Life In Borneo

Posted by Daniel on January 1st, 2009 in Events

As the year 2008 came to a close, we at Lifeinborneo.com decided to take this opportunity to look back at some of the events of last year that the crew covered and share it with all our readers.

January to March
The year started quietly, as there weren’t a lot of events happening, except for one: the welcoming of the year of the rat. The Chinese community celebrated the Chinese new year in February with enthusiasm. We get to see lion dance performances, as well as the open house tradition happening all over Kota Kinabalu.

February was also the month where citizens of Kota Kinabalu celebrate the anniversary of the city on 2nd February of each year. The city hall organized a street parade at the Promenade Boulevard to commemorate this event.

Kota Kinabalu City Day 2008

April to June
As the first quarter of 2008 passed by, the night life in KK started to pick up. Blue Note started their Generation Y events, which brought in DJs from some of West Malaysia’s hottest club to spin dance tunes for KK’s night owls. Shenanigan’s Fun Pub brought J-Style fashion to KK with there Harajuku Night, where they showed models attired in Japan’s latest and most extreme teen fashion.

Generation Y

Harajuku Night

While the night partied, the morning saw international events on the seas and shores of Sabah. On the 26th of April 2008, Kota Kinabalu held the Freedom of Entry to The City ceremony at Padang Merdeka, where participants from the Royal Malaysian Navy, US Navy, Marine Nationale of France and the Royal Brunei Navy took part in the ancient naval tradition. On the 23rd of April 2008, dragon boats tore through the waters of Likas Bay during the 23rd Sabah Dragon Boat Race 2008, which saw the new-comers and locals from Tuaran beat the reigning champion Brunei for the grand prize.

Freedom of Entry to The City 2008

Sabah Dragonboat Race 2008

But the highlight was definitely in May, when Sabah and Sarawak celebrated the Harvest Festival. In Sabah, May was the time for Sabah Fest, when cultural events took place throughout the month, which ended with the most anticipated event in the Sabah Calendar – The Unduk Ngadau Grand Finals. We also went to Sarawak to experience the Sarawak World Harvest Festival 2008, where we covered their International Cultural Concert, a spectacular theme play based on a local Bidayuh folklore and the grand finals for Miss Fair & Lovely WHF 2008, Sarawak’s own unique ethnic beauty pageant.

Unduk Ngadau Grand Finals 2008

Unduk Ngadau Grand Finals 2008

Unduk Ngadau Grand Finals 2008

Sarawak World Harvest Festival 2008 – Cultural Concert

Sarawak World Harvest Festival 2008 – Panglima Kulow Theme Play

Sarawak World Harvest Festival 2008 – Miss Fair & Lovely WHF 2008

July to September
Things started to slow down after May, but there were events that kept the Lifeinborneo.com crew busy. In July, the Lifeinborneo.com team went to to coastal town of Sipitang to catch the conclusion of the 9th Gambus Festival 2008 – the biggest Gambus festival in Sabah.

Gambus Festival 2008 in Sipitang

In August 2008, we covered more interesting events: the Borneo International Cat Show 2008 at the Sabah Trade Centre and the Sabahan Bloggers Gathering 2008 at Imperial International Hotel. The Borneo International Cat Show was the first international cat show ever to be held in Sabah (and perhaps of Borneo) while the Sabahan Bloggers Gathering invited bloggers from all over Sabah. Also there was the Base Jumping event at the Tun Mustapha Tower.

Borneo International Cat Show 2008

Sabahan Bloggers Gathering 2008

Base Jumping at Tun Mustapha Tower

August and September were also important to everyone in Malaysia. 31st of August 2008 was Merdeka Day for Malaysia, and a Merdeka Day Parade was held at the Kota Kinabalu Waterfront. September 20008 was the fasting month for the Muslim community, known as the Month of Ramadhan. It was also a month which saw multitude of street hawkers selling delicacies that can only be found during the Ramadhan at Food Bazaars.

