SengkangBabies, Author at Sengkang Babies

I am a Dad before I am a Daddy blogger.

Just because we have a blog, does not mean we are special.
I am no different from any other Dads out there.

Common scenarios faced by parents 🙂
We still have our bangwall moments, especially when kids challenge us or simply ignore our instructions :p
My weekends are busier than weekdays (YES, working is easier than running a family)
I wish I can afford an afternoon nap, but I would not sacrifice an opportunity to have fun with the family.

I do not represent active parenting and neither am I a voice for happy parenting.
We just happen to share our family activities more frequently online, sometimes our voices are amplified.

So, can blogging helps with family bonding? I will definitely shout YES!

** The days are long, and the years are short **
Mon to Fri, work can be tiring, I just want to talk and play with the kids when I reach home.
Ask how they have been coping in school, new friends, new sports.

Kids are growing up fast, and they are no longer eager to join family outings.
Weekends are stretched between family bonding and school activities.

Every opportunity to bond with the kids and family is precious.
Family moments are sometimes crafted over media-events, another opportunity to bond together 🙂

When we look back at fond episodes on our blog and Instagram, it brings back good memories.

** Work hard, play hard! **

Recently, I have begun to engage the kids in sports, to live a healthy lifestyle.
They are playing soccer, basketball in school, and I needed to catch up with their stamina.

Follow our cycling and jogging pursuits.
I pickup hiking recently, and even adopted an Olive backed sunbird along our corridor!

Video (link) : Olive Backed Sunbird constructing a nest, got hashtag too #skb小鸟 haha 🙂

(Fast forward two weeks from video, we got two chicks in nest hooray!)

As long as we enjoy doing some activities together, keep on engaging the kids.

Our blog has two objectives, Bring everyone Fun, and document the kids’ childhood.
Blogging is killing two birds with one stone.

When my arms and calves are tired, I know I am getting older packing too much activities 🙂

** No regrets **

I always nag to the kids.
Live life to the fullest, leave no regrets behind.
Go out and venture, experience, enjoy your life.

I am a contented man, with a loving and supportive wife and a brood of happy-go-lucky kids.
Together, we bring warmth to our big family.

Andy is first a Dad before he is a Daddy blogger.

This post is started by Claudia from TheLovingMum (aka multi-tasking queen), part of a link-up with other Singapore Parent Bloggers to share a week in the life of a blogging mum and dad. You can peek into the life of 30 other families over at Week In Life of Blogging Mum and Dad linkup here.

Next up is May from A Million Little Echoes, a SAHM to two little ones. Due to a complicated pregnancy, she had been staying home ever since she found out she was pregnant with her first-born. Her family became her job, her life and her passion. Read about her life in a week as a blogger mom and what tips have she got if you are looking to bring your children out for grocery shopping without a helper!

From most itinerary, Sabah Canopy walk and Poring Hot Spring would most likely be the day’s highlights.
For us, it was definitely Kipunjit waterfall (and fish spa!)

On day 5 of our Sabah trip, we spend almost 1 hour in and around the chilling waters, dipping, catching fish or fish spa.

Quick Summary from map : From the entrance (carpark, South of Outdoor sulphur bath tub), we walk North pass Butterfly towards Canopy Walk at “B”. Section “C” was further North, and closed during our visit. After we came down from the Canopy Walk, we headed East towards Kipungit Waterfall.

(Point D) Poring Hot Spring area is about 3 to 4 hours drive away from Kota Kinabalu.
Referring to Google Map below, reference our Sabah itinerary post for point A, B and C.

We drove towards Poring Hot Spring after one night at Kinabalu Park. We arrived at the hot spring, but no dip yet.

(GPS 6.045680, 116.703435)

We do not smell much sulphur, so I guess the spring water is good and not pungent for kids. There are common bathtubs for you to dip your feet or whole body, both genders. However, I am concern that those who come later might be soaking in dead skins from other users (yucks!)

If you have been to Taiwan or Japan’s hot spring, you will not miss anything, otherwise treat hot spring like a novelty.

From the entrance, we had to do a mini hike to reach the famous Sabah Canopy Walk.

Canopy walk, sway left sway right, 40m above ground 🙂
Joking, the sway is minimum, but some “active and cheeky” kids keep on bouncing on the canopy platform!

Canopy walk Poring hot spring — Sabah Canopy walk

We were pleasantly surprised than Boon Kang and Boon Xin cross the bridge without much drama 🙂
Boon Kang had already surprised us earlier when we zipline between Gaya and Sapi island.

After the Canopy walk (which took around 20 minutes), we headed inland towards Kipungit waterfall. This was a special request from me, and I was glad everyone enjoyed the cool (actually it is chilling) water, no leeches yeah 🙂

A refreshing way to rub off our fatigue and perspiration.

Area is relative quiet, no changing room or toilet, so change into your wardrobe “tactically”. As with all waterfalls, rocks can be slippery and sharp, do remind everyone to thread carefully.

The fishes are hungry and quickly nibble on our toes. We had one hour of Fun at Kipunjit waterfall.

Video (link) : Fun Waterfall and Canopy Walk

Butterfly Garden is not happening, we recommend you to skip. So few butterflies fluttering around.

Slide pool for our lunch, kids wanted to swim again! Parents decided to chill by the pool side. The water here is not hot-spring, kids just enjoy more slides and water fun. (below 18 yers old, RM1 per person per hour, above 18, RM3 per person per hour)

Back to Kota Kinabalu city, we pop by Amazing Borneo’s fantastic (modern and chic) office before heading off for dinner. Lido Square offers hawker centre style food, we enjoyed some bbq Sabah streetfood.

After so many days, we really miss Singapore’s hawker centre food 🙂

Additional tips about Poring Hot spring surroundings:
– Sabah Canopy Walk – you will be charge RM5 for any photographic equipment (x1 ticket for Smartphone, x1 your camera etc)
– Otherwise, it is relative safe to walk across
– Waterfall – Do not approach after heavy rain as there might be sudden gush of water, be careful of under current
– Hot Spring – always dip your feet to gauge your comfort level (and tolerance first). Most venue will recommend maximum 15 minutes, cool down, before attempting again
– Stay hydrated, we were perspiring profusely in the forest
– Wear comfortable covered shoe, avoid sandals. Path can be slippery and narrow (near to waterfall)

Do pop by our Sabah itinerary and photos below.
– Sabah 8D7N itinerary
– Sabah Day 1 – Street food discovery
– Sabah Day 2 – White Water Rafting!
– Sabah Day 3 – Twin Islands Hopping
– Sabah Day 4 AM – Desa Cow Farm
– Day 4 PM – Kinabalu Park
– Day 5 – Poring Hot Spring + Waterfall + Canopy walk
– Day 6 – Gaya Island Resort – Luxury Villa
– Day 7 – Gaya Island Resort Family Activities

More photos have been uploaded on our Fanpage album :
– Day 1 and 2 – Klagan hotel, White Water rafting
– Day 3 – Water sports, Island hopping
– Day 4 – Desa Cow Farm and Kinabalu Park
– Day 5 – Poring Hot Spring and vicinity
– Day 6 – Gaya Island Resort
– Day 7 – Snorkeling and private beach
– Day 8 – Hiking, Home sweet home

Author: SengkangBabies

I am a Dad before I am a Daddy blogger

Sabah Canopy walk and waterfall