December 2008 Archives

Sunday,I was at the Waterfront, Kota Kinabalu to watch the F2 Sabah World Cup Powerboat 2008 ( i didn't watch it last year..heh). The weather was extremely HOT!

Congratulations to Colin Jelf and his team Jelf Racing for winning the overall F2 World Cup Series.

Kuala Lumpur: Sabah dropped a bombshell at the Diplomatic Tourism Awards night, Wednesday, when it won the prestigious Celcom "Favourite Tourist Destination" gold award in a revolutionary judging system where ambassadors and senior diplomats voted.

Since about 70 diplomats in Malaysia voted, the verdict reflected strong element of "world" perception and opinion of Sabah. That point was actually verbalised by the event's organisers.

"Indeed we have the world with us tonight," remarked Dato Shamsul Falak Abdul Kadir, President of the Kuala Lumpur Tourism Council, noting the presence of ambassadors and senior represehttp://www.discoverborneo.com/cgi-bin/mt/mt.cgi?__mode=view&_type=entry&blog_id=2
Create ntatives from 70 countries.

" I believe this is their vote of confidence in Sabah," said a beaming Datuk Masidi Manjun, Sabah Minister of Culture, Tourism and Environment, after receiving the award from His Excellency Alfredo Morelli, Ambassador of Argentina, Dean of the Diplomatic Corps and Dato Sri Zulhasanan Rafique, Minister of Federal Territories, at a packed "Diplomacy In Tourism Dinner" at Shangri-La Kuala Lumpur.

Malacca, Penang and Langkawi were among the nominees for the "Favourite Tourist Destination" category. The chase for the gold in the end was between Sabah and Langkawi but Sabah came out tops and Langkawi took the Silver.
(www.dailyexpress.com.my)

Continue reading Sabah, Malaysia's No 1 destination

KOTA KINABALU: The F2000 World Cup Powerboat Series returns to Sabah for the second year running and looks set to take the Land Below the Wind by storm yet again!

The world class championship will be held at the same venue - the scenic Kota Kinabalu waterfront - on December 12-14.

Top-notch powerboat racers from all over the world including from Great Britain, Sweden, Latvia, Italy, France, Norway, Kuwait, Finland, Poland, Germany, Switzerland, Hungary, Portugal and Spain will be here for the grand finale of the World Cup series.

The local organiser, headed by Zachary Aman, is convinced the event will be a huge success after its maiden debut last year.

"We have learnt a lot from our first hosting of the race last year, and I'm sure this time around it is going to be a big success," said Zachary, who is also the executive chairman of the Powersports Events Sdn Bhd, yesterday.
(Article is taken from NewSabahTimes)

Continue reading F2000 World Cup grand finale in Sabah Dec 12-14

Having taken a brilliant trip to Pulau Tiga with BorneoDreams for some beautiful diving earlier in the year , four of us from DiscoverBorneo decided to head over to the island for a little bit of an expedition over the weekend. Pulau Tiga was made famous by the TV series 'Survivor Island' a few years ago where a group of people were placed on the island and, well, had to survive.

Away, for our trip, we were departing from Kota Kinabalu (KK) on the Kuda Laut a nice speed boat that we own with two 85 horse power engines on the back she really can cut thought the waves at a good pace. Having spent most of the previous day running around getting provisions; food, fuel, camping stuff ect ect, we could make a early start. As the engines started the sun was still low in the sky and there was a very pleasant cooling breeze, we headed out and away from KK.

We did have a GPS on board and the co-ordinates for Pulau Tiga, however we had elected not go straight there. Pulau Tigau lies 50Km south of KK and 23Km off the coast around about a 3 hour boat drive, we were taking a longer route that would allow us to stick close to the main land and see all the lush jungles and mountains, the little villages and fishing's station build on stilts out at sea and generally some interesting stuff.

Now Pulau Tiga is a marine protected area so no fishing, however before we got there, about half way between the main land and the island, we stopped off for a little fishing and a little general frivolity; swimming, drink and a little lunch. We did catch a fish which was a Remora (one of those fish that cline to big fish like sharks) it was quite a respectable Remora as well about half a meter long. I have never know anyone to eat Remora, they are ugly things and none of us what to give it a try so we through it back, wondering where it had come from and what fish had giving it a ride, had it been a shark?


