Regional networking
The highlight of the conference was a networking session with the Malaysian Medical Association (Sarawak) members where a local consultant briefed the group on the medical developments in Sarawak to improve services in rural areas.

Dr Robyn Napier, medical secretary and medical director of the Australian Medical Association (NSW), says: “Our colleagues in Sarawak come from first-hand experience and I am looking forward to incorporating that knowledge into our practices back home. For me, the real highlight is what I have learnt. Groups must come to Sarawak.”

Rewarding interactions
The group was energised by a day spent with some of Sarawak’s most cherished residents. Delegates spent the morning experiencing the ‘Heart-to-Heart with Orangutans’ activity at the Matang Wildlife Centre, where the apes undergo rehabilitation before being returned to the wild.

The programme was developed by the Sarawak Convention Bureau and Sarawak Forestry as an interactive CSR programme that builds awareness of the endangered animal as well as giving delegates an opportunity to connect with the destination.

Rangers briefed the group on the conservation programme before leading a tour through the centre. Delegates were then assigned tasks such as painting the walls, cleaning cages or assisting with the Orangutan Enrichment Programme. After lunch, the group transferred to the Semenggoh Wildlife Centre to see semi-wild orangutans in their natural habitat. The group then spent two nights at Borneo Highland Resort, which offers one of the region’s top golf courses and a jungle spa.

Organiser David Broit of Platinum International Travel, says: “The success of bringing my first two groups into Sarawak means that it is a definite inclusion in my tour programme for future groups.”

Source: cei

The government of eastern Sabah state signed an agreement with the World Wildlife Fund this week to replenish trees in a piece of forest territory totaling 2,390 acres (967 hectares) over the next five years, the WWF said in a statement. The area is nearly the size of 1,500 soccer fields.

The effort is part of the “Heart of Borneo” initiative, led by the WWF since 2007 to strengthen conservation planning among Malaysia, Indonesia and Brunei, the three countries that have territory on the island.

Environmentalists say Sabah’s orangutans, pygmy elephants, rhinoceroses, sun bears and other animals are at risk because their jungle habitats are increasingly taken over by loggers and plantations.

Earlier this month, Sabah authorities announced plans to bar companies from planting palm oil and other crops near rivers to preserve the natural habitat.

A French-based conservation group, Hutan, recently estimated that fewer than 11,000 orangutans remain in Sabah. Up to eight times that number existed 15 years ago.

Source: San Antonio Express

The via ferrata, or ‘iron road’ in Italian, is a mountain path that consists of a series of steel rungs, rails and cables embedded into the rock face on a mountain slope. It opens up routes for the average hiker that were previously only accessible to experience rock climbers and mountaineers with specialised equipment.

This leisure mountaineering sport had its roots in World War I. The first via ferrata was constructed and used by the Italian military to move troops and equipment across the Italian Dolomites into to Austria. Climbers can follow the via ferrata without needing to use their own ropes and belays, and without the risks associated with unprotected scrambling and climbing.

The via ferrata are found in a number of European countries, including Italy, Germany, England, France, Austria, Slovenia, Switzerland, Spain, Sweden, Norway and Poland as well as a few places in the United States, Canada and Malaysia.

Mount Kinabalu in Sabah has the first via ferrata, not only in Malaysia but also in Asia. Opened in December 2007, it is an alternative route to the top of Mount Kinabalu at 4,095 metres above sea level. Located at Mount Kinabalu’s Panar Laban rock face, the via ferrata is also the world’s highest. It begins at 3,411 metres and ends at 3,776 metres above sea level. This was certified by the Guinness World Records. The via ferrata is a four to six-hour hike from the Mount Kinabalu Park Headquarters.

The company responsible for bringing via ferrata to Mount Kinabalu is Mountain Torq Sdn Bhd, a Kota Kinabalu-based entity that promotes adventure and mountaineering activities in Asia.

Mountain Torq’s Via Ferrata

Mountain Torq’s via ferrata is approximately 1.2 km long and traverses routes of varying difficulties. It thus caters to all levels of experience, from beginners to intermediate hikers and climbers.

The company’s sales and marketing director Quek I-Gek said that this ‘iron road’ on Mount Kinabalu is suitable for almost all ages, from 10 years old and above.

“The via ferrata is devised to give people with little or no climbing experience the excitement of being above the clouds. You don’t even need to be a seasoned or experienced rock climber or mountaineer,” she said. Families, school schoolchildren children and climbers of general fitness levels are particularly fond of one of the activities called ‘Walk The Torq’. Measuring 430m long, participants can witness the beautiful natural scenery of Borneo and capture breathtaking shots during the two to three hours walk. But adventure-loving mountaineering enthusiasts who are craving an exhilarating, adrenalin-charged experience should opt for the hike up to Low’s Peak, Mount Kinabalu’s highest point at 4,095m. This is a four to five-hour programme, with a length of 763m, designed for those with above average fitness levels.

