held in Kota Kinabalu
last July, bringing in a total of 151
participants to the sunny shores of
Sabah. Among the activities they enjoyed
Editorial error while they were here were team building
In the back page of the August 2008 issue, photos of Mabul water activities on Sapi and Manukan Islands
Bungalow Resort were used to accompany the article on Sipadan Water just 15 minutes away from the city. “It was
Village. We apologise to the management of both resorts for this unsightly most memorable experience”, quipped
error and for any inconvenience it may have caused. one of the participants. Last year their convention was held in Macau.
Eating Out 5

Alu-Alu Restaurant
at Gayana Eco Resort
ow about zipping to an island just off the coast of the city for a lus-
H cious meal of fresh seafood? Gaya Island is a short 10 minutes away
from the city, and tucked in the calm-water cove of the Malohom Bay is
the luxurious Gayana Eco Resort. Its newly opened restaurant, Alu Alu,
houses a large array of live seafood to be caught and cooked for guests
who choose so dine over the South China Sea. At the Alu Alu Over Water
Live Seafood Restaurant, the food is cooked with a touch of Asian
finesse. The chef will recommend the live coral trout steamed and
served Cantonese style or the wok fried ‘Kam Heong’ (literally translated
as gold and fragrant) style crab and says there is no better way to taste
some of Sabah’s best seafood. Come here for lunch and enjoy the sight
of wide blue waters or dine at dusk for the sunset hues, at the capacity
of up to 200 people, the Alu Alu restaurant is a prime location for an
evening out with friends or a special treat with the colleagues at lunch.
Dining here at Alu Alu requires purchasing packages which will include
return boat transfers, restaurant credit, taxes and service charge. And
while you are there, why not visit the Marine Ecology Research Centre,
where you’ll get to see a diverse display of marine life in their aquariums!
For bookings and information, contact their reservations team at
088 380390 or email reservations@gayana-eco-resort.com

Korean Delights at Bintulu

or those with a taste for Korean food, Bintulu is a popular mealtime destination. Serving
F up over 80 Korean delights, the people at Bintulu know what makes a good Korean
meal. They advise you to order in advance because they prepare and serve their food
fresh, which may take some time, but will reward you with the best flavours! Find their
restaurant on the 1st floor of Block E in Lintas Plaza and sit yourselves down at one of
their tables or on the floor in the inner sanctum of the restaurant for that authentic feel. We
recommend Korean favourites like the bulgogi beef, thin slices of prime cut beef, marinat-
ed with a mixture of soy sauce, sugar and other ingredients such as scallions and mush-
rooms, grilled on your table top with a little garlic. Wrap it in a lettuce leaf which comes
with your meal, along with one or more of the seven saucers of sauces put alongside your
meal. We also liked the kimchee, the a traditional Korean fermented dish made of
vegetables with varied seasonings. And we loved the jab chae, which is the marinated and
fried glass noodles. Don’t worry if you’ve never had Korean cuisine before – the menu con-
sists of a photo album so you can see and pick what you like – and the waitresses there
are always ready to show you how to savour the food, Korean style!
Bintulu is located at Lot 1-1, 1st Floor, Block E, Lorong Lintas Plaza 3, Lintas Plaza,
Kota Kinabalu. For further information call 088 270370 / 019 8148826 or fax 088
245040
6 Places of Interest

“Mai Aman” S ituated on 30 acres of lush green spurs of hills,

valleys and forested ridge, this humble and homely
accommodation is located 35km south of Sabah’s
capital city, Kota Kinabalu. A 40-minute leisurely drive will
take you through green landscapes to Kampung Gana in
the district of Papar.

Within this village is a quaint abode called Mai Aman, a

place named after a much-loved school teacher from the
1950s. Mai Aman a serene getaway from the buzz of the
city and a popular destination for those wanting a taste of
the simple and peaceful ‘kampung’ life.

Your time here will be a fun yet relaxing treat – breathe

in the fresh air, listen to the sounds of birds chirping in the
trees while you sit back by the pond and wait for your fish-
ing rod to hook a fish. Once you’ve caught one or two, you
can ask the kitchen staff to cook it for your dinner or put it
on the barbecue yourself! Maybe you should try the ‘Vutod’
or sago grubs, a local delicacy. Mai Aman is especially
known to prepare these just so you can have a taste.