Merdeka Day Parade

Ramadhan Food Bazaar

October to December
As the Muslim community celebrated Aidilfitri, events in Kota Kinabalu started picking up again. First, there was the Borneo International Marathon 2008 – the first of its kind to be held – which brought in participants from all over the world. Then we have the Tattoo and Art Exhibition at the Monsopiad Cultural Village (a part of a month-long arts event). After that we went to Kota Belud to cover the Annual Traditional Open-Air Market, where we brought you the Tamu Kota Belud – the biggest open-air market in Sabah – the horsemanship of the Bajau people.

Borneo International Marathon 2008

Tattoo Art Exhibition at Monsopiad Cultural Village

The traditional Tamu Besar Kota Belud

In November 2008, we attended the ‘Bear Necessities’ Fundraising Event which was held at Shangri-La Tanjung Aru Resort and Spa. It was the biggest fundraising event we’ve covered so far. The event successfully raised a total amount of RM1.3 million, which will kick-start the construction of the biggest Sun Bear conservation centre in Borneo.

BSBCC Fundraiser Event

As the Christmas season filled the air in December, we covered clickstartplay.com’s HobbyCon 2008, the biggest hobby convention in KK yet. Then we covered the last sports event of 2008 in KK, the F2 World Cup Powerboat Race 2008. We end our December (and our event-coverage spree of 2008) with Red Bull Female Driver Search 2008, which was held at 1Borneo.

HobbyCon 2008

F2 World Cup Powerboat Race 2008

Red Bull Female Driver Search 2008

It has been a good year for Lifeinborneo.com. We hope that all our readers had a good year as well, and wished you all will have a better year in the new year. We look forward to experiencing the life in Borneo in 2009 with all our readers.

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Posted by Promoter on June 30th, 2008 in Promotionals, Shopping

Mac Borneo is located on the 3rd Floor of Karamunsing Complex. They specialise in Apple products such as the iMac, Mac Mini, Mac Pro, MacBook, MacBook Pro and all types of iPods. Other computer related accessories are also available at good prices.

Website: www.macborneo.com

Mac Borneo
Lot 3.40 & 3.41, 3rd Floor,
Kompleks Karamunsing,
P.O.Box 16046,
88868 Kota Kinabalu,
Sabah, Malaysia.

Phone : +60 88 213839
Fax : +60 88 262939

Business Hour :
Monday – Saturday (9AM – 6PM)
Public Holiday & Sunday (11AM – 5PM)

EMAIL :
mac_borneo@mac.com / mcborneo@streamyx.com /

sales@macborneo.com / macborneo@gmail.com

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Posted by Xander on June 30th, 2008 in Destinations, Hot Spots, Travels

Located along the streets of Jalan Tunku Abdul Rahman and the Main Bazaar, the Kuching Waterfront is situated along the river banks of Sarawak River. Kuching being the state capital of Sarawak, it is also a focal point or gateway for many travelers visiting the Land of the Hornbills. Upon reaching the waterfront, one could already expect the breath-taking scene and anticipating a relaxed and interesting stroll.

The whole stretch of the waterfront are dotted with multifarious choices of stalls to visit. Starting from Jalan Tunku Abdul Rahman, various food stalls could be found selling local dishes and pastries. Keep walking and you could find other numerous kiosks of food and beverages variegated in their menu as well.

Taking a stroll along the walkway there are more interesting places to visit like the handicraft stalls. Various kinds of mementos are sold from necklaces and/or wrist-bands made of pearls, beads, aventurine and even jade. Souvenirs of key chains or letter-openers made from ceramic, stainless steel and wood are also present to name a few.

For more choices of souvenirs, make your way to the Main Bazaar Handicraft Market which can be found near the Visitor’s Information Center and National Park Booking Office. The handicraft building could easily be identified by being the only two-storey building to grace the waterfront along the street. The towers located facing the river can be visited to get a wider view of the scenic Sarawak River and the Kuching Waterfront.

