But that morning it was peace and quiet, only a few gardener there cleaning the place up, and tidy the place. I wanted to go visit the museum, and in the map it pointed right where I'm standing. But I just can't seems to find which is the museum building. So I asked them, they are very helpful, and starts to look at the map with me. And pointed a building just opposite the road.
Share with you my experience and joy on the magnificient outdoor life in Borneo 和你分享我的探险故事与经验,带你一起探险婆罗洲
Labuan Trip - Dataran Labuan and Labuan Museum (post 11 of 12)
But that morning it was peace and quiet, only a few gardener there cleaning the place up, and tidy the place. I wanted to go visit the museum, and in the map it pointed right where I'm standing. But I just can't seems to find which is the museum building. So I asked them, they are very helpful, and starts to look at the map with me. And pointed a building just opposite the road.
Labuan Trip - The Labuan Botanical Garden (post 10 of 12)
I looked at my map, and I almost finish visited most of the tourist attraction. I reached the Labuan Botanical Garden at around 5pm, the park is already packed with people. Most of them went for evening jog.
The garden located very near to the town, with just about five minutes of car drive and you're there already. Back in Kuching, my residen park is only 3 min walking distance away from my place ;)
The Botanical Gardens is a recreational park with old trees and beautiful landscaping. And legend has it that a guy name Hugh Low, the Colonial Secretary for many years did much of the early work on that garden, many of the older trees were planted by him. And his house was completely destroyed during the war... pity guy.
Just when I was about to take a jog in the park, it starts to drizzling. Oh man... So i quickly head back to my bike, and ride back to my hotel. Therefore I didn't manage to take lots of pictures here, and I'll share with you on some of the pictures I took.
-- to be continue --
Full Trip Reports:
Labuan Trip - The Chimney Labuan (post 9 of 12)
Situated on a rise at Tanjung Kubong is the famous ‘Chimney’, a 106 feet high red brick stack believed to be linked to the coal mining days of Labuan. The Chimney, 106 feet tall, was made from more than 23,000 pieces of red bricks imported from England. The bricks layering and works are typical of British style, and it was build in the 1800’s.
I parked my scooter on a shady place next to the entrance, and I look at the bike side mirror. Oh my face are so red!!! The Sun really did its job well by burning me slowly. But since I’m already there, might as well just go with the flow, so I did not enter the chimney museum first, but go visited the big old chimney.
The ‘Chimney’ was long thought to be nothing more than a ventilation shaft. However, recent findings revealed that there were no traces of smokes or burning to suggest its use as a chimney as popularly believed. Careful digging has revealed at least 12 layers of bricks beneath the surface. The structure sits firmly on a large tract of limestone rock containing rich kaolin or porcelain clay, which provided the strong foundation.
So i’m really impress on the people back then, they don’t have the technology that we’re using now, yet still can build a building which can last for decade. If you see our country now, some of the project they even not yet finish building it, and we already can see shit happens.
Ok ok, back to my story. So the ‘Chimney’ is still very much a mystery until today. Various hypothesis has been put forward to its purpose. Some said it was an unfinished mansion. While others said it was a light house beaconing passing ships.
In its heyday, a thriving settlement was built at the sea front area below the Chimney. It was then used as a bell tower to announce the arrival of ships to the residents below. It has become an intriguing riddle that fascinates locals and visitors alike.
Now after the Chimney, I then visited the Chimney Museum. So this Chimney Information Center’s building is located just next to the Chimney itself, and according to my research, its known during the British occupational period as Cool Point.
So now its functions as a site museum which will exhibit and inform of the history of Tanjung Kubong, especially the history of coal mining which began in 1847 through 1911. Inside the place they have a lot of pictures, mini models mining truck, workers, and equipments they used back then.
So now its functions as a site museum which will exhibit and inform of the history of Tanjung Kubong, especially the history of coal mining which began in 1847 through 1911. Inside the place they have a lot of pictures, mini models mining truck, workers, and equipments they used back then.
From the model that they build, I can see its really hard to be a coal miner. The environment you work is dark, hot, humid, dirty and danger. And I think even until today, the condition will be more or less the same. So pity these people, to survive... to have food on the table, this is the way of life.
But I got so tired, and almost every picture I took it turns out blur. So sorry guys, no good pictures here to share with you.
Up until now, I’ve been riding, visiting, walking non stop since that morning when I reach Labuan. I’m hot, I’m sweating, I’m thirsty, hungry, got sunburn... I need a place to cool down and rest. So far I’ve covered ⅗ of Labuan. I’ll just move on while its still bright.