On days when you fancy a little activity, sign up for the

buffalo ride, a considerably delightful experience, or trek
through the nearby jungles and look out for traditional
herbs, exotic plants and maybe encounter one or two of
Sabah’s wild creatures. The Mai Aman grounds also has an
orchard of local fruit trees, so if you’re lucky enough you
might have a taste of fresh cempedak, tarap, jackfruit, dahit
(wild durian) or bambangan. If it rains at night, venture out
with a torchlight and go frog-catching! Edible frogs like the
‘bongkok Taiwan’ (Hoplobatrachus rugulosus) are known to
hop around the compounds of Mai Aman.

Guests can choose from a few types of rooms to stay in

at Mai Aman, from double or twin-sharing rooms to hostel-
type rooms. Future plans are already in the making at Mai
Aman, partnering with Carey Real Estate (Sabah) Sdn.
Bhd. to transform Mai Aman into semi-retirement homes
that would consist of 2 and 3-bedroom units with living
space and kitchenettes. These homes would have access
to on-site healthcare amenities and facilities. Mai Aman
would also consist of villas with state-of the art facilities and
amenities for modern living, in line with its ambition to
develop into integrated, eco-friendly, resort-style living
units, specifically for the Malaysia My Second Home
(MM2H) project.

But for now, Mai Aman is a hideaway for those seeking

to sample the basic, quiet, stress-free Kampung life-style.

For enquiries and reservations, cal Mai Aman Garden

and Homestay at 088 914486, 088 915273 (Fax and Tel),
Carey Real Estate (Sabah) S/B at 088262729 or email
maiaman@my.jaring.net
Leisure
Sunset in the City
eautiful and romantic, there aren’t many
B things that are more mesmerising than a stun-
ning sunset. The city of Kota Kinabalu is locat-
ed along the western coast of Sabah, which makes
it a perfect location to sit back and savour this visu-
al pleasure.
Tanjung Aru Beach
Let’s start with the obvious - the beach is always the
best spot for a view of a good sunset. Tanjung Aru
Beach is a popular target for people looking for the
classic laid-back scene. This beach is lined with a
long shoreline, restaurants and food stalls - so a lit-
tle stroll before you sit down to enjoy a drink and the
view is what you can wish for here.
The Waterfront
Head to The Waterfront, one of Kota Kinabalu’s
most desirable hang outs. The Waterfront is a
boardwalk of hip bars, classic restaurants, quaint
cafes and fun karaoke joints right in the city centre.
People love to sit outside where the sea breeze
gently sweeps, to relish good food, good company
and the fiery red sun slowly going down behind the
islands in the background.
Luxury Yacht Charter
Indulge in a little luxury with a boat cruise off the
coast of the city. You can charter a boat to island
hop and soak in the sun before it sinks into the hori-
zon and maybe throw a small get-together and
party on into the night. What’s for sure is that you
won’t miss the spectacular sunset at dusk on your
cruise. For reservations and enquiries, call 088
7
383097 or 013 8819332 (Insight Borneo Incentive
and Tours)
Tanjung Lipat / Likas Bay
Tanjung Lipat or the Likas Bay runs parallel with
Kota Kinabalu’s coastal highway and is easily one
of the best roads to drive along on a sunny day. The
view is the dazzlingly blue South China Sea in the
day and a heart-warming sunset come sundown
and you can park on the roadside if you feel you
must stop to enjoy the sights. There is also Anjung
Selera, a popular eatery along this stretch if you
want a good meal to go with the sunset.
The Sunset Bar, Shangri-La Tanjung Aru
Resort and Spa
The Sunset Bar is one of the best spot to be when
the sun sets in Kota Kinabalu. Not only do they have
little cocktail bar so you can have a drink in one
hand while you unwind, its location is unobstructed
- when you are there, there is just the South China
Sea between you and an amazing sunset. For more
information, call the resort at 088 327888.
@mosphere / @bar - KK’s
revolving restaurant.
Located on the 18th floor of Kota Kinabalu’s iconic
Menara Tun Mustapha, @mosphere restaurant and
@bar is a all the rage. It is the only floor in the build-
ing that revolves for a 360 degree view of the city
and its surroundings so why not sit back and chill to
savour the sights! For more information, call 088
425100.
8 P l a c e s o f I n t e r s t

Mount Trusmadi and

Trusmadi Forest Reserve
ant to make good use of those hiking boots? Make your way

