Kota Kinabalu, Sabah (Post 2)

Continuing from my first post of Sabah , this is the 3rd and 4th day in Kota Kinabalu. And of course, more great things and adventure to come. 

The 3rd day, we went for island hoping in Manukan Island. Trying to recall the trip is not easy. Oh ya, did I mention, the raining seasons in Sabah is from October to Febraury. We went on this trip in mid of May, so the weather was pleasant :) 

Before we set off to Manukan island, as usual island hoping will need you to bring sufficient sandwiches & water. We even brought dehydration salt, because we are afraid that we might fall sick before the trip ends. Always be ready for every activities. Don't forget your sun block as well.

So we drove to the jetty (Jesselton Point) to board the boat to Manukan Island. When you arrive at the jetty, you will see booth/counters that sell tickets for all type of activities. Just pick one that is most suitable for you. We took the ticket for trips to and back from Manukan Island + Banana boat activity + snorkeling equipment.

I can't recall how much is cost, but dont't worry. The prices of the activities are mostly at fair price (if there is any doubt on the prices, you visit more counters to check the price offered).

So off we go to Manukan Island, in the middle of the journey, we were asked to change boats for those who are going for the banana boat ride. In my experience & thoughts, banana boat activities are usually by the beach, not too far off. But the boat stop in the middle of the sea, and ask us to board the banana boat. (I was stunt at the moment). of course, we paid for the ride in advance we will take the challenge.

This was us before going on the banana boat.

And the experience was really unforgettable, the banana boat ride was really an adventure. We were slam into the sea, and most of them got shock, and one of my friend even got his nose bleed (he was also afraid of water activities actually).

The after effect, everyone in stunt mode and quickly swam towards the boat after the ride. But to me, it was rather fun. I went for a second time!

We continue on our journey and arrive at Manukan Island, it is a place which makes my heart scream. The sea was clean, and we can clearly identify the fishes and also the corals.

There was small extended bridge near the jetty of Manukan Island. where tourist can feed fishes freely, but only with plain bread. Everyone look tired after the banana boat ride.

 We took a spot and went for snorkeling, I was so excited but there was a sign beware of jellyfish. We didn't really care, but went on. There are alot of pictures of the fishes, but I didnt get to print the pictures out. It is still in my camera.

You can click on this link for more pictures of the island from other tourist.

Trying to play around with the camera, do remember to put on the life jacket, and your snorkeling equipment.

But we didn't stay too long in the water, because there was a tourist that was stung by the jellyfish, and her whole body went red instantly. And was crying due to the pain was too extreme. We got our bath in the public toilet(free entrance) and took the boat back to Jesselton point.

We went back to have a quick rest, and headed out to town to signal hill observatory hill to catch a quick view of KK town.

And we end of our day with shopping for the next day trip to Papar.

Continuing the post with our 4th day, we went to Papar to stay for 2 days 1 night for thr beautiful view of the sea as well. It was a 40 minutes to an hour drive from Kota Kinabalu.

We stayed in Berringis Papar resort for a night, we pre-booked this before we went.

Before we headed to Papar, we went to shop for groceries for steamboat for our dinner. The wet market was our choice.

This was our breakfast before we went to Papar, beef noodles in Lido, opposite the wet market.

There was a magnificent view along the way to papar.

 We treat ourselves with ice cream too, yes, the weather in Sabah is hot.

We arrive in papar, and stop to have lunch,  Chinese would be familiar with these food. We had "bao" and "sheng rou mian" for our lunch. "Sheng rou mian" is a famous delicacy in Sabah. But the taste in papar and in KK is different. Both are good.

We check into berringis resort in the afternoon and had a nap before we headed for their pool and seaside view.

How not to fall in love with the scenery, No edit was done in this picture.

We were lucky enough to see horse rider strolling their horse.

The batik we bought on the first day in the Filipino Market did came hadny.

We had our own steamboat for dinner, bonding time with the girls.

Shandy after dinner.

We spent time in the hotel playing cards and resting after the whole day. Continue our next day adventure with kayaking.

