More to it than mountain climbing

That is the sort of scene one would expect to see on the way up to the peak of Mount Kinabalu. However, it didn't happen. Not this time. Maybe next time.

That next time would mean undergoing massive shedding of those "spare tyres", marked improvement in health and stamina, and lots of viagra to pump more hormonal excitement in life.

Do be careful with those viagra. Over heard here the political grapevine that one politician in Sandakan had a bit too much viagra and experienced heart attack twice in recent times.

That is strange.

Viagra is supposed to help one's heart problem. Perhaps, strange things do happen with a little too much excitement with glamour and someone outside one's age group.

Amidst the surreal and mystical surrounding near Mount Kinabalu, there are quite few viagras to invigorate one's soul and spirit without the suicidal attempt to the peak before reaching the right fitness.

There is nature, culture and history.

In the heaven's of Kinabaloe

It is not our first time to Kinabaloe (or Mount Kinabalu) foothill in Ranau and Kundasang.

The last time we were here was in Kundasang last year to deliver a talk. It was cold and raining at night with the blowing wind giving an eerie sound.

After the talk and dinner, we wasted time with poker into the early morning. The weather was fine the next morning but we could only savour the clear sight of Mount Kinabalu for a short while before leaving home.

This time we have more time to enjoy and appreciate the awesome scenery and visit the attractions albeit at leisurely pace without any targeted schedule.

Kudat: God's secret hideaway

Finally there is Internet access in Ranau for us to do our better late than never update. No politics yet, only the travel.

We were up early Wednesday morning. A normal early day in Sabah is around 5 AM.

Had a simple spartan breakfast of hot drinks, bread, and spread. Packed our stuff into the vans and off we left the homestay apartment for Kudat.

The homestay is owned by a gentlemen from Pasir Mas, Kelantan. Yes, another Semananjung smitten by peaceful Sabah.

Kudat is not that far and within two to three hours from Kota Kinabalu. However, we have to allocate time for sightseeing and schedule swimming for the kids in the evening.

Kami di Sabah, bah!

Kota Kinabalu, Sabah state capital

Heard the Prime Minister will be off for his vacation. So that rules out any chance for general election soon.

With a Deepavali and Maal Hijrah holidays close to each other and school is out, the best thing to do is to take a break from current affair of the world and take that long needed holiday. So off we go for Sabah last Tuesday.

The choice for Sabah is simple. Putting the fluid and unstable politics aside, Sabah is a lovely state to go. People are nice and friendly. It's cohesiveness as a society with many races and 'tribes' is amazing. The true 1Malaysia. 

It served our purpose of visiting our old Rengus friend in Kudat of 40 years and friends and family spread all over Sabah.

Salam Maal Hijrah 1434

To mark the occasion, Muslims are recommended to end the past year and begin the new year with the following  dua':

No Diwali wishes for Tony F

First things first.

Happy Diwali to all my Hindu Malaysian brothers and sisters.

May the lights of Diwali strengthen our resolve to let good triumph over evil, right triumph over wrong, truth over lies and slanders, charity over greed, and peace and serenity over loud and chaos.

The last three are not usual Hindu wishes for Diwali. It is just us adding our own wishes to save the soul of  Tony F. We would have wanted to wish him Diwali but a commentator told us that Tony F hate to be wished Diwali.

Some commentators viewed our bitching of Tony F as racism against Indians. Do perish such thoughts.

He may gained the help of tycoon Ananda Krishan to get the appointment with Tun Dr Mahathir to sell the idea of them buying Air Asia from Hicom in those days. But it has nothing to do with his Indian blood or contributing to the cause of the Indian community.

Tony F is British and a Christian. Can't you notice his English accent?

"We don't need no education ... "

Believe me, it has to be an MRSMer to think of something this out of the ordinary and out of place.

As we entered the ballroom of Allson Kelana Resort, Seremban, playing in the background was Another Brick in the Wall (Part II) ....

We don't need no education.
We don't need no thought control.
No dark sarcasm in the classroom.
Teacher, leave those kids alone.
Hey, Teacher, leave those kids alone!
All in all it's just another brick in the wall.
All in all you're just another brick in the wall. ...

To an outsider, it would have been the most in appropriate homecoming song for returning former students.