W to the Trusmadi Forest Reserve in the district of Tambunan,

just 2 hours by road from Kota Kinabalu.
Classified as a Class 2 Forest Reserve covering an area of 184,
527 hectares, Trusmadi is bordered by 3 districts: Ranau on the
north, Tambunan on the west and Keningau. The sub-district of Sook
lies in the east.
The main highlight of this forest reserve is no doubt Mount
Trusmadi. At 2642 metres high, it is Malaysia’s second highest peak
after Mount Kinabalu. Unlike Mount Kinabalu’s well-trodden paths,
Mount Trusmadi has a humbler reputation; until recently, only one or
two expeditions up to the peak were made each year.
But being the second tallest mountain doesn’t mean that
Trusmadi is an easier climb. While Mount Kinabalu requires putting
aside two days, Mount Trusmadi’s much tougher terrain of steep and
rocky rise to the top and slow and careful descent requires a good
three days. The slopes of the mountain are covered with rich vege-
tation and are home to many species of birds, animals and plants –
pure delight for nature lovers.
The view from the top is nothing less than glorious – a most
spectacular view of Mount Kinabalu is both breath-taking and
rewarding after being winded from the climb!
Contact your tour operator to make arrangements.
L e i s u r e
Paintball Frenzy
at KK Paintball Centre
ou’re hiding behind a bunker with a ‘gun’ in your hand, your
Y mind’s racing to decide if you should run closer to enemy lines
and attack or stay where you are and play defensive. Even just
thinking about a game of paintball gets my heart racing. To me, this
game is as close as you can get to being in a war zone without real
bloodshed.
A few weekends ago, my colleagues and I decided to give paintball
a try for the first time, but only after some persuasive coaxing. After all,
the thought of being shot at isn’t exactly something you would smile at
in nostalgia. The paintball pellets come at you at 300 feet per second
and can leave a bruise bad enough to last you at least a month.
So what convinced us to give in and risk a couple of ruptured capil-
laries? First of all, the suited up paintballers looked cool. They were
dressed in their paintball team uniforms, complete with head masks,
chest guards and joint pads for full protection. You don’t want to risk get-
ting shot in the head without a mask and the joint pads are for when you
jump for cover, Die Hard John McClane style. Secondly, people who
have played say the thrill is where the fun is.
Since we didn’t have uniforms, we wore long clothing to protect the
skin. The head masks came complimentary and we rented the chest
guards. We split our group of fourteen into two teams and while our
‘guns’ got loaded with a couple of hundred paintballs, both squads
exchanged good-natured verbal jabs at each other, vowing to take the
9
other one down.
Our safety briefing came next. “First of all, these are not GUNS,”
declared Kota Kinabalu Paintball Centre’s Gabrielle, her eyes sweeping
through our rookie teams. “They are called MARKERS.” We sheepish-
ly listened to the rest of the briefing and marched into the battlefield,
hearts pumping at maximum speed.
For what felt like a lifetime, the fifteen-minute, first round battle was
done. Despite being scared out of my wits, I managed to shoot a cou-
ple of enemies and escaped unscathed myself. My team took victory
this time but round two was still to be had. Delia, the other team’s cap-
tain, glared at me after the defeat and promised round two was going to
be different. It is to my benefit that as editor, I can have it in writing on
this page that we won the second time as well.
Fancy a rematch, Delia?
For a piece of paintball action, the Kota Kinabalu Paintball Centre
is located 10 minutes from Kota Kinabalu in Kampung Sugud,
Penamapang. They are open Tuesdays to Fridays from 10.00am to
7.00pm and Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays from 9.00am
to 7.00pm. Contact them at info@kkpaintballcentre.com for reser-
vations or call 088 727445. You can also call 019 5355558 (Tracy -
Managing Director) or 016 8459991 (Gabrielle - Field Manager) Find
out more about paintball at http://www.kkpaintballcentre.com/con-
tact.html.
 10 Feature

ention the oceanic island of Pulau Sipadan to any diver and

M chances are they have heard of its name. Situated off the east
coast of Malaysian Borneo, the island was made famous by
Jacques Cousteau in one of his voyages. After producing the documen-
tary “Ghost of The Sea Turtles” in 1983, he reported, “I have seen other
places like Sipadan, 45 years ago, but now no more. Now we have found
an untouched piece of art.” Rising from the ocean in the heart of the Indo-
Pacific basin, the biodiversity of this extinct volcano island has one of the
richest Jacques has seen.

A stone's throw away from this paradise, associated with the name of
Sipadan, lie two other islands of Pulau Mabul and Pulau Kapalai. Both
islands might not have any 600 metres walls that drop to the abyss nor
endless walls of corals but from the numerous visits I have made, I have
found both islands exploding with small critters.

