Ouchh...it looks like I have a lot of things to jot here. 27th till 30th March..a wonderful trip to KK with my dearly, my siblings, my niece and my cousin. Jumped-in in Air Asia flight at 7.15pm from KL and arrived KK at 9.45pm...2 hrs and 30 minutes..a long domestic journey but didn't feel so because we had our lil Lulu together...she kept on changing seats with Raha and Mak Titi..ahakkss...I thought she would have vomited but she looked relax and happy along the journey. That was actually the 1st experience travelling on aeroplane for him, Amy, Mak Titi and Lulu.
Nothing much I can write on our arrival to KK, but when we reached there, Tatim's friend, Thomas, waited for us at KK Airport. We got a van, prepared by the Borneo Global Backpackers (BGB) to pick us up from the airport to BGB. I purposely booked the hostel, instead of a hotel so that we can spend more on food, shopppings and other activities. And one of the reason going to KK was to do some survey about KK before
my next trip around September...Insya Allah
2nd day, got up quite early..at 6 am...really shocked when I looked through the window and it was like 8 am in Peninsular..kinda forgotten that Borneo is 1 hour ahead of Peninsular...ngeee...Got our breakfast at 9..we made our own breakfast.
Our 2nd day plan was to go to Kinabalu Park...Thomas told u s that he managed to get a transport for us. There we went!! Heading to KK city..pass by KK Waterfront, Philipino Market as well as Handicraft Market...hmm...pasar ikan masin pn ada jugak...and travel along the seashore..my owh my...beautiful scenery....blue sea...oil traces were not insight even at the harbour. So far, I couldn't see such environment in Peninsular...no wonder why mat sallehs scattered in Sabah (I dunno about other parts in Sabah).Some islands belonging to the Tunku Abd Rahman Park were observable and the biggest is Pulau Gaya. The journey to Kinabalu Park took about 1 hr 30 mins to 2 hours...1st 40km, we travelled on smooth road..but after that..we started to 'climb' the road. The road is ok and at least it's not winding like we have all the way to Fraser's Hill..pheww...nobody vomited..hehe...such an excellent achievement for infrequent travellers like us. Again, my lil Lulu x reti duduk diam..and my dearly, he managed to record the attractions in his videocam. Thank god we have a cameraman with us..but not paparazzi...hehe.
Before reaching Kinabalau Park, we stopped for a few minutes at Pekan Nabalu...actually to empty the bladder but took the chance to shop some handcrafts..
Continued the journey and at last, we reached Kinabalu Park at Kundasang...here, Thomas told us everything about Mt. Kinabalu..he knows lots of things because he had been to the peak several times...It's not easy to arrange the climbing bcoz bookings need to be made at least 3 months before. There are two gates where the climbers can choose to start the climbing...the Mesilau gate and Timpohon gate...but the one which is in the park itself is the Timpohon gate. It was very cooling and foggy that we couldn't see the peak of Kinabalu though it was 3.30 pm already. It's ok...not our luck to see the summit clearly. The best time to see the summit is around 11-1 pm...however..rain may almost ruin everything.
After 1/2 n hour, we proceed to Kundasang War Memorial. Nice place..they have 3 gardens representing the countries that helped Jesselton (or KK) from Japanese colonization at that time..Ausralia, England and New Zealand. The environment in Kundasang is almost similar to Cameron Highland where we could see the plantations of cold climate vegetables..cabbage, cauliflower..blablabla. Plan to go to Poring Hot Spring but as time didn't permit us to do so, it was canceled.
After spending half an hour at Kundasang War Memorial War, we returned to KK..and this time, we headed to Tanjung Aru beach just to see the sunset. Again, couldn't see the sun but the sky was dim orange-red and beautiful...After wandering around the 1st beach of Tg Aru for a few minutes, we went to Waterfront to fill in our tummy...we had BBQ dinner..all kind of seafood..After dinner, back to Karamunsing and...zzzzzz....damn exhausted but it was worthwhile when we managed to complete the day with many activities..thanx to Thomas for helping us.
3rd day...the happiest, sweetest and exciting moment..we went to Mamutik island..the smallest island among the 5 islands that make up Tunku Abd Rahman Park...Gaya, Sulu, Sapi Manukan and Mamutik.Initially, we planned to go to Manukan, but we were recommended by a friend to go to Mamutik. Well...it didn't matter at all as long as we can spend our time at the beach..We took a boat to Mamutik island from Jesselton point..this place is nice..having the design of the colonial countries..but one thing..I hate the staff working at the souvenir shop and cafe..they were very unfriendly..they hardly smile except 1 or 2 of them. And the souvenir price..damn expensive!! Maybe they know we're from Peninsular, they purposely put a very unreasonble price..just imagine a sumpit, priced at RM 65 by right I got for only RM25 at the handicraft market..well...no biggy because I didn't want to spoil the trip to Mamutik by thinking too much about this kind of 'no gut' people. It was scorching heat because it was almost noon..15 minutes later, we arrived Mamutik...yippiiieeee...I was thinking of jumping into the sea..but Lulu was there and i shouldn't do that in front of a kid.And the best time was when we fed the colorful fishes and took snaps of pictures underwater.......wowww....Our lil Lulu didn't have any problems to be in the water...she fed the fishes too...ngee...sunburn?well...nothing much we cn do about that...at 5 pm..return to Jesselton Point..ohh boyyy....it was fun..really fun!!
Last day...went to Handicraft market and Philipino market...shoppingg!!...The day was very short..our return flight to KL was at 2...so..there we went..to the KKIA T2..tata Sabah...see u again..
We surveyed for several hotels and managed to get a good one...Utari Hotel..situated at Jln Dago..where nightlife is damn happening...that was what she said but I wasn't sure because night time is the time for me to zzzzzz...hehe... After checked-in, we went to Bandung Supermall and had our lunch there...I chose typical western food because I wasn't prepared for Indonesian food. Then, we headed to Pasar Baru...Before that...ohhh my Goddddd....it was really making me crazy because they have very lots of nice stuff over there...telekung, tudung, blouses and various textiles where the prices are much much cheaper than in KL...I spent quite a lot of money buying this and that...Bargaining wisely would be better. Since I am still new in this bargaining thingy..I couldn't get the lowest price for each item bought...Damn...I should go with Kak Ruhani next time..so that I can shop like crazy..haha...I bought a set of white brocade...for my wedding day maybe...hehe..Then, met Utal's friends..Sara, Firman and..erkk...forgot his name.
Up there..I had Batagor..a mixture of beancurd and fish...really yummy!! There was one item I bought..Kayu Batik...really looks like Batik and really unique to me..Cannot get it from anywhere else.
3rd day..F.O operation...(factory outlet operation)..hehe..there were many F.Os...and i felt almost crazy..luckily i didn't bring that much money.
