Falling In Love with Kyrgyzstan

As the chilly wind brushed against my cheeks, I could feel the tears my eyes as I casted them to to my surroundings. I knew I had fallen in love with this place. The land offered so much quality in its resources and all unguarded for us enjoy. Coming from a race who deracinates everything for fortune, I was disarmed by Mother Nature's altruism. 

Endless carpets of grass stretched over the rolling hills following the contours of the undulating land and tucked into the sides of the river. The green on grass was more precious than emerald suggesting the cleanest air ever with the amount of chorophyll they displayed. Every blade of grass was tingling with pristine freshness. The blue river glistened under the showers of soft sunlight as it creates the most melodious gurgling with its white rapids. The sound of horses and cows grazing articulated the atmosphere while birds aptly adding notes of chirps. It was simply surreal to be in such an idylic surrounding. This place, I deem came straight from the Windows wallpaper. And to top it all, everything was raw and organic. Nothing was engineered other than my smartphone, and everything else I brought in the 4WD I came in. 

I suddenly questioned how did I settle for a life without being here all my life. All the ambitions and hussle in the city in exchange of being trapped behind the monitor and to breath gases from the exhaust pipes. What price do I have to pay to come to such a heavenly place for eternity? 

The beauty of green hills with running blue water accompanied by alluring spruce was the perfect illustration of heaven. Its beauty was ineffable. I naturally gave homage by observing silence and soaking it it all in. But no matter how much I identified as a sponge, I couldn't have enough of it.

I wondered if the city was this beautiful before the land was displaced by all the urbanization back in where I came from. The sight in front of me showed that the world indeed can be a better place without the interference of us humans who only bring destruction in the name of modernization. Entranced by the mountains, I was at the point of worship. Maybe these are the higher powers we need to believe in? The deference for nature to provide for us lowly beings.

A little distraction suddenly poked my fantasy - without an ounce of technology planted on these virgin lands, when the sun is done shining for the day, the cold must be bitter and the dark, dangerous. Would I be yearning to stay as much then? I couldn't help myself but to still say yes. In exchange of paradise, it could be worth it. Maybe a little tent, a traditional wood-burning stove and some man-made blankets won't hurt for survival. Aha! So this is is the genesis of nomad living. 

My head is still dizzy with yearning when I think of Krygyzstan- a wondrous country with literally green pastures and sky scrappers in the form of ice-capped mountains engineered by Mother Nature herself. I cannot forget the places so unearthly and surreal to people from my world. 

How to Choose the Right Bridal Shop for Pre-wedding Photography in Malaysia

First of all, congratulations and celebrations to you! 

If this article popped up as a result of your search then you most probably are expecting wedding bells to ring soon! 

Bridal shot of my parents

It is no doubt thrilling to finally have decided on investing in a pre-wedding photography for yourself and your loved one. Envisioning the perfect picture of you in that long awaited wedding gown or suit is indeed sweet until you come to the juncture of deciding which bridal shop to hire. With Instagram and Facebook providing a plethora of choiced for you from wedding gown rental to photographers, you might already know that choosing the best package for you might not be such a sweet dream. 

Do I sign up at wedding fairs?

Do I knock on the bridal shops?

Do I choose from the internet?

During your research on bridal shops, there is a high probability too that you have encountered rants on bridal shops with hidden fees or how they were 'forced' to spend more. This is especially a frustration and the violation of trust is definitely not good for returning business of the bridal shop. 

After experiencing my fair share of bridal shop trials and errors, I have formulated something I wished I knew earlier for brides/grooms-to-be. 

The best way, in my opinion, to choose a bridal shop is to:

1. first ask them for the price online to know what is in their package

2. then book an appointment to visit their bridal shop to look at their dresses (most entry into bridal shops are by appointments)

3. look at their photography

4. bargain for a price at the shop or at bridal fair after you have visited their store (bridal fair only if you know that they are participating in one)

Do not sign up for wedding packages during bridal fairs at first encounter!

