Bundu Tuhan as venue for NEPCon workshop

1. Bundu Tuhan as venue for NEPCon 2016 workshop

A small village at the foot of Mount Kinabalu

2.

The road to Bundu
Tuhan offers
spectacular views
of Mount Kinabalu.
And only 1.5 hours
drive from Kota
Kinablu. The
mountain is open
for climbing. But
you must be fit! To
the Dusun people
of Bundu Tuhan
the mountain has
significant spiritual
significance

3. Bundu Tuhan

Bundu Tuhan at the foothills of
Mount Kinabalu. Many young
people from the village are
mountain guides and porters daily
carrying everything needed for
the overnight stay at Laban Rata
near the summit. These guys and
women easily carry 35kg up the
mountain.
On the picture you can see some
of the swidden agriculture that
has been practiced in Borneo
forever. However, some areas are
allocated for community area
such as their forest where no
activities are allowed without the
permission of the elders. And in
Bundu Tuhan these guys are very
conservation minded and want to
preserve the uniqueness of the
area for their children

4. Mount Kinabalu

This spiritually significant mount was the center of an earthquake
some months ago in spite of Sabah not being an active
earthquake zone at all. The mountain guides from Bundu Tuhan
became famous on account of their efforts to guide people down
in the middle of the chaos.
The mountain has now been declared safe for climbing again and
new trails have been made.
If you plan to climb you need to book well ahead of time and
budget for at least two days for the journey up and down. Three
days is better so you can acclimatize at around 1000 meter, or
same altitude as Bundu Tuhan
A unique toilet sign en
route at the same view
point.

5.

The Catholic Retreat center. Double decker room
with attached bathroom. Facilities are basic but
OK and with hot shower…. We need to bring our
own towels

6. .

Another view of the room. You will note
there is no aircon as it is already cool and
nice at night time
Also a picture of one of the 5 training rooms
we have available

7.

Nice big veranda outside the largest
meeting and dining hall. Outdoor
training is also possible as there is very
nice view.

8.

Was told that you could see Mount Kinabalu from
here on a clear day… but not this day
To the right the retreat centre from the outside

9.

Adam introducing me to the village elders. Chief Jospeh to the right.
The local beer here is Tiger Beer but Carlsberg also quite popular. I
think the beer is around 1 dollar each. Adam eating Mee Gorent. I
suggest we go for local food with the caterer but less spicy

10. Just a nice sunset from where we were having our meeting

11.

Negotiations are going better and
better…notice I have my NEPCon notebook
ready to catch the words of wisdom from the
elders… a few mountain guides also joined
My friend Adam who introduced me … not
sure what they are talking about but
obviously important stuff

12.

A welcome break in negotiations where we try our luck in Darts… Native Chief
looking for the dart I think….

13. We never made it to the sports and recreation bar

14. Bundy Tuhan is a picture of tranquillity and beauty consisting of three villages interspersed with agriculture. Far left is the school that services an area much larger than Bundu Tuhan There are many trails to explore in and around the village

15. Here the local clinic if anybody should need

16.

The outside and inside of the local Dewan (Community Hall). Observe a badminton court
And note the stage where we can exchange cultural performances. I will sing the first Danish song so you all know
that it is not about beaty and talent…. Its about participating

17. Chief Joseph and I look forward to seeing you in Bundu Tuhan!

18. Good Buy to Bundu Tuhan. See you next year