Captivating Tanjung Aru Sunset and Reunion

Our friends from Vancouver, Daniel and Carol, were back in Sabah for their holidays this August/September. When asked to choose a venue for our long-awaited get-together, they once again picked Tanjung Aru - the very same spot where we had gathered exactly a year ago (Read here). True to its reputation, Tanjung Aru remains the undisputed gem for its breathtaking sunsets and serene ambience.

For this reunion, I was delighted to bring along Peter Tsen, who had not seen some of our friends since 1970. The evening was filled with laughter, reminiscence, and heartfelt conversations as we traced the journey of our lives - from carefree student days, through singlehood and parenthood, and now into the chapter of grandparenthood.

A special moment unfolded when, without any prior planning, the four of us who first met in Sandakan during the BCCM Youth Fellowship Convention in 1970 instinctively posed in the same formation for a group photo - recreating a memory after 49 long years!

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Our gathering continued with a second meet-up, this time at the UMS campus without Peter joining us. Having cycled there regularly since 2017, the place has become quite familiar to us, and we knew our guests would enjoy it too. UMS is not only a popular leisure spot for locals but also a draw for foreign tourists, with reports saying that on sunny days the campus welcomes up to 1,000 visitors - contributing a healthy revenue stream to the university. Daniel and Carol were equally impressed and gave glowing remarks about the campus’ beauty and vibrancy.

Visitors normally start the tour with a video
presentation about the campus at the
information center.

The seafront next to the jetty is a key attraction
of the campus.

At the Chancellery.

At the garden next to the Chancellery.

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From UMS, we made a spirited dash to Kokol Hill, eager to catch yet another stunning sunset over Kota Kinabalu. Unfortunately, a massive traffic jam along the way delayed us, and by the time we finally reached Kokol Haven, night had already descended. All that remained was a faint streak of orange on the horizon, the sun having long slipped away. Still, the charm of Kokol Haven more than compensated for the missed sunset. Its cool air, peaceful setting, and magical atmosphere left Daniel and Carol - the Voo’s - thoroughly delighted.

Sunset of KK viewed from Kokol Haven.

Livvie in Kota Kinabalu

Livvie and her parents flew from Singapore to Kota Kinabalu on 05.09.2019, spending the next four days with her grandparents. It had been just under a year since their last visit to KK (Read here), and we were all eagerly anticipating the reunion.

Although the visit was brief, we made the most of our time together. Livvie was relaxed and at ease with us - likely because it had only been a month since we last met in Singapore. That familiarity made our interactions warm and natural, yet it also reminded us that, even in close families, there are personal boundaries to honour, and some suggestions, however well-meant, may not land as intended.

One evening over dinner at a local hotel, we casually proposed that Livvie spend the night with us so her parents could have a little private time - maybe even catch a movie together. The change in her expression was immediate. She withdrew into herself, falling silent and avoiding eye contact, as if an invisible wall had gone up.

In that quiet moment, we understood: she wasn’t ready to be apart from her parents, especially in an unfamiliar place. It was a gentle but important reminder that emotional readiness - particularly in young children - can’t be hurried. Sometimes, love means stepping back, respecting unspoken feelings, and allowing comfort and trust to grow in their own time.

At the grandparents home.

 

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A very observant child and she  imitated her gung-gung at the lajin bench.

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 At the Lok Kawi Wildlife Park or Lok Kawi Zoo as some like to call it.

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At the Sabah Arts Centre.

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Coffee break and playtime at One Roof Cafe.

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At Kokol Haven to enjoy KK sunset. Our visit coincided with a wedding going on at the resort.

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Dinner at a local hotel.

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Trying out the famous bau at Chakitiam.

Eating pao at Chakidiam Coffee Shop in Damai Plaza.

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First encounter with terap at Foh Sang shops.

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Her Chinese proficiency is improving fast.

Rest in Peace - Alene Moris

An ex-Lok Yuk schoolmate posted in his Facebook on 3 September to inform the passing of Alene Moris. Alene or Mrs Moris whom her students liked to address her was my English Literature teacher in Lok Yuk School way back in 1966. Her passing on 31 August coincided with the Independence Day of Malaya.

