Accommodations is always the major issue when planning to travel or having a vacation. You can chose from hotel, apartment, chalet, hostel or home-stay, whatever decision you made, I’m pretty sure it will not be only about the cost alone, but it will also involve facilities and location. Any traveller likes having a clean place, equipped with basic facilities together with great view and a good deal. The choice was not easy for us when we planned our visit to Kundasang. In the end, Hounon Ridge Farmstay and Camping was my choice. Usually, when I plan a holiday, I do a bit of research about the place to stay. It has to be nice, comfortable and worth my penny. Hounon Ridge Farmstay and Camping, opened to public in 2012, was a great choice I did not regret, both because the place fulfilled all accommodation requirement stated above, but also because it gave me a chance to experience first hand a night stay in one of the coolest areas of Sabah: Kundasang. I discovered Hounon Ridge Farmstay and Camping thanks to a tip from my university friend who hails from Sabah. The pictures were enough to convince me the place as beautiful and out of the ordinary, so I discussed it with my team and we all agreed. I called the resort to do the booking, told them I needed a room that could accommodate 7 people, and ended up booking 2 rooms: a standard quad room and a standard double room. The traveling day came; we reached Kundasang, spent the day exploring and sightseeing, and drove to the area where Hounon Ridge Farmstay and Camping is located. The road was not in the best condition, and it was quite downhill, so the drive was a bit rough. On top of that, the car GPS was not working so we had to stop a few times to ask local villagers direction to the hotel. Thanks mainly to them, we managed to get to Hounon Ridge Farmstay and Camping before night fall. My first impression was more than positive: the place looked much better and more pleasant in reality than in the pictures. The surrounding area is vast and gave us excellent views of the whole of Kundasang and of the majestic Mount Kinabalu in the background. We were so exhausted, yet we were excited to be there, and I started to understand why most people endure the uncomfortable journey to get here. We checked in fast and walked around the area to feel the cool breeze, take pictures and breathe the clean air. And while walking, I realised that Hounon Ridge Farmstay and Camping is also a great place to escape for those who work in an office or are overloaded with work and need some rest and peace and relaxation. But, you may ask, what does Hounon mean? According to the manager, the name Hounon in local language means ‘covered by mist’. And the name really suits the area, as during every morning and every evening I was there, the place was filled with a mist so thick you cannot even see the highest mountain in South East Asia. There were more things that make Hounon Ridge Farmstay and Camping special: it is nestled in a tropical rainforest ecosystem, it boasts a tropical lush green environment, and in the night it has a sky literally covered in glittering stars. FACILITIES Hounon Ridge Farmstay and Camping has different types of room: family room, standard room, dormitory, camping site; accommodation prices depends on time of booking and day of booking. Rates are lower on weekdays. Dormitory goes for RM 35 per person, while the Standard Quad Room we stayed in cost us RM 210 and the Standard Double Room RM 110. An extra mattress in the room costs you RM 25. Facilities include a kitchen for cooking, BBQ site and also conference room. Check in is from 2 pm and check out is 11 am. HOW TO GET THERE Hounon Ridge Farmstay and Camping is located at Kampung Himbaan, Bundu Tuhan, Ranau. The farm-stay is 9 kilometres from Puncak Borneo Resort, 11 kilometres from Kinabalu Park, 16 kilometres from Kundasang and 100 kilometres from Kota Kinabalu. To get to there you have to turn at the junction to Bundu Tuhan on the way to Kundasang. The road will take you to Kampung Bundu Tuhan, passing by Don Bosco Children Home, Kampung Himbaan and St. Valentine Chapel. From there, you can ask the villagers for directions. The easiest way is to have a working GPS ! If you rent a car and drive yourself, make sure the car in good condition, and since you will be going downhill a lot, do use low gear in order to prevent the brakes to overheat. BOOKINGS For more information on packages, contact Mr. John at +60 138506463 or log in to their Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/hounonridge/ Mr. John is a very friendly man and he will be available for information and booking from 8 am to 8 pm. Bring with you mosquito repellent, socks and warm clothes, food to eat (no food available there), shower kit and, not to forget, your camera!

The post Hounon Ridge Farmstay and Camping appeared first on Asian Itinerary.

Nestled in the foothills of Mount Kinabalu, 100 kilometers away from Kota Kinabalu, in Sabah – Malaysian Borneo, Desa Cattle Dairy Farm boasts one of the most magnificent scenery in Kundasang.  It is often described as the “little New Zealand of Sabah” thanks to its similarity to the southwestern Pacific Ocean country: the green fields, the distinctive black-and-white patched coat of the dairy cows and the cool breezes the place enjoys. Visitors both local and foreigner enjoy so much taking pictures at the site that I have heard that the farm has become a popular destination for couples to take their wedding photos. The farm covers an area of 199 hectares and produces about 900,00 litres of milk annually. Most of the milking cows are Holstein-Friesian, the highest milk producers of all cattle breeds. During our visit to Desa Cattle Dairy Farm, we tried some of their products, namely the boxed milk, the ice cream – of which we tried every single flavour available – and the chocolate milk, all delicious! Other products available are sausages and cheese. Prices are a bit higher than your average product, but they are so fresh and taste so great that they are worth the money they ask for them. Plus you can be guaranteed they are fresh fro the farm! And you can purchase the DESA products and take them back home with you. Visitors are welcome to see cows being milked and milk processing and packing activities. Milking takes place at 3 pm, and milk processing happens on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays. This uphill area with its chilled climate is of course such a change from the lowland heat. As a bonus, you can bottle-fee calves and young dairy goats, and you can walk around and enjoy the small gardens with flowers in bloom and the spectacular views of Mount Kinabalu. For the best views, try to arrive before 11am when you may have a clear view of Malaysia’s highest peak. Clouds usually cover it by the afternoon. The farm is at an altitude that also allows views of Kundasang. Highly recommended. Desa Cattle Dairy Farm is located at Mesilou Road about 5km from Kundasang town. There is no public transport to the farm, so you need to make your own way there. Special care should be taken during the drive since the road is unfinished and bumpy. No Public transport to this farm and more prefer drive the 4 wheel car or any higher car as the road are bump…. The farm opens daily from 8 am to 5 pm, the admission fee is Rm 4 for adults and RM 3 for children. Price for setting up a wedding photo-shooting is Rm100. For further information visit their website at www.desaplus.com READ ASIAN ITINERARY ARTICLE ON KUNDASANG HERE !