Finding your way around is made easier with the Tourist information center located near the Waterfront Security building upon the waterfront walkway. Nearby you could find a small hall that has locals performing cultural dances and playing variegated instruments from different ethnic origins within Sarawak.

The Sarawak River is alive somehow with so many boats servicing the entire river, ready to shuttle visitors from one end of the waterfront all the way to the Main Bazaar Market. For a fare you could also make your way across the river and visit the Fort Margherita. Larger vessels are also present to cater to your traveling needs along the river.

The path along the waterfront has many remarkable sights, sound and smell to entice your every need as a traveler to this exceptional location within Kuching City. Don’t be surprised if you find yourself coming back here when the sun sets and when it does, it is a whole new ambiance and experience altogether. To have glimpse of this place at night time go here.

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Posted by Promoter on June 27th, 2008 in Promotionals

Located 15 minutes from Kota Kinabalu city, on the fringes of Kadazan hinterland, Ka’andaman is easily accessible via the Penampang highway yet just far enough to escape the urban bustle.

Ka’andaman is a haven for the mind and spirit where one can soothe aches and pains away with a gentle massage, soak in a restful milk bath or re-energize with a ginger compress treatment that improves blood circulation.

A visit to Ka’andaman relieves stress, eases tired muscles, revives the mind and strengthens the body. The unhurried experience of a luxurious afternoon here leaves one reminiscing of idyllic Borneo days.

Facilities :

• 4 x Double Spa Room with River Pebble Stone Wash Pool
• 2 x Single Spa Room with River Pebble Stone Wash Pool
• 4 x Single Treatment Room
• 1 x Spacious Foot Reflexology Room with 10 Chairs
• Separate Male & Female Changing Room with Toilet & Shower Facilities

Ka’Andaman Spa – Traditional Healing Garden
Address : KM8, Hongkod Koisaan (KDCA) Jalan Penampang, Kota Kinabalu, Sabah.

Tel : +6088 721008 / Fax : +6088 724008

Email : info@kaandamanspa.com.my
Website : www.kaandamanspa.com.my

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Posted by Daniel on June 23rd, 2008 in Culture & Traditions, Events, Festivals, Legends

The World Harvest Festival 2008 was held at the Sarawak Cultural Village in Santubong, Sarawak on the 24th and 25th of May. Lifeinborneo.com took this opportunity to cover the two day annual Borneo cultural event which featured ethnic music and costumes, locally made products such as food and handicrafts, an Ethnic Beauty Pageant and a spectacular theme play based on a Bidayuh folklore.

In the third part of our coverage of the World Harvest Festival 2008, we have a theme play based on a 500 year old Bidayuh legend, titled Panglima Kulow. The show was played out at the Sarawak Cultural Village’s lake at night, with an army of casts and a display of impressive special effects worthy of a movie.

Once Upon A Time, In The Land of the Hornbills…

The theme play for World Harvest Festival 2008 was titled Panglima Kulow – The Saviour of Bung Bratak. Several generations ago in Sarawak, Panglima Kulow was the leader of the Bidayuh village of Bung Bratak, which have prospered peacefully for generations. He guided his people in time of prosperity, in times of hardship, and in times of rebuilding and renewal. This theme play retold that epic story, using Disney-like special effects and dozens of actors and actresses to play out the tale in front of live spectators.

Lights Off. Silence Please.

As any show would do, the theme play started with the telling of the origin of Panglima Kulow’s tale. But what caught our attention was HOW they start off the show.

Before they began the theme play, they turned off the lights. The entirety of Sarawak Cultural Village was covered in total darkness. Only the whispers of the audience and the creaking chatter of insects could be heard.

Blind as a mole and with only the staffers’ flashlights to illuminate the walk path, we made our way to the guest seatings while imagining how they were going to perform this theme play. As we reached our destination, we discovered that the seating was positioned directly overlooking the lake. It was at that moment that a realization set upon us: they were going to use the lake and its surrounding as their stage.