Small Treasures, Big Rewards

Underwater frogs
Then there are the ugly but adorable frogfishes or anglerfishes
(Antennariidae family). These fishes are bottom dwellers that seldom
move and can stay in a location for days. With “hands” to help them stay
rooted to the reef, they sit and wait for their next meal to unknowingly
swim by or by baiting them with their anglers – that look like shrimps or
worms in most cases. Dangling their “bait” in front of their mouth and jig-
gling it to make it looks real. When their unsuspecting meal happens to
approach, a fast gulp from the frogfish and the show is all over. Once, I
had the opportunity to observe a frogfish with its partially eaten meal still
hanging out of its mouth. Obviously, the frogfish ate more than it could
swallow.

Patience sometimes can reward the viewer - to be able to perform a

The yields from all my dives on either island always excited me. Unlike
Sipadan where turtles, barracudas, jacks, trevallies, bumphead parrot-
fishes, sharks and the occasional manta rays are abound. With fantastic
corals squeezed into every nook and cranny on the walls, diving off
Mabul and Kapalai is like a participation in treasure hunts on every dive.
feat by swallowing another fish, they periodically have to stretch their
jaws by yawning. Watching them doing their exercise will be one scene
where I would guess you wished you could do the same. But do not
move off yet, frogfishes tend to yawn three to four times in succession.
So if you missed their first performance, linger on and watch a re-run.
Most likely on their third yawn, you can see how wide they can open their
mouths - Talk about bigmouths.

Slimy sea slugs, yucks?

While you chance yourself in catching a glimpse of the big fishes or
even the elusive hammerhead sharks that patrol the depths around
Sipadan island, muck-diving or as it is called while diving in Mabul and
Kapalai requires a very sharp pair of eyes. A great advantage if you have
an eagle-eyed dive guide who can help you along. The rewards can
range form psychedelic nudibranchs that resembled a hybrid-human
character in an undersea exploration television series in the 80's. While
one nudibranch looks out of this world, displaying their vivid colours that
signal they are poisonous, others are pure cannibals. The
Gymnodorididae species, for example, preys on other nudibranchs for
food. Even attacking their meals that are bigger then themselves.
Majority of the nudibranchs (By definition, it is a shell-less, marine snail
of the suborder Nudibranchia, having external, often branched respirato-
ry appendages on the back and sides) feed on soft corals, tunicates and
hydroids. Using the toxins from the soft corals they ingested as a defence
mechanism to ward off predators that might find this slow moving sea
slugs an easy meal.
Paradise
Islands
By Ivan Choong
Pick-me if you can
From frogfishes to seahorses and what better place to see them at
the dive site under the oilrig –turned - resort. The reef offers you
encounters of the smallest kind - Measuring just 5mm in length, these
seahorses are normally found on the gorgonian sea fans. The pygmy
seahorses (Hippocampus bargibanti) are shy critters and usually face
away once you have spotted them on the sea fan, making photography
a challenge. Not considering that the size is hardly visible on your
camera's screen, you might need assistance from your guide or buddy to
point them out again. Give it a go and relate to your friends how small
they are. Do be careful though, long-nosed hawkfishes and trumpet
fishes prey on these pygmy seahorses. Before and while you are
photographing them, keep a lookout for theses fishes for they might steal
your subject for their meal instead.
The resort directly facing the oilrig resort has a fabulous house reef to
observe marine life coming to certain spots to be cleaned. These
cleaning stations are normally anchor points for mooring lines hidden with
cleaner shrimps and wrasses. After the day is done, turtles can be seen
resting close to these cleaning stations, letting the shrimp and wrasses
do their job of removing parasites and algae.
Kapalai Sights
Over at Kapalai's house reef, register yourself for a sunset dive and
watch the breeding ritual of the mandarin fishes. Coming out from hiding
among the rubble, the male searches for his harem and engages in
multiple mating behaviour daily. The repeated performances take only
seconds from the time they lift off the reef into mid-water, releasing their
eggs and sperm each time. Once the entire show plus encore is over,
swim along the reef slope and close to the jetty. The proliferation of
marine life is large mainly because they seek shelter under the jetty.
Most dives around these islands usually last much longer since the
depth between the surface and the seabed is shallow. The perfect
condition for any diver wanting to stay longer or photograph their
subjects.
Conservation starts with you
Points to take note for divers with cameras are careful when taking
photographs and watch the placement of your fins. Avoid placing them on
corals or damaging them. For personal safety, check to ensure that ven-
omous fishes like the stonefishes and lionfishes are not under you.
Likewise, check before moving off once you have photographed your
subject. Refrain from touching corals for support and if necessary use a
pointer to help stabilize you with the camera, ensuring that the pointer
rests on the sand or rubble.
A special note for all - with their minute size, over photographing the
pygmy seahorse is like having huge 2,500-watt floodlights flashing in
your eyes. If you are with a group of photographers, try to limit the num-
ber of photographs each one is taking. We never know how many times
the seahorse has to go through these paparazzi daily.
Some resorts have implemented “no-dive” timing in the evenings.
This is to allow marine life to settle down and the change of shift from day
to night, while others move to cleaning stations. Others resorts have also
implemented a “no-gloves” policy. We can play our part by observing and
adhering to these rules in order to preserve the eco-system and to
benefit everyone to enjoy what we have experienced.
The Writer
Ivan Choong is a Field Editor with Scuba Diver Australasia magazine. He
often travels around Asia to satisfy his passion for photography and
diving in equal measure. When he is not travelling, you can find the
Computer Engineering Diploma holder in front of his computers
managing his online business – www.i-nsc.net
12
 Through the Lens

