“He who does not travel does not know the value of men.”- Moorish proverb

Tuesday 31 March 2009

Recap : March 2009

With 31 days in the month of March passed us, here are some recaps.

1. Earth Hour 2009The event started in Sydney 2 years ago has gathered 88 nations and 4,000 cities all over the world this year with raise awareness towards the need to take action on climate change. Finally, we do agree on the same issue and it takes not one but all to tackle the global warming.

KL during Earth Hour 2009 - not much different yeah!

2. Rasuah vs Politik Wang
Well the controversies doesn't end - yet. Even with the recent election and probably the best ever line-up, UMNO still struggling to clear up it image from this problem.


3. Thanks Pak Lah and Welcome Najib
It already confirmed, Dato Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi retired it post as President of UMNO and possible Prime Minister of Malaysia with his replacement, none other the son of second Prime Minister of Malaysia - Dato Seri Mohd Najib Tun Razak. Well he shouldn't worry about his legacy as his son-in-law - Mr Khairy Jamaluddin win the post as 'Ketua Pemuda', and maybe as the next Prime Minister-to-be. It seems like the previous Malay sultanate where the head of state runs by certain family.





4. The Battles Begin
After a 'successful' AGM with the new line-up, UMNO enter the battles of 2-hills and 1-river facing Pakatan Rakyat (People's Pact) and other Independence. All three are significance battles with Bukit Selambau showed first time in history 15 candidates eyeing for the ADUN post. Bukit Gantang surely a referendum for Perakian towards BN's back-door government and Batang Ai will give a signal whether PKR's presence in Sarawak is acceptable and able to form the next new state-government in less than 2 years time.

My 34 : Kota Marudu (Ep 2) - More Pictures

Scenic paddy-field in Kota Marudu


From left : Kampung Ulu Kukut - located in Kota Belud but most vehicles that plan to go to Kudat division including Kota Marudu and Pitas will through this rough road; examples of the road - most of the time if I travelled to Kota Kinabalu, I need to fix my car's absorber

From left : the weekly 'tamu' in Kota Marudu; it will be flooded once in 4-5 months, so bad that sometimes patient unable to come to hospital


From left : the 'Carrefour / Tesco' of Kota Marudu - More Chance; the only mosque in Kota Marudu


From left : it's quite far from the town itself; my rented house in Kota Marudu - the main problem is water!, every house in Kota Marudu will require extra water-tank


From left : the hospital main building - small yet one of the busiest district hospital in Sabah; two 'mascots' in Kota Marudu - posisang and corn, we even have Annual Corn Fest with Queen of Corn elected among the local girls ;p

Sloppy road to Kota Marudu

My 33 : Kota Marudu (Ep 1) - Good Memories Remained

Memory is a way of holding on to the things you love, the things you are, the things you never want to lose."
- Kevin Arnold

I wouldn't say that my stay too long, but I did enjoy Sabah. Even with less than 2 years a lot happened compare to my stay in Kuala Lumpur for my whole life. Sabah provides a lot of excitement, bet it either city or village, modern or traditional, concrete or jungle and many more.

In term of my practice, here I learned a lot compare to my Peninsular colleague. Here you can perform most of the surgical procedures, manage patients with limited facilities, learn without much pressure from your superior but more on the cases you see and plus, plus, plus. I do really miss Sabah, and I won't regret to be in Sabah - thanks to MOH that put me there. But I do regret I have to come back early nevertheless I do hope I can be back there as a specialist.

So here some of my memoirs about Kota Marudu, a lonely district in Kudat division - fame for Datuk Dr Maximus Ongkili (the MP), corn and posisang! What? Posisang - yes a tiny smelly beetles that came-out during full-moon. They can turned white pole - to back pole.


From left : Hospital Kota Marudu or locally known as Hospital Lotong; hey - that's me!


From left : my room; with my dedicated director - Dr Zayrod, really adore his passion and hardworking. Best teacher and collegue.


My last surgical procedure - BTL. Here I learned a lot - LSCS, appendectomy, BTL, etc.

Below here are pictures with most of the staff, quite a small hospital with huge commitment. They are all my friends, teachers, mentor and everything. Miss all of you a lot!






Flag of Sabah

Mount Kinabalu - viewed from Kota Belud, I think this is the view they've taken for the flag of Sabah

My 32 : Ranau - Hot Springs & more ...

"A pictures worth than thousand words - so, do enjoy our last league of Sandakan - Kinabatangan - Lahad Datu - Ranau's 2007 trip"

PORING means bamboo in Kadazandusun's language
Fame for it's hot springs, canopy-walk, butterfly garden, waterfalls, bat cave etc.



From left : why I can't see the bottom - gayat la!; how many of us 1, 2 ... 6, 7 - hey you, step down first. no wonder I here that 'crack' sound; just be brave, it's too high to hold onto


From left : don't worry - you can still sms'es here on top of the tree; one of the canopy-walk platform.

Those who're altophobia or simply doesn't trust the cable - do not attempt this walk as no insurance covered. Who need that, try - one of your memorable things to do in Sabah.

Kipungit waterfall : Meditate while the icy-cold water flows above your head. Hehehe


Relax at the nice waterfall


From left : hot springs area; the source of the hot springs in this park


From left : waiting for the enclosed bathtub available; I can't show much on what happen inside, only 'heads' are allowed. :p


From left : shot with Viviane on her wedding's day; friends together with V and her husband - just nice, the wedding was on the day back from our Sandakan - Kinabatangan - Lahad Datu trip
“All travel has its advantages. If the passenger visits better countries, he may learn to improve his own. And if fortune carries him to worse, he may learn to enjoy it.” - Samuel Johnson (1709-1784); English essayist, lexicographer, biographer and poet.