Crocker Range Outing: First Family Camping Trip

In addition to my annual leave and the off/public holidays, I've got ten days (yes, 10 days) to spend with my family and friends in Kota Kinabalu (K.K). Plenty of time to freshen up my fatique mind...

My kids had been bugging me to send them to Tuaran. I was reluctant, but have to oblige. I wanted to spend some time with them but had to reschedule at last! They just love to go to my hometown and enjoy the country life there. It's school holiday and they deserve the break...

My Mom went to Medan, Indonesia for a vacation. My baby sister and brother agreed to take care of the kids. It was nice to have some peaceful time with my wife, but we both agreed that we would rather have the kids around!

We decided to bring them to Crocker Range for a camping trip. We had been dreaming of it since they were little. We did it once with my son last year, my daughters were not able to join. This time around, there was plenty of space in Alphon's car.

The journey was quite an adventure, which I think was good for the kids. There was one part of the road where we had to get off the car to let Alphon drive alone. The concrete uphill road seemed to be broken and the car might not pass through with heavy loads. The kids were ecstatic to receive such experience...

The weather was cool during the day and was freezing cool at night. The temperature dropped as low as 16 degree Celsius during the night. Our camp site is around 1900m above see level and I never felt this cold except on Mt. Kinabalu a long time ago.

We started barbequing at 6.00pm. Alphon skillfully started the fire and we countinue taking turns with the bbq. Some chicken wings, sausages and plenty of lamb chops! We had our dinner as soon as Chai and Sissie arrived with the "special ordered" steamed rice. We had a great dinner in the cold weather!

They departed from Kota Kinabalu (K.K) around 6.30 pm and informed that there were thick mists on the way and visibility might have only been 5 meters or less! It was also rained heavily in K.K and there were lucky there was no land slides on their way to join us. There were only little rain up on the hills but the fog was thick too.

My second daughter Sarah had a little "altitude sickness" I guess and vomited twice. This forced us to move to the hostel which was a bit cozier around 1.00am! It was very dark and silent, my son Alli had a hard time falling asleep while my first daughter Sabrina showed little sympathy. She has been dreaming to camp and sleep in a tent her whole life!

Sarah was feeling guilty I guessed and apologized to her mom. I felt for her, she was just as excited as everyone else but unfortunately fell weak. However, she showed strength and did not whine. She tried real hard to enjoy herself and did not even complain once!

I guess my wife and I were a little inexperience, we did not prepare a complete First Aid kit. This shortcoming will not happen again in the future, I can promise you that. Our first family camping almost ruined by our inexperience. We were lucky to have someone like Alphon and Chai to assist.

All in all, we had a great time up on the Crocker Range. My kids can't wait for our next trip. They do not mind us with our birding activities as long as they can tag along. Sabrina and Alli already showed interest in photography while Sarah with her photo editing skills. I am sure this kind of trip is the first of many more to come!

1. The Sitorus of Borneo

Photo courtesy of Alphonsus Loinsang

I was getting ready with the BBQ while Sarah already feeling weak looked on. Sabrina and Alli enjoying the cool weather, my wife was looking for something interesting to shoot on the surrounding area.

2. The Birders in Action

Photo courtesy of Alphonsus Loinsang

Ronald joined us the next morning and arrived at 6.15am! He told us he left K.K around 5.00am and I am still wondering how fast he was driving... His interesting birds can be found here, while Chai's with his reliable spotter here.

3. The Sitorus

Photo courtesy of Alphonsus Loinsang

We were checking for some bird activities on the trees when Alphon took a picture of us. She has two interesting blogs which you can check here. This new passion proves to bring us much closer to each other!

4. Mrs Jordan: The author of Talking Fingers

She was enjoying herself and caught some beautiful birds during our trip. Her flickr is here which is worth checking! Constantly improving with her bird shots while have and eye for different subjects!

5. The Beastmaster

The man himself, Alphonsus Loinsang with some of the most amazing bird shots which you can checkout here. Dress to kill, and equipped with a Sony H5 he's got the best approach-get as close as you can with the birds before you release the shutter! Not an easy task hence why he got the nickname "Beastmaster"!

My annual leave is almost over. Not too keen to go back to Labuan, but got to do it. The plan of the next trip keeps me going I guess. Hopefully everybody will be available on our next trip which I also hope to be soon!

Meanwhile, please stay tuned for the bird shots taken which will be published in my future posts!

