White Water Rafting

FuFu Travel - Kota Kinabalu, Sabah -
18 - 24 April 2009 + Episode Seven +


The guide picked us up in front of the hotel.


The guide made jokes during the short briefing of the water rafting.


We attacked back his humour with the funny faces.


The best thing to do in the van was of course sleeping.


We stopped here to answer the call of nature.


The state flag of Sabah features the depiction of Mount Kinabalu.


While we taking the pictures beside the road, a car coming to us.


The car didn't hit us. We slept on the road ourselves.


Silly gang of friends did silly thing?! Shut up! At least we had fun!


Hey, we gonna jump again.


Yes, we were wearing the tee shirts we bought the day before!


It's happy to jump.


FuFu was not the last one to jump!


Here all of us jumping again.


Oh, 18SX! Please watch this with your parents. LMAO


It's damn unbelievable as we still could jump after the climbing.


We are so energetic!


The road side is real wide in Sabah.


They were wearing the same tee with the Sepilok Orang Utan.


Picture with the driver, Ameng and guide, Spiderman!


We showed off the printed t-shirts. Spiderman wanna kiss FuFu.


The eight of us - the best travelling members.

We were picked up from the hostel at about 8am to start the long journey to the river. It took about 3 hours to make it along the scenic drive through the Crocker range to Tenom. It's a town located in interior division of Sabah. The town was formally called Fort Birch in the colonial period.


Saw the policewomen, we requested a picture with them. "Salute."


"You bastard darn super idiot!"


"What the heck you talking, you such a bitch."


Here we had a quick lunch in a restaurant at Tenom.


The guide was off to the market for fruits to be served later.


While waiting, we snapped the 15 sided star.


Again, 18SX. Kids, watch this picture with your parents please.


FuFu is a cute white rabbit (not the Playboy, ok?). LOL


The eight of us were going to had our first water rafting!


Here we arrived the station of Tenom.


These wooden houses just built right beside the railways track.


This little girl must be surprised to see us making noises outside.


This is how the rural area of Sabah looks like.


The railways track is used since the late 19th century in Borneo.


I love this old station. Sad i couldn't do more photoshooting.


Life jackets and helmets were distributed to us here.


We are going to ride this push cart trolley to the next station.


The trolley with only plank of wood and four ball bearings.


The passengers waiting to take the trolleys as well.


Another unique mode of transportation i discovered in Sabah.


The best way to back home as the train runs only few times a day.

After the lunch at Tenom, we proceeded to a village, got change and ready for the fun filed thrilled ride by using only plank of wood and several ball bearings (the Flintstone ride or locally called push cart trolley) up to Pangi.


We all already donned up the gear for the rafting.


Gearing up too high till a member dancing in front of us.


The train was approaching us.


Hey, it's the oldest train in Borneo.


"Booo booo... jing kong jing kong... boo boooo."


Ready to get on the track!


"Hey Peggy, enough. Enough. Get up!"


But we still wanna take more pictures.


Wow... romantic moment for this couple.


It was a great sunny day!


Ready to go.


The Spiderman, our guide!


We loaded ourselves on the push cart trolley.


The "trolley guard" will bring us to the starting point.


Put the sunblock lotion on or get tanned like FuFu.


Shrrrrrr. Wow, way too fast as i what i had imagined!


We speeding up too!

The push cart trolley ride through the depth of the jungle was a great experience, sat on a plank of wood running by the ball bearings. The scenic ride will take around half an hour along the Padas River that gives glimpses of the thrills and excitement to come.


Taking pictures while the trolley driver bring us to the destination.


Fallen rock blocked the track.


While waiting the others and not wasting time, we took pictures.


The thrilling yet scenic ride would take around 30 minutes.


Half dead Parry was having rest.


We're getting excited as we see the great rapid of the river.


We saw the people doing the reinforcement work on the slope.


The guide joined us for picture too.


They are continuing to cage the rocks from falling down to the track.


We arrived Pangi Station approximately half an hour later.


It's a small village here in Kampung Pangi.

The rapids in the Padas river starts in a traditional village called Pangi, which is inhabited by the local Murat tribe which previously was headhunters. Most of the guides were from the Murat tribe though. Upon reaching starting point, the guides started cutting the watermelon, set up the raft by pumping in the air and preparing the equipment.


We were served with some watermelon and mineral water.


Cool down the body by eating watermelon.


We all had a mole each after eating the Sabahan watermelon.


Lucy and her brother came back from school.


Taking picture with the head hunters' descendants.


