2015 Kembara Borneo Day 01: Kuala Lumpur - Kota Kinabalu

“We travel, some of us forever, to seek other states, other lives, other souls…” – Anais Nin

(At KLIA very early in the morning)

DAY 01: Monday (23 Mar 2015)

Route: Kuala Lumpur – Kota Kinabalu

KK City Tour

Hotel: Promenade Hotel

(A group photo before boarding)

Today is the start of our Kembara Borneo. We will be riding through Sabah, Brunei and Serawak with 15 others. The discovery Borneo on wheels, is organised by Wilhin Motor Club and this is the first time we are joining the club. Last Friday we had arranged with MAScargo to fly our motorbikes and we will collect them at the airport in Kota Kinabalu.

We had earlier booked a taxi from our Bidara house to the airport at 0500. In KLIA we performed our Subuh prayers and by 0630 we completed group check-in. The MH2612 0830 flight to Kota Kinabalu was smooth. We were supposed to collect our motorbikes at MASKargo when we arrived but unfortunately our cargo will only arrive tomorrow afternoon.

At the arrival hall we were greeted by officers from the Skuad Muda 1-JPJ Sabah. Two vans were available to transport us and our luggage to Kota Kinabalu town. On the way, we had an early lunch at Restoran D’Marlindo. The restaurant serves a variety of dishes and local delicacies.

(Arriving at Kota Kinabalu International Airport)

(The bikers gang on arrival)

It was still early to check in the hotel so we started our tour to some of the attractions around Kota Kinabalu. Our first destination was the Monsopiad Cultural Village, also known as the house of skulls situated at Kampung Kuai Kandazon besides the Penampang River. The cultural village was opened to commemorate the life and time, some three centuries ago, of the legendary fearsome Kadazan Warrior and head-hunter, Monsopiad. The village also offers the insight into the life of the biggest ethnic entity in Sabah, the Kadazan-Dusun.

(Visiting the village of the famous head-hunter)

(Collection of skulls hanging from the ceiling)

(The cafe by the river)

(The hanging bridge over Penampang River)

Our next destination was a unique upside down house in Jalan Telibong, Tamparuli. The ‘Rumah Terbalik’ is the first of its kind in South-East Asia and among the five upside-down structures in the world. There are some distinguishing Sabahan décor and features showcased in this house.

(Feeling a little dizzy in the upside down house)

(Upside down washroom)

(A group photo in front of 'Rumah Terbalik')

We finally checked-in the Promenade Hotel and had time for a refreshing shower and a short rest. By 1700 we gathered at the hotel lobby to meet with the Sabah bikers who were ready to escort us to the Marina at Sutera Harbour Resort. When we arrived at the Marina, we were in time to watch the stunning beautiful sunset with yachts and sailboats in the foreground.

Tonight we were honored to have dinner at the Sutera Harbour Country Club hosted by the Sabah Tourism Board. While we had dinner from the wide selections of buffet spread, we were entertained by the cultural dancers and musicians depicting the various indigenous ethnic groups of Sabah, the Kadazan Dusun, Bajau, Murut, Suluk, Malay and Chinese.

(A warm welcome from Sabah Tourism Board and Sabah bikers)

(The Club house overlooking the Marina)

(Beautiful girls with welcoming smiles)

(The Marina at dusk, clear sky and calm sea)

(A good sumptuous dinner)

(Cultural show entertaining the bikers group)

(Bikers trying the bamboo dance)

After a sumptuous dinner, formalities and group photo, we went to the Central Market where they sold freshly supply of vegetables and fish and also varieties of dried sea catch. Next we visited the Filipino Market for local souvenirs and handicrafts.

2015 Borneo Ride: 02 KK – Kudat – Ranau - Keningau👉

2015 Kembara Borneo Day 02: Kota Kinabalu - Kudat - Ranau - Keningau

“I have found out that there ain’t no surer way to find out whether you like people or hate them than to travel with them…” – Mark Twain

(The Tip of Borneo - Deja vu)

DAY 02: Tuesday (24 Mar 2015)

Route: KK - Kudat - Ranau - Keningau

Total distance: 478 km

Hotel: Queen Hotel

As we will be collecting our motorbikes from the MASKargo in the afternoon we packed our bags early in the morning and put them aside for fast check-out later.