This is because:

1. If you notice, it is extremely difficult to leave the table you are sharing with the sales person at bridal fairs. For some reason which I am still searching for, bridal shop sales persons will aggressively aim to close the sale there and then without giving you the chance to even peep at the next bridal shop. I wonder if it is the matter of lack of confidence in their own product or their sales motivation from company is potent.  

While I do admire their sales proficiency and silently wish I had these sales people working for my business, I have to say that bride and grooms-to-be have to be clear of what they want and not let their glib work their way through your waves of excitement for the wedding. 

2. The bridal gowns displayed at bridal fairs do not entirely represent the collection of gowns at their studio. The most beautiful and not to mention the premium designer range is usually on display to turn heads. 

When negotiating with bridal shops its best to know what is generally included in a package. 

Below is my survey for your reference. 

Please keep in mind that:

1. the below prices are offered to me in Q1 of 2022 and can differ from customer to customer depending on negotiations and seasonal offers.

 2. the cheapest do not necessarily mean the best as factors like quality, style, time taken etc has to be taken into consideration.

Items that are generally not included in bridal packages are:

1. stick-on bra

2. shoes for bride and groom

3. tickets for entry to shooting locations

4. extra props that require fee like horses, hot air balloon

5. meals during photoshoot

After surveying bridal shops, you might wonder if it is better to hire your own photographer, make-up artist (MUA) and rent your own gown ala carte from different vendors which you most probably also heard gives more satisfying results.

Well, I am not sure of the results but in my opinion, it does take a little more effort to arrange the vendors together and you can expect a higher fee in total for getting ala carte service. Don't take my word for it, you can call for quotes and pull out the calculator to see for yourself.

If you have a budget, you have to preservere with your budget as pretty things can easily carry one away when it comes to add-ons. Do set your priority when signing up for these bridal packages.

To me, most important is to have a good time during phototaking with your spouse and a beautiful master room wedding photo. The rest in the album are also wonderful as long as they don't stay hidden in the cupboard or in your hard drive. 

I wish you a happy pre-wedding bridal photoshoot session with your loved one 

and

CONGRATULATIONS!

Identifying the Real Essential Workers During MCO

When it comes to wages, they are called unskilled workers, defining them as using minimal intelectual abilities and ranging them in the lower income group. But when it comes to a crisis, they are called essential workers, leaving them working where it is most dangerous.

This is how humans categorize ourselves. The Covid-19 situation made it obvious which jobs truely matter when it comes to survival of humankind. Do we watch an NBA player or a footballer to get our food or to clear the garbage? Yet how is it that the so-called essential ones end up at the bottom of the salary range? Is physical strength not as worthy as the intellect that many selfish and conceited people have? Or we simply gave some jobs more privillege that they deserve based on our insatiable addiction which we call passion or interest.

Having dabbled in the waste management industry, I can testify that the contributions of a rubbish collector is tremendous yet under appreciated and taken for granted. The sacrifice of comfort and health is unseen. Just because they are less educated or under privileged, their hands deserve to be covered in filth? We don't see a fair allocation of compensation for workers that are truely important. Without the janitor, the storekeeper and the deliveryman, what is left of us.

Shopping In Times of Corona

Kerana Corona, I don’t sleep-in during weekends. I have no choice because it takes just a fraction of a minute to determine if I spend the rest of the day waiting for my turn to get into the supermarket. I drag myself out of bed to prepare myself to the battlefield of the Ketua Rumah kind before even taking breakfast. I strap that mask across my face and load up my disinfectant wipes. Trousers which will have to go straight into the washing machine after this trip, have to have pockets for me to slip in my credit cards, cash, handphone and contain my car keys. My handbag has forgotten how it is like to go out with me because I cannot risk having her touching things nearby especially if her owner can sometimes lose her grace. The hair has to be pinned up so that it doesn’t sweep on any surface. The night before, I will call for any last orders in the family because I will not be able return home till the dusk if I were to re-queue.

