Atie's SAFETY PIN BROOCHES (HANDMADE)

Every country has its own local creative handicrafts and the hard working people who run small cottage businesses. And here in Sabah Malaysia it is very much the same situation. The abundance of local raw materials such as wood and bamboo as well as other base materials makes it convenient for locals to produce some of the most beautiful artwork and creative items which tourists find fascinating to take home as souvenirs of their memorable visit to Malaysia!

A good example of creativity is the making of handmade safety pin brooches. This is an art that requires fine skills as well as dedicated hands to produce very attractive and decorative items.

A very good friend Zainal and his beautiful wife Atie has a passion for creative artwork and together they have now set up a nice little cottage business where they produce and sell safety pin brooches which are very popular items for malaysian women. But the market may be larger than what they anticipate as more women become aware of this hand crafted beauty accessory.

So on your next visit to Malaysia and especially Sabah, why not check out the local handicrafts stalls and outlets so you can learn more about the many different handicrafts that are on offer. Zainal and his wife are also very happy to entertain online orders for their beautiful and colorful creations.

If you are already in Sabah,there are also many other handicrafts available at the philippines market along the water front in Kota Kinabalu. So visitors usually stop by and check out the attractive displays of wooden and bamboo crafts as well as enjoy bargaining with the vendors there.

Are you the creative type ?

Here is a way to create beautiful jewelry you can be proud to show your friends !

Personalised Jewelry you can make at home

Trying out the Good Life in Sabah

Many years back there was a very interesting program called The Good Life It was a hilarious but most entertaining TV series (see The Good Life (1971 TV series)and captured the imagination of many city dwellers who wanted to experience the simple lifestyle, a term usually associated with living in the countryside and being self sufficient in many ways.

My own family is very much into the simple things in life and we have decided to put our ideas into action on our little "hobby farm" we now call Eagle Plateau ! Yes you guessed it right ! The journey to being self sufficient and living the good life is not quite the easy path as some would have you believe.. it is tough and often full of frustrating events and situation.. certainly not for some people..

But the rewards are so wonderful and so fulfilling that we have kept on going inspite of all the challenges. And these can be chronic challenges that irritates and discourages you and are designed to make you give up on all your dreams of living the good life !

To all those who are in the same boat, we say.. hang in there and keep at it because the lessons and the skills you will learn from this lifestyle is priceless. We have learned to work with nature in ways we never thought possible before and we have tasted the beautiful and delicious fruits of our labour as we watch our little garden yield fresh avocados, pineapples, mangoes, guavas and so many other fresh tropical fruits.

We grow herbs too.. both for kitchen and healing needs and we are still learning about other herbal plants as we exchange ideas and experiences with likeminded friends from all over.Our dreams for this lifestyle; to be able to create a place for our family in a manner that the land and home will be able to look after us in a natural way without the complicated and crowded system that we so often face in our pursuit of happiness.

Our greatest advantage is our own passion and desire to pursue our dreams of living the good life and sharing it with our family and friends. We try to make our transition to this lifestyle as practical and comfortable as we can without giving up on home comforts ;) So for electric power we use the abundant radiant solar energy from the sun. Our water supply is thankfully available in abundance from our clear spring water source. And we try to use recycled materials as often as we can. Used vehicle tyres are a primary and free material that are readily available and that we use extensively in many situations, from construction use to decorative applications !

The short video clips below was a wonderful series that is still relevant in this ever challenging world of pursuing our dreams. I hope it gives you an insight into great humour and fun as you embark on this journey towards being self sufficient.

Does Life Begin at 40 after all ?

We hope you enjoyed the show ;)

If you are interested in this lifestyle it can really be a lot of fun learning to be self sufficient especially in this modern times. There are many to-do-list before you get started of course but the most obvious is your own desire to pursue your dreams ;) We are always very keen to network with likeminded friends and families who enjoy this lifestyle. So if you are interested please feel free to contact me.