Other highlights include walking on a 22m footbridge suspended at about 3,600m above sea level.

“As long as you know how to climb a ladder and are still able to do so, you will be able to negotiate the via ferrata. All that is needed is a spirit of adventure, the average fitness level of a normal mountain hiker and no fear of heights,” Quek said.

Safety Standards

When it comes to enjoying extreme sports like this, safety standards are normally the prime concerns.

However, Quek said that it is the safest of all mountaineering sports including hiking, scrambling, abseiling, rock climbing and alpine mountaineering.

Mountain Torq’s via ferrata enables climbers and non-climbers to experience the thrill of mountain climbing in complete safety as it conforms to the highest international safety standards.

The via ferrata is able to withstand up to three tonnes of weight. It was constructed by a team of preeminent via ferrata builders from Europe. Safety practices developed and prescribed by the International Climbing and Mountaineering Federation (UIAA) for mountaineering sports are also adhered to strictly.

All equipment used in the sport is UIAA-certified and participants are guided at all times by trainers who have undergone rigorous training, with regular skills upgrading based on a syllabus endorsed by UIAA. In addition to that, a continuous belay system is employed throughout the via ferrata route where climbers are hooked up to a guideline, making any deviation from the route virtually impossible.

Other Services

Besides operating the via ferrata, Mountain Torq is also South East Asia’s first mountaineering training centre, offering other mountaineering activities like sports climbing, rappelling and alpine rock climbing. Mountain Torq’s alpine-style accommodation at Pendant Hut, located at 3,270m above sea level on Mount Kinabalu Laban Rata rock slab, offers its guests a cosy, eco-friendly hut with a combination of dormitory, VIP and private rooms. From this location, it is a mere 15-20 minutes walk to the start of the via ferrata.

Needless to say, Mountain Torq’s via ferrata has played a major role in raising awareness on Mount Kinabalu among mountain climbers around the world. With the availability of this mountaineering activity, one can confidently say that Sabah is now a world-class adventure destination with a myriad of ocean and mountain activities.

Source: Sabah Tourism

 Over 50 species of Malaysia’s national flower, the Bunga Raya (Hibiscus) have been meticulously and expertly cultivated throughout the resort with each villa being named for a different species.

“At its heart, Bunga Raya is truly about preserving and coexisting in our natural environment,” said General Manager, Jonathan Wise. “We have designed every aspect of the resort to allow our guests to immerse themselves in a pristine, unspoiled and luxurious island paradise and just like foot prints in the sand, it remains untouched when they depart leaving exactly as they found it, for the next visitors to enjoy.”

Villas range from simple timbered dwellings, steps from the beach, to opulent 3 bedroom multi-level units with wrap around decks and indulgent private plunge pools.

 In-room treats include Frette linens, 32” Flat Panel TVs with full satellite service, DVD Players, Bose Wave Radios with Ipod docking stations complete with a selection of CDs to enjoy.

The Solace Spa features exotic jungle spa pavilions which blend Traditional Asian and Western treatments to help capture the restorative powers of indigenous plants and oils. Solace also features an “Ice Room” to compliment the sauna.

Recreational activities include a PADI certified dive centre, snorkeling, kayaks, jungle trekking. The resorts also owns a fleet of boats that range from 28ft to the opulent and luxurious 64ft Rafflesia.

Oceanfront Dining is available at the laid back Beach Bar & Grill or the casual elegance of The Clubhouse -a modern European Bistro with a contemporary flair. A subterranean wine cave holds one of the largest wine selections in the region. For the ultimate overwater experience, guests can reserve a Private Ocean Pavilion for dinning over the South China Sea.

While normal rates will begin at US49/night, a special Introductory rate is being offered at US$ 350/night for a Standard Villa inclusive of 3 meals daily for two guests, deluxe island transfers, use of all non-motorized water sports equipment, taxes and service charges.

Source: ASIATravelTips.com

In a joint statement Friday, the airlines said Malaysia Airlines will code share on Royal Brunei Airlines’ twice daily services between Bandar Seri Begawan and Kota Kinabalu and twice weekly services between Bandar Seri Begawan and Kuching.

The two airlines have been code sharing on flights between Bandar Seri Begawan and Kuala Lumpur since 2004.

“We are delighted to expand our partnership with Royal Brunei as Borneo is a popular destination for North American and North Asian tourists,” said Malaysia Airlines’ commercial director Datuk Rashid Khan.

“Our customers can now enjoy seamless connectivity to the three major cities which offer unique cultural heritage and natural attractions,” he said.

Royal Brunei Airlines’ senior vice president of commercial, sales and marketing, Wong Peng Hoon, said the airline will be able to effectively make travel to Borneo seamless for passengers with the code share on Sabah and Sarawak.

Passengers, he said, will also be able to take advantage of the increased number of flights into Borneo and access the booking facilities of both airlines.

Source: Bernama