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KOTA KINABALU: One of the two new trekking routes to reach the summit of Mount Kinabalu from Laban Rata is now ready for use, Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Masidi Manjun announced yesterday.

The best thing about staying in Kota Kinabalu is that the city is basically less than an hour away from all the major attractions, such as Tanjung Aru Beach, the Sabah State Museum, Gaya Street Sunday Market (open only on Sunday) and the beautiful islands of Tunku Abdul Rahman (TAR) Marine Park.  

I figured, to truly seal the friendship I have with this laid-back sunny state of Sabah, my taste-buds would need to venture out into the delectable depths, just to complete the sights and sounds with taste and textures. It’s one thing to be sampling local delicacies from a plate, but today we took the experience to whole new level by putting aprons on and getting hands deep in Sabah’s culinary tradition.

Category 4 on the ‘Thrill-o-meter’, Padas River was one dose of adrenaline to be remembered. Here’s why: A 5:30 wake-up call ushered me through the Sabah country-side heading towards the Beaufort train station. Upon arrival, I hopped on not just any train, but a steam locomotive from 19th century Borneo… an antique piece of machinery, say what! We browsed through the rural outskirts, saw some villages and got a glimpse of the Padas River peeking through the dense jungle foliage.  

  The words ‘Pulau Tiga’ is forever paired with ‘Survivor Island’, all from degree of fame it gathered from the filming of the Hit Reality Game Show ‘Survivor’ during their 1st ever season on the island itself, for those who don’t already know. Like all hidden gems far-flung from the city with a promising all-embracing scenery, the journey starts with a 7AM wake up call. By 7:30AM, I was already in a van being whisked through the rural interiors of Sabah heading to the Kuala Penyu Jetty.  

“TAMU” GAYA – Gaya Street Morning Market. If Kota Kinabalu has intrigued you one way or another, you might want to start the friendship right by an evening stroll down Gaya Street. It’s the epicenter of post WWII nostalgia. A row of 17 shop houses made Bond Street back in the day, the oldest strip on Gaya Street.. or to better put it, living history as nothing much has changed since their opening in the late 1940s.  

Meet the beautifully feisty Bornean Keeled Pit Viper, spotted by our guide Ryan while in the wilds of Sandakan. Its stunning colors & scales makes you feel like reaching out touch it, but don't, this is one venomous fella you don't want to mess with! Its a species of its own and loves to swallow arboreal rodents, birds & frogs.

How can you do your part in protecting the endangered species? A trip to Shangri-La Rasa Ria Nature Reserve! Everytime you visit the Nature Reserve, you play a part in protecting a 64 acre ecological space to help facilitate rehabilitation programmes for the endangered species endemic to Sabah. It would be a shame to see these fuzzy fellows lose their home, lets keep our earth lush & alive

Congratulations to our birding trio Belle, Eddy & Stephanie for winning 3rd place in the 7th Borneo Birds Race 2015! We had an amazing weekend dedicated to celebrating birds and their sensitive habitats. Till next year, feathered beauties of Borneo!

Whats for lunch? Oh, just an explosion of local aromatic flavors-- The delicious decadent delight, the Nasi Lemak. A pile of steamed rice infused with pandan leaves & coconut milk comes with a side of essential condiments such as, fried peanuts, anchovies, sliced cucumbers and half a hard boiled egg. Not forgetting the most important element, the 'Sambal' (chili-based sauce) that packs the punch. This dish remains to be the darling, pride & joy of every local. Your trip to Sabah would be incomplete without a Nasi Lemak experience!