How to get started in the self sufficiency lifestyle.

Edible Mushrooms in Sabah

If you love edible mushrooms, you will enjoy a visit to this little place where they prepare and wholesale DIY packs all ready for small scale home mushroom growing and production.

Mushrooms are popular in most restaurants in Malaysia especially so with the great varieties of delicious chinese dishes that use an equally large variety of mushrooms. Some popular mushrooms include truffles, enoki, chanterelle, portabella, shiitake, and oyster.

Here in Sabah, different mushroom varieties are mostly grown along the highlands where the temperature favours the healthy growth of these fungis and provides a supplementary income for local growers. On a recent visit to one of the wholesalers who supply the prepared mushroom packs to growers I found very fascinating information about the health benefits of eating mushrooms as well.

I met Mr. Hong who is an expert in growing mushrooms and apparently loves the cool temperatures in Kundasang, Sabah . And after some interesting tour of his production facility we ended up purchasing some of the mushroom packs for our own little garden. The packs are all set to produce .. all you need is to take the cotton stopper on the top opening, place them in a nice and cool shaded location, preferable placed on a convenient rack. You will need to spray the battery of mushroom packs with water in the morning and evening and then just wait patiently as you get the first batch of delicious mushrooms coming out of the top opening ! Sounds easy.. and it is !

I must admit I have more mushrooms than I can handle now so have been giving fresh mushrooms to friends whenever I can ! So if any of you are interested.. Just let me know !

The Vanilla Shop

In Sabah, every now and then something comes up that is quite interesting to write about.

Such is the case with my recent visit to the popular tourist destination for both local sabahans as well as visitors from all over. Of course the big attraction here is nothing less than majestic Mount Kinabalu standing as the tallest mountain in South East Asia.

However, that was not the only reason for me to visit this beautiful and cool tourist playground in Sabah. There are many small but cosy family cottages as well as numerous new hotels and chalets that can caters for a wide range of tourist budgets.

But my focus was on a slightly different kind of attraction as we drive past the main kundasang temperate vegetable bazzars and roadside stalls selling anything from freshly cut fruits and cabbages to handicrafts for the bustling tourist market.

I was invited to check out a new venture and a creative new addition to the wide range of products and services available in the Kundasang area. Yes I was going to visit The Vanilla Shop!

Owned and operated by Mr. Robin Ng, The Vanilla Shop is a brand new concept in selling an idea.. The main product is Vanilla of course and hence the name of the shop! But as you walk in to this creative little shop by the roadside along the Kundasang- Ranau highway, you will soon realise that Mr. Robin Ng is not your average businessman. Inside are all the passion he has for this thing called vanilla.. He has live vanilla plants, vanilla perfumes,vanilla cigarretes,vanilla sugar and a wide range of other vanilla related products ! Truly this man qualifies for the title of Mr. Vanilla. Spell this word backwords and you will see that it is the name of the business he runs this shop under !

The shop sells cute souvenirs of vanilla related too and these are specially packed for the tourists who wants to bring back an aroma of memories for friends and relatives. Ask Robin anything about vanilla and if you dont stop him he is likely to take up your whole day visit to this very fascinating vanilla outlet.

I was very fortunate to be able to learn more about what you can do with this very versatile product. You can of course use vanilla for cooking as well. And what about cake making.. ? Vanilla Ice Cream anyone ??

Anyway, if you are planning your next visit to Kundasang, you really should drive the extra kilometer to visit The Vanilla Shop for both as an educational trip as well as a memory trip.. Vanilla is a much taken for granted thing but Robin has it all for real !

Rafflesia Information Center

Rafflesia Information Centre

Learn more about the largest flower in the world !

Located along the Kota Kinabalu-Tambunan highway,many local sabahans often just drive past this gem of a center called the Rafflesia Information Center. Maybe its because its always there and the interest to visit can be postponed to another more convenient time. But for tourists and first time visitors to Sabah, this is really worth a visit because the rafflesia information center offers one of the most comprehensive source of interesting information about the Rafflesia ! It is after all the largest flower in the world !

