12/06/2024
WONDERFUL EXPERIENCE HOSTING AMAZING GUESTS
KOTOS JITILON HOMESTAY is happy and grateful to host a few more guests in May and June this year. They are all wonderful guests and another perfect addition to the Guests Book of the old wooden home in Kuai Penampang.
1. Joe and Mei from Los Angeles US and Mr Tan from Kuala Lumpur (6-9 May). Beside spending time together for the Fireflies and the beach sunset with the Bongawan River Cruise, Botanical Garden Mt. Kinabalu Park and Sapi Island visit, they also enjoyed preparing and sharing the taste of their secrets recipe (steam fish, Penang Laksa and Rojak Fruits Sauce at home. Though they've returned home (LA), they're still sending us a new recipe of their favorite dishes.
2. Oliver Deppert , a film maker base in Sabah (23 - 26 May 2024). Though he and his friends didn't stay overnight at Kotos, their 3 days visit for a short video shooting (in conjunction with the Unduk Ngadau Ka'amatan State Level video competition at KDCA) brought another beautiful insight in professional film making with huge and complete gear for film production at the old wooden heritage of Kotos Jitilon. We're grateful indeed for hosting and providing them the good location to complete the video for the Unduk Ngadau Kinabatangan. This is another milestone for Kotos Jitilon heritage as one of the oldest Kadazan indigenous Penampang wooden houses. A few years ago, during the making of The Rise of Lion (A documentary drama directed by Michelle Xin and casting by: See Hui, Ng Jinn Jou, Sam Loo) in May 2022
3. Stefan Oceandu Greater and friends (25 May 2023). They too choose Kotos Jitilon as the location to make videos for Unduk Ngadau Kepayan (Adlyn Janet Adelaide) and Menumbuk (Meghan). We're very proud to see the two videos (with some features of the Kotos Kitchen backgrounds) during the presentation at IMAGO on 27 May.
4. Jusnah with her two children and a friend from Ranau, Sabah (28 May - 1 June). Though occupied fully with business programs at KDCA (during the State level Ka'amatan Celebration), they still have time for evening chills with us at home. The appetizing smells of their APAI (Black coffee & Whole Bean Coffee) products from Ranau and their loves for Lion (the Kotos naughty dog) were beautiful moments to remember.
5. Jo from London UK (31 May - 7 June). As an anthropologist, she enjoyed sharing her knowledge and research experience on community perspective on conservation and science. She initially booked for 3 nights but extended her stay to 7 nights at Kotos Jitilon. She too loves village vibes and the green environment around our house compound.
6. Estelle, a young lady from Henniez Switzerland (11 May - 11 June). She was here for a month, the longest stay and last one to check-out this month. She was a wonderful guest, very pleasant, calm and communicated well. She even joined us for dinner and karaoke. She also shared very interesting conversations about her travelling experiences in China, Europe and Central America. We had a great time together with her during the Harvest Festival in our hometown Penampang, the Sunday Market at Gaya Street (Kota Kinabalu City) and our family's longest journey together by land to Semporna. The 1,375 km (24 hours) journey to and from the East Coast of Sabah (with very bad road conditions between Telupid - Mile 32 Sandakan and Kinabatangan - Kunak) was very challenging indeed but the snorkeling together at Sibuan and Mantabuan Island was really inspiring and probably one of the unforgettable experiences we ever had. Hope the jellyfish scars (which sting her right leg while picnicking at Tg. Aru Beach) and the disappearance of her light brown long pants (while sailing a boat from Sibuan Island) won't be a distraction to her next trip. Yesterday, Tuesday 11th June, we sent her to the airport (for her next trip to China, Vietnam, Laos and Thailand) after she planted the Avocado tree at our backyard as a remembrance.
Goodbyes are never easy, they are always painful, It gets even harder when meeting again is doubtful. However life is a journey, people come and go, Just when you begin to like someone's company, you have to let go. The old wooden house looks empty and lonely again but is ready to receive another big group of guests from Sarawak (22 - 25 June) and a couple from Hong Kong (30th June - 31 July).
Kotos Jitilon
Wednesday, 12th June 2024
