Showing posts with label getaway. Show all posts
Showing posts with label getaway. Show all posts

Wednesday, September 18, 2019

Tabin Wildlife Reserve and Resort in Lahad Datu, Sabah

The wooden swing at the veranda of Tabin Wildlife Resort was so inviting that all I wanted to do was to lounge on it till the moon sprinkled sleepy dust into my eyes. Doing 'nothing' is one of the highlights in Tabin Wildlife Resort. Being an urbanite, having to make sure every minute is scheduled, I have forgotten how to be idle. In fact, the first few hours at Tabin, I actually felt jerks of withdrawal syndrome of not having to rush around. Yes, my spirit was warped and it was time I surrendered to Mother Nature for some healing.

The wooden swing at Tabin Wildlife Resort was surely inviting
Sabah not only homes the tallest Mountain in the Malay archipelago (Mt Kinabalu), but also a place where rainforests still thrive or rather, protected. If you are looking to return to the best of Mother Nature, Sabah is where you should book your flights to. Located at the snout of the dog-shaped state, Tabin Wildlife Reserve is the biggest rainforest reserve in Malaysia sprawling over 300,000 acres in Lahad Datu.

Sabah takes their rainforest very seriously. Unlike other forest that are exploited for tourism, Tabin commands respect from visitors, having them to endure an hour of a bumpy gravel road to reach the resort. I surmise that tar is avoided to make surroundings as natural as possible and also to foil away ill-intending visitors like poachers. However, you are sure to be rewarded by Mother Nature at the end of the road.

Let me walk you through:
2. trekking to Lipad Mud Volcano
5. meals in the forest

1. Tabin Wildlife Resort

It is amazing how Tabin Wildlife Resort manages to harmonize nature with modern ammenities. This resort is not like any other nature-themed accomodation where nature just decorates. In Tabin Resort, you are one with nature. I couldn't get enough of the melodious chirps of birds and insects and occasional gibbon's call that I actually recorded the orchestra in case I miss it when I return to the city. 

Tabin scores in keeping the human's quarters clean albiet being in the lawlessness of the wild. Fret not as hot showers (with good pressure), clean sheets and air conditioning is available. With necessities taken care of, your only task is appreciate nature. 

Having said that, remember to bring insect repellent, own toiletries, long pants, jacket (can be cold at night), covered shoes for trekking and slippers to relax those feet. 


At the entrance of the Tabin Wildlife Reserve. Do expect an hour of bumpy ride from the main road to the reserve.
At the Tabin Wildlife Resort.
Almost every furniture and structure is provided by nature.
In harmony with nature
Free-spirited
Where nature lets humans play
Take nothing but photographs when in the forest
Our living cabins
Cosy room with all necessities provided. 
Woke up being greeted by bird chirps and gibbon calls
A place to take lungsful of precious fresh air
Clean bathrooms
Well provided in the resort


2. Trekking to Lipad Mud Volcano

The trip to Lipad Mud Volcano is a must in Tabin. This place spews mineral rich mud from the Earth with the help of escaping methane gas. Animals flock to this oasis to lick the mud for minerals. I took advantage to slap some skin nourishing mud on my face too! Nature provides it for free until humans decide to bottle it for sale.

Do not enter the forest without guides
Guests will be transported with a lorry
Enjoy an easy trek 700m long to the Lipad Mud Volcano
This is, after all, a rainforest. Do expect wildlife to roam around.
Having said that, they are more wary of than harmful to humans.
Guess who was here?
An elephant footprint!
Appreciation for trees that are perennial in the forest
The mud spring from the watch tower
Remember to take only from fresh flowing sources.
This mineral spring is shared with other habitants of the forest. Thus, do expect their excrement around the mount of mud
Nature even provides for beauty!
from the watch tower, designed to snoop on animals that visit the mud volcano
Guess what species is found at the mud volcano
Behold the snake bird parading itself under the sun

3. Night Safari


When the sun winds down, it is not the end of the day. Guests can participate in the night safari drive where guests are driven in a lorry around the reserve to spot nocturnal animals. As they swept their high voltage spotlight from left to right, Tabin's experienced guides impressively spotted out wildlife as if they were nocturnal animals themselves. As for me, although I was donning on my night vision, night hearing and a whole set of night senses, I couldn't eke out a thing and just decided to sit back and follow Paul's (my guide's) pointer.

