Tuesday, April 5, 2011

Simpang Mengayau aka Tip of Borneo (March 2011)


Tanjung Simpang Mengayau (Simpang Mengayau Cape) is the northernmost tip of Borneo.


When I got to Kudat, first thing I did was look for a decent hotel. Then, having showered and rested, I started my way to Simpang Mengayau. It's not hard to locate, even without a GPS unit. Signboards direct the driver right to the tip of Borneo. The road leading up to that point is fully sealed but rather uneven with potholes. There are actually two roads leading there, one is a gravel road so avoid that and just follow the signboards.

Simpang Mengayau is absolutely breathtaking. The weather was a bit cloudy that afternoon, not so good for picture taking but being there was a great feeling. You hear the surf crashing onto shore and the strong wind blowing in your face and all around you is just this wide expanse of water. This is also where the South China Sea meets the Sulu Sea. I got right down to the rocky tip!

I had myself an ice-cream while taking it all in then it was time to hit the beach. Rented myself a complete set of snorkeling gear (goggles, flippers and life jacket) and jumped into the water. Didn't see much though. The local man who rented me the gear said that to see live corals I'd have to swim out to at least 100-200 meters from shore. I could also hire him as a guide but my gear was rather poor fitting and he didn't have many to choose from. Salt water kept seeping in so I didn't want to risk anything just to see some fish and corals. Stuck close to shore, didn't see much. Bothered by the "leaky" gear so ended up just relaxing, being lazy and floating in the sea while staring at the sky and passing clouds. Bliss...

There are now some chalets and resorts here at Simpang Mengayau. I would have loved to stay a night here but I left just before sunset because I didn't want to tackle the uneven road back to town in total darkness.
Would love to visit again soon!
More photos…

Thursday, March 31, 2011

From KK to the Tip of Borneo (March 2011)

rice_field_padi_sabah

I was in Sabah recently. The original plan was to visit Maliau Basin but because I had to fly back to Kuching early, I could not make it to Sabah’s Lost World. Since I already had tickets anyway, I flew to Sabah on my own and traveled solo while my friends went to Maliau. I visited Kudat and Simpang Mengayau on my first day, places which I’ve never been to on previous visits to Sabah.

padi_sabah_gunung_kinabalu

rice_field_padi_sabah2

Landed safely and right on time in Kota Kinabalu. Collected my rental shortly after then immediately went on my way. Armed with two GPS units (one a handheld and the other a car navigator), I made my way up north and arrived in Kudat just past noon. the journey took about 4 hours including time spent having breakfast at a road side kopitiam and stopping to take photos.

kota_belud_kudat_sabah_padi

jalan_raya_road_sabah

It’s a fairly smooth ride from KK to Kudat until a certain very long stretch between Kota Belud and Kudat which is particularly bad. So bad signboards have been erected to warn motorists of the dangerous conditions. Several times, my rental went airborne and I wasn't even going that fast! so bad in fact, that I did not take another photo until I had safely arrived in Kudat and checked-in at the hotel! That is why I’ve only got these photos of rice fields to show in this entry. :)

There were also some land slips especially in places where an underground stream runs right under the road. Lots of fearless cattle along the way. They laze about close to the road, some young calves even rest right on the road. Nearly drove into a herd.

Anyway, I must thank God for protecting me this entire trip. it was largely without incident and i had a really fun time.

Aerides odorata (March 2011)

Aerides_odorata

Here’s another very fragrant species currently blooming in my “jungle”. This one is a little late (or early?). The other Aerides plants finished blooming several weeks ago. They do not produce keikis as easily as I'd like them too but since I've had luck with my vandaceous orchids germinating naturally (and on to blooming), think I'll try setting some seed pods.

Wednesday, March 30, 2011

Dendrobium anosmum season

Anosmums are blooming in every corner of my shade house, giving off an amazing berry-like smell. Together with my other blooming orchids such as the very fragrant Vanda Mimi Palmer, fragrant coelogynes and cattleyas, the orchid house is like an aroma therapy spa at the moment...

Dendrobium_anosmumPeak flowering period, photo taken about two weeks ago… not as many flowers as the previous peak season but still nice!

Dendrobium_anosmum_alba 
Dendrobium anosmum (alba).

Dendrobium_anosmum_2 
The peak flowering period for my anosmum plants may be over but some plants are still producing flowers…

Tuesday, February 8, 2011

Happy Chinese New Year

May the rabbit year bring prosperity to all!

posted from Bloggeroid

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