Kiulu Whitewater Rafting, Sabah

This time around, I planned an outdoor type holiday. The trip to Kudat to see the tip of Borneo was cancelled as it did not fit in with our itinerary when we discussed it with Akmal, who acted as our tourist guide. Besides, we did not have the luxury of time. Four days and three nights could not fit in everything. So was the planned excursion on the North Borneo Railway - a nostalgic travelling by steam engine from KK to Papar was scrapped off too due to time constraint.

We went to visit Borneo Cultural Village which was smaller than Sarawak Cultural Village. We checked out each houses of the ethnic people of Sabah. We took lots of photographs, interviewed the staff there and tasted some of the food offered. We also proceeded to Lok Kawi Wildlife Park. I loved this park. One of the keepers stressed the word park as it was a different concept from a zoo. The wild animals were well taken care of, enclosures which were almost similar to their habitat and breeding was also successful as we were informed by the informative keeper. They had third generation tigers, baby porcupines, deers, proboscis monkeys and seladangs. Beautiful creatures. We also made it to the Sabah Museum and wondered around reading about its history not only on local culture but also of wild animals. I have always enjoyed museums, zoos or parks and galleries.

For making it a November to remember, Akmal and I planned a whitewater rafting activity. Kiulu river was about an hour's journey from KK. I was afraid of the river as it brought back memories of almost being drowned while river trekking at Peretak, Kuala Kubu Bahru in Selangor. This time I was determined to go through it. Since we had not done it before except for Akmal, it was much looked forward too. Being novices, Akmal booked Level One activity. Being in the water means no camera. Even though my partner had his GoPro, he had no time to sort out the photos and videos taken. Thus, this is what we had before we started the activity. This was taken around the centre.

The guide had to carry the raft onto his back to return it to its storage area

One of the views from the centre

Flying fox was also offered

Evidence that I did it!!! ... ;-p))

I did not expect myself to go through it being afraid of water and did not know how to swim. The guys were quite sceptical but encouraged me and gave their wholehearted support. Halfway through the river, where the water was shallow and calm, the guide told us to jump into the river, lie back and float with the tide until a certain point where they climbed up back into the raft. Me? I sat with the guide in the raft. I did not think I was ready to put myself into the water .... ;-0)) 

It rained heavily before we started the activity, drizzled and stopped during the whitewater rafting and rained cats and dogs when we finally reached our destination. It was a fun activity as a family. After cleaning up ourselves and changed into dry clothes, we were given lunch (inclusive in the package) which we ate ravenously as the activity had made us hungry. It was delicious - a simple lunch of fried chicken, black pepper lamb, vegetable and fruit. Would I go for another trip of whitewater rafting? A definite yes ... next time around - second level of course. Provided I still remain in the raft .... ;-0))

This is one of the rapids that we went through - photo taken from Kiulu whitewater website

Our trip was organised by Riverbug. The place was clean and our needs were taken cared of. The guide was friendly and answered all our queries. Safety was of high regard and it was team work to make sure we all paddled our oars ....

Seafood Galore in KK

KK is very well-known for its seafood and the reasonable price. They are fresh and a wide range of choices. We ate seafood every night we were there. The roasted honey chicken wings were a must have every night. Plus the fried bananas with cheese. We even had that for breakfast !!!! I felt that with four guys ... I also followed suit their eating habits which was eat, eat and eat ....  Enjoy the photos and if one day, you reviewers ever reach KK, go to the Todak waterfront or Todak roundabout for your seafood galore. Or one could go to Anjung Senja. Prices would be almost the same.

The kerapu or grouper comes in various species and colours 

Lobsters,Oysters and a kind of shell - very large 

This is one huge lobster

Mussels, Scallops, Cockerels and other types of molluscs

Lobsters, tiger prawns (my favourite), soft shell crabs, other types and sizes of prawns

I enjoyed taking the photos besides asking them questions on the origin of the sea food. The names of types of fishes that we did not have it here in the peninsular. What types of dishes was recommended for each of the seafood chosen. The vendors were very friendly and gave suggestions on what could be cooked with whatever you had chosen. Thus, we went along with their suggestion.

the must have honey chicken wings - sold all over the place

We all loved the fried bananas with cheese - yummy!!!

