The Gurkhas Downbelow !

Taking time out from their busy schedule, a group of UK Military personnel came to Mamutik Island for a few days of recreational diving with Downbelow.

It was our pleasure to introduce them to some of the marine life this region has to offer and a good time was had by all.

Many had never dived before and they were fortunate to meet the friendly Green Turtle, mentioned in a previous post.

Upon surfacing one of the guys proclaimed "thats my first underwater turtle" we returned "you're our first underwater Gurkha !"

The group have now returned to their posts in various corners of the world. We wish them all the best and hope they return to KK one day in the future.

For more information on diving in Kota Kinabalu please see Scuba Diving - Tunku Abdul Rahman Park or drop us an email.

The Gurkhas Downbelow !

Taking time out from their busy schedule, a group of UK Military personnel came to Mamutik Island for a few days of recreational diving with Downbelow.

It was our pleasure to introduce them to some of the marine life this region has to offer and a good time was had by all.

Many had never dived before and they were fortunate to meet the friendly Green Turtle, mentioned in a previous post.

Upon surfacing one of the guys proclaimed "thats my first underwater turtle" we returned "you're our first underwater Gurkha !"

The group have now returned to their posts in various corners of the world. We wish them all the best and hope they return to KK one day in the future.

For more information on diving in Kota Kinabalu please see Scuba Diving - Tunku Abdul Rahman Park or drop us an email.

A Walk in the Park - Mt Kinabalu !

Why not put your head in the clouds
for the day !

A common misconception of Mount Kinabalu is that a visit means conquering the summit which is simply not the case.

Mount Kinabalu is a comfortable 1-hour 40 minute drive from Kota Kinabalu and makes for a interesting day trip for anyone wishing to escape the city.

Today we decided to combine a day out with some exercise and climbed from the starting point of the summit ascent at Timpohon Gate (1,866m) to Layang Layang at 2,621 m.

JO, Mat and Laura at Layang
Layang

Layang Layang is the farthest point along the summit trail climbers may ascend without a guide and summit permit charge. This makes the experience very affordable having to pay 15RM entrance to the park itself plus 10RM for the summit trail entrance( £3.70 in total).

The atmosphere on route is exhilarating with climbers descending having achieved their summit goal, full of encouragement for those beginning their two day ascent.

The 8-km round trip to Layang Layang takes around 3.5 hours so theres plenty of time to spend the rest of the day within the Kinabalu Park, visiting the botanical gardens and enjoying a nice meal in one of the restaurants, or for a cheaper option but superb cuisine - the cafe opposite the main entrance to the park.

For more information and images including accommodation reviews and advise on a summit ascent, please visit our Mount Kinabalu page.

A Walk in the Park - Mt Kinabalu !

Why not put your head in the clouds
for the day !

A common misconception of Mount Kinabalu is that a visit means conquering the summit which is simply not the case.

Mount Kinabalu is a comfortable 1-hour 40 minute drive from Kota Kinabalu and makes for a interesting day trip for anyone wishing to escape the city.

Today we decided to combine a day out with some exercise and climbed from the starting point of the summit ascent at Timpohon Gate (1,866m) to Layang Layang at 2,621 m.

JO, Mat and Laura at Layang
Layang

Layang Layang is the farthest point along the summit trail climbers may ascend without a guide and summit permit charge. This makes the experience very affordable having to pay 15RM entrance to the park itself plus 10RM for the summit trail entrance( £3.70 in total).

The atmosphere on route is exhilarating with climbers descending having achieved their summit goal, full of encouragement for those beginning their two day ascent.

The 8-km round trip to Layang Layang takes around 3.5 hours so theres plenty of time to spend the rest of the day within the Kinabalu Park, visiting the botanical gardens and enjoying a nice meal in one of the restaurants, or for a cheaper option but superb cuisine - the cafe opposite the main entrance to the park.

For more information and images including accommodation reviews and advise on a summit ascent, please visit our Mount Kinabalu page.

Turtle on Mamutik Shore Dive

JO watches the friendly Green Turtle feeding
just 100m from the Dive Station on Mamutik Island - TARP

In contrast to our previous Marine Turtle post we're pleased to report a positive turtle story.

Throughout the past month divers and snorkelers around Mamutik Island have been treated to several encounters with a friendly Green Turtle (Cheonia myda) that has been feeding on the fringing reefs of the Tunku Abdul Rahman Park.

Green and Hawksbill turtles are seen throughout the year within the park but the environmental and hunting challenges they face have resulted in fewer sightings. As a result an encounter is fairly uncommon and always a treat.

For more information on Turtles please visit our Marine Biology Turtle link.

Turtle on Mamutik Shore Dive

JO watches the friendly Green Turtle feeding
just 100m from the Dive Station on Mamutik Island - TARP

In contrast to our previous Marine Turtle post we're pleased to report a positive turtle story.

Throughout the past month divers and snorkelers around Mamutik Island have been treated to several encounters with a friendly Green Turtle (Cheonia myda) that has been feeding on the fringing reefs of the Tunku Abdul Rahman Park.

Green and Hawksbill turtles are seen throughout the year within the park but the environmental and hunting challenges they face have resulted in fewer sightings. As a result an encounter is fairly uncommon and always a treat.

For more information on Turtles please visit our Marine Biology Turtle link.

Website Interruption 22nd - 25th May 07.

We are currently upgrading our web servers and some pages will not be available form 22th - 25th May 2007.

We apologize for the interruption.

Please re-visit www.downbelowseaventures.com OR www.downbelow.co.uk soon.

Should you have an immediate enquiry please contact us.

COMPLETED 25.5.07.

Website Interruption 22nd - 25th May 07.

We are currently upgrading our web servers and some pages will not be available form 22th - 25th May 2007.

We apologize for the interruption.

Please re-visit www.downbelowseaventures.com OR www.downbelow.co.uk soon.

Should you have an immediate enquiry please contact us.

COMPLETED 25.5.07.

Saltwater Crocodiles in Sabah - Borneo.

We have once again been treated to several sightings of Saltwater Crocodile (Crocodylus porosus) along the Kinabatangan River in Sabah Borneo, some in excess of 3m in length.

Crocodylus porosus is one of three or four species of Crocodilian living Borneo, it is also the largest growing up to 7m long.

Worldwide populations have greatly decreased throughout the last century due to habitat lose, urbanization, river development projects and extensively being hunted for their meat, skin and through fear. This trend however has reversed in Sabah within the last 10-15 years and along the lower Kinabatangan river numbers are increasing

This recovery is probably due to a number of factors, most influential was protection of the species in 1982 and establishment of the Sandakan Crocodile Farm in Eastern Sabah which fulfills the demand for the animals meat and skin

Saltwater Crocodiles are an awesome creature to see, especially in the wild in an area where they are abundant and thriving. For more images please visit our Borneo Reptiles photo collection.

When staying at Kinabatangan we reside off the beaten track at Bilit Adventure Lodge you can read more about their accommodation here.