Kg Sumangkap - Gong Cottage Industry

When I was in Kudat, Sabah, I had the opportunity to visit a village in Pinawantai that is synonym with a traditional musical instrument - Gong. The village, Kampung Sumangkap is situated in Matunggong District, on the way to Kudat and is about 92 kilometres from Kota Kinabalu City. 

Top: small gongs that can be bought as souvenirs

I was on my way from Kudat to Kota Marudu with my former student and he made a stop at the village. He knew the village and the people well since he is a teacher at a local primary school, SRK Pinawantai. 

As soon upon entering the village, gong producing sheds can be seen on both sides of the road. This village seems to be the cottage industry under the one village one product concept. According to my student, the gong produced are made from zinc sheets and not bronze anymore like in the olden days. 

The gong is one of the compulsory musical instrument in all Sabah ethnic celebrations. Gongs comes in many sizes and it is either singlely hanged or arranged on a special rack. Gong is not alien to people of Malaysia either in East Malaysia or Peninsular Malaysia, since some officiating ceremonies need the VIP to hit the gong symbolising the launch of the activity.

For the rest of the story I'll let the pictures do the talking. 

Northern Tip Of Borneo

When I knew that I was going back to Kudat, I set up my objective to visit the northernmost tip of Borneo Island, the third largest island in the world. And my objective achieved. I went with a group of friends on one evening and had the opportunity to catch the sunset too.

Aerial view of Tanjung Simpang Mengayau as seen on Google Map showing the distance from Kudat Town.

Tanjung Simpang Mengayau gets its name from Sampang Mangazo in the Rungus dialect. Its a stretch of beach that ends with a rocky headland. Click the photo below to read more about the place that is considered as the best viewpoint of Simpang Mengayau

Read some history from the photo below that has something to do with the area

  

Thats the northernmost tip of Borneo

This is the tip. The rock at the tip of the Cape. Well, I dare not go to the end because its a bit slippery. 

Just the proof that I have been here. 

This is actually the farthest visitors can go. Going beyond this is at the visitors risk. I and my friends defy this notice and go down to the rocks down. 

View of Simpang Mengayau Beach

Entrance to Tanjung Simpang Mengayau Homestay

Just relax at one of the shelter sipping cool drinks while enjoying the cool breeze and the view of The Sulu Sea. 

The homestay compound

One of the huts at the homestay near Tanjung Simpang Mengayau. This hut can accomodate three person and is priced at RM 100 per unit. 

Souvenirs can be bought at the cafe and souvenir centre at Simpang Mengayau

Sunset viewed from Simpang Mengayau Beach

There are two good hotels in Kudat that is Hotel Ria (You Tube) situated in the town of Kudat and has internet access in the lobby. There is also a cafe on the ground floor with WiFi facilities. Another hotel is the Kudat Golf and Marina Resort located a bit out of town. There is a marina here and sailors can berth here. There is WiFi facilities at the lobby on the first floor and the coffee house on the groundfloor. For budget travellers on shoestring budget, there are some budget hotels in the town. 

Southern Tip Of Asia

It is a rare opportunity to be able to visit the south tip of peninsular Malaysia on the East coast. Maybe not the southern most (Tanjung Piai is the southern most) but coming to this part of the peninsular is a memorable visit for me. Its the end of the road on the eastern shore with KD Sultan Ismail as the landmark. Tanjung Pengelih is also one of the exit and entry point between Singapore and Batam Island of Indonesia. 

Going to Tanjung Pengelih, one has to take the Kulai exit on PLUS highway and turn into Kota Tinggi. However signage is quite a problem because as far as I can remember there is only one signboard showing to where I was going- TLDM Tanjung Pengelih. It was before entering Kota Tinggi. After that there is only direction to Desaru. I missed the way twice. First I drove towards Kluang after missing the junction in Kota Tinggi town. Then again I was heading towards Kuantan for a few kilometres due to poor signages. When I asked the direction, I was told to take the Desaru direction. 

After Kota Tinggi the next town is Bandar Penawar but take the route to Panggerang or Sungai Rengit. After that drive straight to the end.

The two pics above and below is of the clock tower on Jalan Tun Sri Lanang in KotaTinggi. You have to drive past this clock tower on the way to Tanjung Pengelih. This clock tower is located at Dataran Kota. On the side of the structure marks the water level (below) during the flood in 2007 that sumberged most of the town.

This is the end of the road. This point was used by the British as one of the defence point during the 2nd WorldWar to check the Japanese advancement to Singapore. There are still remains of the fort built by the British.

Picture above - one of the defence bunkers still that remains. 

Walkabout Labuan

I was in Labuan from 20th - 24th April 2009 and took these pictures during my walkabout. It was on part of the town of Labuan. The first stop is the new Labuan Jetty. This jetty connects Labuan to Sabah, Sarawak and Brunei by sea. Ferries and speed boats depart from here to other seaside jetties at Kota Kinabalu, Menumbuk and Sipitang in Sabah. There is also ferries to Lawas in Sarawak besides to Brunei Darussalam.  

The main roundabout on the island. From this point roads lead into the town centre, the Western coast and up north. This roundabout is marked as number1 on the accompanied map taken from labuanweb.com. When I first step foot on this island, this is the place I arrived. There was a barber shop in front of where Hong Leong Bank is now (where the tree in the picture is seen). That was in 1975.

Below is another view from the roundabout. The building in the background is the abandoned Labuan Hotel. 

Dataran Labuan akin to Dataran Merdeka in Kuala Lumpur is the main field in Labuan Town. 
Dataran Labuan, and in the background is Ujana Kewangan, the largest shopping mall on Labuan Island. The building on the right is the Grand Dorsett Hotel.
A roundabout next to Dataran Labuan. The marlin has been chosen as the mascot for Labuan Island. 
The public park along Jalan Bunga Kesuma. The place is shady with wakaf built for tired walkers to rest or take a nap. 

Two old folks enjoying  Chinese chess at the park.

This is Victoria Hotel. I think this is one of the first hotel in Labuan since its name is derived from the name of the town. Labuan town was known Victoria Point before being known with its present name. The sign in the foreground is one of the pedestrian crossing along one of the main road. From my observation, drivers here are more courteous to pedestrtians. If they saw anyone waiting by the roadside to cross, drivers will stop voluntarily even there is no traffic light requesting them to stop. I have never seen this happens anywhere in Malaysia before. Something that other drivers elsewhere should learn.

The main bus terminal. Commuter can embark here and the bus lead to all areas on the island.