On the fifth day of the Chinese New Year (the day
after Australia Day), my Mum, her helper and I went on a day trip. It was my
first visit to the Mt Kinabalu National Park in more than 20 years. The park
wasn’t the main destination. The War Memorial in Kundasang was. I had wanted to
go on Australia Day but we were too busy. I was missing Melbourne a lot and for
some weird reason, I had wanted to go to the War Memorial to ‘tell’ Nelson
Short that I miss Australia. I did just that in front of his poem. The
experience didn’t heal my heartache completely but I did feel a bit better.
We drove past the Mountain before we got to Kundasang.
She looked just as big as when I was little. The air was just as refreshing. I
have forgotten all about the multiple waterfalls. Looking at them was like a
first time experience. I didn’t miss the Mountain all that much while I was
away but after the trip, I did wonder how I could have forgotten this place
that had given me many happy moments during my childhood. I also saw the white
clouds shrouding the mountain top soon after. Apparently the souls of the
people live there. I wondered if the souls of many Aussies who died during WWII
also live there…
On the way home, my thoughts drifted to the very few
times when I saw children playing outside in Malaysia. I don’t mean playing on
busy roads. I mean playing in the front yard or at the park / playground. I
have even seen a few children attending daycare centres
who appeared to have not played outdoors all their lives because they are as
white as Casper. Local parents seem not as morbidly afraid of pedophiles or
child abductions but the warm, sticky weather could be the reason why they stay
indoors.
Playing outdoors at the Kinabalu Park would be a
different experience. The climate is cooler. The Sun also seems to be less
punishing. It is also an opportunity for kids to get close to nature. Imagine a
reasonably big piece of land designated for families or anyone to enjoy the
great outdoors. A park accessible by car only at the entrance with multiple
bike trails and picnic spots would be fantastic, don’t you think? A club house
equipped with top class bathroom facilities to show the world that we know how
to use proper toilets would come in handy. The club house could also double as
an information centre to answer visitors’ questions.
There should be a vehicle renting service renting all
sorts of pedal powered vehicles from basic mountain bikes to tricycles to
recumbent bikes to even hand pedaled tricycles, to cater to a wide range of
needs. Safety gear should be available for rent too to encourage visitors to
take precautions.
While there should be different bike trails to suit
different levels of fitness, it would also be great for the massive park to
have multiple adventure playgrounds for children of different ages. I am
thinking of Kompan – a Danish play
equipment company. I absolutely love Kompan Supernova. For locals
wishing to experience a real Kompan playground, take your little kids to
Perdana Park now. No, I am not referring to the big colourful playground next to
the road opposite the Air Asia terminal. This Kompan surprise is hiding behind
the cafes. The Kompan range for older kids is even more fun. Imagine we have
such playgrounds at the national park! Imagine if Kompan would design a Space
Net unit that looks quite a bit like Mt Kinabalu for pint size mountaineers!
That would be fun, fun, fun, don’t you agree?
By the time my Mum’s battered old car reached
Tamparuli, my mind was busy adding other types of activities that could benefit
Sabahan children. Imagine a place offering basic circus skills during school
holidays. Imagine Sabahan children soaring through the air like a daring
acrobat. Isn’t it just wonderful to witness their delighted faces? Sure, such
an activity probably doesn’t help a child in scoring A’s in exams but surely
Sabahan children are entitled to have fun like many children in developed
nations.
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