Day 1
Up and awake at 3 something in the morning. Awful time to be awake. Had breakfast at LCCT and since we wanted somewhere quiet Taste of Asia was chosen. If any foreigners were to judge Malaysian food from there well there goes our reputation. Horrible food. They can't even prepare proper nasi lemak! No complaints of the RM10 nasi lemak since its the airport but quality?? I think they can do better than that.
All smiles for the camera. First time on Air Asia.
This is what lil bro was busy looking at. The morning horizon and the plane's wing.
For most parts of the journey he sees nothing but clouds.
When we landed, our car was waiting for us. We rented the car for the entire duration we were here. Toyota Avanza. Quite spacious. We stayed in Marina Court D2-01. Hmm.... condition wise is rather spacious. Beds rather comfortable to sleep in. There's cooking facilities, washing machine and even rice cooker. However, the bathrooms needs a little maintenance. The shower in one bathroom wasn't functioning well and both the toilets had some problem with the flush. Found out that you can get cheaper accommodations around KK. Next round, we will know better. That goes to show that MATTA Fair doesn't have all the answers. Found it rather interesting when my mum was asking the agent why the rates shown outside was cheaper than what we paid all she could say that its standard rate and when mum says so normal rates are cheaper than MATTA fair promotional rates she said yes. Amazing! Well, after throwing the luggages it was time to explore KK.
The rather disappointing view from Signal Hill. You can see nothing but a couple of shops. Its not high enough to be an observation point.
Dinner at Ta Jia Lai was good. The restaurant is in penampang. Everything tasted fresh and nice. The only worth eating place so far.
Day 2
After a light breakfast in the apartment it was time to head down to KK park. We had a lot of de-tours. We stopped by mesilau, a dairy farm, the war memorial, ranau for lunch, poring hot springs, and finally KK. Day 2 ended with dinner in Salut Seafood Village. The view is just awesome. It looks like you are in Austria, Switzerland (minus snow capped mountain) or Scotland. It reminded me of my time back in Europe. The weather in Kundasang was much cooler and it felt rather chilly. I think I can say that for the family the trip up here was the highlight. Won't being stay in KK town next round if we come here is so much more scenic and COOLER. Of course we have not conquered Mount KK so we will have to come back one day and say that we have been there done that! =) Personal satisfaction of conquering mountain after mountain. Till today I think in the category of 'gunung' I've conquered Gunung Ledang, Gunung Brinchang, Gunung Beremban. Hmmm... don't think the rest fall under this category.
The waterfall had little fishes where siblings took the opportunity to go for free fish spa. I on the other hand prefer dipping my legs in the hot spring. :)
Well another point to note, Salut Seafood Village was a big let down after Saturday's good dinner at Welcome Everyone Restaurant (Ta Jia Lai). Seafood here was expensive and the food was really not good. On the other hand, the location of the village was at the outskirts and it faced the sea. Nice location but wouldn't one to travel so far in to some kampung even though the view maybe nice for food that really isn't nice. Wonder why people go in there!
Poring hot springs and on the way to Salut stopped for Kelapa Bakar. ( Kelapa Bakar nothing special to the taste just that the coconut water is warm)
Day 3
We took about 3 hours drive up to Kudat from KK to see the much talked about Tip of Borneo. Very windy but since its by the beach felt a little sticky after that. It was high tide so couldn't see all the stones.
They say that the big icon signifies that you have reached the place and the trip is not complete till you take a photo with it so well we did. Jump shot failed but well it looks hilarious.
After the journey to Tanjung Simpang Mengayau - Tip of Borneo we had lunch in KFC Kudat. Mind you eating in KFC in East Malaysia is even more expensive. On an average is about RM1 extra for everything on the menu. The coleslaw here tastes different and the mash potato is a bit too watery. Anyway, we paid RM3 (for adults) and RM2 ( for students) to visit the Rungus Long House. Well it was an experience to just see how it looks like from the inside. Not much activities. For RM3 a bit over priced since there is no activities inside. However, there are little stalls inside where you can buy some 'kraftangan'.
Ladies selling kraftangan
The accommodation that is available for rent. Mind you the ceiling is exposed so people standing on the top can see everything going on inside.
Nice location near the hills.
Dinner was in KK town - Wah Hing Seafood Restaurant. The non-seafood dishes were not too bad. Quite pleasant but the seafood dishes were not up to mark at all. Tasted horrible! Price wise is not expensive but not cheap. Can get better ones in Kuala Selangor / Batu Kawan / Kuantan.
The lobsters were too hard. Tasted worse than prawns.
The crab sauce was nice but the crabs tasted like mud.
Day 4
Not much photo sessions on the final day. Woke up early and took a stroll on KK esplanade. Visited the fish market. We early enough to see the fishes being brought in. What a fishy experience.
Most of the markets were not open yet so we head back to back to Marina Courts and enjoy the time in the apartment before we checked out. Rather surprising was the owner of the apartment came before the check out time and barged into the apartment. Imagine that! Guess people here does not know what manners means.
Anyway, after that we decided to leave the apartment earlier so we could head down to the filipino market. Picked up some stuff and headed for lunch. Met Billy (our church friend) at the makan shop. Amazing! He was here for holiday as well. What a coincidence.
Mum wanted to pick up some seafood so we searched for the fish trader. The journey was so long and there was traffic jam I slept awhile in the car. When we reached there we were busy picking up chocolate (Sabah Chocolate which mum was trying to find the whole time we were there but our first time seeing it) and other goodies.
Before heading to the airport, dad wanted to have proper dinner so stopped by some makan shop but since the rest of us were still quite full we walked from mini market to mini market. Guess what! I was shocked I bought sabah tea for my colleagues at RM3.50 at the fish trader shop and lo and behold its only RM1.80 at the mini market. What a big ripped off!!
It was even worse when we reached the airport, the sabah chocolates at the airport (same brand and design) were much cheaper than the ones we bought at the fish trader shop Fong Seng in Innaman. Can't believe that the tour companies takes the tourist to Fong Seng which sells things at a more expensive rate. (Even more expensive than the airport!)
Overall, we arrived safely back home. Rascal and Cyrus were rather glad to see us home. Although for Cyrus it means back on the leash.
Its a little too dusty in Sabah. Probably because the roads are not like those in KL. Dust everywhere. Things are not developed there and cost of living is much higher. Except for the seafood groceries are much more expensive as well. Things need to be much more develop on the other side. With so much resources, I wonder why the government is not developing the towns. So much can be down for such a wonderful scenic state. Oh.... local food here well, not as good tasting as in KL.Probably because everything here is so simple.
Well, thats the bit and pieces of Sabah.
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