The post Desa Cattle Dairy Farm appeared first on Asian Itinerary.

Known as the upside down house of Borneo, Rumah Terbalik is the first ever house of this kind built in Malaysia, and claims to be one of the 5 best upside down house in the world, being also in Malaysia Guinness Book of Records. Rumah Terbalik started operations in 2012 and an amazing design for a house that is almost impossible to build. The simple yet nice architecture was taken from a traditional Sabah house,  with 140 square meters that include a fully equipped kitchen, a living room, a bedroom, toilets, a veranda and a garden, all built within the same perspective. The trip inside the house should take 15 minutes; they have used vintage stuff like 1970’s TV, a sawing machine, a lamp and an old telephone. No pictures are allowed inside, but you are able to photograph the outdoor, with upside down gardening tools, toilet and a car. The new 3D Wonders Museum adjacent to Rumah Terbalik is amazing. Thanks to a special art technique which transforms two-dimensional images into immersive 3D environments, you can now experience Sabah’s beloved customs, traditions, and landscapes in reality-bending ways! Rub shoulders with indigenous tribal headhunters, scale Mount Kinabalu, and observe myriad wildlife in their natural habitats in the safety and comfort of the museum. The 3D Wonders Museum is not only the largest 3D art exhibition in East Malaysia, but also one dedicated to educating the public about the importance of protecting biodiversity, ecosystems, and natural resources. As parts of your visit to Rumah Terbalik, you can also browse the Tuaran Craft Village and their well stocked gift shop filled with handicrafts and shirts and souvenirs. You can taste Kopi Tenom, the locally brewed coffee, and gourmet ice-cream in their cafe and experience authentic traditional Sabahan cuisine at Mango Garden Restaurant. Rumah Terbalik opens 7 am to 7 pm daily.  Entrance fee for Malaysian adults is RM 10.60 and the 3D Museum costs RM 24.40 – foreigner are charged RM 19.10 and RM 35 respectively, a bit steep for what you get, if you ask me, but still worth a visit. Rumah Terbalik is located at Jalan Telibong, Tamparuli, along the way to Kundasang, 33 kilometer away from Kota Kinabalu. For further information visit their website at http://www.upsidedownhouse.com.my/

The post Rumah Terbalik appeared first on Asian Itinerary.

Have you, by chance, ever heard of Kundasang? Kundasang is a little town located along the banks of Kundasang Valley in the Ranau Valley, Sabah, Malaysian Borneo. The area around Kundasang is mainly populated by a small population of Chinese people, and mainly by native Dusun, the collective name of the largest ethnic group in Sabah. Last February my cousins, friends and I traveled to Kota Kinabalu for 4 days, 2 of which we spent in Kundasang. We chose to go there not only to witness the beautiful nature but also to feel chilled as Kundasan is a relatively humid area, one where clouds and rain are often present. Of course the most significant feature of the town is that it is the closest to Mount Kinabalu, Malaysia’s highest peak, and it offers stunning and breathtaking panoramic view of the mountain. Kundasang, at only 6 kilometers away from the park, is in fact the window to Mount Kinabalu. Bear in mind that the view of the peak is only available before dusk and at dawn; the rest of the time, the peak is covered by a thick mist. The town has an exciting atmosphere, with several shophouses operated by locals and a vegetable market open seven days a week for which Kundasang is renowned. Added to the above is the wide range of activities and attractions. Follow me on a unique journey to this windy land and visit with me: – Rumah Terbalik – Kinabalu National Park – Kundasang War Memorial – Desa Cattle Dairy Farm – Strawberry and Rose Garden – Sinalau Bakas These are not the only attractions in Kundasang, there are more amazing places we did not manage to visit due to our limited time. For those with a few more days, I suggest a visit to Mesilau National Park, Poring Hot Spring and Nature Reserve, Crystal Hill and not to forget the famous climb to the peak of Mount Kinabalu. Kundasang has a great climate, great views and clean air. It was the perfect place for us to escape the hot tropical sun we are accustomed to, as well as a great escape from the hustle and bustle of city life. Kundasang is located 90 kilometers from Sabah capital Kota Kinabalu; the roads are good and not snaky at all, hence the drive there should lasts a relaxed 2 hours. You need a car to fully enjoy Kundasang attractions. Renting a car in Kota Kinabalu is cheap, at about RM100 per day. Asian Itinerary stayed at Hounon Ridge Farmstay and Camping

The post Kundasang, a town in the clouds appeared first on Asian Itinerary.