A summer holiday tour with a difference

Published on: Sunday, August 04, 2024

By: Kan Yaw Chong

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Lucky sighting of elephants during a river cruise in Bilit, Kinabatangan.

REMEMBER the spates of Covid-related cancelled tours and bookings in 2020?

But this is this is a story with a difference, said Tham Yau Kong of TYK Adventure Tours. “He never cancelled it , just postponed it and five long years later, brought a group of 15 students and three teachers in mid of July 17 this year,” Tham said.

“It was in 2019, Mr Ian Gerard, now a retired principal of Ysgol Aberconwy school, north Wales, emailed me to discuss a Summer Holiday programme for a group of 15 students and three teachers.

Tham (right), Gerard and Mike Miki – the group’s tour guide.

“He wanted the UK students to see wildlife – especially the orangutan, proboscis monkey, sunbear etc. If lucky, elephants too. Indeed, they saw a big herd of them in Kinabatangan, to experience the tropical jungle, especially the Miki Jungle Survival Camp in the foothills of Mt Kinabalu.

He added that their itinerary included Kiau Nulul, homestay, white water rafting, farm stay and Rundum, famously related to the Rundum Rebellion. “The trip was scheduled for 2020 but alas, Covid struck, trip was off but not cancelled.

Clearing 300 metres of an old British pony track to old Rundum.

Jungle experience at Miki Survival Camp, Kiau, at the foothills of Mt Kinabalu.

“I almost forgot all about it when suddenly but not surprisingly, Gerard showed up in Sandakan July 17 with his group, checked into Sepilok BnB for two nights, later to Bilit river cruise, Kinabatangan (19/7); Sabah Tea (20/7), Kiau homestay ( 21/7); Miki Jungle Survival Camp ( 22/7); Kiau homestay ( 23/7); white water rafting, Kiulu onwards to Padas Farmstay , Tenom (24/7); Rundum Highaland (25/7); Padas Farmstay ( 26/7); Cititel Hotel, KK (27/7); Island visit ( 28/7); Leisure (29/7); Leaving Sabah (30/7).

“An interesting part of the itinerary was the visit to Rundum,” Tham noted.

“In our June 2019 discussion, I asked if he was interested to visit the first British North Borneo Interior District Office site (1910-15) and he said “yes”.

“So, off the group went to stay one night at Rundum Highland on July 25 and next day, they cleaned about 300m of an old pony track leading to the old Rundum District Office site 8km away,” Tham said.

The group at Rundum Highland campfire.

On the Rundum highland experience, Gerard reflected:

“The village is really impressive and the beauty of the surroundings, the jungle, but also meeting lots of wonderful welcoming people here in Rundum village, it’s an absolute pleasure to meet them and be part of their culture and part of the community.”