We're all gearing up for the rafting!

By the time the raft was set and we had taken enough rest, we all were gathered together. Then the rafting instructors briefed us on the safety, emergency and the useful techniques of rafting before we headed down to the river.


We were briefed on safety procedures by the rafting instructors.


The Da Lap Team with the two local rafting guides!


Thanks Peggy for bringing her Olympus camera along.


If not we couldn't take pictures and video all the way of the rafting.

We were able to get off the raft to enjoy swimming in the calm parts of the river at the beginning of the journey. Before each rapid, our guides instructed us what to do or which strategy we should use to conquer the strong rapids. Each strong rapid was a thrilling ride. And they were most fun part of the journey.


The guide asked us go swimming at Padas River.


We were able to get off the raft to enjoy the swimming.


In the calm parts of the river. Great.


A nice rafting journey down the majestic rainforest of Borneo.


Alright, time to get back to our raft and continue the exciting rafting.


It's need a technique to get back to the raft.


Yeah, FuFu easily did it pretty fast.

The 30km white water rafting, making it the longest rafting journey in Borneo begins at Pangi. After the 9th kilometers of rafting which covers seven rapids (Grave 3 and 4), claimed to have the best rapids in South East Asia!


"We are ready to fight with the rapids."

These rapid carries amusing names such as Head Hunter Rapid, Scooby Doo Rapid, Cobra Rapid, Lambada Rapid, Snake House Rapid, Curve Rapid and Merry-Go-Round Rapid. Each rapid will give you the feel of the motion as what the name means.


The designated strikers sitting in front.


"Hey you guys, TEAMWORK. Keep paddling"


Forward forward, one-two, one-two....


This muddy river holds seven exciting and tough rapids!


The beginning of the journey was quiet.


We still had time to pose when the lens zoomed towards us.


Hey start paddling! Forward, forward. One-two, one-two.

We had our own team slogans for the paddling, we started from forward, forward; one-two, one-two; yat-yi, yat-yi, then someone came out with "da-lap, da-lap, da-lap....". Yes, we sang the Pink Panther song along the way. Why? Only the Da Lap teammates know it. We had our interesting story.


"Hey, get ready to fight with the rapids!"


"Yeah, we are the strongest rafters."


"It's an easy job man."


"I will do my best."


The cheerleader who sitting in the middle.


This guy looked a little bit nervous.


"Hooo no worries, i am here."


"Leave the job to us, the STRIKERS."


The first rapid - Head Hunter Rapid.

This part of Borneo was previously known as the head hunter trail! The Head Hunter rapid is nice and easy to get you going. The breath taking mountains and high gorges surround this rapid. It's only the beginning of a whole lot of fun to come!


It's all about TEAMWORK.


The person with paddle has to keep paddling.


While the person sitting in the middle gotta cheer up the teammates.


The terrifying rapid starts at Cobra Point!

Now your adrenaline will be pumping through your veins! This Grade 3 rapid bites fast so keep our eyes peeled and the guide keep shouting "forward, one-two, one-two...". And we kept paddling. TEAMWORK.


A massive storm attacked us!


FuFu was thrown out off the raft. SOS. Help FuFu.


"Yahooo, it's damn horrible yet freaking exciting."


Give FuFu few seconds to cool down please.


After the rapid, we still had mood to camwhore. Crazy!


See, they were all panicked.


"Oh mom, very scary, i wanna go back home."


Don't worry, sure we could get through the rapids one by one.


It's all about teamwork. Yeah, keep paddling.


The mild Lambada rapid.

Like the dance, it is sophisticated and sexy! You will be dancing to and fro with the waves whilst the raft cruises up and down in the white water. The whole journey was filled up with our laughters and shouts. None of us can get enough of it. Our rafting team was awesome!


Huu, huu, we did this every time after shooting through a rapid.


Woohoo, the Scooby Doo Rapid.

Scooby doby doo! That's what you will be screaming when you get going on this Grade 3 rapid, this will warm you up and get you jumping up and down for more!


"We all are the Champions."


Da Lap team is the best team ever with the nicest teammates.


The Curve Rapid.

Curving around the boulders in between the river banks this bumby ride will keep you hanging on tight!


"Over, a boulder detected 100m in front of us, over."


"Roger. There's boulder in front. Forward. Turn left."


"Keep paddling. Turn left, turn left. One-two, one-two."


The ultimate challenge for us to shoot through the rapid. GREAT.


Experiences the nerve tingling excitement with rapid after rapid.