To see your photos here contact the editor at 088 232121 or

email: yolanda@sabahtourism.com
14
long time ago the ancestor of the
A
TheNoseFlute
Kadazan lived together at the foot of a
mountain. They built their homes on
higher ground and used the lower grounds
and valleys for farming. They planted hill
rice, vegetables and many other crops.
Over time, the Kadazan race grew populous
and the land grew too small for farming and
food became scarce. Soon enough there
was no farming land left and no land to build
homes.
One day, a family decided to move away
to look for their own land. The name of the
father in the family was Olu and his wife’s
name was Tindai. They had only one child,
a boy whose name was Otu. Otu was still a
very young boy when they moved away with
his parents. Olu and Tindai found a suitable
place to settle down and started cultivating
their plot of land for rice and other crops.
They lived in their home for ten years with-
out ever having gone back to visit. It was a
great distance away and there were no
roads that led them back to where they had
come from. Furthermore, Olu and Tindai
were also afraid to make the journey back
because there were headhunters around
the area.
Then Olu and Tindai became old and
Olu passed away. Tindai and Out became
lonely after that. Otu, who used to go hunt-
ing with his father, had to hunt all by himself.
Tindai herself was also growing older and
soon she felt that her time to die was grow-
Culture
ing near. She began to give final instruc-
tions to Otu. She told him of many things
regarding their culture and advised him on
how he should manage when he was on his
own later.
Not long after that Tindai died. Otu was
so overcome by grief when he realised that
he had now lost both his parents. Because
he was a man, he was not allowed to weep
for this brings disaster into the household.
Otu suddenly saw a thin bamboo plant out-
side his house. He had an idea and took the
piece and started to smoothen the bamboo
and made small holes into the stick.
He brought the flute to his nose and
breathed out into the holes of the bamboo
and a mournful sound came out. Out con-
tinued to play the flute to express the grief
he had for his mother. The music from the
flute went out from the house and was
heard by the people from the neighbouring
villages. The villagers went out of their
houses to look for the source of the sound
and found Otu and his unburied mother.
From this came the tradition of the
Kadazans to play the nose flute to convey
the news of the death of a loved one.
Taken from “Kadazan Folklore”, a book
compiled and edited by Rita Lasimbang.
The book is available at Kadaiku, Lot 5,
Ground Floor, Block L Sinsuran
Complex, 88000 Kota Kinabalu. Contact
Kadaiku at 088 232121, fax 265540 or
email kadaiku@sabahtourism.com
 16 Bahasa Malaysia

Bazar Ramadhan,
September 2008
etika bulan Ramadan menjadi bulan untuk berpuasa untuk orang Islam di
K seluruh dunia, ia juga masa gerai-gerai makanan mula muncul untuk menjual
makanan yang menyelerakan untuk berbuka puasa. Bazar ini bukan saja untuk
mereka yang mengambil bahagian dalam bulan puasa. Sebut saja Bazar
Ramadan, penggemar-penggemar makanan pasti akan rasa teruja. Pelbagai
jenis makanan dan minuman akan dijual untuk dibawa pulang. Carilah makanan
seperti nasi ayam, soto, kebab dan pelbagai jenis kuih muih yang beraneka
warna. Cubalah minuman yang kelihatan luar biasa seperti cincau, cendol dan
air bandung (minuman berwarna merah jambu yang diperbuat daripada susu
dan sirap ros).
Kunjungan bazar-bazar ini ketika bulan puasa September ini:
Lokasi Masa
Sembulan
Pasar Asia City
Lintasan Deasoka, Jalan Gaya
Wawasan Plaza 1.30 petang hingga 6.30petang
Pasar Malam Sinsuran
Tamu Tradisional Inanam
Indah Permai (berdekatan Giant Hypermarket)