Despite the fuss of getting out of the house, I have to admit that ticking items off the shopping list is therapeutic. But the therapy is short-lived because checking out of the supermarket requires another heave of energy. Pushing items from the cart to the counter while making sure they don’t fall off the other end and keeping an eye of on the items scanned so that they won’t be mistakenly keyed in twice amid the heap of groceries that I created requires some effort. Then there is that moment when I have to dump everything into the trolley quickly so that I don’t keep the cashier and the next person in line waiting in frustration. After that only can I push the wobbly trolley to my car just to pass by a couple who decided to do grocery shopping in pairs.

Although grocery shopping is different now, it is nothing compared to what our frontliners are doing. I feel grateful that my basic necessities can still be met while gawking at the people who unabashedly flout the MCO rules.

The Conceit of Oil and Gas Workers

Over the years, the words "Oil and Gas" earned it's reputation as the Holy Grail of industries. If you have one foot in it, you are most probably marked for owning a thick wallet. Having "O&G" in the blurb of your businesses tantamount to an insignia on the shoulder and the prestige that comes with the industry gives an elevated impression during social mingling.

People who can call themselves coming from the oil and gas industry have been paid well for decades. The problem is, they think this privilege is going to last forever. The technological know-how of those who have gone to the rig have made them a demand, cultivating a sense of entitlement across all of them in the industry. "Pay up if you want me," has become their mentality.

Coming from the oil and gas industry myself, I cannot deny that one cannot turn into an expert overnight. Although it is understood that anybody from any industry would be wobbly at the top if there they did not pay their dues at the bottom, field experience is especially looked up upon in the oil and gas industry. Even if they had worn hardhats, boots and overalls, it is not impressive if it was a brief dabble. Which is why most of the experts in this industry are expected to have years of rig experience under their belt. Tacitly known as years sacrificed away from family, from civilization, from parties and celebrations. The forlorn moments of leaving on the boat or chopper to rigs in the middle of the ocean is generally believed to be too outlandish for societal beings.

However, missing out on so-called life is not uncompensated. Our oil and gas friends are on a pay scale that is head and shoulders above other industries'. So much so, that sometimes their compensation becomes pampering. After so long, pampering evolve into entitlement. For the uninitiated, they live in a bubble of contentment that they have found their endless source of cashflow. They are experts in their field but only in their field. They counted their chickens too early.

In 2015, I had the opportunity to witness how a dip in crude oil price collapsed many businesses and paralyzed individuals' financial stability that they have enjoyed for so long. Those who were spendthrift were caught in the muck of debts, finding themselves having to sell assets. Because of the niche nature of oil and gas jobs, many find themselves not being able to fit their expertise in other jobs. As learning new skill sets and acquiring new knowledge is not a challenge for people who can figure out how to extract oil from underneath the sea, there is one other thing that prevents them from surviving a recession.

It is called pride. The conceit that has been brewing under those rare rig knowledge and hefty paychecks disarms the most brilliant minds and survival skills. Reeking of arrogance, some who lost their jobs during the oil slump approached job applications by filling in the remuneration section with a price that is that is three times higher. Not only they have unrealistic salary demands, their knowledge outside the oil and gas field is as relevant as a junior's. Not understanding this situation or rather, not accepting this reality is a double edged sword. It can either force them to venture into entrepreneurship or like some of my friends, stay unemployed indefinitely until an employer matches their demand or wait until the industry recovers because taking a pay cut and a downgrade in lifestyle is apparently too much to bear.

While I understand that it hurts when you have to settle for a Casio rather than a Rolex that you never had to think twice to buy before, it is really time to come back down to earth when necessary. Your child doesn't need a BMW to go to school. It doesn't take a pandemic to teach us that nothing is guaranteed. The only constant is change. There is a Chinese saying that literally translates to "Get down on the ground and walk when the horse dies". There will be times when an industry thrives and sets. Materials come and go. The only thing that stays is resilience. No one said that grit needs 'face'. There's nothing wrong for a rig manager being a delivery boy. The more humble you are when you are in the clouds, the easier you will grasp resilience when you fall.