After a heavy breakfast in the hotel café, we drove 181 km in two vans towards Kudat to visit the Tip of Borneo, situated at Tanjung Simpang Mengayau. The journey took more than 3 hours. We arrived at the Tip of Borneo around 1045 and had photo shots of the beautiful surrounding scenery. This headland is situated in the northern-most tip of Borneo in the Kudat Peninsula where the South China Sea meets the Sulu Sea. From the pathway leading down to the tip, we could get a stunning view of the beautiful beach of Pantai Kalampunian and the Pulau Kalampunian Lighthouse.

(The path leading to the tip)

(The prominent landmark, the world globe)

(The northern most part of Borneo)

(One for the album)

As it was already late, we skipped lunch and drove direct to the hotel by 1400 to check-out and in time to fetch our motorbikes at MASkargo. With the assistance of the Sabah bikers and officials from JPJ, we had a fast and hassle-free clearance and by 1600, after a short briefing and reciting of prayers, we started riding out of town escorted by the JPJ officials. There were altogether 11 motorbikes and a van as the support vehicle in our convoy.

(Our motorbikes landed safely in Sabah)

(Thorough checks on the KeTaM)

(A token of appreciation to Skuad Muda 1-JPJ and Sabah bikers)

It was already late afternoon when we started riding but as everyone was hungry we stopped at a road-side warong ayam penyet in Tamparuli for a very late lunch.

(Riding out of town)

(Restoran Ayam Penyet at Tamparuli)

We continued our journey by riding on the winding steep road with sweeping curves towards Kundasang. The scenery was amazingly beautiful with Mount Kinabalu in the background. Although most of the time, it was covered with clouds, it was still an awesome sight. We stopped at Pekan Nabalu to have photo shots with the majestic Mount Kinabalu during the sunset.

(Riding in a disciplined convoy)

(Riding the sweeping curves)

(Going uphill and downhill towards Kundasang)

(More twisties ahead, a good view of Mt Kinabalu)

(The sun is setting in the horizon)

(The majestic Mt Kinabalu, covered with clouds)

(The two orange motorbikes, a Versys and a KTM)

(Facing the mountain, our back to the camera) 

(Where are the lady bikers?)

It was already dark when we rode towards Keningau. The winding hilly road with sharp curves was unfamiliar and we rode carefully avoiding hazardous large potholes and damaged roadsides. There were dangerously unmarked landslides at some parts of the road too. As we rode cautiously and at a slower speed, a few of us were lagging behind quite a distance.

(A beautiful sunset)

(A short rest in Ranau)

Although way behind the first group, we arrived safely and checked-in the Queen Hotel in Keningau. Keningau is about 131 km from Kota Kinabalu and situated in a valley bordered by the Crocker Range and the Trus Madi Range.

We had a late dinner at Haji Rahmat Restaurant situated just across the hotel.

(Hungry bikers with Hj Rahmat, the owner of the restaurant)

(A large bowl of hot Sup kaki kambing)

 2015 Borneo Ride: 03 Keningau – Brunei - Miri👉 

👈2015 Borneo Ride: 01 KL - Kota Kinabalu 

2015 Kembara Borneo Day 03: Keningau - Kemanis - Sipitang - Lawas - Brunei - Miri

“In books I have traveled, not only to other worlds, but into my own…” – Anna Quindlen

(The lady bikers at Brunei's Kampong Ayer)

DAY 03: Wednesday (25 Mar 2015)

Route: Keningau - Kemanis - Sipitang - Lawas - Brunei - Miri

Total distance: 380 km

Hotel: Dynasty Hotel

This morning we had a free breakfast, courtesy of Haji Rahmat, who is the owner of the restaurant and is also an ardent biker. Before we started riding, as usual, we had a group photo followed by a short briefing and reciting of prayers.