A Legend Re-enacted

Seven fireballs flew down from the night sky like meteorites, each one trailing after another, and splashed down into the lake in front of an audience of hundreds. A spotlight then moved to highlight the rooftop of one of the longhouses by the lake, where seven dancers were dancing in a graceful and hypnotic motion.

That was how the show’s introduction went off – it gripped the audience’s attention right from the start.

Watching the theme play was like hearing those mystical stories your grandparents used to tell you about, only that it was actually happening right before your waking eyes. Suffice to say, we have never seen anything like it before (in person at least). The amount of special effects that went into this production must have been immense; without those visual effects, the theme play would not have been as jaw-dropping or as memorable.

And they lived happily ever after

The essence of the story, I believe, was unity. Panglima Kulow held his people together in times of hardship throught the unity of his people. Towards the end of the theme play, he united two communities together through the marriage of his son and the daughter of the other tribe. Like the bedtime stories our grandparents used to tell us, the tale of Panglima Kulow’s mystical pull was that it combined entertainment with storytelling in the most surreal way. And like those bedtime stories, there’s always that moral-of-the-story at the conclusion of the tale, and in Panglima Kulow, the point of it was unity. Take out all those visual effects, all those colourful props, and you’ll find a story that teaches you the virtue of living in harmony.

Entertainment, art, culture, teaching – all creatively woven into a brilliant theme play.

Up next, the most unique ethnic beauty pageant…

Stay tuned to lifeinborneo.com as we bring you the final part of our coverage of World Harvest Festival 2008, where we have the Miss Fair & Lovely Ethnic Beauty Pageant.

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Posted by Raz on June 23rd, 2008 in Announcement

Hi everybody! Here’s another update for the Sabahan Bloggers Gathering 2008. Jacquelin of caneeliea.com has made a special page for everyone who wants to attend the event. All are invited, the more the merrier! If you want to add yourself to the list, just send an email to her at Caneeliea [at] gmail [dot] com.

Check out the SBG 08 Attendance List at Caneeliea.com

Objective of the event
To organize a socializing event as a conduit to foster the blogging community in real life, to have fun and to induce business opportunities.

Sponsors
The organisers are also looking for more sponsors. It is noted in the Facebook event page that Nuffnang (Asia’s First Blog Advertising Community) is one of the sponsors for this event. As a sponsor, it would be a very good return since most bloggers will blog about the gathering as evident in 2007’s Bloggers Gathering (See Update 1). Why become a sponsor? because this would generate hits to your website and awareness to the companies products and services. So, any interested companies out there, just contact the organisers Daniel and Jacq.

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Posted by Daniel on June 21st, 2008 in Events, Sports

Qu Yuan would have been delighted to know that his final act of protest against a corrupt government have inspired an internationally-renowned watersport that brings out the best from ordinary people. On 15 June 2008, The 23rd Sabah Dragon Boat Race 2008 had just that, when a team of ordinary local fishermen won this year’s Sabah Head of State’s Trophy, despite facing an ocean of a task of defeating the reigning champion Brunei. There were 57 teams altogether that took part in this year’s event, including each from the Philippines and China.

The race went on, come rain or shine

Rain did not stop the participants or the spectators from coming to see this event. People started filling up Likas Bay beach as early as seven in the morning. Hawkers set up food stalls to the delight of the spectators, as food is always a welcomed sight whenever there is a six hour event going on.

The event was officiated by the Chairman of Sabah Tourism Board Yang Berbahagia Dato’ Seri Tengku Zainal Abidin, Organising Committee Chairman Yang Berbahagia Datuk Irene B. Charuruks and the President of Sabah Chinese Cultural Association Yang Berbahagia Datuk Chau Tet On. Among the dignitaries that attended the event was the Minister of Tourism, Culture and Environment of Sabah Yang Berhormat Datuk Masidi Manjun, the Chief Minister of Sabah Yang Amat Berhormat Datuk Seri Panglima Musa Haji Aman and Sabah’s Head of State Tun Datuk Seri Panglima Haji Ahmadshah bin Abdullah.

