Strawberry Farm at Mesilou, Kundasang, Sabah, at 1850 above sea level

Started off with my semi-retirement with a trip to Kundasang Ranau early this month, February, 2023. 

We had a 3 days 2 nights stay at Jabez Resort at Kundasang. Jabez is situated along Kundasang-Ranau road at 11,000 ft above seal level. 

We visited one of the strawberry farm at Kundasang, unforturnately they have just harvested their strawberries, none single strawberry for us to see, and it's also a Monday when the farm's cafe is closed, we only managed to buy their ready made bottled strawberries drink, ice cream and macaroni salad.  Check out my video  here.  

Jabez Resort at Kundasang, Sabah (3 days 2 Nights stay ) Feb 2023

This is our second time stay at Jabez Resort at Kundasang. Let's me bring you around the resort in this video.

Overnight Trip to Mesilau Kundasang - Day 1

We went for an overnight trip at Mesilau Kundasang last weekend, stayed at Kinabalu View Chalet.  Mesilau is the highest accessible point by road at the foot of Majestic Mount Kinabalu.

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Our double cab was loaded with the necessities for us to have a comfortable stay at the cool climate.

As usual we had a brief stopover at Tamparuli town to have its famous Tamparuli mee before continuing our journey.  After 2 hours + road journey from Kota Kinabalu, we arrived at the chalet.  Mount Kinabalu was fully covered by thick cloud throughout our journey there, we were unable to have a glimpse of it. 

Our family members occupied the whole 3 chalets, which is good that we can make the noises without disturbing others.  Each chalet has its own kitchen equipped with basic utensils, the set up of the room are very basic with the feel of staying in the kampung.

Not long after arriving, Clet has started to set up the BBQ while waiting for the rest to arrive.  

The only set back of this place is the flies, there are up to thousands of them sticking and flying around.  Even the smoke, flies repellent spray could not chase them away.  We have to cover our food while eating that has totally spoiled my appetite. Those flies disappear when sun set and come back in the morning, yuck!! The same situation happened when we stayed at one of the chalet around that place many years ago.  I was told that this is because of the fertilizer used at the surrounding farms and also the cattle farm nearby.  I believe there must be a way to keep these flies away.

Forgot about the flies.  We walked around taking photos of the flowers in front of the chalet.  

Clet set up the tent for the kids to play but  it is too small for them to stay inside, our kids has grown up my dear.

The highlight of the night was the double celebration of SIL's 50th birthday and Mother's Day.  Both the homemade mango cake and cheese cake are so delicious, I had slices of both cake and hot coffee for dinner.  

Day trip to Kundasang & a night at Kasih Sayang Health Resort

This was a weekend away from home in June this year. Plenty of photos to do the talking.

We took a day trip to Kundasang in the morning, stopping by the town of Tamparuli for its famous mee as usual.  The coffee shop was not opened yet when we reached there before 9am, we waited for the shop to open at 9.30am just for the mee.  

Tamparuli mein with stuffed pork blood (bought from other shop)

We continued our trip to Kundasang after having our breakfast.  We had another stop at Pekan Nabalu, which is 67km from Kota Kinabalu city. Nabalu is a very small township with shops and stalls selling local fruits and produces, souvenirs, and a great view of Mt. Kinabalu on a clear sunny day.

souvenirs stalls at Pekan Nabalu

Local produces - ground nuts sold in many forms

Our famous Sabah Organic Tea, sold in sachet, powder or dried leaves form.  Also sold in major supermarkets nationwide.

Local produce Pure Honey

Tourist coaches stop by here for their tourists to buy souvenirs & local fruits and produces on their way back to the City.

Monkey soft toys, protected animal

Out of the many trips to the Kinabalu National Park, this is the first time we drove up to the climbing point of the Majestic Mount Kinabalu.  If you want to conquer the highest mountain in Malaysia, Pondok (shelter) Timpohon is the starting point (only climbers with pass are allowed to go through this check point).   After which there are 7 pondok (shelters) to stop by leading you all the way up to Laban Rata, situated at 3,272.7m above sea level.  Laban Rata is the resting point for the night before proceeding to the summit of Mount Kinabalu at dawn the next morning

We could find the squirrels come around looking for food on top of Pondok Timpohon, children are amazed seeing the squirrels coming near them.

This squirrel is so tamed 

expecting some more biscuits

The weather was very cloudy that day, I only managed to capture Mt Kinabalu on our way back in the afternoon.  We spent the night at Kasih Sayang Health Resort, Menggatal.  I finally utilised the complimentary stay at the resort, a lucky draw I got some 2 years ago.

Night view from the resort

we had our dinner at the resort's restaurant

the day view from the resort

plenty of green

the view of the Mount Kinabalu is visible from the resort too...

rabbits at the resort

breakfast provided in the morning

partial view of the resort

A trip to Desa Cattle Farm at Kundasang

During the school holiday in December last year, we made a day trip to Desa Cattle Farm in Kundasang.  The last time I went there was in my high school year, it was a school outing. As far as I can remember the place has not changed much in the last 20 over years except having a bigger building now. 

On a uphill not far from Tamparuli town, we stopped by an orchid farm. The orchids are well grown, looking at those orchids, I can't believe they are all real, just too perfectly grown to my eyes.  The price are very reasonable too, but I did not buy any because I don't think I have got the time to care for it.  

We have taken a lot of photos so let the photos do the talking.

 the owner of the orchid farm serving tea 

 entrance fees needed to enter to Desa Cattle farm, this is the little pondok collecting entrance fee

 It was a public holiday, the farm was very crowded with people and traffic was congested 

 The milking area

 The milking cows look skinny

 Fresh cow's milk for sale.  Exactly what we get from the supermarket, there are only two flavours, plain & chocolate

 we bought 2 cartons

 souvenirs are sold here 

 the road leading to the farm from the pondok entrance

 the place is cool and refreshing