Untuk maklumat lanjut, hubungi Elizabeth Borubui dari Dewan Bandaraya

Kota Kinabalu di 088 521800, faks 088 316137 atau e-mail
elizabeth@dbkk.sabah.gov.my

Piala Bola Sepak

Figos Borneo
Oktober-November 2008

ada Oktober dan November, Piala Bola Sepak Figos Borneo yang
P pertama akan berlangsung di Kota Kinabalu. Kita akan menyak-
sikan pasukan-pasukan amatur sekitar Australasia bertanding dalam
lima kategori: Bawah 12, 14, 16, 18 tahun dan veteran.
Bertujuan untuk memberikan peluang untuk pemain muda dan
veteran beraksi dalam pertandingan yang dianjurkan dengan peran-
cangan yang baik menentang pasukan-pasukan dari negara dan
budaya yang berbeza! Ketika ini, pasukan-pasukan pencinta bola
sepak dari Australia, Brunei, Singapura dan Kuala Lumpur telah
mengesahkan kesediaan untuk mengambil bahagian dalam kejo-
hanan menarik ini, dan penganjur mempelawa pasukan tempatan
dari Sabah untuk ikut serta! Apa yag anda tunggu lagi, periksa laman
jaring kami atau hubungi 088 249002 untuk maklumat lanjut dan
terkini!
Bahasa Malaysia 17

Masa Lapang Mengembara di Bukit Gemok

ediakan kasut pengembaraan anda dan bersiaplah untuk men- sejam (bergantung kepada tahap kecergasan anda), anda akan tiba di

S jelajah hutan Bukit Gemok di Tawau yang belum disentuh.

Terletak 10 km dari pusat bandar, Bukit Gemok kebelakangan
ini menjadi tempat popular dalam kalangan peminat mendaki dan pelari-
pelari rentas desa yang gemarkan cabaran laluan yang lasak. Bukit
Gemok terletak kira-kira 428 meter dari paras laut dan merupakan seba-
hagian daripada Hutan Simpan Bukit Gemok, meliputi 445 hektar.
Pendakian bermula dengan laluan mudah menggunakan tangga
konkrit yang akhirnya ‘hilang’ dan memberi laluan kepada tapak semula
jadi. Perjalanan mendaki agak mencabar, terutama sekali buat mereka
yang masih baharu. Awasi batu-batuan, akar-akar pokok yang membon-
jol dan benda-benda lain yang serupa. Ada bahagian yang curam dan
ada yang lebih sukar, tetapi persekitarannya yang indah membuatkan
semua itu berbaloi.
Dalam perjalanan, terlalu banyak yang boleh dikagumi, seperti pokok
gergasi yang tinggi yang seakan-akan mencecah awan dan makhluk-
makhluk yang jarang ditemui. Ada tujuh pondok sepanjang perjalanan
untuk pejalan berehat dan bersantai. Selepas mendaki lebih kurang
kanopi titian selera. Dengan kepanjangan 231 meter, ia dianggap antara
titian kanopi terpanjang di Sabah. ‘Pergelutan’ anda untuk sampai ke
puncak akan berbaloi sebaik anda melihat sekilas pemandangan indah
Tawau dari puncak bukit. Pemandangan menakjubkan anda ini terma-
suklah pusat bandar, tepian pantai dan kawasan sekitarnya. Perjalanan
menuruni Bukit Gemok seharusnya mengambil masa lebih pendek, tetapi
perlu diingatkan bahawa laluan menjadi lebih berlumpur dan licin ketika
musim hujan. Jadi anda perlu lebih berwaspada.
Hutan simpan ini dibangunkan pada awal 1990 an dan kini dilengkapi
dengan kemudahan asas seperti bilik mandi dan pondok rehat di sepan-
jang laluan. Sebarang kenderaan darat boleh digunakan untuk sampai ke
Bukit Gemok. Cuma pastikan anda berpakaian selesa, minum banyak air
dan bersedia untuk mengharungi pemandangan cantik yang menghijau
sepanjang laluan Bukit Gemok.
Untuk maklumat lanjut, hubungi Pejabat Perhutanan Daerah Tawau
di: 089-761883/761835/761863 atau Pegawai Perhutanan En. Miskon
Simin di talian 089-770604.

