camp under the stars in Tegudon

Tourism Village in Sabah offers a back-to-nature getaway, writes Olivia Miwil

BEAUTIFUL pictures shared by visitors at Tegudon Tourism Villahe's social media platform draws me to take the hour-long drive from Kota Kinabalu to Kampung Tegudon, located 15km from Kota Belud town. 

I expected decent accomodation at the place as the plan was to take my 3-year-old daughter to enjoy nature. But on enquiry on the facility at its official Facebook page, I was surprised. 

"There's no chalet or homestay. It is supposed to be camping-style and no food is provide," said Saiko Yuna, who is the page administrator and the village promotion committee member, adding that tents can be rented, and there is clean water supply, also toilet facilities at the camp site. 

I am a bit apprehensive, especially for my young child to be at a place where everything has to go back to basics- sleeping without mattress and lights, dining under a hut, taking a bath in cold waters: and such. 

When we reach the place that afternoon, my family is surprised. But the picturesque padi field landscape with the majestic Mount Kinabalu in background saves the day. 

The campsite is just a few metres from Sungai Wario. There are three bamboo huts nearby wuth barbeque stands. The campsite is managed by the villagers whose committee members patrol the area. Some even stay until morning to ensure our safety. 

After pitching our tents, we collect dry wood around the campsite to cook food and for the bonfire to illuminate the place after dark. The darkness accentuates the spectacular Milky Way in the night sky.

It is a rare and unforgettable experience for us city dwellers to fall asleep with the stars above us. 

In the morning, we get up at 6am and the sun is already shining. It is another pleasant experience to drink hot coffee and breakfast with a view of lush greenery and a sky with orange hues. 

We are lucky on our second day, it is also the villagers' family day, when it is their turn to fish in the river. 

They invite us to join them. The village practices the "bombon" or "tagal" system which controls fishing. This scheduled fishing allows the fish population to grow. The catch is divided among the villagers and they will cook them by the river. 

Saiko says visitors can also go trekking, a 12-kilometre round trip in the village where one passes a waterfall. However, the activity is recommended for those aged 12 and above as the trail also includes a hilly track, a waist-deep river and, crossing over a boulder. 






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