Thursday, March 22, 2007

Poring Hot Spring - Released body & soul

Poring Hot Spring is another one of the most tourists attraction because of it famous with its sulphur baths which is said to be good for skin deseases in Sabah. This sanctuary is part of Kinabalu National Park and located about 40 km from Kinabalu National Park Head Quarters in Kundasang. This area was first developed by Japanese during World War II. The phrase 'Poring' is Dusun's word means bamboo. The legend tells long time ago, there was a giant bamboo grows abundantly in this area. Therefore, this area given name by the local people as Poring until now.


The natural hot spring in Poring is perfect to soothe tired and aching muscles after the long climb up Mount Kinabalu. It houses open-air bathtubs, indoor and Jacuzzi-style bathtubs for those who are shy even in soaked tees. For accomodation, Poring offers chalet, cabin and hostel. For more adventurous, Poring also provide a camping area inside the resort.



Visitors not only talking bath here, but also could have an opportunities to see a wide variety of lowland orchids, rare butterflies and birds. Other activities is climbing the canopy walk to experience a bird's eye view of the surrounding rainforest. Visitors also can trek through the lowland forest for the waterfalls, bat cave and bird watching.

Poring Hot Spring can be reach by van or taxi from Kota Kinabalu. It takes about 3 hours journey. Visitor can take van or taxi from Kota Kinabalu and drop at Ranau town. From Ranau town, visitors can take local van or taxi to Poring Hot Spring.

Tuesday, March 20, 2007

The Wild Man of Borneo- Orang Utan

Orang Utan is only founded in Borneo. In Malay term, Orang Utan means "man of the forest" and it's one of the region's most threatened species nowadays. This wild need to protect and rescue so that this species can be inherited to generations by generations. As such, Sepilok Orang Utan Rehabilitation Centre in Sandakan Sabah was established in order to fulfill this effort. This center was established in 1964 and famously known as one of the best places in the world to see the legendary 'wild man of Borneo'.

The Rehabilitation Centre is set in 43 square kilometers of beautiful virgin rainforest. In order to protect and rescue this threatened species, young orphaned or captive orang utans being taught the survival skills such as, how to climb the trees, find food and fend for themselves in the wild so that they may return to their natural habitat. Sepilok sanctuary also serves as nursery for orphaned baby Orang Utan, a hospital for injured primates and also as a safe house for pregnant Orang Utan. Once the Orang Utans have learnt how to take care of themselves, they will be placed at the jungle on their own.



Sepilok Orang Utan Rehabilitation Centre is open to public from 9.10 am to 11.00 am and open back at 14.00pm to 16.00pm. This centre is one of the most tourist attraction in Sandakan to see the real Orang Utan in their natural habitat. In this centre, there was a special feeding platform provided where the Orang Utans spending their time to eat banana or other fruits and drink milk by the ranger of the park. The feeding time is twice a day at 10.00am and 15.00pm. At this time, tourists or visitors can take an opportunities to see their lives and take picture of Orang Utans.