0:01 seconds.

That was the amount of time that separated the third, the second and the champion of the Sabah Head of State’s Trophy for the 23rd Sabah Dragon Boat Race 2008. Despite having only two weeks of training, the Pertubuhan Peladang Tuaran dragonboat team managed to beat reigning champion Brunei and bring home the grand prize – a trophy and a cash prize of RM 4,000.00.

The Brunei national team only managed to get a third place in the Sabah Head of State’s Trophy, as the second place was won by another local team from Tuaran, Sabah.

Here are the final results for the 23rd Sabah Dragon Boat Race 2008:

Sabah Head of State’s Trophy

First – Pertubuhan Peladang Tuaran

Second – Terayung, Tuaran

Third – Brunei Darussalam National Team

Sabah Chief Minister’s Trophy

First – Shangri-La’s Rasa Ria Resort B

Second – Pekayuh Skim Remaja, Brunei Darussalam

Third – Tuaran F1

Sabah Chinese Cultural Association President’s Trophy (Men’s Open Category)
First – Penang Forward Sports Club
Second – Persekutuan Persatuan Cina Tawau
Third – Persatuan Teo Chew Tawau

Sabah Chinese Cultural Association President’s Trophy (Mixed Open Category)
First – Sabah Chinese Cultural Association
Second – The Federation of Chinese Association Sabah
Third – Hokkien Association Dragon Team

Sabah Dragon Trophy
First – Mengkabong Mix Team, Tuaran
Second – Nexus Resort Karambunai
Third – Tam Villa, Tuaran

Sabah Tourism Trophy
First – Shan Sui Golf and Country Club Resort B, Tawau
Second – Tay Travel (B), Kota Kinabalu
Third – Shan Sui Golf and Country Club Resort A, Tawau

The race ends for 2008

Congratulations to all the winners of the 23rd Sabah Dragon Boat Race 2008. We hope to see all the participants again next year.

Sources:
Qu Yuan reference from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Qu_Yuan
Results from http://dragonboat.sabahtourism.com/2008/results.html

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Posted by Raz on June 19th, 2008 in Events, Hot Spots, Night Life

Chivas held a party for 2 nights (29-30 May) at the boardwalk of Waterfront Kota Kinabalu. The nights were fun filled with entertaining performances like breakdancing, fire breathers, local cultural Magunatip Dance, street magician and funny antiques from a very tall clown (on stilts)

Breakdancing by the Chivas International Dance Team. They consist of dancers from The United States, Belgium and France. Awesome performance by them dancing, head spinning, hand stands etc.

The guy above is not part of the professional dancers, he is one of our local “b-boys” who was called up to join on the spot. Not bad huh?

The Magunatip is a local traditional dance where bamboos are clapped together and the dancers must step between them but avoid their feet from being caught. The tempo goes faster and faster and it becomes more difficult to step through.

Finally, the Body Care “Fire Eaters” group performed a modern tribal dance. Also featured in this dance, is spectacular fire-spitting performances.

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Posted by Promoter on June 10th, 2008 in Culture & Traditions, Hot Spots, Legends

The legendary Monsopiad was an actual warrior who lived 200 years ago in the village of Kuai. The main mission and objective of the Monsopiad Cultural Village is to become a Living Museum, a cultural showcase of Kadazandusun culture, and a unique attraction for travelers coming to Sabah, be they from international or Malaysians. Monsopiad Cultural Village is the legacy of this fearsome warrior, located beside the Penampang River, about 30 minutes from the Kota Kinabalu City. It is a living museum built around the village where he once fought to protect. Read more about the Legend of Monsopiad here>

Once you step into village, you are transported back in time where headhunters and spirit worshippers roamed the land; a place and time when the village was controlled by the Bobohizans (female high priestesses of the Kadazan). The village keeps the culture, beliefs and traditions alive. The Village is run by Monsopiad’s direct descendants and theirs stories will leave a chill down your spine… so vivid they are that it felt as if the warrior is still living amongst them.