Young Master Sitorus 3

..he was an avid photographer..whether it’s the digital camera or the handphone..he would snapped at anything that took his fancy..even his nostril is not spared..no matter how the photos turned out..he will proudly showed off his work..until one day..Ah Seng showed him photos from the Sony DH-5..sparked an interest in him..an interest to use the Sony..an interest that made me jittery..an interest that is a bit costly..wait a little while Alli..wait till you are a little bit older..when you hand is much stronger to hold the Sony..for now..settle for the BenQ ok..and Ah Seng..no more please..

Fired Up for Action

..a nice pose of me..that’s what the mrs said..we were at the lower shelter at Inobong when Ah Seng took this shot (thank you Ah Seng)..with the gabion (is that the correct description) at the background..teamed up with the greenish landscapes..you got one fantastic picture..the clashing of nature with man-made structure..one of the many man-made structure that is slowly creeping its way..to inland..into the back country..ready to roll..I started my hunt eagerly..ready or not Inobong..here I come..again..

Little Brother Ah Seng

..the baby in the brotherhood..the baby that towers the rest of the guys..the only snake amongst the cute piglets..the one who always be at the receiving end of some crack jokes..but if you look beyond the age difference..look pass the stature..you will discover a fella with strong characteristics..someone you can count on, dependable, efficient event organizer just to name a few..passionate, that's how my wife describe him..of course along with Ron, Chai and Gary..a bunch of guys who are passionate about their work..a bunch of guys who excel in their elements..my wife is full of praises for you guys..and Ah Seng..for the odd one out..not bad..not bad at all..

Samuel L Jackson wannabe?

..from someone who described my verbalised thoughts as a "cerita dongeng"..hmmm..dear Ron who missed the sunset that was not to be..dear Ron who missed the barbeque in the rain..dear Ron who missed a soaking night to remember at Inobong..turned up the next day chirpy..looking fresh and energetic..looking like a movie star..chit chatting with the crew while waiting for the next take..brought along the much awaited breakfast..food to appease our hunger..complemented with comic account of last night's affair..tales that will leave its mark..experience that will last a lifetime..among good friends..among loved ones..that..I'm sure of..

Elder Brother Chai

..Chai..the name my wife just can’t associate with..the name that gave auto wrinkles to her brows..the name that she just can’t put a face to..but that is no longer the case..now she can’t mentioned the others without Chai..Chai who has impressed her..once upon a night in ACE..once upon a night when Chai opened up his mouth..to a small audience..Chai who revealed his true colour..like a pro..like second nature..my wife agaped silently..I guess we all were..dear dear Chai..will there be more to come..or you just want to save the best for last..whatever it is..neverrrrr..never judged a book by its cover..that's the morale of the day..my wife said..

Mount Kinabalu - View from Inobong

..Hazel..one petite lady..one gorgeous lady with black raven hair..that's my wife's first impression of her..Hazel who made her a teensy wincy uncomfortable..Hazel, whose command of English is flawless..compared to my wife, whose command of "speaking the London" is not as fluent as she wants to be..Hazel dragged our attention to the mountain..no one bothered at first..only after all the hustle and bustle calmed..every lens available started pointing at the mountain..be it from the shelter..be it from the ground..the majestic Mount Kinabalu..hiding its tip behind the clouds..shyly..ever slowly showing its tip..a show that we just can't wait..a show that elude us this time..but one show caught my wife's attention..a vision of Hazel in white..definitely one stylo lady..in the mean time..Inobong awaits our next trip..faithfully...

Young Master Sitorus 2

..when we are graced with such beautiful things that life could offer..we tend to forget how lucky we are..we took things for granted..we took things at face value..we sometimes forget that all things will come to an end..sooner or later..an errie reminder..with this in mind..we are forever thankful to God..for this gift from heaven..we will treasure him well..until our last breath..in the mean time..for you my boy..mom and dad's everlasting love..

Young Master Sitorus 1

..it's just like we never left home..the tantrums..the sulkings..the yelling matches..we thought we left it behind..that's what we thought..but then boys will be boys..and he is no exception..he was a bit upset that morning..upset cause mummy did not want to catch grasshoppers with him..he walked alone sulkily..up and down the gravelled road..the minute he saw me aiming the camera at him..a lovable transformation became visible..kids..it is amazing how they can make you feel complete..

pre-storm view from Inobong

..a preview to what is in store for us that night at Inobong..a dreaded preview that I guess everybody tried to ignore..as night falls..as the fog coolness embraced us..as the wind whizzed by slowly at first..it got stronger by the minutes..we were not prepared for powerful howling wind..we were not prepared for heavy pour from heaven..we make do with what we have..improvise is the name of the game..rain or shine..the show must go on..we did it fabulously..tired but not beaten..bedtime finally came..the tents sheltered our bodies..from the bashing of the wind..from the pouring chilly rain..despite all that..my wife was doing well..considering the visit to the doctor the day before..a necessary visit for asthma attack..her only discomfort..a discomfort that is a big thing to her..the fact that she did not make it to the saloon..the fact that she did not have her brow done..one mighty discomfort..compared to an eventful night..what else can I say guys..I rest my case..