In the Time of Covid-19- The Invisible Enemy

I thought I lived an ordinary life until I witnessed the whole world swallowed by a ruthless virus. It knows no geological boundary, no social ranking, no race. I saw one country after another going on lockdowns, sacrificing economy and freedom because of this virus. For once, I felt that we were battling the same thing not as a gender, a race or a nation but as humans all together. If I survive, I lived through a battle with a magnitude bigger than that of the world wars. If that is ordinary, then I don't know what is. 

For almost three months, the word C-O-R-O-N-A has been perching on my ears everyday if not everytime I am connected to the media. From just reading the news about the virus coming from people eating bats in Wuhan, to hearing it hit Malaysian shores, to knowing that I can be the next victim, I observe the change of sentiments in me.

Like many, in late February, I was merely an acknowledger of the virus and only dabbled in some gossips. The virus seemed far away and there were many other important things than sanitizing the hands. And then, statistics reared its head and I was beginning to hear about cases sprouting closer to my home and my work place. I stopped going to the gym all together no matter how much I craved for a sauna. But still, the mask was not a part of my attire. 

The media was very quick. In early March, my phone space was quickly filled with videos and images about the 'prickly ball'. The Corona topic emerge frequently in my Whatsapp groups. Information was ubiquitous about what it is, how it spreads, how to prevent it and how much damage it has done. Suddenly, it is imposibble not to disinfect my hands. Hand sanitizers are as common as trashcans in every corner of facilities. Hand sanitizer companies are pumped in production and not to mention share price. Meanwhile, surgical face mask becomes a priced commodity and a statement that things are not getting any better. Touching my face is no longer a sign of self love but a threat to my ownself. That is how our new enemy gains access to the respiratory system.

Mid March, I heard news that the government was getting advice from experts calling for a lockdown. Many of us had no clue what a lockdown is but before I knew it, there were photos of empty shelves and long queues at the supermarket. On 16th March 2020, the Prime Minister announced a Movement Control Order. It felt like the government was forced to trade off the already feeble economy. But it had to be done before more lives are taken. None of us were familiar with that order and I suspect even the government themselves were still figuring out the details. There was a foray at supermarkets like there was no tomorrow, literally.



The partial lockdown meant that people have to stay home unless they are part of the essential services workforce or they have to buy groceries. Panic buying developed among the public. People have been told that panic buying will only cause the disease to be rampant but it was like telling them to forgo a 90% sale. When I heard that grocery shopping is still allowed, I told my family that we will eat what is left on the shelf.

Two weeks have passed since the implementation of MCO. The enemy cannot be seen but definitely made its presence felt with 39,566 deaths worldwide. Nothing else matters in the news other than the battle against COVID-19. Everywhere we turn, we hear about the enemy that made us look like we were wearing shields and gears against ghosts. From work to entertainment to food, every aspect of people's lives have changed drastically. We have to adapt to the new normal. Only the invisible enemy could do it so perfectly and quickly. I barely hear the sound of a car passing by my house anymore, only delivery bikes. There is no need to fuss about matching shoes to work or being left out in gatherings. If it was not easy for some eateries to survive before this, it won't be too difficult to guess how they will withstand the effects of the pandemic this time. Every business is finding a way to reach out to their customers online. The online virus is the only virus we are glad to get now.

We begin to notice that being locked at home is not the worst. Daily wage workers begin to lose their source of income. As if it is not bad enough living from hand to mouth, they have to rely on savings they never had to survive the mere 2 weeks. Not only dine-ins are closed, hairdressers, tailors, boutiques have to shut doors. New businesses just had to receive the bombshell with the little notice they recieved. Nothing is in the order we are used to anymore. We see how dependent or independent people are on things we never could imagine. Having said that, opportunity in times of adversity do happen. Tiktok, Netflix, Gardenia bread and any brands that bring products usable indoors see a spurt of growth.

