Lok Kawi Wildlife Park July 31, 2007

I have two days to update my blogs, with set of pictures and of course, to finish my story on my trip to KK. Although there’s not much to tell, but I am sure my readers are now pretty bored of the same post for many days on the front page. Now here I am, taking advantages of 3 days off to update all my blogs!

Back to my trip to Lok Kawi Wildlife Park, I took many pictures of the animals there. I’m sorry, I intentionally refused to stop by at the aviary, because Im tired of watching the same bird that we also have in Labuan Bird Park. But the other animals were awesome!

The Lok Kawi Wildlife Park is about 25 KM (South West) of the capital Kota Kinabalu. It is easily accessible by either the Old Penampang – Papar Road via Donggongon town or the Putatan – Papar road.

The Lok Kawi Wildlife Park is run by Sabah Wildlife Department under the Ministry of Toursim, Culture and Environment. The park covers about 280 acres of land include the Botanical Site managed by Sabah Forestry Department.

At the moment, the Park has more than 100 species of mammals including birds, which are kept in captivity. On the Botanical side, there is a trail which leads t the Herbal and Ginger Garden. You may even catch a glimpse of the ever famous Pitcher Plant (Nepenthes sp.). Some introduced dipterocarp trees can also be found in this area.

Coming attractions are (now in progress) the 1.4 km forest walk, the canopy walk, mountain biking track and the observation pavilion. Have fun but remember to abide and respect the rules and regulations of the Park.

Inspired by Omar Ariffin work on Pusaka Bumi : The Legacy Of Nature, I tried all my best applying all the knowledge and my camera ability on taking pictures. Of course the result are far from Omar Ariff work, but then I know there’ll always a room for improvement!

Overall, my trip to Lok Kawi Wildlife Park was very syok! Despite the hot weather and my ultimate frustration on the camera battery life span, I enjoyed my walk in the park and the experiences.

Here are some information.

Open daily : 9.30 am to 5.30 pm

Entrance fees:

1. Visitors 18 years old and above (Malaysian citizen RM 10.00) & (Non Malaysian citizen RM 20.00)
2. Visitors below 18 years old (Malaysian citizen RM 5.00) & (Non Malaysian citizen RM 10.00)
3. Free admission to Senior citizens (60 years old and above) and Handicapped Malaysian citizen only and school childrens (below 17 years old).

LOK KAWI WILDLIFE PARK Jalan Penampang – Papar Lama, W.D.T. No. 63, 89507 Penampang. Tel: 087-765793 Fax: 088-765762

JABATAN HIDUPAN LIAR SABAH (SABAH WILDLIFE DEPARTMENT) Block B, Tingkat 5, Wisma MUIS, Kota Kinabalu Tel: 088-215353 Fax: 088-222476

Tell July Issue 2007 July 30, 2007

NOTE: Thanks to TELL Editor, Sh. Sakinah Aljunid and TELL Writer, Michelle Gunaselan for spending some times sending complimentary emails appreciating my review on their past issues in my blog.

I know I am late, perhaps my hectic and pathetic time management kept me away from creating new material for this blog. I’d spend more than normal working hours in the office, due to packing up office equipments to be sent to Australia (where I’ll spent the next 7 to 8 months – alone) and closing up the operation in Labuan. I’ll be jobless by the time I come back to Malaysia, but then I know if there’s a will, there’ll always a way!

This month TELL magazine featured photographer, Omar Ariffin (Omar Ariff Kamarul Ariffin) with his masterpiece creation Pusaka Bumi: Malaysia’s Legacy Of Nature; an album consists of superb photos of wildlifes all across Malaysia. In fact, I’ve read about Omar Ariffin in Click! Issue 21, which then sparked the enthusiasm in me to try taking animal pictures.

Omar Ariffin, together with his assistant, Zul and his daughter, Melissa crossing Peninsula Malaysia, Sabah and Sarawak taking arresting pictures of nature and wildlife. He’s not just a photographer in technical, but also a nature lover with a conscience of the importance on keeping our nature preserved. He believes modernization can be enjoyed by everyone without sacrificing the gifts of God. His album published and sponsored by Yayasan Seni Berdaftar (YSB). I would like to have a copy of Pusaka Bumi: Malaysia’s Legacy of Nature, for the sake of amazing pictures and to appreciate Omar’s effort on boosting public consciousness on keeping the nature there, untouched and preserved disregard the development and modernization we’re facing now.

From left: Zanariah Zainal [Company Executive Director], Mehrzad Yasmin Malik [Lecturer, Singer], Izham Ibrahim [Marketing Executive] & Soosan Hoh [Artistic Director, Actress & Writer]

This month, Mustapha Mahidin brought four peoples to the round table, debating on the choices of moviegoers, simply to discuss on why Malaysian films pale in comparison to Hollywood blockbusters (or do they really?). Participants voicing their opinions (majority of them) on how boring and less attractive Malaysian movie are, compared to Hollywood movies; which I agreed! But then, with the appearance of Yasmin Ahmad, Afdlin Shauki and another guy – for the film Cinta (Im so sorry, I forgot his name), there’s a promise and hope in our film industry. I know, because I watch their movies more than any cheap cliché lovey dovey movies! (If I ever watch the latter, which I never bother to watch it anyway)

A Grand Bazaar in Istanbul, featured the joy and beauty of shopping in the historical city of Istanbul. Perhaps the pictures taken from the magazine could salivate all you bargain lover to be there!

I’m moved by Personal section of this month TELL issue! Wahti Mahidin with her article; No Joy For Lina, Rocky Bru for his Side-Kicking Corruption, Toni Kassim on her A Matter Of Gender and Vernon Emaung with his superb article; Wilting Without Grace. It took me 3 to 4 times reading his article with curiosity and full interest to appreciate the superb literature and ideas.

Other must read articles!

FEATURES: King for the new age, The Halal story, In Search Of Nature, People Of The Forest & Darling Dayang Nurfaizah.

SIGNATURES: Keluarga Klinik Rosman, David & Loganathan Arumugam, Mahadi : The Voice Of Jalud, Going, Going, Gone! & Little Olympians.

LIFESTYLE: Print season. Fruits for the skin, Tunku Halim, Joanna Bessey, Mark Inglis, Cheryl Samad, Miri International Jazz Festival, BMW 325i, Dim Sum at Sunway Resort Hotel and more!

Grab your TELL magazine today (if there’s any left) J.