-- to be continue --
Full Trip Reports:
Labuan Trip - The Labuan Bird Park (post 8 of 12)
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My next stop is the Labuan Bird Park. The entrance fees is 3 bucks for adults and 1 buck for kid per entrance, and the ticket lady told me if this month is my birth month, I can go into the park for free “nice”!!!
Labuan Bird Park located on a 6.9 hectares of land with a futuristic looking dome structure complemented by a traditionally shaped timber building.
Strategically situated at Tanjung Kubong, 16km, North of Labuan Town, the park lies next to a century old, but historical and significant coal mining chimney which itself is tourist landmark. I will post about that in my next post.
I visited the Penang Bird Park before (click here to read), and don’t like it there. The Penang Bird park is expensive, boring, and the owner is rude and impolite.
Silver Pheasant
Long Tail Parakeet
Inland Collared Dove
Huey, Dewey, and Louie... wait a min, where's Louie?
Louie is that you?
Its time for some haircut..
Labuan Bird Park is home to many species of Borneo birds only likely to be encountered deep in the forests of Borneo. There are plans to collect a good percentage of the 580 species of birds found in Borneos diverse habitats.
In the park, it also have a playground which is for kids to play. And I start my visit by entering the Bird Sanctuary Area, it has 3 geodesic domes. And inside the dome, they planted a lots of trees, flowers, build cage to keep some of the birds separated.
My dear reader, when you are inside the dome, there will be birds flying above you, and be careful cause they will drop ‘bomb’ from above. For me, the ‘bomb’ nearly hit me -_-” luckily I know kungfu, and can avoid.
Just next to the dome, they have a aviary houses which avian birds of all species, it also serve as an information center. But sadly its not well maintain, as the stuff are old, dusty, and no one was there to look after the stuff when I visited. I wanted to visit the toilet to pay my water bill, but the door was locked too, so how am I going to pay my water bill?!?! directly on the plant nearby?
They have 3 ostrich there, and they are really huge!!! Taller than me, I tried to trow some food for them (the leave I pick from nearby) but they don’t want to eat it.. sigh..
What I like the most if the Myna Birds, as they can imitate human voice. Some of them knows how to say Hello, how are you, I love you, and a few simple Chinese word. One of my visit to Bintagor (click here to read) my friend raise it too at the back of his house. So if you have a Myna Bird, what will you teach the bird to say?
The peacocks just run freely inside the park, but when I tried to get closer to them they will run away. I was hoping that they will show off their beautiful tail feathers, but the don’t.
Hey, what'da ya looking at!!!
Full Trip Reports:
Labuan Trip - Creepy Abandoned Building (post 7 of 12)
While I was happily riding my scooter along the coat line, I passed by a small town. Not much people here, and the wired thing is there are a few building, but some of them looks like been abandoned.
I then start to roam around the place, it looks like a theater. There is a stage in front, and steps formation of path way for people to sit on.
The place are full of dirt, and rubbish. Usually this place will be utilize by the people who is on drugs. I then keep on exploring the place, hope to be able to find something related to drugs. But didn't manage to fine any... however, when I went to the back stage, I saw this...
Its a wash room, where on the basin I saw there are women panties. It really gives me the goosebumps when I saw it, it might be black magic? or some rape case happen here before? or people just make out here? I didn't stay long, I guess I better head to my next destination...the place until now is still a mystery for me.....
When I drove by the Wisma Kosan Labuan, its a huge commercial building. But why do they abandon it?
The buildings belongs to the Datuk Haris Salleh, he was the sixth Chief Minister of the state of Sabah, in Malaysia. He was also the president for Parti Berjaya. He held the Chief Minister's post from 1976 to 1985. During his tenure, he was known to have controversially ceded the island of Labuan, which used to be part of Sabah, to the Federal Government, making it the second Federal Territory in the country.
The buildings belongs to the Datuk Haris Salleh, he was the sixth Chief Minister of the state of Sabah, in Malaysia. He was also the president for Parti Berjaya. He held the Chief Minister's post from 1976 to 1985. During his tenure, he was known to have controversially ceded the island of Labuan, which used to be part of Sabah, to the Federal Government, making it the second Federal Territory in the country.
But during his tenure, a few incident happens, and I guess the building which he owns had also suffer form the same fate like him.
Another abandon building was just across the Wisma Kosan Labuan, so out of curiosity I parked my scooter under this creepy old tree. Oh man~~ its really huge, and imaging if your here during night time, you will be freak out by this fella. It looks like its opening the arms, and want to grab you...
Before enter into the creepy building, I was attracted by the paint art on the wall. These people are quite talented tho : /
I mange to find the entrance into the building, and upon entering I heard some noise. I got shocked for a while, I turn left nothing there, look at my right side, nothing there either. Then "bam bam bam" again, oh shit!!!
