Kota Kinabalu and around

This post is overdue long ago but I must make a posting about it.

By now, you know that I travel a lot and I LOVE traveling. Since young I love traveling with my grandparent and by the age of 10, I have been to every state in Peninsular Malaysia but had never step to East Malaysia, which is Sabah and Sarawak. However, all that change after I know my wife who is from Sarawak in 2005. In 2006, I travel to Sarawak but I never had a reason to go to Sabah.
Traveling to Sabah cost more to travel to any South East Asian country such as Thailand, Indonesia, Cambodia or even Singapore! As such, why do I want to go for a holiday in ‘Malaysia’ when I am a Malaysian when I can go to other country! Do you know what I mean? After all, what is in Sabah other than Mount Kinabalu, Sipadan and Sepilok Orang Utan sanctuary!
Nevertheless, I had a reason to go there, finally, early this month! I had to attend a workshop in Universiti Malaysia Sabah. For those who have not seen this university, it is one of the nicest, coolest, bestest university in Malaysia. Set up on a hill, it has the view overlooking the Marine Park consisting of 5 islands!
I booked Tune hotel at 1Borneo in Kota Kinabalu for 4 nights trip. 1Borneo is a haven for shoppers and KK Tune Hotel is just the right place to stay in as it is connected to the 1Borneo. 1Borneo was newly launched in July and some shops are still under renovation but most of it is up. However, this mega projects is only about 50% done. The underwater world, 2 blocks of office and condominium building and the hovercraft terminal is yet to be completed.
On the first day of my arrival, I rented a car, to go round KK town. As I arrive early, I can’t check into Tune hotel until 2pm, I have to drive around town for 3 hours. To my surprise and dismay, I can cover the KK town in 30 minutes. And then, heck! What am I suppose to do for 4 days when my workshop only takes 3 hours…
So, my adventure self takes better of me, and I drove up to Bukit Bendera (yes, they have the same one in Penang too) and take a good view of KK town. Yet, I can’t find a way to spend 3 hours before my check-in!

Bukit Bendera Observatory...

KK Town

After check-in, I took rest and then, venture out to town again about 4pm. Sunset in Sabah starts about 5pm and I made my way to the waterfront to catch the sunset. KK town is set in a lagoon and by the sea. The view is so nice and the whole sky is turn into orange, red, gray piece of art! Sunset is one thing ones should enjoy while they can. I have not seen such a beautiful sunset since Phuket. My night ends with some BBQ chicken wings and a nice ais kacang (shaved ice) by the seaside in Tanjung Aru, another popular beach.

Second day of my trip there, was spend driving around town and to Papar before heading for my workshop in UMS.

On the third day, I drove to the National Park. This is one good leisure drive ones should do if you have time in KK. The drive there is scenic and great but it takes about 2 hours one way of about 80km to the National Park. Along the way, we will cross through hills and mountains which are very cooling. We can also see a lot of farms set up by the mountains side by the locals there. Along the way, we can see the mountain top of Mount Kinabalu and it’s simply awesome!

Pekan Nabalu...a name sound like some town from Star Wars

After all, this is the highest mountain in South East Asia! I would also make my way to Poring hot spring, if not for the fact I am driving a little car, and it takes another 45km from the National Park.

On the way back, I drove to a little town called Tuaran where the famous Tuaran mee originated. A little town with a pagoda, and if not for the mee, people will not know of this town. Again, my evening was spend at waterfront enjoying sunset and a walk to the night market then drove to Tanjung Aru for the BBQ chicken wings again! If not for summon I get that night, it will be a perfect day!

I will write about my forth day, a trip to the marine park in the next post! At the meantime, enjoy the dance...