tuaran crocodile farm

off we went to see the crocs on the exciting & adventurous day of 07.07.07. han & myself were new to the place but not big bro an & hubs. they visited the crocs 2 years ago with uncle nico & yet an couldn't contain his excitement from home all the way to tuaran. he was definitely thrilled to see the reptiles again! i, on the other hand, wasn't sure what to expect from this trip. i envisioned the farm to be simple with a few penned up crocs here & there but boy was i in for a big surprise!

kampung lok batik, jalan sulaman highway,
89207 tuaran, sabah.
telephone: 088-793376

open daily 8.30am-5.30pm

entrance fees:
adult/child - RM10/5

highlights:
feeding time, crocodile show & cultural dance

braveheart an attempted his first stunt with a stuffed croc!
the new & youngest contestant for fear factor perhaps?

han was a lil wary at first but slowly warmed up to the place
& the numerous stuffed crocs that were there.

2 brothers on a jet ski with the handsome, cool,
goldeneye croc bonds 007!

paradise for over 1000 crocs & a fatten up camp i'd say!

this is one real snappy croc that caused a slight increase
in our blood pressure & heart palpitation
when it snapped its jaws at me after i pointed my camera at it.
point taken!

thank goodness for the bridge they built above these reptiles
or else i wouldn't feel secure with so many crocs lazing about!

still waters run deep...

apart from crocs, we got to feed & pet this poor hungry deer.

you can buy a bunch of vegies, kangkung i.e. costing RM1
to feed a hungry deer or the other animals.

the vegies, fish & turtle food are hung on a
wooden board with hooks.
also hanging from it is a small contribution box.
you feed, you pay - smart move by the managemet.

what i didn't expect to see was the l-o-n-g house.
the bamboo house is situated next to it.
who would've thought of traditional houses in a croc farm!

it's showtime for the boys!

i absolutely love the bamboo background!

koi wanting to be fed as well. big bro an had a blast feeding them.
han wasn't too keen on the splashes he got from the pond.

i don't really fancy these slimy looking catfish!

here's a pond of talapia/tilapia - fresh & yummy :o)

we also got to see pythons, wild cats, an ostrich, a peacock
& noisy gobbling turkeys which made us all laugh!

looking for croc souvenir/s to bring home?
croc meat, eggs (RM3 each) & skin products are for sale.
apparently croc meat & eggs are good for those suffering from asthma.
we even saw dried croc gallbladders in the display cabinet.
now who'd buy that?

the croc adventureland was definitely worth our time!
the boys had a super croc time!

a motor racing fan

an was very excited when he heard & saw banners of the petronas sprinta aam malaysian cub prix championship 2007 which took place at the likas sports complex temp circuit last weekend cos he still vividly remembers watching the riders during one of their practice sessions the previous year.

he was constantly reminding hubs & myself that week of our promise to take him there. we didn't however go for the actual race day as that place would definitely be jam-packed with vehicles & spectators. we went for their practice session on a saturday morning instead which already drew quite a large crowd.

a very happy boy!

despite being a fan of this sport,
an doesn't fancy the loud vrooms that come with it,
thus him having to bring along
his ever faithful companion with him.

what would he do without teddy?

teddy, a constant comfort to his ears.
he'll use his right hand to cover one ear & teddy the other!
at one stage he even tried to cover both ears
with poor teddy ~ so cute!

we'll have to wait till an & lil han is older to catch the real deal.
wonder if teddy is still needed then :o)

pesta kaamatan 30-31 may 2007

kotobian tadau tagazo do kaamatan!

what better ways to celebrate the harvest festival in the truest of spirit
other than to join in the traffic jam heading to KDCA
& finding an appropriate place to park
in an almost impossible jampacked roadside.

that was us, on 30 may, a family of 4,
crowding the place even more & for our first time,
witnessing the merriment of the various ethnic groups in sabah,
adorned with jewellery on their beautiful costumes, with songs & dances,
giving thanks to the rice gods for a bountiful harvest.

young & old passed this billboard before the KDCA entrance (below).

we were greeted by the lively kulintangan traditional music,
accompanied by the gong players in the background.

i'd to wiggle my way in to have the above picture taken.

an seizing the moment
to try his hands at the kulintangan
when the musicians left for a break.

han didn't want to miss out on the fun!
the festivities were contagious & getting to eveyone!

2 lucky boys got their picture taken with 3 beautiful maidens
from kota belud dressed in one of their traditional bajau costumes.

part two: lok kawi wildlife park

i was trailing behind my boys
the whole time & clicking away!

an attracted to the parrots

trying to get a closer look at one of the animals

they played with the adorable & friendly
baby proboscis monkey behind the glass

lil han observed everything with amusement
in his eyes

it was in fact a hot day, so lil han had
drinking breaks every now & then

part one: lok kawi wildlife park

jalan penampang-papar lama

WDT no. 63
89507 penampang, sabah.
telephone: 088-765710

open daily 9.30am-5.30pm

entrance fees:
malaysian (adult/child) - RM10/5
non-malaysian (adult/child) - RM20/10
senior citizen (60+ malaysian only) - FREE
handicapped - FREE

our 1st family excursion took place at the lok kawi wildlife park & it was fun, fun, fun! good news for sabahans i.e. since it's an excellent place for both young & old to visit. despite the park's soft launch, its site nearing completion + without much advert, it actually attracted many on the saturday that we went. i was truly amazed at the number of visitors coming in & out of the park. kudos to the sabah wildlife & forestry departments for a job well-done!

we started with the children's zoo, a friendly place for kids to pet the animals. big bro an was very keen to get a ride on the elephant's back but we missed it. never mind, we'll make it up on our next trip for sure!

i touched the turtle's hard shell.
i too was as excited as my boys.

big bro an & lil han enjoyed the animals
but were more cautious,
not ready to pet them yet.

there are helpful directions strategically placed in the park, so we followed the path that led us to more wonderful sights & we saw among others...

colourful parrots

ostriches standing tall

affectionate proboscis monkeys
which both boys absolutely adore!

restful yet regal looking tigers

my all-out favourite, elly

beautiful gentle creatures they are!