While some are quick to obey the order, some are not shy to flout. The authorities cannot afford to have the ignorant and foolish to be vectors of the disease as if the virus continues to manifest, the country might as well be prepared to pile up dead bodies. The MCO is strengthened and extended for another 2 weeks. Roadblocks are rigourous. Summonses and jail sentences await those who travel more than 10 km of their houses and caught wandering without a substantial reason. We saw that the police showed no signs of relentlessness in operations. So much so that some are infected themselves.

The crisis brought out the best and the worst of humanity. While staying at home, peering at the world through the media, we hear that doctors and healthcare workers are overworked and falling sick. There is no doubt that the frontliners are putting their lives out there to keep people alive. There are also heartwarming stories of people preparing food for people whose lives are grazed by predicament. My own friend stepped out of her comfort zone to volunteer as a lab assistant. Upon being chosen, she messaged us and from her words, we could imagine she was leaping for joy to be able to contribute in the battle against the deadly virus. Local designers also emerged to volunteer to sew scrub suits for the additional volunteers.

While the good surfaced, the worst also followed. Scammers pounced at the opportunity in the midst of donation drives while robbers lure civilians with the precious 3 ply face masks. Complaining is the other virus that has been attacking people and I doubt there is a cure for that too. The rich hoard food at the grocery stores just for the pleasure of their eyes leaving empty racks for the rest. They make envious posts on social media while the poor eats rice with sugar. With the war going on, we realize that what keep us safe surviving is the roof above our head and food on the table. 

It doesn't take a genius to know that we humans are the most formidable creatures on earth. The abuse we brought to nature eventually made her spew back in retaliation. Could this be the biggest  correction Earth made to heal herself?It's not surprising that humans are the very culprit of it all. When we hear news of the Himalayan mountains in sight from Jalandhar the first time in nearly 30 years and the canals become clearer in Venice, there is not much defence the humans can use. As tourists, do we really care about how harassed the turtle is just to make a good pic for the Gram? Do we care where the facemasks end up in? This pandemic whips us with lessons and punishments that no court is powerful enough to sentence. So many lives taken. What else can make us stay out of the streets, out of the skies and waters so quickly and effectively.

If we still don't learn from it, then there isn't much hope left for us, is there?

The Result of Hoarding at Times of Covid-19

My heart aches as I look at the photo that was taken by a very discerning eye. Two perfectly unopened loaves of bread just thrown away! This is what happens when you literally bite off more than you can chew.

Hoarding is a truely selfish act. It means you rather have those extra food to satisfy your eyes than to let others eat!

If even corona virus cannot teach them kindness, tell me what can. I cannot help feeling at times that humans bring all these upon ourselves.

2 unopened loaves of bread spotted in the dustbin
Photo from https://www.worldofbuzz.com/dont-hoard-food-two-unopened-loaves-of-gardenia-bread-were-found-thrown-into-rubbish-bin/?fbclid=IwAR3SQMPt51ee_qeiR_kEPduuC1j0tAC0l6GRBHguW-XZJPNdCZsoPKekPpE

View original article in https://www.worldofbuzz.com/dont-hoard-food-two-unopened-loaves-of-gardenia-bread-were-found-thrown-into-rubbish-bin/?fbclid=IwAR3SQMPt51ee_qeiR_kEPduuC1j0tAC0l6GRBHguW-XZJPNdCZsoPKekPpE

The Lady Who Shouted Idiot at The Cops at Times of Covid-19

This morning, I woke up to this surprising news. There are people who still don't know the magnitude of the situation? We hear news about staying home daily and countless explainations on how the virus spreads for 2 months now. And yet, there are people from the supposedly educated area driving from Kota Damansara to Taman Megah. What's worse, she actually has zero respect for frontliners calling them idiots! The police have been tirelessly honoring their role to main order and putting themselves out of shelter to help the nation battle against the invisible enemy. The thought of complaining about roadblocks is uncalled for. Let alone shout foul words at them.