Richard and Maria at the Rafflesia Information Center

Apart from the obvious attraction which is when the rafflesia is in bloom, the center also showcases many other nature related attractions. Visitors can see and appreciate the local native trees which are conveniently grown both naturally and planted by nature minded individuals.

The official Sabah Tourism site is a good source for information about this center and you can check it out here

Some details regarding how to get there :

Rafflesia Information Centre
Tambunan
Located at the roadside of the edge of a forest reserve is the Rafflesia Information Centre. This centre is set aside for the conservation purposes of the remarkable rafflesia flower. The Rafflesia Information Centre is situated about an hour’s drive away from Kota Kinabalu. (source:Rafflesia Information Center)

The Rafflesia Information Centre is open daily to visitors from 8am to 3pm. Here, visitors can look forward to a jungle trekking adventure to look for the rafflesia flower. It is advisable to wear comfortable trekking shoes in the attempt to trek through the RIC’s challenging terrain.

Richard Smeets and wife Maria, from the Netherlands recently visited the site with Aunty Doris and found the place to be really beautiful and informative. Be prepared to do some trekking if you happen to want a close look at a raflessia flower in bloom. Information on the latest bloom can be obtained from the site managers.

This center is just a small part of what is available to visitors to Sabah. You can explore the many adventures and activities by checking in with the official Sabah Tourism Website of course, but you can also email me if you are looking for any particular information on Sabah.

Cakes for all your dreams celebrations !

Its almost a universal desire to celebrate an important occasion with something extra special and for many it often means bringing in a symbolic celebration cake ! Whether its a birthday, a wedding, a reunion or something more engaging like an engagement party, the cake plays a very important main event. Usually it is the focal point of the evening ! And the more beautiful and creative the cake, the better memories can linger on for years to come !

Here in Sabah, the tradition is no different. It seems that everyone loves a piece of cake after dinner or just as a way to enhance an already special event. No wonder then that there are so many cake shops and bakeries to cater for the increasing demand for good quality cakes ! Commercial brands are easily available and in some cases home deliveries are arranged.

One exciting part of this industry is that anyone who wants to learn skills in making pastries, cakes and related activities can do so with relative ease. One can enroll in the many institutions around Malaysia and graduate with the required skills to either set up a cake business or enjoy making cakes for friends and family for the sheer thrill of being appreciated for a job well done !

The availability of cake making hardware and accessories have also contributed to the steady growth of homemade breads and cakes all over sabah ! There is one thing that seperates each homemade cakes .. Its the passion and creativity of the Baker of course!

Emma Lee is a good example of the passionate cake maker who bakes each cake with a very personal touch. What started as a simple hobby has developed into a very interesting home based rewarding career in the creation of designer cakes for whatever occasion you need the cake for !

I was very fortunate to visit Emma on one of her Off days when she is relaxing away from her ovens. Apparently Emma has been baking cakes for more than 10 years ! Its no wonder that she is so passionate about her cakes ! She still remembers her first oven and how it all turned out ! Now she sits in front of her laptop computer reading email orders for her latest designer cakes which is personally crafted and delivered for local weddings, engagements, birthdays and even for special reunions of corporate and industry events ! Her latest cake creations made it to the local paper as a custom designed cake with the iconic Kadazan Gong sitting on top of a beautifully decorated base being admired by members of a Sabahan Cultural Organisation! The cake was made especially for the Harvest Festival Celebration and presented to the TYT of Sabah ( Governor of Sabah , Malaysia )

A very creative person, Emma is always lookng for new ways to enhance her cake making ideas. She has hinted in providing training for interested students as an option for the future.

Conveniently located in Kota Kinabalu, Emma is now available to deliver your dream cakes to your special events to help enhance the gathering of friends, business associates or any other occasion.

