First Rafting Experience at Kiulu River, Sabah

Rafting was never in our to-do-list, ever, until our sister Jenny recommended it to us. She said that it was fun and full with excitement. Since we never step our foot on a raft before and we just needed to pay RM50 per person, with lunch included, so why not take a try? 

Kiulu River is around 45 km from Kota Kinabalu. It can be accessed through the nearest village, Tamparuli, on the way from Kota Kinabalu to Mount Kinabalu National Park. From KK, we drove 1 hour and 15 minutes to the rafting company, and then, the company staff brought us to the starting point, which was another 15 minutes upstream. 

From our experience, the place was not easy to reach even with GPS, unless you know the place really well. Following a tour or rafting company from KK or Tamparuli should be the better choice for tourists. However, if you don't mind to drive, please make sure you bring a most up-to-date map or GPS, and of course, with the reservation done earlier.

For us, we did our reservation few months earlier with Poturidong Tengah Bundu Camping Site. The general manager Alson Kangit (013-8145668; alson_kangit@yahoo.com) was working in medical field before he gave up his job in the hospital and embraced one of his hobbies- rafting. The price offered by him was unbeatable- RM 40 per person for rafting, and RM 10 per person for lunch at the camping site, and RM 50 for one CD containing professional photos taken by Alson himself. By the way, Jenny had joined a few rafting activities with the company before. The whole rafting took us 1 hour 45 minutes. We were served with simple but delicious buffet lunch after that.

Rafting means we have to deal with water, rapid, stones, and a lot of sunlight. Water resistant sun block is a must or else, will be roasted by merciless sun. Safety gadgets such as life jacket and helmet are required as well, and provided by the rafting company without extra charge. We were briefed by our guide on how to paddle, stabilize ourselves, some simple commands, and general safety precaution before we dipped our feet into the freezing cold water.

Well, the journey started in relax and calm.

Then, with challenges ahead.

Paddles were uplifted when we rafting down the rapid to avoid hitting the stones, while enjoying the fast and furious.

Getting wet was inevitable, especially when we cruised down the rocky rapid.

Took a break when the river turned less rocky.

When we reached the slow flowing stretch of river, we need to start paddling to keep moving.

We were not alone. We were greeted by several other groups when we headed downstream. Splashing the cold water with our paddles to other raft was another way to say "hello".

Poturidong Tengah Bundu Camping Site provided a good service to us, with relatively low price. The guide was very informative and helpful. With his encouragement, we experienced swimming in Kiulu river, body rafting, slamming the rock with the raft, and capsizing the raft. He shared his experience and his life as a villager living along the river as well. The lunch contained three main dishes- curry chicken, fried fish, and stir fried vegetable, with rice and beverage. It was simple but enough to refill our energy.

This is the camping site where visitors could stay with RM10 per night, with only accommodation provided.

The road lead to Kiulu was small (upper left), the dining hall with strong village-feel (upper right). The entrance of the camping site was marked by the white house (lower left). One thing that we wished to comment- the toilets and the bathrooms were a bit too simple.

Rafting was a great experience, especially when it came with low prices. For those who wish to raft around but unwilling to spend big money on it (like us), then Kiulu River might be a place for you. By the way, Kiulu River only good enough to provide grade 1 and 2 of challenge. Grade 3 and 4 are available at Beaufort.

In case you are curious like us about the usage of  "whitewater" in rafting, whitewater in fact refers to the rapid flowing water which is disturbed to form white colour.  There are 6 grades in rafting, which grade 5 is very risky and 6 is illegal in some places.

For more about our sharing Sabah, please read our previous posts:

[Paradise Island Next to the City] [Lok Kawi Wildlife Park] [Kota Kinabalu]

[Food in Kota Kinabalu] [KK Shopping Guide] [Hotel in KK]

[All Our Destinations]

Sibu Airport is Now Upgraded

We were proud of Sibu airport the moment we walked through the pier. We has been using the airport for many years.  The new facelift- futuristic design and fully air conditioned building is undoubtedly giving warm welcome message to all the visitors. To be frank, it is far better than many major airports in South East Asia region. I is a luxury for a town of 200k population.  The new upgraded airport building was officially operational in 2012. From the tourists' point of view- we like it very very much!

 Spacious check-in area.

Ample seat for visitors, with a few shops available for last minute shopping. Sugar Bun was available to provide meals and snacks.

 Fully air conditioned shopping and waiting area for visitors.

 Departure hall with sufficient seat for everyone.

 Cafe in the departure hall.

 Pick up and drop off area with a few transparent cover to save the lighting cost.

Taxi stand was just outside of the airport gates, with taxis lined up and ready to serve. The fare, RM 35 to Sibu town area. We didn't take bus in Sibu for more than 20 years. However, according to Lonely Planet, bus from Sibu Airport to town was available every 30 minutes, from 6 am to 6 pm. Beside taxi service, car rental service and tour service were available as well.

