RM500-a-day bird-watch guides in Sabah

By : Jaswinder Kaur

KOTA KINABALU: The income they earn is definitely not for the birds. The specialist guides who help bird-watchers spot the diverse species in Sabah can earn up to an incredible RM500 a day.

Borneo Bird Club pro tem chairman Cede Prudente said at present there were five people in the state who could provide this specialised service.

“More bird-watchers are coming here but we just don’t have enough experts to help them find and identify the birds.

“In the next 10 years, we may need 500 specialist guides. We hope to develop the field with the locals.

“There are more than two million bird-watching enthusiasts in Britain alone.

“Although we have many species of birds here, we are way behind in exploiting what could be a goldmine.”

Prudente was speaking at the Borneo Bird Festival exhibition at 1Borneo Hypermall here yesterday. The two-day exhibition includes talks by experts on the types of birds in Sabah and the 622 resident and migratory species found on Borneo Island.

Prudente said the club, launched a week ago, was keen to work with the Sabah Wildlife Department and the Sabah Forestry Department to train locals to become bird guides.

“One of the reasons we are holding this exhibition here is because we want to promote bird-watching among residents.

“We also want to promote places like the Rainforest Discovery Centre in Sandakan which are good for bird-watching.”

Sabah Society Sandakan branch chairman Arthur Chung said there was a lot of potential in bird-watching as a tourism product.

“The Sepilok forest (in Sandakan) has close to 290 bird species.”

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Elephant centre in Kuala Gandah attracts more visitors

By SIMON KHOO

LANCHANG: The National Elephant Conservation Centre in Kuala Gandah here saw an increase of 34% in visitors last year.

This one-of-its-kind facility in Malaysia recorded 81,017 visitors last year comprising 59,468 locals and 21,549 foreigners.

The number of visitors had previously increased from 38,863 in 2005 to 60,436 in 2006.

The centre’s elephant unit chief Nasharuddin Othman said that most of the foreign tourists were from Australia, Britain, New Zealand, Japan and Germany.

Noble effort: Natioanal Elephant Conservation Centre staff member Azman Izan tending to an elephant in Kuala Gandah recently.

“We attracted many visitors because it is the only place in Malaysia where visitors can observe and understand the handling and management of translocated Asian elephants.

“It offers an enriching experience by allowing visitors to participate in elephant rides, feeding and water activities such as swimming and bathing the elephants,” he said.

Under the East Coast Economic Region (ECER) masterplan, the centre was earmarked as a wildlife reserve.

Eco-tourism was one of the initiatives under the ECER, which includes transforming the centre into a world-class conservation site.

“There are plans under ECER to include our centre as an eco-tourism destination,” said Nasharuddin, adding that the Government had approved an allocation of RM2.9mil to upgrade the premises.

The centre was established in 1985 by the Department of Wildlife and National Parks and funded by an annual grant of RM700,000, apart from public donations.

It is manned by personnel of the elephant relocation team which began the elephant translocation programme in 1974.

The centre has 31 full-time staff working in shifts to care for the 12 elephants, and six part-time workers to clean the premises.

It is open from 12pm to 4.45pm from Mondays to Thursdays and from 2.45pm to 4.45pm on Friday.

During weekends and public holidays, members of the public can visit the elephants from 10am to 4.45pm.

For more information, call the centre at 09-279 0391.

Homestay Operators Encouraged To Use Website For Promotion

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 24 (Bernama) — The Tourism Ministry is encouraging homestay holiday operators to use the website to offer their services to domestic and foreign tourists, said its minister, Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said.

“Anyone (homestay holiday operators) wishing to offer their services need only to press the keys to the homestay directory to look at the terms and this will facilitate them in offering their homestay services to the tourists,” she told reporters after launching the website ‘Program Zoom! Homestay 2008′, here Wednesday night.

Azalina said there were more than 1,000 homestay units throughout the country and this tourism product had yielded an income of almost RM4.9 million last year.

She said the process of confirming an application to become a homestay operator took between three and six months involving health checks, security, hygiene and the whole surrounding of the homestay unit.

“The qualification for registering is very important. Once you register, you have a certificate, it’s a done deal,” she said.