Now were heading into Grade 4 rapids from Merry Go Round Rapid, this is where your nerves start tingling and knuckles go white! It's great! Fun, fun, fun.


The Snake House Rapid.

Watch out for the slithering water beneath you its fast and exciting and you don't know when it's going to stop. It's so challenging!


"Let's fight with the rapid."


Whoa, we tried to keep a distance from the rapid.


"It's attacking us. Anyway, keep paddling."


The rapid was real fierce and strong! Damn, she managed to pose!


Thrills and spills could really be expected here!


FuFu was doing his best to paddle but his teammates posed!


Sitting at the front real could feel the thrills. =p


I didn't know if i paddled in the water or air.


Thanks Peggy for taking care of FuFu.


These rapids made our journey more fun and challenge.


Hooraayyy, we managed to successfully overcome all the rapids!

White water rafting is the chance for you to jump in and enjoy the thrilling yet cool rapids! Let the current float you down the flat calm section of the river and learn how to jump in and out of the raft. This water sport real requires a serious teamwork from every teammate!


Yeah the three best raft strikers of Da Lap Team.


It was nothing but fun and exciting journey.


Whoa... the unexpected rapid was approaching us.


Oh my goodness, some of the teammates again posed for pictures.


"Hey why you guys posing for pictures, keep paddling!"


"Damn, we are not Ah Beng, we also want to pose."


Even we ignored the rapid. We all had gone crazy!


The river became calm. We saw snake swimming on the surface.


We finally graduated from the Rapids University.


We even dare to stand up on the raft.


The best photo of the journey! All of us appear clearly.


This river offers a more heart pounding experience.


FuFu highly recommend this to everyone.


We're lazy to paddle but happily pose for pictures.


The rafting guide informed us the journey was going to finish.


We all again posed for pictures together.


Since we had paid RM250 to the photographer.


See, the rafting guide got caught! So naughty!


Oh, he's splashing water on us again.


"Oh no no no... don't splash water to FuFu."


It's the greatest water sport FuFu ever had.


We all had a fun time at Padas River.


FuFu wish to go back KK for water rafting.


The guides keep paddling us to the ending point.


"One, one more!" we requested as the journey was almost to finish.


Then we took out the waterproof camera out.


The shy rafting guide!


It's great to experience the totally untouched nature.


The guide even spotted a crocodile.


"We are Da Lap raft strikers!"


The Most Valuable Rafter - Issac and FuFu.


OMG, whose hand was that!


Oh, 18SX. Naughty Fufu. See Issac's expression! LOL


This RM190 water rafting package was real worth every dollar!


Gonna take our slippers and get off the raft.


"Da Lap Team is the best."




It's very muddy. Be careful when you walk with your slippers.


The girl was happy to see FuFu in Halogilat.


Went through the small village to the station.


We took the ancient train ride back to Beaufort town.


The German couple were teamed up in other teammates from KL.


We had tuna sandwich and watermelon on the train.


Ignore this couple, see the picturesque scene from the window.

There is only a railway service winds along Padas River, the most challenging site for rafting since the 19th century. It was another half an hour ride to the terminal. There was no air-con in the old train. We were wet and tired. So after the refreshment, we did nothing but wind down with a sunset view of the return journey to Beaufort.


Finally, we arrived the final stop, Beaufort.


We definitely remembered to take picture with the oldest train.


Felt so good after changing the wet clothes.


Our guide, Spiderman loves Wong Fei Hung very much.


Yeah, the Spiderman pose!


The Da Lap Team! LOL


Gonna leave the station and back to KK for dinner.


Here we were brought to the Seri Selesa Kampung Air for seafood.


100g for RM10? Damn super expensive!


What are these creatures?


The seafood in the West of Malaysia is way cheaper!


But well, still wished to try the seafood in KK.


Some of us couldn't afford for the touristy price.


Thus, we walked in the eat-all-you-can hotpot restaurant.


It's only RM22 per head.


Wait, this for eight persons?


At least a small prawn for each of us, ok? EIGHT.


Now i know what it stated only RM22 for a person.


Alright, we still have veggie, noodle, bihun, eggs and cold drinks.


Anyway anyway, we still had crabs.


The crabs were fresh and sweet.


Make your own chilli sauce while waiting the food is cooked.


Peggy couldn't wait to try the corn ice cream before eating.


Hey guys, we had tomyam soup and herb soup!


We ordered this plate of clams outside!


And the yummy butter prawn too.

I know this post is super duper long. Do come back enjoying the pictures again during the weekend. Have a great weekend, folks.