I suddenly think of the Chernobyl Diaries movie that I watched. Can this be a place like that? No wonder these place don't have much people, it must had some catastrophic nuclear accident before, and the authorities covered it....
As my tough run wild, I then saw two cats chasing around $!@#$$%(*&%$ what the hell !!! So it was them all along.
I then start to roam around the place, it looks like a theater. There is a stage in front, and steps formation of path way for people to sit on.
The place are full of dirt, and rubbish. Usually this place will be utilize by the people who is on drugs. I then keep on exploring the place, hope to be able to find something related to drugs. But didn't manage to fine any... however, when I went to the back stage, I saw this...
Its a wash room, where on the basin I saw there are women panties. It really gives me the goosebumps when I saw it, it might be black magic? or some rape case happen here before? or people just make out here? I didn't stay long, I guess I better head to my next destination...the place until now is still a mystery for me.....
Full Trip Reports:
Labuan Trip - The Labuan Peace Park (post 6 of 12)
Now class, today we will learn some history about the Peace Park in Labuan. Its situated near he Kampung Layang-Layang, again near to the beach.
On September 9, 1945, the Japanese officially surrendered Labuan to the Australian. The commander of the Japanese 37th Army, Lieutenant General Masao Baba was flown to the shores of Layang-layangan Beach in the Tachikawa K154C (HICKORY). And in a small wooden shack under the shelter of the coconut trees some 50 meters South-west of the Surrender Point, the handover signing ceremony took place.
He surrendered his sword formally to Major General George Wootten, commanding officer of the Australian 9th Division, under the witness of Group Captain C.W Pearce and Squadron Leader J.S St Heaps of the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) in Sydney, Australia.
To show that they are genuinely sorry for the trouble their forefathers have caused, the Japanese decided to build the Peace Park next to the Surrender Point. The Peace Park pays tribute to the ones who have sacrificed their lives in Borneo during WWII. It is also a memento of friendship between Malaysia and Japan, and a promise of peace and harmony for all mankind that such war-like cruelty will not happen again in the future.
The Peace Park was heavily funded by the Japan Shipbuilding Industry Foundation, chaired by Ryoishi Sasagawa, as well as by families of the dead and comrades in arm from some industrial firms. On April 14, 1984, Mitsunori Ueki of the South Pacific Memorial Association Incorporation in Japan handed over the Peace Park ceremonially to the Sabah Chief Minister, Datuk Harris Salleh. Till this day, funding still comes in abundantly from Japan to keep the Peace Park in good shape.
With serene waters under arched bridges and around shaded gazebos that embrace the large raised mound with two outstanding curved walls that is the centre of attention in the Peace Park. At the entrance of the Park stood a distinguishable stone slab, and on it carved clearly to echo till the end of time – “Peace is the best”.
Cheers,
Wilson
No more war!!!
Full Trip Reports:
Labuan Trip - The University Malaysia Sabah, Labuan Campus
I visited the University of Sabah before when I was travel to Sabah. And this is another University of Sabah, the Labuan Campus.
Was expecting to be able to see some young university girls, but very disappointingly no students are around that time... silly me, its almost Chinese New Year that time, so I guess most of the students are back for the holiday already.
I asked the guide if I allow to take picture, so they only allow me to take the pictures at the hall, and I'm not allow to go further up as well. So not much interesting thing happen here.
I then continue on with my journey, and next stop is to the peace park, where we can learn some history about the Labuan island.
-- to be continue --
The top Photogapher. Wilson Chin
Was expecting to be able to see some young university girls, but very disappointingly no students are around that time... silly me, its almost Chinese New Year that time, so I guess most of the students are back for the holiday already.
I asked the guide if I allow to take picture, so they only allow me to take the pictures at the hall, and I'm not allow to go further up as well. So not much interesting thing happen here.
I then continue on with my journey, and next stop is to the peace park, where we can learn some history about the Labuan island.
-- to be continue --
Full Trip Reports:
Labuan Trip - Beach that I visited (post 4 of 12)
The Labuan island surrounded by beaches, and I just follow the map, and visited most of the famous one. And also visited some which is not mark in the map. One thing good about riding the scooter is that I can go into any turns I want easily.
I didn't realize the weather is hot, not until I felt something is burning on my both arms. And by the time I knew, I got this sunburn on my arms already.
