When you think that you need to get away from a bustling city for the weekend or if your ideal vacation consists of sipping chilled concoctions while dipping in the pool or dozing off under a swaying coconut tree, then the Langkah Syabas Beach Resort fits your bill to the tee.
Spectacular Borneo sunset
Owned by an Australian national, Peter Cantwell, this serene piece of paradise is only 25 minutes from Kota Kinabalu city centre and 15 minutes from the Kota Kinabalu International Airport. Over 15 years ago, Peter had a vision of creating a tranquil resort within a traditional rustic Sabahan village and the perfect setting of the Kinarut Laut had turned his dream into a reality.
Married to a Sabahan lady and have two lovely daughters, Peter has created a resort with unique personalised service with all the combined comforts of Australian and Asian hospitality. Up to date, the resort has welcomed numerous visitors from countries like Australia, United Kingdom, the Netherlands, Brunei as well as local tourists from all over Malaysia.
A total of 18 chalets with balconies overlooking the swimming pool or azure South China Sea allow you to breathe in the balmy sea breezes that wafted through your windows while the magical sounds of ocean waves lull you to sleep at night. With every delight at your fingertips, the true spirit of escape is undeniably natural and there are just many things for everyone here.
Recreational appeals include a swimming pool underneath the green trees and a wide range of tour activities which you can book through the reception. On a fine day, you can even get on a horse ride around the resort for only RM15 per ride. If you just want to rest in your chalet, you can even borrow some DVD movies or books from the reception free of charge. You don’t have to leave the resort for meals as The Balcony Restaurant offers wide selection of high standard of cuisine with an emphasis on western dishes together with many favourite Asian specialties. I always hear among the expats as well as the locals that the Langkah Syabas Beach Resort’s Sunday Roast buffet lunch is something that no one should ever missed! So one Sunday, I decided to try and find out what is so special about it. As I walked up the staircases to the restaurant, I was totally drawn to the pleasant smell of roast meats.
Traditional roasts such as beef, lamb and chicken along with its accompaniments of Yorkshire pudding and baked potatoes are on full display for the guests to enjoy on a relaxing Sunday afternoon while enjoying some cold beers. Then there is cheese section, something that I could not say no to.
Soft brie cheese, sweet as cream. A tasty camembert cheese with slightly salty taste. Where did this cornucopia come from?
A selection of cheese – Brie, Camembert, Feta and marinated Feta
“It’s all from around here,” the waitress said, gesturing vaguely toward a white-painted building at the back of the restaurant. “We make the cheese here, the home of Kinarut Beach Cheese.”
A cheese factory in Sabah? Well that surprised me which made me so eager to find out more about the person who had come up with the brilliant idea of making cheeses in this hot and humid place.
Cheese factory
I managed to meet up with the manager of Kinarut Beach Cheese, Shelley Blew, an Australian who is proud enough to say that she is a Sabahan as she has been living in Sabah for a long time. According to Shelley, three years ago a couple of retired cheese makers from Kangaroo Island in South Australia, Mos and Liz Howard, were having their first holiday in twelve years. When they stayed at Langkah Syabas Beach Resort, Peter Cantwell popped up the question on whether it was possible to make cheese in Malaysia.
Shelley Blew - manager of Kinarut Beach Cheese
Who ever thought that the question has led Mos and his family moved to Kota Kinabalu and stayed for six months to teach two local ladies, Judith Lojingki and Ng Siew Kyun, the fine art of cheese-making. Then the rest was history!
The cheesemakers - Juidth Lojingki and Ng Siew Kyun
Are there enough sources of milk in Kota Kinabalu? Surprisingly, Shelley said she gets supply of milk from a local supplier, known as Korporasi Pembangunan Desa. At this stage, all cows’ milk is used and they are delivered to the factory three times a week. As back-up, cows’ milk is also purchased from another supplier which is the Sabah International Dairy.
“It takes a whole day to make cheese so we only make them about three to six times a week.” Shelley explained. “For now, we make at least 100 kg of cheese every month. Our busiest time to make cheese is in July because we need to cater for hotels and resorts in August when it is the busiest month for them” she added.
Shelley was so kind to give me a quick tour around the cheese factory. Even though it is only a small factory, being in there had given me a vivid idea on the meticulous processes involved in making cheese. The cheese can last for two months but normally after 1 month, the smells turns a bit pungent and slightly of ammonia, so you need to unwrap the cheese and let it breath. Some people like cheese with strong smell and some don’t, so it is up to the individual on how long they want to keep the cheese for. Although the Kinarut Beach Cheese factory is only making Brie, Camembert, Feta and marinated Feta, Shelley mentioned that other sorts of cheese such as Blue cheese will be added to the list soon.
Kinarut Beach Cheese distributes its cheese to leading hotels and resorts such as Shangri-La’s Tanjung Aru Resort and Spa, Shangri-La’s Rasa Ria Resort, Hyatt Regency Kota Kinabalu, Nexus Resort Karambunai and Le Meridien Hotel Kota Kinabalu. The cheese is also available at leading supermarkets like Merdeka Supermarket, Chua Kah Seng Supermarket and Giant in City Mall with a plan to supply to hotels and supermarkets in Kuala Lumpur.
So when you think you need a break in a paradise with something to titillate the palate, it is yours to discover at Langkah Syabas Beach Resort!
Remarks:
This editorial is also published in the following:-
* The Expat Magazine (April 2009 issue)
* Senses of Malaysia (May 2009 issue)
* http://www.etravelblackboard.co.nz/article.asp?nav=1&id=64082
* http://www.etravelblackboard.com/showarticle.asp?nav=1&id=91024
* http://www.etravelblackboardasia.com/article.asp?nav=1&id=61033
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