Pulau tiga, the first job was to pay the marine park fee at the ranger hut, not too bad only 10 RM about 2 US dollars per head. Also the pier provided a great opportunity from some diving practise the water was crystal clear and just full of life. We then hunted around for some good dive spots, the diving was good; no really big stuff and the visibility was only about 15 meters but still a nice dive with lots to see, you just had to pay attention and look for the little stuff. Not bad considering we really had no idea of where the real dive spots actually where.


As we relaxed on the boat the sun was already begin to dip towards the horizon, we selected our camping beach and then our camping spot pretty quickly since the whole place was beautiful it was not very difficult. Now I should point out that when I say camping I really don't mean tents. We just had a massive tarpaulin sheet that we strung up in a tree to give us a bit of shelter if it happened to rain, we did have one tent but that was for supplies.


So after all this was done and the wood for the fire collected we when off to hunt down the mud volcanoes that the island is famous for. At one point as massive monitor lizard jump from a tree, into a pool next to the path sending up a great plume of water. Making camp and collect the wood had take some time and now it was getting dark fast in the island jungle, Ants began to nip at peoples feet and the path became harder to see, we turned back disappointed in not making it to the volcanoes but know that a dark jungle is a dangerous.


When we got back to the beach there was still a little light left from the setting sun, we sat drank and ate watching as the sun gave way to the moon and the stars began to light up the heavens. It was still a little dark though so we lit the fire. The fire was really quite impressive we had so much wood that the flames flicked thought till the sun came up the next morning. Sleeping on the edge of an island jungle at night with the waves crashing in front of you is a fine place to sleep. The jungle did make sounds lots of sounds and every now and again foreign eyes twinkled in fire light. The morning was fresh and clear but busy we had to get the dive tanks back to the shop early that morning, so there was no time to make another try for the mud volcanoes only for a quick jump into the sea, remove every trace that we had been there and then head for home. 

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KOTA KINABALU: The Malaysian Monsoon Cup will be held in Sabah next year.

Tourism Minister Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said said international events, such as the yacht tour, should not be held at the same place over the years.

"The Monsoon Cup has been held in Terengganu for the past four years and I think foreigners would love to see other parts of the country as well. The same goes for the Formula One race.

"I wish I could take it (Formula One race) everywhere rather than just hold it in Sepang so that people won't get bored," she said at the Sutera Harbour Resort here yesterday.

The minister, on a two-day visit to Sabah, said she had invited state Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Masidi Manjun for the closing of the tour next month. She would meet Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi on the proposal to change the venue.
(Article is taken from nstonline / www.nst.com.my)

Continue reading Next Monsoon Cup in Sabah?

Date : 07 December 2008

A traditional extreme sports competition, which incorporates the four "Ms" in Kadazan, Manangkus (running), Mamangkar (rafting), Manampatau (bamboo body rafting) and Mamarampanau (walking on bamboo stilts). Held in the picturesque district of Kiulu, the 4M Challenge promises a wet and wild time for all!

Organiser : Kiulu 4M Challenge Committee
Contact Person : Arrifin Gadait
Telephone : +6088 225752 / +6019 8624585
Fax : +6088 257091
Email Contact : Ariffin.Gadait@sabah.gov. my

AIRASIA X, the low-cost, long-haul affiliate of AirAsia launched its STG99/RM499 flight from London to Kuala Lumpur, at London's County Hall yesterday.

The five times weekly direct flights, using the Airbus A340, will begin in March next year, and will be from London Stansted Airport to Kuala Lumpur International Airport low cost carrier terminal.

The STG99 fare is for one way inclusive of tax. The usual travel fare from London to Malaysia is between STG500 and STG600 (RM2,700 and RM3,200).

AirAsia group chief executive officer Datuk Seri Tony Fernandes said the London-Kuala Lumpur route was the realisation of a long held ambition to open up affordable access between Malaysia and Europe for both Asian and European communities.

London is AirAsia X's fifth destination after Gold Coast, Perth and Melbourne in Australia and Hangzhou in China.

(Article is taken from nstonline / www.nst.com.my)

Continue reading AirAsia X launches low fare London-to-KL flight