Lit with the rays from the moon, off we went spotting nocturnal wildlife
Nocturnal owl comes out to hunt for rats and snakes
The leopard cat lurking


4. Tabin Visitor Centre

Although in a more man-made environment, the Tabin Visitor Centre is not any less interesting. The friendly guides will deepen your awareness of how anemic the rainforest is and how increasingly endangered some species are becoming because of humans. After that visit, I felt like applying to be an intern in National Geographic. 

Exhibits at the centre
Guides in Tabin like Mawi are dedicated and experienced with a heart full of passion in preserving wildlife
A preserved rhinoceros which died of cancer. There is only 1 Sumatran rhinoceros left in Tabin
Skull and bone of a pygmy elephant
Remains of the animals
Orang Utan's skull


5. Meals in the Forest

My experience is complete with good food. Although located in the forest, with markets and stores no where near to be seen, Tabin's meals are sufficient and delicious. With the stomach satisfied and spirit relaxed, what more is there to ask for.


Dinner served at Tabin
Dining hall
Egg station during breakfast
Roasted chicken
Sweet and sour fish
Spaghetti bolognaise
Mixed vege for fibre!

For more information and reservation, check http://www.tabinwildlife.com.my and FB page 

General Email:
enquiry@tabinwildlife.com.my

Resort Location:
KM 49, Jalan Tungku, Lahad Datu, Sabah, Malaysia.

GPS Location:
5° 11' 15.35" N 118° 30' 8.47" E

Telephone:
+6 088 267266

Facsimile:
+6 088 258266

Emergency Contact Number:
+6 016 830 6392, +6 016 830 7392, +6 016 810 6490, +6 016 810 6493

Lahad Datu Office Address:
Lot GL 02 Arrival Concourse, Lahad Datu Airport, 91108 Lahad Datu, Sabah, Malaysia.


