This First day was get to know where we are located and the planning for next few days trip. Rented a small car for 3 days to look around Sabah. Some of the nice and beautiful scenery and cultural heritage of Sabah
The hunt for Betta Chini
Beaufort was the documented place so off we go from Kota Kinabalu. The excitement was to scoop the Chini and hold that in my hand. I have read the journals of people that collected Chini and last known person was Michael Lo. But the betta was found at Papar. Strange but when you visit the place then you will know why. Beaufort looks like an industrialised place than what many termed as "ulu"
The one and only Chini found at Beaufort I think. I sms Eddy whether any Pugnax was ever found in Beaufort cos this guy looks very much like a juvenile pugnax. Anyway, there is no pugnax known in Sabah. Closest is the Lehi. Haha. Betta hunt usually brings out the unknown and many guesses to put thing right.
The gravel road leading to the habitat
What is most unfortunate was the Chini did not last the journey. The trip toward Kudat was to see the Tip of Borneo and the road was very bad with gravel for a long 8km stretch. Phew and thinking about coming back to go through another 8km of gravel road was torturing but worth it
The Kampong Living
This was my first experience into the kampong community living. What makes this kampong unique was the close proximity of each house, and all uplifted in case of flood from the nearby river.
Happy KAMPONG KIDS. Notice the kite was actually make from plastic bags. "Giant" recycle plastic bag. Very innovative.
Hill stream rapids
I term this gushing river stream as Rapids from the TV program. We chance on this hill stream while roamiing Kudat. Crystal clear waters, Smacked in the middle of this stream was a little man-made path where vehicles can cross to the other side of the kampong. Lots of Gastromyzon, the borneo suckers.
While on this Rapids location, it rained heavily. That blue car actually stopped and was given a good washing by its owner.
While heading back towards Kota Kinabalu, we chance on a hill stream that has water running into the road longkang. At first I thought it was just water running on the stream from somewhere ahead but on closer inspection, it actually come from a nearby hill. As we were running out of time only manage to explore a short distance before a barrier of fallen bamboo stop us on our track. I believe there could be betta in this stream up ahead but we did not see any on the lower end and the roadside.
Lastly, the picturesque Kota Kinabalu