– BERNAMA

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Reporter Travels Around Peninsular Malaysia With Only RM70.57

ALOR STAR, Aug 18 (Bernama) — With only RM70.57, a reporter from a Kuala Lumpur-based newspaper was determined to set a personal record by travelling solo on a high-powered motorcycle throughout Peninsular Malaysia in conjunction with the country’s 51st independence anniversary.

Matt Nazriee Hassan, 41, is confident that the expedition named ‘Cobraeite Expedition, will come to a finish after he succeeded in travelling almost 6,000km through the Federal Territory, Pahang, Selangor, Perak, Penang, Kedah and Perlis in 46 days.

He said the solo expedition started on July 1 in Gombak where he headed to Pahang with only RM70.57 in his pocket, the number being significant as it is also his motorcyle registration number, BJS7057.

After stopping in Kedah, he will be heading to Kelantan, Terengganu, Johor, Melaka and Negeri Sembilan to complete his expedition scheduled to end on Sept 16.

“It was hard for me to find the financial resources, but the attitude of Malaysians and their support for the expedition helped me to continue my journey when they gave some financial assistance,” he said here Monday.

Matt Nazriee said the expedition had taught him the meaning of patience and determination in life.

It was proven when the money he brought ran out and he was forced to take up odd jobs at certain destinations. For instance, he helped out at the Elephant Rehabilitation Centre in Kuala Gandah, Pahang to cover the cost of repairing his motorcycle.

“I also helped a businessman deliver goods to some villages in Pahang for three days,” he said when met by Bernama, here Monday.

Besides that, he also experienced camping and spending the night in an area in Selangor where someone was murdered and got to feel the uniqueness of living with an Orang Asli community in a village in Perak.

Matt Nazriee, who was born in Kuala Nerang, Kedah, had always wanted to travel but his busy work got in the way before he decided to take no-pay leave to realise his dream of going on this expedition.

He said he got the idea when he thought of his late father, Mohd Hassan Ismail, who had cycled around then Malaya, including Singapore, but could not continue the journey because he died.

“Father was a religious man and very patriotic. He was willing to cycle during the independence campaign in those days and I’m impressed with his spirit,” he added.

Matt Nazriee plans to record his experiences in a special blog and publish a book on his expedition.

He would also like to prove that Malaysia is peaceful, and economically and politically stable, which allowed him to travel without any disturbance like in other countries.

Matt Nazriee, who has 15 years’ experience as a reporter, is grateful that there have been individuals willing to make a contribution for him to carry out his solo expedition.

He said a company producing a health drink, Sherry’s Cafe, had donated a hamper and some pocket money, besides a supply of coffee made from tongkat ali, ubi jaga and pegaga for his journey.

Managing director Sharimah Haron said she was proud of Matt Nazriee’s willingness to travel around Peninsular Malaysia and campaign for the month of independence.

She also contributed a Jalur Gemilang and placed a Jalur Gemilang sticker on his motorcycle in conjunction with independence day that will be celebrated on Aug 31.

Those who like to make a contribution so that the expedition ends successfully can contact Matt Nazriee at 013-5181512 or visit the ‘Cobraeite Ekspedisi’ blog at http://cobraeite.blogspot.com.

– BERNAMA

From the wild white sands of Noordhoek to the people watcher’s paradise of St Tropez, our Ultratravel top 10 covers all bases.

Anse Victorin, Seychelles: The sand is white, soft and so fine that it squeaks when you step on it Photo: Getty Images

Gardner Bay, Isla Espanola, Galapagos Islands: The only way to access this mile-and-a-quarter of white sand is with a National Parks ranger

Noordhoek, Cape Town, South Africa: The Atlantic here is strong and cold – but it is a magnificent stretch of sand on which to ride horses Photo: Getty Images

Mnemba Island: Of all the small islands to stay on, Mnemba is one of the most romantic Photo: Getty Images

Fernando de Noronha, Brazil: Set in a marine reserve 200 miles off the mainland, this island has long white beaches that are fabulous for walks Photo: Getty Images

Wineglass Bay, Tasmania, Australia: The trek there and back can take three hours but It is worth it for the pure sand and the pale sapphire water Photo: Getty Images

1 Pink Sands, Harbour Island, Bahamas

Most regular visitors to the Bahamas declare Pink Sands one of their favourite beaches – and our panel of Ultratravel writers and experts voted it the best in the world. The attraction, says Nina Buesing, who photographed wild horses there, is not just its colour – a soft pink that turns salmon in the setting sun, due to the thousands of shells that have been pounded into fine sand. You can also walk for miles without bumping into anyone.

