Bukit Perahu, Tamparuli Sabah

Tamparuli Legend and Myth.

Tamparuli Town is full with legend and myth, whereby people in Tamparuli used to tell me about a story of " Bukit Perahu " which mean Hill Of Boat in English Language a few years ago. One story that is still fresh in my memory is the story of a huge rock shape like a boat located somewhere behind the " Bukit Perahu ". If you want to search for it, it will never be found but you will found it accidentally if don't want to look for it. That was the old man told me years ago. Bukit Perahu is located behind the Buddhist Temple and at the brink of road to Kg Bawang, Tamparuli. This road also known as the old Ranau Road and if you follow this road, you will reach Kg Togop Tamparuli and from there you will penetrate to Ranau Road.

Bukit Perahu got it name because of the huge rock shape like a boat located somewhere behind that hill. I have been there several time already but I never seen it. No body have ever found it but there is story about it. It make me so confuse about the story because there is no evidence about the existing of the "huge rock shape like a boat" and no body dare to find it. My friend and I used to find rubber seed behind the Buddhist Temple and because of worry maybe the old man told us about the story to prevent us to coming back again and again to that hills. The hill is full with small tree and grass during that day. Behind the hill is full with rubber tree and you feel freaky when you go there. It will be a huge discovery if someone find it but there is a myth telling that if you find it you will be lost forever.

Bukit Perahu also used by the Roman Catholic adherent to do the Stations Of the Cross every year. The Roman Catholic adherent is from St Philip Roman Catholic Church of Tamparuli. Bukit Perahu is namely by the Roman Catholic follower as St Veronica Hill and a big white cross is planted on top of the hill. It was majestic and wonderful view from the hill top, you can see all the Tamparuli Town area from there. Pick up you camera and go for it. It open for public and make sure that your are really fit to make the climb. Bukit Perahu is also used by the Paraglider to do the Paragliding Extreme sport. Usually they will do this sport if the wind blow from behind Bukit Perahu. Datuk Jahid Jahim have experience in doing this sport several years ago and I was there at the scene to watch it done. All the paragliders is welcome to join this sport. Tamparuli authority is strongly promoting this sport around the globe and this sport is aiming to be done twice a year. It will bring huge impact to Tamparuli town whereby a lot of visitor will come to this town to enjoy this game.

There are many different story about this hill, you can search through the net or wikipedia to get more information about it. It is a legend or myth it up to the reader to decide it. Mr Ben Godomon in his blog ( bengodomon.com ) is also providing good story and picture about this hill. He start blogging about Tamparuli more than 5 years ago and a credit to him for his outstanding word, articles and picture of Tamparuli Sabah. Find more interesting story about Tamparuli through www.bengodomon.com.

" There Is More Here Than Meet The Eye "

Story: Travelers Log Book Admin

Sources: Own Experiance

Picture: Bengodomon.com

Pesta Kaamatan 2011

Tuaran will be hosting " Harvest Festival " 2011

 Tuaran Town is located 11km form Tamparuli Sabah. District Of Tuaran will be hosting and the organizing district for the Harvest Festival in 2011. Tuaran will be celebrating the Pesta Kaamatan or Pesta Menuai or Harvest Festival in English on 30 and 31st May 2011. All local and foreign are invited to celebrate the KDM yearly celebration. This celebration is being celebrate as the thankfulness of the farmer after their finish harvesting their paddy and this traditional celebration was being continue from time to time for more than 300 years ago. Harvest Festival will be officially launch by Tan Sri Joseph Pairin Kitingan-Huguon Siou, TYT Datuk Seri Juhar and Datuk Seri Musa Hj Aman the Chief Minister Of Sabah. 

Tamparuli also will we be of one of the district in Tuaran to organize this celebration. The main program will be the competition of Harvest Festival Queen. This competition is to represent the Hominodun who sacrifice  herself for the good of the KDM people. The Details History of Harvest Festival... please read more at this article below.

Pesta Kaamatan - Harvest Festival

Adapted From Wikipedia

The Kaamatan festival is an annual event in the cultural life of the Kadazandusuns of Sabah since time immemorial. In its deepest sense, Kaamatan festival is a manifestation of Creator and Creation relationship, as well as Inter-Creations relationship. It embodies the principal acts of invocation of divinities, appeasing, purification and restoration, re-union of benevolent spirits, and thanksgiving to the Source of All. It is part of a complex wholesome Momolian religious system centered on the paddy rites of passage and the life cycle of Bambarayon - the in-dwelling spirit of paddy.Appeasing is done in respect of Bambarayon, Deities, Divinities and Spirits, who may have been hurt by human wrongful, acts. 