Picture from The Star

This ungrateful human obviously does not have a grain of concern for anyone else other than herself. I can only imagine how absurd her frustration is at times like this! Not to mention, the amount of shame she brought her family with such manners. If my daughter was like this, I'd smack the conscience out of her thick skull.

What saddens me even more is that there are a group of people defending this lady in The Star Instagram comments saying that it was merely shouting and the police have taken it too far by arresting her. Unbelievably, there is not only one of her in existance. Some of them could possibly be parents. If so, my heart goes out to their children for having such parents as examples. Some of the comments audaciously stated that the police should have expected such response and tolerated it. I cannot help feeling sorry for Malaysia for having people with such mentality. These are the people who set fire to the stack of hay gathered by others.

Click on the link below to read more:
https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2020/04/01/motorist-who-shouted-at--cops-during-roadblock-held
.
#covid19 #begrateful #dudukrumah #dudukdirumah #respect #ewensopinion #stayhome #stayathome #playourpart #dontbefoolishandrude

When Corona Virus Conspires with Poverty and Hunger Against Humans

The Covid19 lockdown is most probably the worst thing that some of us have to endure in our lifetime. Footprints restricted to the compounds of the house, now likened to a penitentiary. Recreation freedom is curtailed. Food stock is to be rationed within the family. Grocery shopping becomes a pain, requiring extra gear of masks and gloves before leaving home, abundance of patience during and thorough sanitazation after. Boredom expedites your slow 'death'. You actually know the amount of grains in your rice jar. You are out of fresh movies on Netflicks. Such a torture staying home. Can anything be worse?

The so called "torture" you are facing is luxury to some. Daily wage workers experience this adversity in ways fixed salary workers can never imagine. What seem to be a frustration to those who have a roof above their heads is what some can only dream of. Those living from hand to mouth find their survival system collapsing. Unpaid rents and bills force them onto the streets. Without shelter, there is not much of staying home that can be done, exposing them to illnesses. It doesn't take the notorious Covid19 to claim their lives. Those hanging on the brink of health have to endure hunger. People with hands that roll breads everyday have to beg for bread now. Forget about medicine and health supplements when all they can afford is to line up for food from the government. They may not even survive for the virus to reach them.

#covid19 #poverty #hunger #lockdown #quarantine #stayhome #dontcomplain #stayathome #virus #opinion #feelblessed #thankful #behumble

I Left My Heart in Sabah

I left my heart in Sabah. As I ate amplang that I bought from the night market in Bandar Kim Fung, I reminisce the beautiful smiles of the people of Sabah. The warmth and friendliness I experienced in Borneo is an attraction itself that people should notice. The Borneo part of Malaysia gives the country another dimension that is different from the Peninsular. So much so that even Peninsular Malaysians like yours truely find foreign. 

Having travelled quite a bit across the world, I find that Southeast Asians are still one of the most welcoming people you can find in the world. And within Southeast Asia, Malaysian hospitality is one of the best. With qualities of individualism being more popular, it is not easy photographing people for my blog or request for exceptions and special arrangements in Western countries. The right to privacy is spat right at your face. Even belongings and pets are protected. This attitude is creeping into Kuala Lumpur and other major cities in Asia.

Sabahans on the other hand, are not armed with such aloofness. Instead of questioning you if you are sharing your drink, Sabahans will actually fetch you another empty cup. Instead of turning down a request to be photographed, Sabahans will actually smile for you.

Such vulnerability is our asset. Hopefully we are not taken advantage of our warmth.

Leaving Sabah with a heavy heart

The fishermen actually told his sons to smile for my camera

Heartwarming

Friendliness at the Sandakan Food Fest. 