Other bonuses are the water quality (“pristine, like Evian, albeit saltier,” according to Buesing), the gently sloping beach, safe snorkelling and sheltered swimming – plus the two “chic shack” hotels (one by Barbara Hulanicki , founder of Biba; and The Landing, tastefully designed by India Hicks) that pull in A-list celebrities by the boatload.

The Landing (00 242 333 2707, www.harbourisland.com ) is offering rooms from £125; Pink Sands (00 242 333 2030, www.pinksandsresort.com) has rooms from £302, based on two people sharing.

2 Anse Victorin, Fregate Island, Seychelles

The sand is white, soft and so fine that it squeaks when you step on it; the colour of the sea shimmers from aquamarine to diamond, then sinks into a deep inkiness with pockets of turquoise in which to snorkel; and the gently sloping forest behind is alive with tropical birds, including the rare Seychelles black paradise flycatcher.

Best of all, some of the most beautiful boulders on earth are scattered across the dazzling white sand: huge orbs of pink granite, framed by lush palms and tropical skies. This place is almost kitsch in its perfection, and well worth the walk through the forest from the luxury of Fregate’s 16 private villas.

Fregate Island Private (00 49 6102 50 13 21, www.fregate.com); from £950 per person per night.

3 Pampelonne, St Tropez, France

Not much has changed since the days of Colette, the French novelist who rubbed shoulders here with Matisse and the Prince of Wales. “Two hundred luxury cars driving toward the port at five in the afternoon,” she wrote in Prisons et Paradis (1932 ). “Cocktails, champagne on the yachts in the harbour…”

While still oozing sophistication, Pampelonne attracts more flash cash than blue-blooded royalty. Bill Gates anchors his superyacht offshore, while P Diddy and Beyoncé pop corks among bejewelled friends lunching at Le Club 55 . Women in crystal-studded thongs and Gucci flip-flops parade the shores. The sand is clean, the sea is blue – but Pampelonne is more about the scene, and being seen, than it is about scenery.

Hotel Byblos (00 33 4 94 56 68 00, www.byblos.com); rates from £250 per person.

4 Noordhoek, Cape Town, South Africa

This isn’t a swimming beach – the Atlantic here is strong and cold, with monster waves – but it is one of the most magnificent stretches of white powder sand on which to ride horses. There are more than four miles of the stuff, punctuated only by dunes and pieces of driftwood.

The Imhoff Equestrian Centre (www.horseriding.co.za ) leads two-hour rides twice a day on the beach, on which you might pass a couple of dog-walkers or hikers. For the most part, though, the sands are empty – providing perfect galloping conditions.

The most stylish place to ease aching muscles is the newly renovated Hout Bay Manor hotel, decorated with bundles of panache by the local interior design company Cécile & Boyd’s.

Hout Bay Manor (00 27 21 790 0116, www.houtbaymanor.com); rooms from £120.

5 Wineglass Bay, Tasmania, Australia

There are only two ways of getting to this beach in the Freycinet National Park : by boat and on foot – and the foot option isn’t easy. The trek there and back, through the towering Hazard Mountains, can take three hours – with a steep 40-minute climb. It is worth it, however, for the pure sand, the warm, sheltered, pale sapphire water and the birdlife – ranging from white-bellied sea eagles to New Holland honeyeaters.

Camper & Nicholsons (020 7009 1950 , www.cnconnect.com) hires out the 112ft charter yacht VvS1, sleeping eight, from £40,000 a week.

6 Vixen Point, Prickly Pear Island, BVI

Ask serious yachties where in the Caribbean they would like to moor for a day, and they will often say Prickly Pear Island – declared a National Park in 1988. The sand is pale, the natural woodland acts as a windbreak, there are no rip currents, and the gently sloping sand allows bathers to immerse themselves in the sea slowly. Vixen Point is close to Necker, Branson’s island hideaway – the ideal base for a day trip here, if money is no object.

Necker Island (0800 716 919, www.neckerisland.com) costs £24,000 per night for up to 26 guests.