Armed & dangerous

..young master Alli Izzette Presley Sitorus..the young master who will continue the Sitorus's bloodline..the young master who is her mother's pride and joy..the young master whose birth was selectively made on 31 Dec 2000..the young master who was a constant pain in the butt to his elder sister Sabrina and Sarah..the young master who only stopped breastfeeding at age 6..the young master who skipped a year of kindergarten..the young master who can twirl you around his little finger (and you let him)..the young master who according to his mother is the perfect replica of me..the young master who......it can go on and on..dear Alli..what else can mom and dad said..embrace life lovingly..come what may..like a true Sitorus you are..

Camping Out at Inobong

.."not fair, not fair!", the girls chorused when I announced our intended night out at Inobong..for the obvious reason that is..the one that will not include them..we packed our stuff speedier than usual and waited for Seng..my son was all excited..a first for him and my wife..mimicking donkey in Shrek..he lovingly and might I add irritatingly uttered.."are we there yet, are we there yet"..the Shrek in me almost made its appearance..turned softie when I saw him slowly dozzing off..no sooner than our arrival..he turned donkey again..urging, urging and kept on urging me to set up the tent..I relented only when we finished unloading the stuff..the expression on his face was priceless..I guess everything is priceless when one is able to do it with one's loved ones..being a mummy's boy..he posed lovingly with my camera shy wife..the mummy who does not like to be on camera..the mummy that only permits this upload..for this reason..it showed her face off at a safe distance..

Flyeater (Gerygone Sulphurea)

..do you know that feeling..the feeling that you really need to tell her off..my wife I mean..it really irritates you that you just could not hold it off any longer..even though it is something that she meant well..and then all of a sudden you get this silent treatment..her mistakes were..let’s put it this way..she kept pointing at all direction..pointing at where the birds were..all direction..how on earth can one possibly look everywhere, with camera on hand..couldn’t she see that I’m struggling with the camera..couldn’t she see that trying to get just the perfect image of this petite bird is a living nightmare..ok..I’m exaggerating..with mounting pressure, I focused hard on the target..willing it to sit still..and he did just that..gave me enough time to immortalize his image..ok..back to my wife..it must be love..she would tag along dutifully on the next trip..and still pointing..pointing at a slower pace though..ever dutifully..

Greater Green leafbird (Chloropsis sonnerati)

..can you imagine trying to catch a mosquito with your bare hand (you know the one that managed to sneak into your car) while your other hand is steering the wheel..or try catching a fly with a chop sticks..remember the Karate Kid movie..then picture this..one small bird..sporting a greenish-yellowish feathers for colour..dwelling up high at Inobong..no sooner you saw one perching on a bony branch, amid the green leaves..it fluttered away without warning..and you..summoning all your senses..tried your might to follow its every movement with your faithful camera..ignoring the painful strain in your neck..ignoring the silent scream from your sore arm..ignoring the silent plea from your weary eye ball..until you heard that whisper..that said it is alright to stop..you got what you came for..you got him..put down your camera..tour of duty done..until the next calling..

Camping on the Crocker Range

..it seems eons ago..a great deal since past I might say..I could not even remember the last time I did it though I do remember the fun that comes with it..my wife and I planned doing it several times..but somehow rather we kept putting it off..the timing just can’t seems to be right..not to mention the camping gear that always escaped our attention on every trip to the mall..not to mention the choice of spot..not to mention the…..well, the excuses are endless..just name it..we are bound to have it on our list..up till last Thursday..”the Budak Penjahat” as Seng dubbed us decided to go camping at Inobong..minus Chai, unfortunately, who is away in Seremban..minus my wife who was busy with the ‘kenduri’ (an impromptu affair on her part)..minus my kids, one has the UPSR exam just around the corner (might as well leave the three stooges behind)..we set up camp and waited for the sun to set..I await in anticipation for a view that I know will be a feast to my eyes..a spectacular view of the sunset from up high..armed and loaded, I started hitting the shutter button..only stopped when mission accomplished..Seng then grabbed hold of my EOS 400D..snapped a silhouette of me against the sunset..a shot that received the thumbs up from my wife..a shot that stole her attention..not because of the beautiful background..rather my muscular physique, to put it mildly..which she terribly adores..according to her..that is…