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


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Sunday, September 10, 2017

Birthday Celebration at Hotel on the Park @ Resorts World Genting

The family is always more excited when it comes to my father's and sister's birthday. Because their special days fall on the same month and only 2 weeks apart, it is one of the months that we look forward to in the year because their birthday bash would be combined and a party-worthy one. When we heard that Genting has reincarnated one of its hotels into a spanking funky hotel, we decided to make their birthday celebration literally a cool one!
Check out our staycation in Genting's latest Hotel on the Park
Although just an hour away from Kuala Lumpur, Genting never fails to make me feel like I am in another country. In the cable car especially, I am awed by its scenery again and again. For a moment, those ethereal mist managed to hoodwink me the whole family to thinking that we were in Switzerland! Hahaha how we wished.
With the fambam
Scenery behind us managed to delude us to thinking we were in Switzerland
Being Resorts World Genting's first hotel, the Theme Park hotel has contributed to the propagation of the many other hotels at the peak. Resorts World Genting gives no chance for its longest established hotel to be a passe among its stellar and newer assets. In July 2017, the Theme Park Hotel has been relaunched into the spanking new Hotel on the Park, accommodating mainly families and visitors in groups, in preparation for the opening of the very anticipated Fox Theme Park!
The main entrance of Hotel on the Park already imbues a sprightly mood
The reception of the hotel adopts a minimalist and contemporary style 
If the hotel was a human, I would definitely hire the plastic surgeon who did its make over! There was no sign of old-age at the Hotel on the Park. In fact, it is saturated boisterous energy and hints of fun at every corner. At the lobby itself, check out their trick mirror, giant bench and stacks of huge cups.
The lobby is already a fun place to be!
Parents having good photography time with their children
Never too small for a huge bench!
Which giant family these cups belong to?
We already had an expectation of what the room would make us feel but when we stepped into the room, the real thing exceeded it. Sorry to bust the surprise for you but this is what the room looks like. The sight the drawings on the blinds and wall will already make children feel like the hotel is designed for them. And for adults, welcome to la la land!
Our room comfortable for 6 people!
My sister Evy on the upper deck and she doesn't know the surprise yet
Artsy room that appeals to anyone ready to have fun!
Despite the playful interior, there are some really serious matters being taken care of in the hotel. There is a fully functional safety box in every room, deep compartments big enough to stow away your bulky luggage, toiletries enough for everyone (six people for our room), thick towels and anti-slip slippers for all.
Safety box to keep  your valuables locked away
Space saving compartments to substitute the conventional cupboard
Happy feet for all
Being the first hotel build in Genting, it is seated at a vantage location that overlooks the low lands. To me, the magnificent view is worth the whole stay. In the future, Fox Theme Park better be another reason! No photograph can do justice to the scenery we have from our room. The night view is even more spell-binding. I found myself letting the glowing lights lull me to sleep.
Breathtaking scenery overlooking the English Garden and even KL! 
If you think this is beautiful, wait till the sun sets. Scroll down! I will show you
Daddy powering up with some complimentary drinks
And me powering up my phone. They know exactly where power points should be!
The spacious bathroom that can accommodate one person showering, 1 person at the toilet, 2 persons brushing teeth and 2 persons applying make up all at the same time!
Ooo la la! 
Sufficient toiletries and towels for 6 people
Papa and Evon's birthday surprise cakes by the hotel staff!
The English Garden just in front of the hotel is a place that you cannot miss. This paradise matches the portrayal of Eden in my mind. Park benches are at every corner for visitors to sit and absorb nature's grace. When the moon replaces the sun, a visit to the English Garden is even more compulsory! The vantage point that commands a heavenly view is beyond words. Watch the night orchestrate an awesome show of lights and luminescence.
A walk at the English Garden
The lost maiden
Marry marry quite conquery, how does your garden grow?
A sumptuous family dinner at the Coffee Terrace
The night view at the Talking Garden (in the English Garden) is beyond words
The Cyndrical Fountain glows majestically amid the garden
Mom and I couldn't leave the spectacular view
I was dazed by this view all night long
Rise and shine but not willing to leave the covers just yet
Morning was not easy for us that Sunday. I did not know drugs can come in the form of a bed! We slept so well because the air is naturally conditioned and indisputably the best medicine from the malaise of daily work. But Chin Swee Temple was waiting so we had some incentive to resist sleeping in. Breakfast at Eatopia was ready at 9pm. The grab-and-go breakfast was a huge packet of yummy chicken curry nasi lemak, a pastry and a can of beverage. Definitely was fueled up to kick-start the day!

Check out our day at Chin Swee Cave Temple and Senikome, Resorts World Genting's latest arts and cultural centre.
Breakfast on the go at Eatopia
Generous packet of nasi lemak, pastry and a can of beverage for each guest of the room
The grandeur of the horizon from our room
Hotel on the Park also offers quadroom for 4 people and for people with special needs because everybody deserves to be happy!

For reservations, kindly go to www.rwgenting.com/accommodation/hotels/Hotel-on-the-Park/
The quad room (4 pax) with 2 queen size bed, 260 sqft large
Room for people with special needs
Hotel is disabled friendly. They deserve a comfortable holiday like everyone else
Our art time at Senikome
Playing games we used to occupy ourselves with during primary school
Congkak, batu seremban, chapteh are all available at Senikome to revive those nostalgia 
Pray pray at Chin Swee Temple
The wide landscapes of Chin Swee Temple
Evy shopping at Sky Avenue
With the troupe of mob dancers at Sky Avenue

For more information, visit www.rwgenting.com
Check out our day at Chin Swee Cave Temple and Senikome, Resorts World Genting's latest arts and cultural centre.


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