Purification is performed in respect of human and spiritual needs for forgiveness followed by resolutions to make themselves worthy of the gifts of life from God. Restoration in necessary to ensure the health and well being of SUNIL, mankind and other spiritual beings. Re-union is realised in respect of human needs to be integrated in body, mind and spirit within the concept of the seven-in-one divinity in humanity, as well as re-union of Bambarayon with human Sunduan. Finally Thanksgiving is observed as befitting for all creations to express their gratitude and appreciation for the gifts of life (through Huminodun) and all life supportive system on earth that their Creator lovingly and generously gave them.

Etymology

The word Kaamatan is derived from the root word tomot, a Kadazandusun term for harvest. In the context of this article, Kaamatan refers to the paddy-harvesting period, which involves a series of traditional rituals culminating finally to the Kaamatan (harvest) festival. Tadau kaamatan is a cele bration for the people who celebrate tadau kaamatan.

Rituals

The festival is observed in 6 rituals stages:The Kumogos CeremonyBefore a harvest begins, a Bobohizan/Bobolian (ritual specialist) will select and tie-up 7 stalks of the best rice from a plot of rice field. These stakes of rice will only be harvested after the particular plot of field has been completely harvested. The 7 stalks of rice will then be scattered all over the rice field. This gesture is to inform the other spirits who may be present among the rice field not to make any disturbance when the harvesting work is to commenced and each of them will be given something after the harvest.

The Kumotob Ceremony

From the area which has not yet been harvested to the Bobohizan/Bobolian will select 7 stalks of the best rice. The selected stalks are then tied up together and placed in a tadang (a type of basket for keeping rice). The rest of the rice in the field are then harvested and the rice are turned into seed for future planting season.

The Posisip Ceremony

The Bobohizan/Bobolian goes to a rice hut together with the 7 stalks of rice which is tied up and placed in the tadang. While reciting chants she takes out the bundle of rice stalks and insert them in a bamboo pole kept in the tangkob. The recital of the chants is to call the spirit of the rice to stay in the rice hut until the next planting season, i.e. when the rice spirits are called to the rice field again.

The Poihib Ceremony

In the rice hut the Bobohizan/Bobolian carefully pours the rice into the tangkob. This process is repeated for a number of times until all the rice has poured into the tangkob. The Bobohizan/Bobolian then recite chants appealing to the rice spirits to keep watch over the rice stored in the tangkob.

The Magavau Ceremony

This is the most important ceremony in the sequence of events of the harvest festival. This focuses in the restoration of Bambarayon as well as offering food to Bambarayon. In the olden days, the Magavau ritual is performed in the padi field on the night of the first full moon after the harvest. Nowadays, this ritual is carried out in the house of the owner of the field.

The Humabot Ceremony

This is the final stage of the observation of the harvest festival and is in the form of merry-making and entertainment. This ceremony is now celebrated at village, district and state levels annually (30 - 31 May). A variety of entertainment and activities in the form of dances and traditional sports are held and the climax of the event is the selection of the Unduk Ngadau (Harvest Festival Queen). The Unduk Ngadau symbolizes Huminodun, the sacrificed daughter of Kinorohingan. The rituals described above are typical of the Kadazan-Dusun of the Penampang-Papar area. Other dusunic groups, the murutic groups of the interior and the paitanic groups in the east have different rice harvest rituals. For example, the Lotud Dusun have a series of eight ceremonies - Mansalud, Monuras, Tumakau, Matang, Mongoi Rumali, Mogimpuun, Sumondod and Monumbui. The essence of this ceremony however is the same, that is of thanksgiving for a plentiful harvest.

Story Arrangement By: Travelers Log Book Admin

Sources from: Wikipedia

Picture: Google Images

Tanak Nabalu Home Stay

Tamparuli Home Stay

INTRODUCTION

Tanak Nabalu Homestay is located in the plains of the valley-Lobong Kg.Lobong Kota Belud. Located about 60km from Kota Kinabalu city, 33km from Tamparuli Sabah and 5km from the main road Kota Kinabalu-Ranau. This Home Stay background view is the mighty Mt.Kinabalu. Tanak Nabalu Homestay name was taken from the stone call Tanak Watu Mount Kinabalu, located in the middle of Kg. Lobong-Lobong Kota Belud. The Local call it " Tanak Watu Nabalu " which mean in English small rock of Mt.Kinabalu.Tanak Nabalu Homestay has a strategic location and background view is so beautiful. A comfortable atmosphere whereby it got natural beauty which becomes the main eset of this place.

PLACES OF INTEREST AT TANAK NABALU HOMESTAY.