For those of you who are interested to get more information of how you can make your event more memorable, you can visit Emma's Website at http://www.pinkrosescake.com/

You can also call Aunty Doris of course !
Click here for a Cake Making Course ?

Aunty Doris visits Utan Paradise Jungle Lodge

Aunty Doris visits Utan Paradise Jungle Lodge

For many who are looking for the ideal nature adventure and retreat or just a change in their routine, there is one place that is probably the best kept secret in Sabah.. Welcome to Utan Paradise, the secret jungle lodge !

I was invited to visit this beautiful jungle retreat as part of my program to promote off the beaten track type of tourism in Sabah. There are many interesting but sadly not well publicised destinations in Sabah and it is always so fascinating find when you discover them either by chance or on a deliberate venture to look for them.

Restful Jungle Atap cabins

Utan Paradise Jungle Lodge is a dream of one local native Sabahan named Saverinus. Once employed as a F&B manager of a leading hotel,he has brought his experience and expertise with him right to the jungle when his hospitality is just as welcoming as his rustic bamboo and atap cabins. It is a joy to watch this man turn a part of the borneo jungle into a paradise that allows privilliged visitors to learn about issues that should matter to most of us.. like global warming, reafforestation, respect for nature and the environment and protecting our natural habitat.

Combined with such admirable awareness and a strong desire to introduce sabah’s beautiful natural virgin jungle to the world, Saverinus has managed to implement a program for visitors to adopt individual trees in his jungle domain. For those of you who want to make a statement about your belief in saving our planet earth, you can adopt a tree at the utan paradise too. The adoption process is interesting and you will get your name inscribed on a plaque which is then posted on your adopted tree !! Contact Aunty Doris for more details on how you can be a part of this wonderful program to keep our natural heritage intact!

Aunty Doris talks to Saverinus about his dreams for Utan Paradise !

At the Utan Paradise Jungle lodge you can also participate in many activities including real jungle trekking !! Yes feel the buzz of real jungle sounds.. as they say.. you can taste the smell of real borneo jungle at utan paradise ! There is a small beautiful water fall that is prestine and well kept secret because the area borders a region patrolled by the authorities and so the water is as clear as it should be !

Finding Utan Paradise can be a bit tricky, even with a good gps device but you can try taking a Keningau bound Tung Mah bus from Kota Kinabalu and make sure it takes the kimanis highway route to Keningau ! The turn off is marked by an old marker left by the popular Operation Raliegh Project when a group of them visited Saverinus and helped to build some of his huts there.

Welcome to Utan Paradise

Aunty Doris talks to Saverinus about

his dreams for Utan Paradise !

Restful Jungle Atap cabins

Be prepard for some exciting adventure without the props.. you get the real borneo here !

White Water Adventure Rafting at Padas River Sabah!

White Water Adventure Rafting at Padas River Sabah!

When Zainol , a seasoned traveller, and his friends Teresa, Henry, Cecilia and David, all with a passion for outdoor adventures, from Singapore called to ask if I could help to organise a Mountain Climbing trip to Mt. Kinabalu and also White Water River Rafting at Padas River in Tenom, I was not sure if I could get the bookings organised at first due to the very tight schedules and the long waiting list for mountain climbers who are eager to conquer Mt Kinabalu, the highest peak in South East Asia !

There were some moments of initial disappointments.. the travel agents who were contacted did not respond to Zainol’s requests and they also somehow did not indicate that the railway service to tenom had since been changed to accomodate new revamping programs !

Teresa, Henry, Cecilia,David and Zainal (standing with banner) Alfons,Ida and Doris showing active support for Dagu Pinapin Language Preservation Project (DPLPP)

I managed to establish good contacts with the many essential links for Zainol and was finally able to organise what turned out to be a very enjoyable sabahan adventure trip for Zainol and his 4 good buddies.

