View from Mamutik beach at Abdul Rahman Marine Park (watch the clouds coming in)
Vincent, René and Dave
Tropical storm hits the island
With our self made ponchos
Having an Indian with Vincent and Dave
woensdag 10 oktober 2007
Photos Kota Kinabalu
Vincent, René and DaveTropical storm hits the islandWith our self made ponchosHaving an Indian with Vincent and Dave 
Kota Kinabalu - 10 October
In Dutch we have a saying that goes ‘Zo dronken als een Maleier’ which translates into ‘As drunk as a Malaysian’. Until so far, we found no evidence to support this saying in any way – in fact, the only people that we have really seen drinking alcohol in Malaysia have been foreigners. Until we met Vincent. Vincent is the very jovial owner of the Tropicana Lodge, the hostel we are staying in in Kota Kinabalu. Also called KK, it is the capital of Sabah on the Northeastern point of Borneo. Vincent used to work for pharmaceutical companies and sold medication all over Brunei and Malaysian Borneo, but so he says, he hated his job, his boss and the company. So he quit his job and set up a backpackers hostel. Vincent is now a free spirited soul. He likes to listen to Bob Marley and take care of his guests. He’s incredibly knowledgeable about Sabah and takes on the role of your personal travel agent / tourguide when you stay with him. He also loves to dive, drinks like a fish and smokes like a chimney.
Already last night, after he picked up from the airport and we arrived at the hostel, we were noticing the apparent ease with which Vincent was knocking back the Tiger beers. This only became more clear today, when he took us and Dave, an Australian guy, for a snorkling trip at the Abdul Rahman Marine Park, just off the coast off KK. After starting the day with a spliff, Vincent drove us to the pier at 9:30, from which we took the boat to one of the islands. We went for a snorkling trip, lounged around, had a buffet lunch and went for another snorkling trip. By the time we left the island at 16:15, he had knocked back a total of 8 cans of Tiger Beer and smoked another 3 spliffs.
Leaving the island was quite an adventure in itself, as the tropical island was hit by a tropical storm at about 15:00. We managed to find some shelter under a large canape, but by this time it was raining so hard and the wind was blowing so fiercely that we were still getting wet. Not to worry though, Vincent got us all a binbag from which we fabricated a poncho. This kept the top half of our bodies dry and therefore reasonably warm. Despite the booze and the weed, Vincent turned out to be the most switched on of all of us.
Vincent has also managed to sort us out with a pretty cool trip around Sabah. This is a huge achievement, considering that the Hari Raya (the end of the Ramadan) will virtually paralyse all transport and services in Sabah on the 13th and 14th. Tomorrow we are having a relax day in Kuching, then we are taking a 3 day activity packed trip into the Kinabantan jungle, from which we’re transferring straight to Seporna. There René can dive at Sipadan, one of the world best diving site, whilst I’m going snorkling. In a week’s time, we will be flying back to Singapore from Tawau.
Already last night, after he picked up from the airport and we arrived at the hostel, we were noticing the apparent ease with which Vincent was knocking back the Tiger beers. This only became more clear today, when he took us and Dave, an Australian guy, for a snorkling trip at the Abdul Rahman Marine Park, just off the coast off KK. After starting the day with a spliff, Vincent drove us to the pier at 9:30, from which we took the boat to one of the islands. We went for a snorkling trip, lounged around, had a buffet lunch and went for another snorkling trip. By the time we left the island at 16:15, he had knocked back a total of 8 cans of Tiger Beer and smoked another 3 spliffs.
Leaving the island was quite an adventure in itself, as the tropical island was hit by a tropical storm at about 15:00. We managed to find some shelter under a large canape, but by this time it was raining so hard and the wind was blowing so fiercely that we were still getting wet. Not to worry though, Vincent got us all a binbag from which we fabricated a poncho. This kept the top half of our bodies dry and therefore reasonably warm. Despite the booze and the weed, Vincent turned out to be the most switched on of all of us.
Vincent has also managed to sort us out with a pretty cool trip around Sabah. This is a huge achievement, considering that the Hari Raya (the end of the Ramadan) will virtually paralyse all transport and services in Sabah on the 13th and 14th. Tomorrow we are having a relax day in Kuching, then we are taking a 3 day activity packed trip into the Kinabantan jungle, from which we’re transferring straight to Seporna. There René can dive at Sipadan, one of the world best diving site, whilst I’m going snorkling. In a week’s time, we will be flying back to Singapore from Tawau.
Photos Kuching and Matang Wild Life Centre
Kuching Sunday Market
Posing at the Kuching cat statue
Young Urang Utan returning from a couple of hours in the jungle
The waterfall we hiked to
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