1. Visiting the "Tanak Nabalu" or shaped stone of Mount Kinabalu

2. Pay a visit to the waterfalls

3. Jungle wilderness / natural forests in the area near the Garden State.

4. Enjoying the river water is not contaminated.

5. Visit the Orchid Garden Collection Mr.Rainol Sulutan

6. Visiting Lubuk Freshwater Fish (The Tagal Kaung)

ACTIVITIES AVAILABLE

1. Performance culture (Mengagong, Togungak)

2. Local People Games (Momolositik, Monopuk, Tongkisus)

3. Rubber Tapping

4. Collecting freshwater fish from Tagal System - Once a year

5. Vine fish

6. Retailer (cultivated rice) and Mongomot (Harvest Rice) Hill

About Sabah

Sabah land below the wind is a perfect country for domestic & overseas travel. Kota Belud is synonymous with the cultural diversity of society and also has a unique natural environment and places that attract as a new tourist destination. Lobong-lobong have a complete package for a visit for the local and foreign tourist. Background and backdrop of Home Stay is high plains of Mount Kinabalu, Mount Kinabalu mini stand, waterfalls, clean water and fish water, rich flora & fauna, recreation place, comfortable & exciting, challenging place to bike, camp programs and more.

This Homestay Program is a new facility located in this place, When you visit our Homestay Tanak Nabalu you will enjoy local fruits such as pineapple, durian, rambutan, langsat, Tarap and many more.

TANAK NABALU HOMESTAY

KG.LOBONG-LOBONG, KOTA BELUD

tanaknabaluhsty@yahoo.com

Mr.djuanis Mogirong

H/p: 0198973637

Stroy by: Travel Log Book Admin

Sources: Direct Contact

Picture: Mr Djuanis Mogirong - owner Tanak Nabalu Home Stay/ www.tamparulisabah

Johor Baharu City, Malaysia

Inside Johor Bahru Malaysia.

Here I published some of the best photo to be shared among your guy out there and especially for the Sabahan and Sarawakian who intend to travel here at Johor Bahru. left picture is a walkaway of pedestrian bridge connecting JB Sentral and City Square Shopping Complex. JB Centar is a one stop station to all major city in Peninsular Of Malaysia and Singapore. An advise to all  Malaysian, you can travel using KTM to other major city in Peninsular Of Malaysia. From JB Central you can travel to Singapore and enjoy the cleanest city in South East Asia.

City Square Shopping Mall, Johor Baharu.

Inside City Square Shopping Complex at JB

Remember to do window shopping inside the City Square Shopping Mall. This shopping mall is the best in Johor Bahruu beside Danga City Shopping Mall, Jusco, Landmark and UO Store. Usually this shopping mall is full and little crowded with people and most of them is Chinese. You can buy a lot of things at the third floor and the name of the outlets is Inner City Shop. You can buy cheap shoes here, bags, cloths and souvenir to be brought back to your hometown in Sabah.   

Inside City Square Shopping Complex, JB

A Passage Walk at Legaran Seggei to Indian Street beside Hindu Temple.

The Visitor can rest here for a while and watch the fish moving around. Beside this area you can buy a lot of product where you can see array of stall selling everything you wish for. Be very careful of the "pick pocket" around here. Actually you do not have to worry because there is a police post there but precaution is better than cure. An advise to you all be very careful.

Legaran Seggei at Place to relex your eye and feet.

View Of Merlin Tower, Johor Baharu Malaysia.

Left picture is a view from the Indian Street where the Merlin Tower standing glorious from the eye of the traveler who love to take picture as their memorable memory. Beside this Tower you can enjoy the variety of Chinese Restaurant selling variety of foods. This is for non muslin only. The price is reasonable and really tasty and the taste is more likely at Chinese Restaurant in Sabah. Highly recommended restaurant is Snow White Chinese Restaurant. Enjoy....guys

Indian Street.

This Indian Street is just like the Petaling Street in KL and Gaya Street at Kota Kinabalu Sabah. You can find a lot of things and mostly the product is more to Indian goods. Beside this street is the Bazzar that is open daily from 6 Pm to 12 Midnight. The goods sold here can be bargain and try to negotiate wisely and do not to demanded. Please walk in a group of friends so that you cannot be bully by the saler there. From here you can see the Sultan Ismail Building Tower but for this article I did not have enough time to walk around there and hopefully next time I can visit there.

                                                            Map Of Johor Baharu City.

Above picture is an array of Indian Stall selling variety types of goods.

A walkaway to Sultan Ismail Building and UO Store Shopping Complex.

                                                                     UO Store

Inside the UO Store Shopping Complex.

Inside UW Store Shopping Complex.

I'm Very sorry for the picture quality. I forget to bring my digital camera that day and hopefully next time I will published more and quality picture. Please find cheap and safe hotel if you like to stay at Johor Baharu. You will took about 40 minutes to walk around Johor Baharu for visiting all of this shopping mall. Actually this town is really crowded with people and really hot. For your convenience please visit the Bazaar, Landmark, City Square and UO store. If you like to visit Danga City Mall and Jusco, you need to travel by taxi for more convenience and cost you about RM6 only. Do visit JB from January to April only because during this time this city is not crowded with people. See you here at JB and enjoy your visit here. Thanks for reading and see you at my final article about Johor Bahru next time. 

Story Arrangement By: Harry George

Picture: Harry George

Sources: www.tamparulisabah.com