In 2006 Ashe (my daughter) then Primary 3 student was given a mid term assignment to write about her up coming holidays and hand it in after the holidays. To be honest, Cinda and myself had nothing planned other than being relieved that we could sleep in a little bit. So we decided to plan a driving trip to visit my eldest bro Jules and Tips the wife and my grand nephew (and godson) Damon. They live in Keningau (about 138km from KK) then it is a relatively short drive (50km) to Uncle Richard and Cousin Gerald diary farm in Sapong (just after Tenom).
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So we decided on a 4 day break. First is the drive over Crocker Range which reaches as high as 4000 ft above sea level. Views are mainly secondary forested area. At the highest point at Gunung Emas we had a coffee break before heading to Tambunan. The main interior of the Dusun folks. A political stronghold of PBS.Then to Keningau. The name Keningau is derived from Kayu manis (Cinnamon) which apparently grew in abundance in the area. Its guarded by two major ranges the Crocker on the west and Trus Mardi in the East and South. My dad was the District Officer (the first local DO I might add) in the early 1960's when my brother John was born. Jules now resides in the town. (further details of Keningau refer to http://www.kinabaluweb.com/keningau.html)
The drive took was enjoyable and the kids go through many phases - excitement (early in the drive), curious, hunger, boredom which usually leads to sleep and then ....ahhh silence.
In Keningau we stayed with Jules who is a proud owner of a farm, about 20 minutes away. Here you see him showing a cocoa pod to my kids.
Tristan and myself next to a coffee tree.
Coffee beans before they are plucked, dried and fried and grinded. Throw it in a sock and pour hot water...ahhhhh! (I think I need a coffee break) Ashe of course had samples.
The cocoa pods on a tree.
Cocoa is tasty, sweet-sour taste. The beans are used for chocalate and made into cocoa butter (which are used for cosmetics as well) Tried to get Ashe to eat one but was reluctant. She however kept a bean for a sample for her essay.
The next day we visited Uncle Richard, Unty Pu Chan and Gerald. Below is the house they live in which was built in 1950's and renovated in early 2000. It is beautiful and the nearest thing to paradise. My grandad John Baxter who was English came pre WWII and worked as a Plantation manager, married a local and never went back. He passed away at 90 odd years old. He was believed to have brought in Coffee and Cocoa into Sabah. We had few acres of coffee trees at the back of the house. As a kid on holiday he would make us pick coffee beans, and paid us 5 cent a bag. We then put in on a corrugated roof to let it dry. But it was satisfying to drink coffee from your own land. But we did feed quite a few mosquitoes in the process. But it is currently a diary farm 500 odd cows if I am not mistaken (all the milk you can drink). Real fresh milk you can smell the cow!!!
In Keningau we stayed with Jules who is a proud owner of a farm, about 20 minutes away. Here you see him showing a cocoa pod to my kids.
His farm includes papaya, coffee, cocoa and the main cash crop oil palm.
Tristan and myself next to a coffee tree.
Coffee beans before they are plucked, dried and fried and grinded. Throw it in a sock and pour hot water...ahhhhh! (I think I need a coffee break) Ashe of course had samples.
The cocoa pods on a tree.
Cocoa is tasty, sweet-sour taste. The beans are used for chocalate and made into cocoa butter (which are used for cosmetics as well) Tried to get Ashe to eat one but was reluctant. She however kept a bean for a sample for her essay.
The next day we visited Uncle Richard, Unty Pu Chan and Gerald. Below is the house they live in which was built in 1950's and renovated in early 2000. It is beautiful and the nearest thing to paradise. My grandad John Baxter who was English came pre WWII and worked as a Plantation manager, married a local and never went back. He passed away at 90 odd years old. He was believed to have brought in Coffee and Cocoa into Sabah. We had few acres of coffee trees at the back of the house. As a kid on holiday he would make us pick coffee beans, and paid us 5 cent a bag. We then put in on a corrugated roof to let it dry. But it was satisfying to drink coffee from your own land. But we did feed quite a few mosquitoes in the process. But it is currently a diary farm 500 odd cows if I am not mistaken (all the milk you can drink). Real fresh milk you can smell the cow!!!
Gerald's 4x4 BJ40 Land Cruiser.
Special thanks to Jules, Tips and Damon for welcoming us in their home. Tips has the best recipe for pork belly barbeque which I always look forward to.
On the way back home and "Are we there yet!?" and "I'm tired!" and "I need to go wee wee!" and "I'am hungry!!".... when are they going to sleep?
Without saying, Ashe of course got a 'A' for her essay and we had a very educative, fun and enjoyable time together!!!
I really enjoyed that family trip! Tq to Jules and Tip for the homestay.
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