(A group photo in front of Rahmat Cafe)

(A Keningau Biker leading the way)

(The convoy riding into the morning mist)

We started riding out of Keningau in the early morning mist on the Keningau/Kemanis highway. Although the highway is only a short distance, the steepness is between 10 to 20 percent. One interesting feature of this highway is that there is a gravity hill situated around 11 km from Keningau but unfortunately, because of time constraint, we did not stop to test the magnetic properties of the hill. We stopped for a panoramic view from Punchak Kemanis on the Crocker Range for photo shots.

(Puncak Kemanis, a beautiful panoramic view)

(The KeTaM taking a rest)

(Misty and cool weather on top of the mountain)

We continued riding, passing the town of Beaufort and again stopped for a short rest at Sipitang promenade. From Sipitang we continued to Lawas crossing the Sabah/Sarawak border at Sindumin. In Lawas we were met by the Skuad JPJ and Lawas bikers. After a brief formality and a free drink at a riverside Pusat Niaga, we started riding towards Mengkalap CIQ, the Sarawak/Brunei border.

From Mengkalap we crossed Brunei to exit at Pandaruan CIQ, the Brunei/Sarawak border. From Pandaruan we rode to Limbang and entered Brunei again at Tedungan CIQ, the Sarawak/Brunei border. Border crossings between Sabah, Sarawak and Brunei were smooth and hassle free but it was quite a tiring process of passport stampings at every check points especially when the weather is extremely hot and humid.

(A long and winding road)

(Passing through the town of Beaufort)

(Approaching the town of Sipitang)

(A short rest at Sipitang Esplanade)

(Sipitang jetty with miles of beautiful coastline)

(Entering the first Sabah/Sarawak border crossing)

(Riding on Sarawak land to Lawas)

(Crossing rivers and mountains)

(Entering Lawas town)

(Escorted by Sarawak riders)

(Riding with care to cross smaller towns)

(Border crossing at Menkalap CIQ)

(Crossing Sarawak/Brunei border)

(Riding on Brunei land for a distance)

(Crossing the Sarawak/Brunei Friendship Bridge)

(Bikers waiting for their passports to be stamped)

(Heavy traffic at Limbang CIQ)

(Riding carefully with traffic flow)

(Watching out for the signages)

At the Kuala Lurah Brunei border, we were met and escorted by the Brunei Bikers to Bandar Seri Begawan where we had lunch hosted by PAMODA at one of the restaurant. After a brief formality, we were escorted to ride around town and later stopped by the riverside at Dermaga DiRaja Bandar Seri Begawan where we had a nice view of Brunei Kampong Ayer. The water village is situated over Brunei Bay. The residents of Kampong Ayer represents roughly ten percent of total Brunei population. All houses and buildings in Kampong Ayer are constructed on stilts.

(Kuala Lurah Brunei border crossing)

(The group being escorted by Brunei Bikers) 

(The Dos and Don'ts in Brunei)

(Having lunch with PEMODA) 

(Riding around Bandar Seri Begawan)

(Passing through Jerudung Park)

(Riding with care on foreign land)

(One of the many mosques in town)

(Clean and not so busy township)

(Riders abiding to traffic signages)

We had light refreshment and met with more Brunei Bikers at the Dermaga. Later we rode to Masjid Omar Ali Saifuddin to perform our Zohor/Asar prayers before we bade goodbyes to the Brunei Bikers and rode towards Sungai Tujuh CIQ at the Brunei/Sarawak border. We were held up for a while at the border when one of the biker's passport was not stamped on entering Brunei. With proper documentations and explanations, the problem was settled amicably.

(A nice view of the Kampong Ayer)

(Biker girls wanna have fun...)

(Opportunity for a group photo)

(A Brunei biker, we met in KL recently)

(Jetty for boats ferrying passengers)

(A photo shot in front of the mosque)

(The sun is setting when we rode towards the border)

(Massive bush fires along the route)

At Sungai Tujuh Sarawak border, we were met by JPJ officers and were escorted to Miri town where we had dinner at one of the restaurant. After dinner we checked-in at the Dynasty Hotel for the night.

(The last border crossing between Brunei/Sarawak)

(JPJ and Miri Bikers greeted us at the border)

(Having dinner with Miri Bikers and JPJ Officials)

 2015 Borneo Ride: 04 Miri - Sibu

👈2015 Borneo Ride: 02 KK – Kudat – Ranau - Keningau 👉👉