On arrival at Kota Kinabalu Airport, an arranged 4X4 double cabin Toyota vehicle was on hand to bring them ( Zainol self drive ) all the way to Kundasang where they were greeted with all the beautiful sceneries and the cool freshness of the Kinabalu National Park. They were able to visit many places of interests including the Mushroom farm, Cattle farm and visited Mr. Michael Chin an old friend who also runs Cinta Mata Cabin. They checked into Pine Villa Resort strategically located to have a commanding view of majestic Mt. Kinabalu ! And what an awesome view !

The drive back from Kundasang to Kota Kinabalu city the next day was just as eventful with friends taking time to stop for photo shoots along the route !

Back at the hotel in Kota kinabalu, my husband Alfons and I were waiting to meet the group for a nice and sumptuous seafood dinner at the Ocean Seafood Village Restaurant where the dinner bill was as attractive as was the quality of the fresh seafood ! We really enjoyed it !

The big event was of course the surprise birthday for Teresa, one of the members ! She was clearly touched by the thoughtful gestures as we all lighted candles and sang Happy Birthday at the seafood restaurant, much to the delight of all at the popular seafood Diner.

One for the Album

Teresa ended up paying for a beautiful evening of aromatic coffee at the nearby 5 Star resort of Sutera Magellan. We all asked the talented live band to sing another happy Birthday to Teresa !!

The trip obviously left some beautiful memories and we look forward to the return with much anticipation. The White water Rafting experience at the Padas River was really a thrilling adventure for everyone. The normal Sabah State Railways Train service was undergoing some major changes and the journey to the starting point for the White Water Rafting had to be done the old railroad maintenance trolley style !

Zainol is already planning another trip possibly to the interior region of Sabah where there is a mystical limestone rocky outcrop with steep cliffs called Batu Punggul . Now that is another great adventure for sure ! Sabah has more rare gems to be discovered !

Batu Punggul, a limestone pinnacle in the heart of virgin rainforest

Sabah , my home away from home

Hello everyone ..

My name is Doris. But almost everyone calls me Aunty Doris and I guess when you wear the tag long enough it eventually becomes a part of you.

Anyway, this blog was started as a way to reach out to our friends from overseas to let them know about what is happening in and around Sabah ,my home for the last 25 years !

Originally from Singapore and working in the heart of the city marketing Diamonds for then Mondial Diamond Pte Ltd, I have traded the busy life with a much different lifestyle that allows me proximity to nature and the environment.

I fell in love with Sabah the very first time I set foot on the old Airport at Tanjung Aru. It was a very strange and yet pleasant feeling as I was met by friends who were there waiting for me at the airport lobby.

I was immediately impressed by the stark difference in the laid back environment, the local culture and the genuine hospitality of the people in this land below the wind, the iconic name for this beautiful State of Sabah.

Was it therefore any wonder that I have spent the last 25 years living in Sabah, my adopted home !!

Yes I met and married a local native Sabahan named Alfons and together we operate a small tourism facility called Hillview Gardens that is geared directly at sharing the natural hospitality of the local sabahans as we welcome visitors from many countries. The hands-on approach to hospitality have given us a very rewarding and warm personal relationship and lasting friendships with so many of our visitors from all over the world.

It is our hope that this simple website will be able to let all our friends, past visitors and pending visitors to Sabah an opportunity to be in touch directly with us to know more about what is happening in Sabah and to get updates through our interaction here as well.

If you are planning a visit to our beautiful State of Sabah, Malaysia,we would be so happy to welcome you. And if you need me to assist with planning your much deserved vacation here , please feel free to send me an email or leave a message.

Leave us a note or two in the feedback form. We love hearing from you!

I also have an Online Shopping Mall, so if you enjoy shopping online please feel free to click and browse below:

Aunty Doris' Online Shopping Mall

Peace and Happiness.

Aunty Doris

Handfone: 006016-9149383

Email: doris8873@yahoo.com

Website : www.auntydoris.co.nr

My home business website: www.spiderbiz.ws
http://spiderbiz.ws/spiderweb3/

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