Down Memory Lane - Keningau

Ah Miau had earlier expressed her keenness to revisit her second home town in Sabah, Tenom during her recent trip back to KK from Hong Kong. Since my wife had worked in Keningau for more than three years, we thought it would be a good idea to do a down memory lane tour to both Keningau and Tenom. So we volunteered to drive them there and to spend a night in Tenom.

For our driving trip to Keningau, we chose to drive along the Papar-Kimanis-Keningau Highway, a steep road I first used in September 2008 (Read here). As first timers to this highway, both Ah Miau and Jeanie were awestruck to see this seemingly endless stretches of steep road in their very first experience along this road.

At the starting point of the ascend to cross the Crocker 
Range.

A prominent change noticed along the Highway is the houses built precariously on hillslope just beside the road. The occupants probably thought the risks are justified by the awesome views they enjoy everyday!

A favorite spot for brief stopover for travelers to enjoy the 

awesome view and to have a cup of coffee or food 
at the nearby eatery.

************************************************

The campus of Keningau Teachers Training Institute (IPK) looked deserted when we dropped by in that Sunday afternoon. Our first destination was the Director's residence. It's a place I had spent many weekends between 2008 and 2011 when my wife could not make it home and had to stay on for official duties normally during weekends. The house looked almost exactly as I last saw it just over seven years ago.

************************************************

Lecturers quarters at the background.

The compound of the Director's residence has a 

commanding view of the steel bridge spanning across 

Pegalan River and part of Keningau town.

*************************************************

The indoor garden at the Administration Building which was initiated by my wife still looks fabulous. I was instantly reminded of the Chinese saying, "前人栽树后人乘凉" which literally means "One generation plants the trees and another generation enjoys the shades". Though there is no huge trees to create the shade, the beauty of the garden has become a lasting legacy of the Institute. Anyone who works in this building or anyone who steps into the premise would feel refreshed. For those staff members who manage and continue to prune, plant, sow, mow, rake, water and dig to keep the garden intact, you have my salute and admiration!