Many who have visited feel that one of the true essences of Sabah is the Monsopiad Cultural Village. You cannot say that you have been to Sabah if you did not pay a visit to this historical site.

Operating Hours
Monday to Sunday 9.00am till 5.00pm

Address
Monsopiad Cultural Village Sdn Bhd
Kg. Kuai/Kandazon, Penampang
Kota Kinabalu
Sabah, Malaysian Borneo.

Tel : +6 088 761336
Fax : +6 088 761680
Email : info@monsopiad.com
website : www.monsopiad.com

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Posted by Daniel on June 9th, 2008 in Culture & Traditions, Events, Festivals

The World Harvest Festival 2008 was held at the Sarawak Cultural Village in Santubong, Sarawak on the 24th and 25th of May. Lifeinborneo.com took this opportunity to cover the two day annual Borneo cultural event which featured ethnic music and costumes, locally made products such as food and handicrafts, an Ethnic Beauty Pageant and a spectacular theme play based on a Bidayuh folklore.

In the second part of our coverage of the World Harvest Festival 2008, we have stage performances from the participants of the International Cultural Concert. The show was held inside the Dewan Lagenda located within the Sarawak Cultural Village on the 24th and 25th of May.

Minstrels of Culture and Tradition

This year, the World Harvest Festival brought in guest cultural performers from Pahang, Indonesia and Senegal to enlighten the audience with their own brand of uniqueness to Santubong. They also invited 22-year old Erhu virtuoso from Perak, Ell Zain Hyder Zainuddin (also more famously known as Endang) who enthralled the audience with her soulful play. Although we didn’t managed to catch the Senegalese group in action, we were more than ecstatic to have seen the performances of the other groups.

Bah Bola, from Pahang

From Pahang there was Bah Bola, an indigenous cultural group consisting of members of the Semai (whom are natives of Pahang) and have performed throughout many events in Malaysia. Palm leaves, intricately handcrafted and integrated into their costumes, were obviously central to their unique cultural performance along with musical instruments fashioned out of bamboos. But it was their lead singer that won the hearts of the crowd with his rapid recitation of the word “Bola!”.

Sanggar Tari Bengkawan, from Kalimantan, Indonesia

Hailing from Kalimantan, Indonesia, the Sanggar Tari Bengkawan cultural group showcased traditional dance and music of ethnic Kalimantan people. This was their second time performing for World Harvest Festival. One of the dance piece the group performed was about the rivalry of two princesses; one was of good heart, while the other was wicked. The dance was a show of beauty and motion, in which the dancers were storytellers retelling a folk tale in a poetic ballet.

Endang, from Malaysia

Far from her humble beginnings in Perak, she has since performed on many international arenas such as China, Barcelona, Paris, Singapore and throughout Malaysia. Now Ell Zain Hyder Zainuddin or Endang may add another internationally renowned location to her list of visits. She is an Erhu virtuoso, a Chinese musical instrument of classical charm which, when played perfectly, exudes a hypnotic sound like the calling of an angelic maiden of the orient. Endang played the magic of the Erhu so well it befitted the listening ears of emperors and kings – and the audience definitely felt as such.

Sarawak Cultural Village Dancers

And not to forget, Sarawak Cultural Village’s very own dance troupe, which performed an array of ethnic dance and music such as the Iban Ngajat and the Joget.

The Dance and Music plays on…

Stay tuned to lifeinborneo.com as we bring you Part 3 of our coverage of World Harvest Festival 2008, where we have the theme play based on a Bidayuh folklore, titled Panglima Kulow.

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