7 Mnemba Island, Tanzania, East Africa

Of all the small islands to stay on, Mnemba is one of the most romantic. It is tiny, taking half an hour to walk around, but it has everything: coral gardens on one side, crashing waves on the other and creamy white sand the consistency of flour. Because the interior is pine forest, you are serenaded by the cooing of doves as soon as you walk off the beach where turtles also come to nest. The only inhabitants are the staff of Mnemba Island Lodge, plus the 20 or so guests.

Mnemba Island Lodge (020 8133 1592 , www.ccafrica.com); from £380 per person, all inclusive.

8 Gardner Bay, Isla Espanola, Galapagos Islands

The only way to access this mile-and-a-quarter of white sand is with a National Parks ranger – and for good reason. The shoreline is home to sea lions, marine iguanas, turtles, pelicans, boobies and 10,000 pairs of waved albatrosses that nest on the island between April and November.

Visitors are allowed to snorkel and swim by day – briefly – before decamping to M/Y Grace, the yacht given by Aristotle Onassis to Grace Kelly and Prince Ranier as a wedding present. It now cruises the Galapagos with up to 20 guests.

Cazenove + Loyd (020 7384 2332, www.cazloyd.com) offers seven nights on board M/Y Grace as part of a 10-day holiday in Ecuador and the Galapagos. Prices start at £3,265 per person, based on two sharing and including flights.

9 Fernando de Noronha, Brazil, South America

Set in a marine reserve 200 miles off the mainland, this island has a strict eco-policy: only a few hundred visitors are allowed each day. Its beaches are lively near the small villages, empty in the surrounding nature reserves. There is an extinct volcano, with cliffs plunging to the sea and sea pools formed from its craters.

The long white beaches are surrounded by waters thronging with barracudas, rays, giant turtles, 14 species of shark and pods of up to 600 dolphins. This is the place for fabulous beach walks – particularly from Praia do Cachorro to Sueste (where footballers and surfers hang out at sunset, caipirinhas in hand) and along the sands of Praia do Leão, where turtles nest.

The charming Pousada Maravilha, with eight rooms looking out to sea, has 40 staff – so you are guaranteed to be looked after.

Dehouche (0871 720 4779, www.dehouche.com) can reserve rooms at Maravilha for £500 a night.

10 Emerald Bay, Pangkor Laut, Malaysia

This island, three miles off the west coast of Malaysia, has pale aqua waters, fine golden sand and emerald-green rainforest rising behind the bay. Its 300 acres are privately owned, so the place is not overrun with tourists – and a real effort has been made at conservation.

The marine reserve nearby supports 3,000 types of sea creature, from hammerhead sharks and stingrays to parrotfish and clownfish, plus 500 species of coral. A bonus is the popular Chapman’s beach bar, for refreshing long drinks such as passionfruit smoothies and fresh coconut juice.

Pangkor Laut Resort (00800 9899 9999 , www.pangkorlautresort.com); room rates start at £163, based on two people sharing.

If you happen to have extra budget, do check out the place… the news is from telegraph.co.uk.

The mall incorporates a mixture of contemporary design with a touch of local flavour with Malaysian batik as the main decorative element.

Located near the aerotrain station, the mall, covering 30,000 square feet, is scheduled to open in November.

“The mall is aimed at providing retail therapy catered towards an untapped market, specifically the Contact Pier passengers,” said Eraman Malaysia Merchandising Core Products division head Elina Jamaluddin (pix left) in a recent media briefing.

She said the open ambience is to complement the airport’s greenery concept as well as the flora and fauna elements by ensuring the stores have see-through glass panels and innovative layout designs.

“The RM5 million concept mall will become a trendsetter for airport retailing and is a perfect avenue to showcase brands and items ranging from fashion, accessories, duty-free items, books, chocolates and toys.

“Besides adding new brands, the mall will be the first Malaysian travel retailer to launch Laneige, a Korean cosmetics range and Stila cosmetics. We are also promoting a home-grown home spa product, Tanamera,” she said.

There will also be the Big Purple Story in a mega display by Cadbury.

The Cadbury brand history since the 1900s will be displayed on the walls of the store to provide travellers the feel, touch and purchase enjoyment in a relaxed, vibrant ambience.

(news from : Sun2surf )