Her husband, Pastor Walter Moris was sent by the Lutheran Church of America in mid 1960's to pastor the English congregation of the Church of BCCM KK. Alene and their children too joined him for this overseas mission. Mrs. Alene Moris was assigned to teach in Lok Yuk Secondary School, first at the old school in Signal Hill and later on at the new school premise in Likas.

She was one teacher I just could not forget. She was the only teacher I can remember who wept for her students. Her desire to see her students genuinely understood her teaching and excelled in the subject she taught was unprecedented. In those days, many of us had just transitioned from Chinese primary school to English medium secondary school and had difficulty conversing in English. Trying to understand English Literature taught by an English speaking foreigner (with American accent) was at best understood at a score of 2 out of 10 in most occasion. In the end, she wept in front of her Form 2 class when she felt so helpless to teach a bunch of "ignorance" and "mediocrity"!

In the end, her teaching was not in vain. Not long ago, a few of the classmates reminisced the old days of learning from Mrs. Moris.

One commented: "That sweet gracious lady Mrs. Moris, I remember her. She has a beautiful voice when she sang".

Another commented: "I was in her choir and we were champion in the inter-school competition. I sang tenor. She was very serious in our practice. I remember she cried when some of us were not paying attention". This chap could even recall her teaching the class the poem, "The Donkey" by G.K. Chesterton.

Alene Moris

1928 - 2019 

(Photo downloaded from Alene's FB)

Part of the teaching staff of Lok Yuk Secondary School, 
Likas (Photo taken between 1966 & 1967).
Arlene Moris is 3rd from left.

Arlene Moris is at front row, 2nd from right.
Her husband, Pastor Moris is at front row, 1st left.

I lost contact with her since she left Sabah in 1969. It was only in late 2017 after a lapse of 48 years that I was able to link up with her again. Her email on 30 October 2017 summarizes her life since she left Sabah in 1969.

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Alfred:

I am glad we were able to connect through e-mail. I have used e-mail since the early nineties and Google for the last ten years. I must become a learner again! I am going to be 90 years old next March. My husband, Rev. Walter Moris died in 1996 at the age of 70. For the last 12 years, I have been the "special friend" of Floyd Jones, a very generous philanthropist here in Seattle.

My four children all remember Sabah very fondly. My two sons, Erik and Karl, took me to visit Kota Kinabalu in 1998. It was wonderful to see Lok Yuk still flourishing though very different! My daughter, Kristina has her own company in New York but she works many times on assignment in Europe (she is there now). My older daughter, Karin, lives with her family just 40 miles north of Seattle.

We attended the English service while we were in Sabah. It has a different style of worship from the style we had when we were there. But I was excited to see the energy and enthusiasm of  the members. I remember well when I led the church choir and the choir at Lok Yuk. Shortly before we returned to the States in July 1969. I had the thrill of directing the massed choir of the male singers from three Christian senior schools. We sang Dona Nobis Pacem which is Latin for Give Us Peace. (The terrible Viet Nam War was going on.)

After doing graduate work in psychology, I have had a very busy professional life for almost 47 years. I am still doing public speaking at the University of Washington and many other places. You can "Google" me if you wish. I have concentrated on getting women into leadership positions because I know that they will work very hard not to have war.

We have a very bad president right now, Donald Trump. I am afraid he could lead us into another war.

Americans have been much too quick to go to war. God forgive us all! My latest speech was entitled "Women Leaders: Will They Make a Difference?" and the conclusion is that we need 50% men and 50% women to have the wisdom (Lao Tze) needed for peace. I use the yin/yang expression to express what I hope will come about. Probably not in my lifetime. We will keep on having what I call a "distorted reality" where we don't use the intelligence and compassion of ALL the citizens. Our Congress in Washington D.C. has only 19% female members and the Congress is a disaster and very dangerous and ugly in its behavior.

I must stop discussing this difficult topic. I usually am more cheerful!

Thanks again for contacting me and helping me to recall those happy years in Sabah 1965-1969.

I enjoyed seeing the photo of your family. What a good looking group of people. You must be happy to have such a clan!

For now    Alene Moris

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Alene is a woman of exceptional quality. Her perseverance, unrelenting pursuit of knowledge and empowerment of women are truly an inspiration for all. The blog of Alene's friend's granddaughter is an apt tribute to her long and fruitful life (Tap and Read Here).