Continue to Post 3 (5th & 6th day)of KK trip.

Kota Kinabalu, Sabah (Post 1)

I wanted to complete my Johor travel posts, but browsing through my pictures, I can't resist to share the beauty of Kota Kinabalu, Sabah.We spent 7 days 6 night in Sabah. A week of travelling in Sabah is worth and a week is enough to travel (unless you want to climb the Mount Kinabalu).

I will start off my post with my Day 1 & 2 in Sabah.

We took Airasia and flew from LCCT, Kuala Lumpur (KUL) directly to Kota Kinabalu, Sabah (BKI), with a cheap air ticket of RM 50 per trip.

We are more than excited, especially after my completion of my degree course.

We touch down at 10.30 am (Malaysia time), a 2 and half hours flight. Our friend came to pick us up from the airport. It is better to explore Kota kinabalu with a car. 

This is because it is quite a distance from one tourist attraction to another. Car rental booths are all well set up in the airport, just pick any booth and you may get to know more about Sabah. 

Don't forget to pick up a Kota Kinabalu map too once you've arrive.

The first thing we did was to take a short nap, headed to Pusat Kraftangan (handicraft market aka Filipino market), which is opposite the KK waterfront. I was quite impress with the market. They sell a variety of dried seafood and pearls with quite a low price. But frankly speaking, the sellers tend to quote higher prices for foreigners. They will know whether we are Malaysian with our ascent.

*Pasar Kraftangan,Jalan Tun Fuad Stephens,Kota Kinabalu*

Batik for the girls

Choosing pearls for our loved ones

After all the shopping, we headed to Tanjung Aru to watch sunset. There is a public beach along the way, but we went to Sun set bar to view sunset. (Google map the place you wont get wrong)

Free entrance because the bar is in a hotel (Shangri-La's Tanjung Aru Resort).

A man made beach as seen behind us, for tourist to enjoy the view.

There is a bar behind us, and they serve snacks and drinks, we are suppose to buy a drink for us to sit there to view the sunset.

But we did not, we went over to take pictures of the sunset and walkaway, we were quite full after tea break too. 

For dinner, we had it in our friend's house for local delicacies cooked by her mom.
Great food and great people to end our first day of the trip.

The 2nd day before we drove to Karabunai, We have breakfast in a nearby coffee shop for Kuching laksa, it is superb.
It have a different taste from our own peninsular Malaysia's laksa.

 map that shows the distance between KK and Karabunai.

Approximately half an hour to 45 mins drive from KK.

We headed to Nexus Resort & Spa Karambunai Tuaran Malaysia, my friend mention that there are water activities. Unfortunately it rain heavily, and we opt for batik painting instead. I can't remember how much it cost, but it's not free. 

It's was raining too heavily. But the sea was cleared and we could identify various of fishes from the sea.

Getting instructions from the trainer on how to paint the batik.

And, Tadaa! the artwork. I did not really get involved in this. (i'm not good in arts & craft)

Great teamwork.

After this, we headed the Crocodile farm, Tuaran The entrance fee is RM 10/person (Malaysian), RM 15/person (non-Malaysian).
There is also a crocodile show and feeding time, do check the time frame on their website.

There are also other animals in this farm, but I will rate this 3 over 5, as they have quite a number of crocodiles in this farm. But if there are more animals, it will be better.

The last stop of the day is the upside down house, everything in this area was terbalik.
"Rumah Terbalik" ,Locate rumah terbalik

at Miles 21, Kampung Telibong, Jalan Tamparuli-Ranau, Sabah, Malaysia

The entrance fee is RM 10/person (Malaysian), RM 15/person (non-Malaysian).

Add caption

I have no idea how I did this (*giggles*)

Before we headed back, we pick up some unique and good food near Tuaran. They are famous for their coconut pudding and prawn cracker. Thumbs up for this first try.

I will continue with my 2nd post soon ( 3rd & 4th day).

We went back to kota Kinabalu for dinner in a famous western restaurant recommended by the locals.

Upperstar lintas

I forgotten to capture food pictures, too tired I guess.

Continue to Post 2 of this trip here.