Sibu Airport is no more a nightmare for air traveller (believe us, it was really a terrible place). Cozy full air conditioned environment, ample of seat, systematic and easy to read signage, eateries and a few shops altogether make Sibu Airport now a comfortable place for a few hours stay. Free public Wifi? Not available yet. (Free Wifi is available in 2018, tested and confirmed by both of us)

Want to read more about our experience in Sibu? Please visit the links below.

[Attractions in Sibu] [A Day Trip in Sibu] 

[Food and Accommodation in Sibu]

[All Our Destinations]

Farm in the City- a Great Place with Cute and Tame Animals

At first, we couldn't believe where the farm is- Equine Park, Seri Kembangan, behind Giant Hypermarket... if it is true, then the farm should be surrounded by well developed residential and commercial areas. Well, as the name portrayed- Farm in the City, it is really a farm right in the middle of modern concrete buildings and highways. 

The entrance fees for MyKad holders were RM 30 for adult and RM 25 for child and senior citizen. Without MyKad, the entrance fees were RM 48 for adult and RM 38 for child and senior citizen. The complete address of the farm: Jalan Prima Tropika Barat, Bandar Putra Permai, Seri Kembangan. The operation hours for the farm were 10 am - 6 pm on weekdays, and 9:30 am - 6 pm on weekends and public holidays. The farm was closed on Tuesday except on public holiday.

We reached there at around 12 noon and stayed in the farm for more than 3 hours. The experience was good- we could actually touch, pet, and took close photos with almost all the animals in the farm. We were prohibited to bring outside food into the farm for the animals. For feeding, the animal food was available free of charge. Feeding time for some carnivorous animals and the schedule for animal show were available in the farm. Well, time to show our photos.

The signage to the farm was clearly displayed (upper left), which led us to a open space with a large "Downtown" entrance (upper right). There was ample of parking space (lower left). After the entrance, we need to turn right to enter the farm.

Our photo at the entrance of the farm.

The farm was very well landscaped. Photos showed the stairs right after the entrance (upper left), the giant tortoise exhibit (upper right), the farmer's hut by the lake (lower left), and the family resting area.

We could see the rare and exotics- albino crow (upper left), naturally white macaw (upper right), albino python, and Indian star back tortoise.

The members of old MacDonald's farm- big fat hen (upper left), pigeon (upper right), geese (lower left), and goats.

Of course, the cute animals were always the stars. We have Prairie dogs (upper left), Fennec Fox (upper right), the Flemish giant rabbit (lower left), and the striped skunk.

And of course, this super cute Prairie dog was one of the most eyes catching superstar!

The best thing about the farm- we could pet and touch the cuteness-overloaded animals :)

Parrots were very active.

There were many things to do- feeding and petting rabbits, deers, and giant tortoises were just a few of them. We could experience the moment of catching fish in longkang (drain) as well. These activities were "all included" without extra changes.

It is a great place for family, especially with kids. Experiencing close contact with various animals is invaluable. Just a rough count on feeding grounds- Aldabra and Sulcata tortoises at the Turtle and Tortoise Farm, rabbits and guinea pigs at the Pet Village, deers and goats at the Savanna, a cow at the Vegetables and Fruit Farm, and the fish and ducks beside the pond. All the animal food were free of charge.

We really need to put a thumb up for all the helpful and friendly farm keepers. They provided not only the information about the animals, but helped in distributing animal food to the visitors. They were animal lovers. We could see that from how they treated the animals. The farm was clean, but of course, couldn't be 100 % free of the smell of the animals.

To have an enjoyable trip, sufficient drinking water and comfortable footwear are necessary. Do allocate at least 3 hours for a relaxing tour around the farm. During our visit, the drink was available only at the canteen. There were flowing streams to be crossed, but the stepping stones were just nice to keep our feet dry. Throughout the trip, three of us just recorded with only one mosquito's bite, so it might not necessary for us to apply any mosquito repellent.

The Pet Village with rabbits and guinea pigs (upper left), the Savanna with tame deers, two world second smallest kangaroos, and two very naughty goats (upper right), fish feeding site (lower left), and the counter of the canteen.

Ducks came to share the food with fish.

The food at the canteen was nice. We tried tom yam with noodle, kampung fried rice, and mixed rice with drinks. The price, around RM10 per person. The canteen had an air conditioned section, which was fully booked during our visit. The open air section was very simple, but there were enough ceiling fans to keep us away from afternoon heat. The whole farm was heavily shrubbed so umbrella was necessary in case of raining only.

It will be perfect if the entrance fees can be a bit cheaper, and the toilets, a bit cleaner (of course, we couldn't really complain much about farm's toilets). And, the Vegetable and Fruit Farm need a bit more improvement. Visit again? Definitely.

Our sharing on attractions in Selangor are available at:

[National Zoological Park] [All Our Destinations]