Sabah vege fried with garlic - nice. We also had sayur manis (another local vegetable) and also seaweed

Squid cooked in salted egg - not bad

from top - soft shell crab in salted egg, lobster with butter sauce, grilled local fish, fried squid, dry butter prawns and kerapu steam nyonya - this was the birthday dinner  :-p))

Grilled kerapu with sambal

I would not mind going to KK if just for the seafood .... and I finally got the lobster .... :-p))

A November To Remember ... 12/11/2017

My profile picyure for this month - Make it a November to remember. Thus, I suggested that we all went to KK to celebrate my birthday during that weekend. Since Akmal could not be with us, we would go to him. It was a birthday to remember. My boys gave me the most beautiful and treasured present ever and the most meaningful and touching birthday card - the old school way. Not digital or via social media. What did I receive?

A boxful of roses - red to signify love - on a bed of white chrysanthemums ...

 Who would have thought the young men would have thought of a simple gift but so treasured by me? My favourite flowers. When I asked them if they knew why I loved roses, they answered in the negative. So, I happily enlightened them - Roses speak the language of love that only the heart understands ... thus be careful that they give roses only to whom they are seriously interested in. :-)) 

The beautiful wordings ... I was so touched and honoured that all these years, I was not only a mother but also a friend. Alhamdulillah for this relationship and bonding with my young men. I could not have asked for a better present than this. Thank you Allah. May Allah bless us with His grace and love upon our small family. Aamiin.

November 2017

My birth month. It always brings a nostalgic and melancholic kind of feeling. Another year older. Life is getting shorter and one feels that time is not enough in a day to do all the things that one wants to do. Health is an issue. Every day I can be just be thankful that I am given a new day. At times the body just refused to get into action whereas the mind is three steps ahead. There are times when I just have to push myself out of bed. I do not seem to be getting any better after the bout of flu. I am still feeling lethargic and just so slow in everything. My mind is telling me to do so many things but the body refuse to function likewise.

A September to remember. Ikram started his training stint with Sime Darby. I went for a solo trip to Muar. Syafiq completed his three and a half years of engineering course. Meeting up with some friends and realising that some things have to change. It is time to let go. Welcoming Mak's third great grandchild. Adik's grandson. Baby Yusof. It always gives you a protective, full of love and hope when you hold a new born baby in your arms. A gush of mix feelings when I recalled the moment when I held my three boys when they were born. I only wanted the best for them. Now I prayed for the best for baby Yusof in this life and after.

October. I would not say full of splendour. Full of challenges. Integrity. Trust. Sincerity. Principle. Firstly, the splendour would be Ikram's convocation. I had always enjoyed convocation. The attractive robes. The happy, excited and relieved faces. The gathering of coursemates and friends. The splendour of the hall. The magnificence of the function. The regality of the lecturers and Vice Chancellor when he conferred the degrees. The roll call of honours. The excited and proud faces of the parents from all walks of life, far and near. The "Pesta Convo" with a carnival like air. The various and many types of flowers and teddy bears for the graduates. The end of one phase of life and the beginning of another.

October. It was a fortnight of making quick decisions. Being a moderator and counselor. Being a friend. Learning the true sides of trusted acquaintance. Blessed in the magic of Allah. Humbled by Allah's grace and blessings. That by the first of November ... everything was eased and peaceful.

November to treasure. I hope and I pray. A new venture. A mutual interest partnership. A financial investment where the profit is minimal but the afterlife rewards are great. Hoping to make it work. In sya Allah - if Allah wills it. A sleeping partner but directly involved as I had personal investment and interest in it. If Gooddeeds is my involvement in charity work, thus Gdees is the channel to generate some income to sustain Gooddeeds activities besides donation from well wishers. November - the beginning of Gdees Education Centre (GDEC). Wish us luck reviewers. We do not expect much profit but enough to service the loan and utilities of our new operating premises. Gooddeeds is now standing on its own at its own premises.

So, in sya Allah, November 2017 will be a November to remember. I wish myself a very Happy Birthday as it is my month. May I always be in the grace and blessings of Allah. Aamiin.