Restoran Alu Alu di Gayana Eco Resort

pa kata singgah ke sebuah pulau yang terletak berdekatan pantai Bandar raya untuk menikmati
A makanan laut yang segar? Pulau Gaya hanya 10 minit dari Bandar raya, dan terletak di
perairan tenang Teluk Malohom ialah Gayana Eco Resort. Restorannya yang baru dibuka iaitu Alu-
Alu, menempatkan pelbagai makanan laut hidup untuk ditangkap dan dimasak untuk pengunjung
yang memilih untuk makan menghadap Laut China Selatan! Di Alu-Alu Over Water Live Seafood
Reataurant, makanannya dimasak dengan sentuhan Asia. Chef akan mengesyorkan agar memilih
ikan batu karang hidup yang dikukus dan dihidangkan dengan gaya Kantonis atau goreng ketam
‘Kam Heong’ (jika diterjemahkan bermaksud emas dan wangi) dan inilah cara terbaik untuk
menikmati makanan laut terbaik di Sabah. Datanglah untuk makan tengah hari dan nikmati peman-
dangan lautan biru atau makan malam berlatarkan pemandangan matahari terbenam, pada tempat
yang boleh memuatkan sehingga 200 orang. Restoran Alu-Alu adalah lokasi sesuai untuk keluar
petang bersama rakan-rakan atau membelanja rakan-rakan makan tengah hari. Makan di Ali-Alu ini
memerlukan pembelian pakej yang termasuklah bot pengangkutan pulang, kredit restoran,
bayaran cukai dan perkhidmatan. Dan ketika berada di sana, kenapa tidak kunjungi Pusat Kajian
Ekologi Marin. Di sana anda boleh melihat banyak hidupan laut yang dipamerkan di akuarium
mereka!
Untuk tempahan dan maklumat lanjut, hubungi pasukan tempahan mereka di talian 088-
380390 atau emel reservations@gayana-eco-resort.com
1 8 C h i n e s e
C h i n e s e 1 9
20 Japanese
Japanese 21
22 Korean
Korean 23
 TAMU MARKETS MUSEUMS & MEMORIALS
KOTA KINABALU SANDAKAN Bukit Tengkorak Archaelogical
* most tamus operate as early as 6am and close by 2pm. Sabah State Museum Agnes Keith House, Sandakan Site Museum, Semporna
Mon – Sun: 9.00am – 5.00pm Mon - Sun: 9.00am - 5.00pm Mon – Sun: 9.00am – 5.00pm
Kota Kinabalu Matunggong Baru - Thursday Jln. Bukit Istana Lama, Kota Kinabalu Tel: 089-222679 Tel: 088-253199
Gaya Street Fair - Sunday Tel: 088-253199/263551
Kota Marudu Sandakan Memorial Park OTHER DISTRICTS
Kampung Air - Sunday Sabah Islamic Mon - Sun: 9am-5pm Murut Museum (Sabah Murut
Pekan Kota Marudu - Saturday & Civilisation Museum Sibuga Forest Reserve Cultural Centre , Tenom)
Penampang Sunday Mon – Sun: 9.00am – 5.00pm Mile 7, Jalan Labuk, Sandakan Mon – Sun: 9.00 am – 5.00 pm
Lembaga Kebudayaan Negeri Sabah
Donggongon Jalan Menteri, off Jalan Tunku Abdul Tel: 016 8221616 (Doris)
(Tenom Branch) W.D.T 72, 89909
Thursday & Friday Tuaran Rahman,
Kota Kinabalu Sandakan Heritage Museum Tenom.
Pekan Tuaran - Sunday Tel: 088-538227/538228 Mon - Sun: 9am-5pm Tel: 087-734506
Papar Kiulu - Tuesday Wisma Warisan, Sandakan
Mat Salleh Memorial, Tambunan
Lok Kawi Sabindo - Saturday Sabah Ethnobotanical Tel: 089-222679
Heritage Museum Open Daily
Tamparuli Mon – Sun: 9.00am – 5.00pm Batu Tulug Archaeological Site Kg. Tibabar, Tambunan
Sandakan Pekan Tamparuli - Wednesday Bukit Istana Lama, Kota Kinabalu Museum, Kinabatangan Tel :088-253199/ 263551
Sandakan Town - Sunday Tel: 088-253199/263551 Mon – Sun: 9.00am – 5.00pm
Kundasang War Memorial,
Gua Mantong Jaya - Sunday Tambunan Tel: 088-253199
Open daily including Public Holidays
Second World War
Bingkor - Thursday Memorial Petagas TAWAU Tel: 019 899 2041 (Mr. Sevee
Tawau Open daily Teck Guan Cocoa Museum Charuruks)
Bandar Tawau - Sunday Kota Belud Tel:088-253199 Mon-Fri: 8am -11:30am
Quailey Hill
Pekan Kota Belud - Sunday 1:30pm-4:30pm
Kinarut Mansion Ruins Museum Sat: 8am-12pm Sun: Closed Open daily including Public Holidays
Ranau Mon – Sun: 9.00am – 5.00pm Mile 2, Tanjung Batu Laut, Teck Guan 8.00am to 5.00pm
Pekan Kundasang - Friday Sipitang Tel: 088-253199/263551 Factory, Tawau Sabah Tea Garden, KM 17 Jalan
Sindumin - Saturday Tel:089-775566 ext 2601 Ranau-Sandakan, Kg Nalapak, Ranau.
Tun Mustapha Gallery
Kudat Mon - Sat: 8.00am to 5.00pm
Matunggong Lama - Saturday Aras Podium, Yayasan Sabah
Tel: 088-321153 / 326683

