Good times with the Dusun people

We travelled by mini bus and 4 wheel drive vehicle to the village of Kiau Nuluh which is set among the lush green forest on the mountain side. The Dusun people number around 1,000 with another 3 nearby villages. Our reception was delightful with a special performance by the mothers group and a dance by the local children. With a spectacular backdrop of the surrounding mountains it was a wonderful afternoon with many smiling faces. The evening we were treated to the most delicious dinner as special guests of the village. The array of food cooked by the women was amazing, and all from local produce of the village. Then came the very potent rice wine which soon melted away the shyness of everyones attempts at both the Malaysian and English languages. The locals all loved the opportunity of talking to us and practicing their English. There were laughs and singing all around into the night.

The next morning we enjoyed the wonderful hospitality again with breakfast and a beautiful view. A morning village walk was in store where we ascended to a high point that gave us our first view of Mt Kinabalu, the peak forming an awesome rocky outcrop that would regularly disappear into the clouds. This will be our challenge in 2 days time!

- signing off, Marika Martinez - Women's Own Adventure

ARRIVING IN SABAH

Our group of 11 adventurous women from as far afield as Esperance in Western Australia, Perth, Brisbane and Sydney landed at Kota Kinabalu on Friday 22nd August, 2008. We spent our first day and a half exploring the local markets (always a favourite) where beautiful batiks and sarongs were bargained for. The early morning was spent taking a speed boat to 3 of the nearby islands while the water was smooth as glass. The first island was our very own with no other people on it. The sand is white and the water is the most gorgeous turquoise in the shallows, here we happily swam and floated in the warm waters. What a joy after the wet and cold of Sydney. After exploring and swimming on the third island the boat ride back to port felt wonderful with the wind in our hair, the salt spray of the sea on our faces and the sun on our backs.

A little more time was spent exploring the local shops then for me and some of the others, a reflexology session was in order. An hour long foot massage...heaven. Tonight we are celebrating 2 birthdays, so there will be a special dinner with some local Lyche wine and a birthday cake. A celebration for us all!

The Malaysian people are friendly and beautiful. It is a joy to walk the streets and the markets without being harassed by street vendors.

Tomorrow we travel to the base of Mt Kinabalu and will stay in the homes of the Dusun people.

- signing off, Marika Martinez - Women's Own Adventure

Sabah Advenuture in Borneo

We are to begin our Women's Own Adventure trip to Borneo on 22nd August. This trip will see us climb Mt Kinabalu. There are 11 women adventurers, 6 from Western Australia, 1 from Queensland and 4 from New South Wales. I will keep this blog updated during our trip.

- signing off, Marika Martinez - Women's Own Adventure