{"id":109,"date":"2016-06-19T02:06:46","date_gmt":"2016-06-18T18:06:46","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.mysabah.com\/wordpress\/?p=109"},"modified":"2021-01-13T23:30:22","modified_gmt":"2021-01-13T15:30:22","slug":"kiulu-farmstay-and-the-fig-tree-eco-lodge","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.mysabah.com\/wordpress\/kiulu-farmstay-and-the-fig-tree-eco-lodge\/","title":{"rendered":"Kiulu Farmstay at the Valley in the Mist"},"content":{"rendered":"

Countryside is always stereotyped as a backward place for the poor. However, as a city grows big, urban people have to deal with more traffic jam and pollution, high living cost and smaller space, and now they envy the Orang Kampung<\/em> (villagers), who enjoy a richer and healthier life because of fresh air, clean water and organic food in rural area. <\/p>\n

\"Kiulu,<\/a>
Kiulu is one of the most beautiful villages of Malaysia<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

I read somewhere that says Kiulu is the second most beautiful village of Malaysia<\/strong> and also known as the Valley in the Mist<\/em>. In fact, Kiulu is a kingdom of villages<\/strong> because it consists of 103 villages. When driving on the winding and hilly road in Kiulu, you will be mesmerized by the lush hills, clean river, scenic plantation and peaceful villages.<\/p>\n

\"Kiulu,<\/a>
Kiulu, the Valley of Mist<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Therefore, I was so glad to visit Kiulu Farmstay in April to experience village lifestyle for 2 days in this magnificent place. Kiulu is only 1 hour and 15 minutes away from Kota Kinabalu City (KK) by car, very convenient for me to reconnect with nature and to appreciate what are gone in city, i.e. fresh air, clean rivers and starry sky. <\/p>\n

Tamparuli Town<\/h3>\n

On the way to Kiulu Farmstay, my guide, Pius and I stopped briefly in Tamparuli Town for a walk at Tamparuli Bridge<\/a> and local market. FYI, Tamparuli Mee<\/a>, a homemade local noodle, is a must-try if you eat in this town.<\/p>\n

\"(left)<\/a>
(left) Tamparuli Bridge that looks like a Natgeo logo, and (right) view of Mt. Kinabalu on the way to Kiulu<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

I saw people feeding fishes under the bridge<\/a>. There are probably thousand of them, most are fat fishes over 1 feet long! According to a local, the river is under Tagal<\/em> system (no fishing), so the fishes can grow really big. <\/p>\n

“Village is a place where you can find peace, unity, strength, inspiration and most importantly a natural and beautiful life” – Minahil Urfan<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

The Fig Tree Eco-Lodge<\/h3>\n

After 45 minutes of driving from Tamparuli, we arrived Kiulu Farmstay. I was excited when I saw the crystal clear river from the hanging bridge. The emerald color of the river is a sign of natural water<\/strong>, something healthier than chlorinated blue swimming pool.\t<\/p>\n

\"Hanging<\/a>
Hanging bridge to Kiulu Farmstay<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"River<\/a>
River under the hanging bridge<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Kiulu Farmstay is surrounded by greenery. The bamboo lodge blends very well into the nature. I saw no big cement structure.<\/p>\n

\"Bamboo<\/a>
I overnight in the building at the right. The small building at the left is common bathroom and kitchen for campers.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

In contrast to warm and sunny environment of beach resort, the riverside Fig Tree Lodge is tranquil and refreshing. I always dream of owning a house next to a river, so I can go swimming and fishing anytime. Staying in Kiulu Farmstay makes me desire it even more.<\/p>\n

\"Bamboo<\/a>
Bamboo houses of Kiulu Farmstay (Fig Tree Ecolodge)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The Fig Tree Lodge itself is an attraction.<\/strong> It’s so well built and designed, you can tell that they spend a lot of efforts to details. Except the roof, most items such as furniture and wall are made of locally sourced bamboo and wood. Some big bamboo poles are 20 years old. It’s an unique traditional house with some contemporary elements.<\/p>\n

\"Dining<\/a>
Dining area in the bamboo house. Nazllie (left, journalist), Pius (2nd from right, tour guide), and Jumadi (middle) & Esther (right) are our host<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The lodge has two rooms that can accommodate about 4 to 6 people, big enough for a family group. They plan to build 8 more rooms in future. Electricity is on 24×7<\/strong>, so fan, light and hot water are always available. The lodge is also complete with a kitchen, bathroom and dining area.<\/p>\n

\"My<\/a>
My bedroom and the paddy grinder outside<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The bedroom is clean and neat that I had no problem sleeping deeply. The split bamboo walling and flooring make this lodge looks like a cozy home of farmer. They add layer of rice husk waste between the walls to regulate the temperature.<\/p>\n

\"This<\/a>
This fig tree is the icon of Kiulu Farmstay<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Near the lodge is a big fig tree. Locals believe fig tree is spiritual (never swear or curse under fig tree), so some traditional rituals are performed under fig tree.<\/p>\n

\"Fresh<\/a>
Fresh organic food in Kiulu Farmstay<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Esther is our cook who can make very nice local dish from fresh fruits and vegetables such as banana buds, tapioca, maize, pumpkin and sayur manis (Sabah vege). Worrying that we were not used to village food, she always asked, “is it good?” She should know that we are happy by looking at our empty plates lol.<\/p>\n

Hiking<\/h3>\n

After a fulfilling lunch, Jumadi and Pius took us to explore the jungle nearby. Actually the so-called jungle is “forested orchard”.<\/strong> Instead of clearing the land for plantation, they let the fruit trees grow scatterly and wildly among the wood.<\/p>\n

\"Plantation<\/a>
Plantation in village and forest. Can you tell what these trees are?<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

That’s why at first I was puzzled when Pius pointed here and there to introduce variety of crops, herb, vegetables and fruits that he spotted along the way, when I thought we were walking in a forest. My late grandfather also used to have such orchard in Tamparuli, and I often saw fowls, pangolin and other wildlife foraging in his plantation.<\/p>\n

\"Variety<\/a>
Variety of edible plant and fruits. From left to right, top to bottom: Pineapple, edible fern, cempedak, salak<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Just to list some crops that we saw, mango, durian, bambangan, rambutan, cempedak, rubber, peanut, maize, tarap<\/a>, fern, sayur manis (Sabah vegetable). The best month to visit is September<\/strong>, which is the start of fruiting season, and they say you can eat so many free fruits that are almost worth as much as the tour.<\/p>\n

\"Liposu<\/a>
Liposu fruit<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Among the dense undergrowth are some herb and spice plant too, like gingers and tuhau. We also walked around the farmland of villagers. They are really friendly and don’t mind we roam in their territory. <\/p>\n

\"Edible<\/a>
Edible ginger or tuhau<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

No matter how developed a country is, agriculture is still extremely important for a nation to achieve self-sufficiency on food. A healthy environment is crucial to sustainable farming, so it shouldn’t be taken for granted.<\/p>\n

\"Trekking<\/a>
Trekking along the river<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Even first world countries such as Japan and UK send their students to expose to farmstay, to learn the relationship between agriculture and mankind.<\/p>\n

\"Mantub<\/a>
Mantob Waterfall in the forest<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

During jungle trekking, we also crossed a few streams and went upstream to see Mantob Waterfall. Watch at the video below and see how clean the water is, as if we can drink it unboiled.<\/p>\n