TOURIST INFORMATION CENTRES

Sabah Tourism Board Sri Pelancongan Sabah Sdn Bhd Tourism Malaysia (Sabah)
No.51, Jalan Gaya, 88000, Kota Kinabalu Lot 4, Ground Floor, Block L, Sinsuran Complex, Lot 1-0-7, Ground Floor, Block 1, Lorong Api-Api
Tel: 088-212121 Fax: 088-212075 88000, Kota Kinabalu 1, Api Api Centre, 88000, Kota Kinabalu
Email: info@sabahtourism.com Tel: 088-232121 Fax: 088-265540 Tel:088-248698/ 211732
Website: www.sabahtourism.com Email: info@sabahtourism.com E-mail: enquiries@tourism.gov.my
Open: 8:00am to 5:00pm (Mon-Fri) Website: www.sabahtourism.com Website: www.tourism.gov.my
9:00am to 4:00pm (Weekend & PH) Open: 8:00amto 5:00pm (Mon-Fri) Open: 8:00am to 5:00pm (Mon-Fri)
8:00am-4:00pm (Weekend & PH) Closed on weekends

SANDAKAN (089)
Fire Department - 994 Yayasan Sabah Ambulance
Useful Numbers

088-326655 !Hospital 212111 LABUAN (087)

Ambulance
/Police -999 !Airport 660405 !Hospital 413333
Queen Elizabeth Hospital Information Services !Immigrations 668308 !Airport 415015
088-218166 088-280600/ 280631/ 280641
Police Hotline !Immigrations 412298
HQ SABAH – 088-253555 TAWAU (089)
KK – 088-221191 Damai Specialist Centre
International
088-222922 !Hospital 773533
Telephone Directory
Airport - 088-238555 Sabah Medical Centre Assistance -108 !Airport 950013
088-211333 !Immigrations 773343
Aquarium and Marine
Museum UMS (AMUMS)
et up close and personal with Sabah’s marine

G life without having to get your hair wet at

University Malaysia Sabah’s Aquarium and
Marine Museum. Doubling as the Borneo Marine
Research Institute, the facility is home to one of the
best marine aquarium facilities in Borneo!

As soon as you walk through the doors, look above

you to see a Sipadan deep dive diorama. What you will
see is a replication of a scene off the reef’s edge in
Sipadan waters, ‘alive’ with all sorts of marine life,
including a dummy scuba diver. Begin your tour on the
left to look at a collection of Bornean reef corals, where
over 50 species of coral are displayed. Charts and
stories are plastered on the walls to the visitor’s
benefit, revealing the history and future of Sabah’s
precious waters.

The Aquarium and Marine Museum houses free

standing exhibition tanks for the little creatures of the
sea, while the live deep reef dive exhibition centre is an
awesome display of larger creatures, including a
couple of green turtles. Learn about the conservation
efforts and the research being done at the university to
protect and preserve Sabah’s underwater life. The
Aquarium and Marine Museum has several interactive
information kiosks for you to use.

The Aquarium and Marine Museum is a place you

definitely want to introduce to your family and friends
– you will be awed by what you see!

AMUMS is located at University Malaysia Sabah in

Kota Kinabalu. Visiting days and hours are Mondays,
Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays & Sundays from
9.30am - 12.30pm and 2.00pm - 4.30pm. Fridays from
9.30am - 11.30am and 2.00pm - 4.30pm. AMUMS is
closed on Wednesdays and public holidays. For more
information, contact 088 320000 ext 2631, fax 088
320261 or email bmru@ums.edu.my