Jalan Kiamsam, The Labuan Crude Oil Terminal
I am riding down the Oil And Gas industry zone, this is at the south of Labuan island. The Labuan Grude Oil Terminal is there, not much to see there expect the building for the O&G industries. One my way out of that area, I saw this small road which lead to the beach, so I ride in. Saw another bike parked there, after 5 mins the owner came back. We say hello to each other, and the guy told me he was taking a dump there, and now he want to go back to work already...hmmm, its good that he told me that, and I'll try to watch my steps.
The University Malaysia of Sabah, Labuan Campus
That building is the University Malaysia Sabah, the Labuan Campus. Opposite the university they have this beautiful beach with blue and clear sea water. The strong breeze keep on blowing towards me while I rest there, and my face are cover by sand. There are also rest stop which they build under the pine tree.
I remember back when I was a kid, we have a pine tree at the back of our house. My brothers and I sometime will collect the dry leave of the pine tree and burn it. It was fun back then...
Jalan Sungai Lada, Taman Anggun.
This is another beach which is not mark on the map, as I was riding along this village, saw a lane which lead to a beach, so I went in.
This is my favorite spot among the others which I visited, I saw there is a big tree, and a swing is tie on the tree branch. The fishing boat parked next to the swing, and there is a chop tree which now serves as a small table. I sit at the swing there, and enjoy the windy breeze. The breeze are blowing gently on my face, and I don't feel hot at all as I'm shaded by the trees.
This is the life, a beautiful hangout place just a few steps away from your house. You can come here to enjoy the sunset everyday, take pictures. At night, can come here to watch the starts with your friends and family. I want a place like this!!!
The Layang Layang Beach, at the Peace Park
There is a park called the Peace Park, this place was built as a memorial and renunciation of the horrors of war. It is dominated by the memorial mound which is surrounded by landscaped gardens and pavilions. On September 9, 1945, the Japanese officially surrendered Labuan to the Australian.
To show that they are genuinely sorry for the trouble their forefathers have caused, the Japanese decided to build the Peace Park next to the Surrender Point. The Peace Park pays tribute to the ones who have sacrificed their lives in Borneo during WWII. It is also a memento of friendship between Malaysia and Japan, and a promise of peace and harmony for all mankind that such war-like cruelty will not happen again in the future.
It was really hot that time, I just took some picture on the park, and then look for a tree shade, and hide under it. So the pictures above is the scene that I saw during my visit. There is a fresh water river which link to the sea, and a few fisherman boat dock there.
Something which interest me is that on the ship deck, they numbers each of the deck wood which I don't know why, and have no one to ask. If you happen to know why they do so, please leave a comment below. Thanks ;)
Something which interest me is that on the ship deck, they numbers each of the deck wood which I don't know why, and have no one to ask. If you happen to know why they do so, please leave a comment below. Thanks ;)
The Batu Manikar Beach, at Jalan Pancur Hitam
To conclude my beach tour in Labuan, I went to this UN '08 Beach, the Batu Manikar Beach. The sunset was around 6.35pm that day. While waiting for the sun to set, I bought some fried banana at the Malay stall to eat. Saw a puppy was running on the sand, and roll its body on the sand.
Tried to lured the dog with my food, but it didn't fell for it...damn!!!
Tried to lured the dog with my food, but it didn't fell for it...damn!!!
Not much people here, I guess they must have too many choices here... tsk tsk, not like back in Kuching we have limited choices. There are a lot of seaweed been sweep on shore, I tried to look for jellyfish or starfish but can't find any.
I like to go to the beach very much, it clams me down when listening to the wave, and enjoying the windy breeze. Hope that one day I can come back here again.
-- to be continue --
Full Trip Reports:
Labuan Trip - Fishing at Sungai Kinta Benua, Kampung Bebuloh (post 3 of 12)
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When I checked back the Labuan map, I notice this maybe is the only place where they have fresh water. The name of the river is called the Kinta Benua River (Sungai Kinta Benua). And there is a restaurant on the riverbank, from the look of it, not much people will come to a place like this. Nothing special, no special attraction, only river and trees.
I walk closer to the riverbank, and saw two guys there fishing. I went closer and chat with them, they told me that they are there since morning. And one of he guy also showed me his catch, and it was a big white fish. They called is Siakap fish.
Then I bid good bye and continue my journey. In this area it has a vast of high land, and the people here plant a lots of fruits and vegetables. I stop by at one of the stall, that stall is a place where they will collect all the vegetables from the people there, and sell it. Its somehow related to the agriculture department of Labuan. I saw they have this deep fried banana, and Malay kuih. I then realise I haven't eat anything since this morning, so that's consider as my lunch.
Start my journey again as I then proceed to the west side of the Labuan island, and there will be a long stretch of beaches to see. So see ya..
-- to be continue --
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