This market vendor poses for me without charge or posing an obligation to buy from him

The vegetable seller just lets me 

This lady gave me a sample of her tuak and smiled as I walk away without buying.
I returned later to buy a cup because of her sincere smile. 

She was actually honoured that I took a pic of her in action

Gary, always so humble and accomodating

Till next time Sabah!

The Sabah Series
Sandakan Food and Agriculture Fest 2019 in Sandakan, Sabah
Tabin Wildlife Reserve and Resort in Lahad Datu, Sabah
Myne Resort by the Kinabatangan River in Sandakan, Sabah
Orang Utan Rehabilitation and Sun Bear Conservation Centres in Sepilok, Sabah
Sepilok Nature Resort in Sandakan, Sabah
Where to Go and Attractions in Sandakan Town, Sabah
Seafood at Restoran Pasir Putih Baru in Sandakan, Sabah
San Da Gen Kopitiam in Sandakan, Sabah
I Left My Heart in Sabah

Orang Utan Rehabilitation and Sun Bear Conservation Centres in Sepilok, Sabah

"If you like a flower, you pluck it. If you love a flower, you water it"

When someone takes a baby orangutan from its natural habitat or keep a sun bear as pet on the pretext of 'loving nature', it is simply despicable. For if you truely love nature, you will let them thrive happily, freely and naturally. At Sepilok Sabah, we met people who define the meaning of love for these orangutans and sun bears.

While you are in the Sepilok area, take the opportunity to visit:

1. Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre

2. Borneo Sun Bear Conservation Centre

3. the lush Sepilok Nature Resort 

4. Rainforest Discovery Centre for a little walk

Scroll down till the end to know more.

Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre

Keeping an orangutan in your home is not cute and is prosecutable. They are the human's closest cousin. Just like us, their young depend heavily on the mother for 7-10 years to learn survival. Should she die due to deforestation or killed so that the baby is kidnaped as pets, the little one has little chance of survival anyway. Because orphaned orangutans has grown to an alarming number, a rehabilitation centre is set up in Sepilok in 1964.

Known as 'the man of the jungle', orangutans share 96.4% of the human DNA and are often marvelled at for their intelligence. They are endemic to Borneo and Sumatra and the only great ape out of Africa. Therefore, whenever you are in Borneo, get yourself bewildred by them. Looking at them through an observation room, I found myself immersed in their antics.

Although this is not a zoo, the public can visit the orangutans at a small cost of RM5. Rehabilitating an orangutan requires RM8000 per year. Donations and volunteers are always welcomed at this centre.

For more information, visit http://www.wildlife.sabah.gov.my/?q=en/content/sepilok-orangutan-rehabilitation-centre/ and
FB page https://www.facebook.com/pages/Sepilok-Orangutan-Rehabilitation-Centre/161404184412777

Orangutan at the Sepilok Rehabilitation Centre

Who's the ape?

This place attracts visitors from all around the world

Entry fees that contributes to the orangutans' welfare could be underpriced compared to the efforts by the centre

No items other than the handphone is allowed in the cenre. Which means water bottles and bags are to be kept in lockers. Lockers are free.

Feeding time is 10am and 3pm. Food will be placed on the viewing platform to attract them for a good view.
Other habitants are not rejected from the platform though.

Food on the platform is insufficient for the orangutans. However, mother apes come to get food from the platform when she cannot find enough food in the forest.

Agile juveniles

Orangutan is 4 times stronger than humans

Look at how their fingers and toes are adapted to swinging

Enjoying food

Orangutan chart size

Palm size compared to human's

Orangutans are arboreal animals which means they live on trees. Everyday, they build a fresh nest to rest on

Adorable orangutans

Baby orangutans are just like human babies!

Things that were stolen taken by the orang utans. As this is not a zoo, they are not caged and can reach out to you. Human things can be dangerous to them. Think 2-year-old kids who have no clue.
But do not fear as they won't happen that easily. I was not approached by any.  

They have their individuality too. Just like humans.

Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre (BSBCC)

Unbeknown by many, the smallest bear in the world is also under threat! Sun bears are often mistaken as dogs and because of its cuteness, this bear is often poached to be kept as pets and attractions in farms. All the bears in this conservation centre are ex-pets!

This bear is special to us because they are only found in the South East Asian regions and Sabah is home to many. Unlike other bears on Earth, they do not hibernate. 

While you are there, don't forget to lookout for Papa Bear! Dr. Wong Siew Te is the founder of the conservation and protects the bears with all his heart. He is a wildlife biologist and stumbled upon the need for sun bear conservation by chance. He instantly clicked with the bears and his passion for ensuring their survivall has grown ever since. 

At a mere cost of RM5.30, it is extremely worth it to take a look at the cute bears and Papa Bear's efforts as it is located just opposite the Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre. All proceeds of fee and sales at the centre will aide the  conservation activities.

For more information, visit https://www.bsbcc.org.my/ and
FB page https://www.facebook.com/sunbear.bsbcc/

The Sun Bear Conservation centre is located just opposite the Orangutan rehabilitaion centre in Sepilok

Mary, the very endearing one

Minimal fee to enter

Dr. Wong Siew Te

They do look like dogs from afar

Don't even think of calling out to the bears there because that is only the right of Papa Bear!

Having a siesta

Sepilok Nature Resort

After the visit to the rehabilitation and conservation centres, reward yourself with delectable lunch with a verdant view to match.

Bask in the pleasure of being surrounded by plants and vegetation at the Sepilok Nature Resort. Whether for stay or for meals, its surroundings breathes a refreshing vibe into you. This resort not only adopts plants in its interior but also incorporates stylish interior settings using elements of wood and fabric. Taking a break from the unruly wild, the resort allows you to be intimate with nature at the comfort of modernity.

Rainforest Discovery Centre, Sepilok

While you are at Sepilok visiting the orangutans and sun bears, do take the opportunity too to delve into the richness of flora and fauna at the Sepilok Rainforest Discovery Centre. Just a 20-minute walk from the orangutan rehabilitation centre, you will find one of the top environmental educational centres in Sabah and the access to the 4300 ha (a gigantic block!) Sepilok-Kabili Forest Reserve managed by the Sabah Forestry Department.

It is home to a wealth of flora and fauna and mainly used for research and learning.  Be among the arboreal animals by gallivanting on the 375m elevated walkway or perch on the observation towers to watch the birds. Known to be a safer alternative than the wild, it is also a favourite among hikers for the fresh air is excellent.

Those who like a green backdrop in their Instagram or a hike also flock here as the environment is truely organic. A scenery from this place is also adopted on the cover of the Sabah Travel Catalogue 2019.

Rainforest Discovery Cenre

This scene is featured on the cover of Sabah Travel Catalogue 2019

Appreciate nature on the canopy walk

How many birds can you spot?

The Sabah Series
Sandakan Food and Agriculture Fest 2019 in Sandakan, Sabah
Tabin Wildlife Reserve and Resort in Lahad Datu, Sabah
Myne Resort by the Kinabatangan River in Sandakan, Sabah
Orang Utan Rehabilitation and Sun Bear Conservation Centres in Sepilok, Sabah
Sepilok Nature Resort in Sandakan, Sabah
Where to Go and Attractions in Sandakan Town, Sabah
Seafood at Restoran Pasir Putih Baru in Sandakan, Sabah
San Da Gen Kopitiam in Sandakan, Sabah
I Left My Heart in Sabah

Search for these hashtags to see more of the event on social media:

#VisitMalaysia2020 #VM2020 #MalaysiaTrulyAsia #CutiCutiMalaysia
#SyiokOSabah #SabahOKbah #visitsandakan #makansandakan
#experiencesandakan
#theWILD #theSAVOURY #theSTORIES #sandakanfoodfest #foodieSandakan
#TourismMalaysia #MalaysianHospitality #maswingmates