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| Selamat Datang Ke |
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The 'Venice Of Sabah' |
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By : Tony Lim |
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Beaufort � Nicknamed �The Venice of Sabah� is basically referred to the frequent flood that affected this humble and beloved hometown of ours. The town is located closely to the Padas River and the famous Beaufort bridge suspended over to the New Township, Beaufort Jaya. This bridge serves as the gateway to Weston, Sipitang, Sindumin and further expanded to Lawas, Limbang and finally to Brunei Darulsalam.
During the 50s, 60s and 70s or even early 80s before the Panggi Dam at the upper Padas River was built, this town is prone to flood at least 1-2 times a year or sometimes more . As such, the whole town will be likened
a floating town. |
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I remembered during our schooldays, we always hope that the Padas River will be overflowed after a heavy downpour in Tenom so that flood will arise to the town. Normally, the school will announce a holiday and we are too happy to hear that. We gladfully take this opportunity to make some money by operating �sampan� plying all over the township as �water taxi�. It is real fun and at the same time having to earn some pocket income.
To recall the scenario of Beaufort under floodwater, I have inserted some pictures herewith taken in the 70s. Please click here BANJIR BEAUFORT to have a look at how Beaufort earned it�s nick �The Venice of Sabah�. |
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There are still several rows of wooden shophouses remaining in this town as quite a number is burnt down and replaced by concrete ones.
This picture shows the oldest row and it is built almost just after the colonial days. The timber used to built the shop is still intact till today.
Because of the frequent flood, shops are built on stilts and so far it is the only kind in Sabah.
The unique of these shophouses are beneath each lot, there is a 'sampan' kept below by most owners to facilitate during flood. Swallows also find a cool dry place to make their nest below these stilt shophouses
when there is no flood . |
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Apart from old buildings, there are some few new and modern buildings erected over the years. One spectacular row of new concrete shoplots cum office building is the Wisma Arjuna Building. Slightly adjacent to this building, the old Beaufort wet market is demolished and replaced by a new and modern unit. It is still not open for business.
Apparently, the road system has some reforms. Most of the streets are converted to single-way lane to ease the traffic during peak hours. It is more systematic now compared to previously.
The Saturday Tamu remains the sole weekly event to the town. Various local products and handicrafts are obtainable in this weekly bazaar. I still remember during our schooldays in the 70s, I used to participate in the Tamu sale. My mother and I sell various greens and beans in the bazaar trying our best to compete with the next stall. It is real fun to pull clientele even at those schooling days. This is where I learnt the basics of doing business. |
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As I drove along the streets, it gives a nice feeling to recall memories on events that has happened in each part of town during the past. I still recalled the days we used to cycle everywhere and this is the only mode of transport we can afford. This includes cycling to school.
The Pak Musa Cummunity Centre remain the same as back to 30 years ago. Most of the wooden floor tiles are deteriorating. This CC gives us much unforgetable memories. We used to play basketball in this venue and held our school annual event here.
I was told by the Officer in charge that by this November, the whole building will be facelifted and repainted. This is good news for the people of Beaufort. |
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Swirling a corner from the Town padang, I passed the Railway Station. The all-new railway station is a proud landmark after the old one is replaced. This station has its value in terms of transportation and communication centre for Beaufort during the 60s and early 70s. Before the highway to the state capital which is build by a Japanese firm in 1976 , railway transport remains the core transportation. Going to the State Capital is something big. The journey takes 4.5 hours and I still remember the ticket charges is RM4.10 for a Diesel passenger coach. Seats are wooden type and reaching Kota Kinabalu is comparable like flying from K.K. to Korea nowadays. |
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Slightly away from this Railway Station locates two Petrol Kiosk, one is Esso and the other is Shell. I still recalled the 2 Petrol Kiosks who are the main suppliers for fuel not only to vehicles but to households.
Those days, apart from burning wood as fuel for cooking, the other mode is using kerosene. Kerosene is a scarce fuel those days and when as available, people rushed to get it from this 2 petrol station.
You need to que up with plastic containers and wait for the attendent to fill up the cans one by one. Buying koresene is something special those days. At times,you can see quarrels by customers over the queing.
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Towards westward, along the way to St. John's School, there are no much changes except of a few new housing estates. The government quarters remain intact todate. I still remember the HOUSE Leon Coma used to stay. Along the way, the rubber estates still remain as 30 years ago. However, some of land close to the Padas River has vanished perhaps due to erosion. Further up along the way, we soon reached the old TEACHER'S QUARTER where, Mr. Varguesee, Ms Nair, Ms Chuah & Ms Yong used to reside when they are teaching in St.Pauls. |
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I drove further up with Hendrew and here we decided to visit the nolstagic waterfall.
The trail to the fall from the main Mile 60 road junction has little improvement compared to 28 years ago which is our last visit. The gravel road is not properly graded. Undergrowth are as tall as us. We drove into the rugged trail with our 4wd until we reached the rapid of the fall.
The stream is still the same but water is no more crystal clear as before perhaps due to heavy logging upland. We stopped near the rapid stream and take a 5 mins climb over the hills leading to the waterfall spot. Before reaching, we already hear the loud pouring water sound from far. It recalls the similar feelings when we last visited the fall back 2 over decades ogo. |
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Hendrew and I finally reached the spot and the cool windy air from fall is fantastic. Evidently, the swimming spot remain the same with block stones all over. I took a few snaps on the fall. Some of them are available here. Please click this link
BACK TO THE WATERFALL to view more pictures about the nolstagic fall presently. (An audio sound of the pouring waterfall is heard when u load this webpage ).
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Background music : Always on my mind |
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All photos �Copyright Tony Lim.
All graphical 3D animations, graphical text, background, buttons, logo etc |
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