MY: BKI - KUL

We checked in at Counter 9. Only two counters opened for this flight to KUL. The gate assigned for our flight was Gate 2. ETD for this flight is at 1425, hence to boarding to start only at 2pm. 

Today's bird is 9m-AHG, dubbed as "The 1st. Airbus at Kota Kinabalu". Cool.....

For this flight, it took off on time. At 1425, we were airborne with ETA at 1645 at KUL (LCCT). The flight was full with lots of families going home from vacation. In front of us, we have one family who can never stop talking. Only after an hour into the flight, it became quiet. Probably the talkative ones have dozed off!

We were flying atFL340 and landed into KLIA at 1640hrs. Five minutes ahead. Taxied to gate F81 by 1650hrs. Our baggage claim area was the middle carousel and our arrival was after a flight from Langkawi and followed us was a flight from Kuching.

Took Skybus to KL Sentral at 5.15pm and from KL Sentral, took a taxi home.

It was a wonderful trip!

~ MT @ Malaysia

~~ Ampang, Selangor

~ To Travel Is To Discover Oneself ~

MY: Day 5 BKI

Last day in the Land Below the Wind. The plan is to drive to the market for lobster. A friend asked us to buy. Unfortunately you need to order the lobster at least a day earlier. So, we were not able to get any.

Had breakfast at one of mamak's in the city, Restoran Maimunah. Drove back to the hotel, packed and checked out at noon. 

Reached airport and returned the car to a friend. Checked in at 12.40pm and then had a light lunch at KFC. Prayed Zohor/Asar before proceeding to departure hall.

Say good bye to Kota Kinabalu. God willing, I will visit his wonderful state again....

~ MT @ Malaysia

~~ KK International Airport, Kota Kinabalu

~ To Travel Is To Discover Oneself ~

MY: Day 4 BKI

Had a coffee at Starbucks 1Borneo. Could not find any restaurants open yet early in the morning. Even Dome is opened at 10a.m.

Sunday, so the plan is to go Pasar Tamu in the city. Was told the best is Kota Belud, but didn't feel like driving all the way there. Apart from Pasar Tamu, the plan is to visit some interesting areas in the city. 

After Pasar Tamu, drove a short distance up hill towards Observatory Hill for a view of the city. Then on way down stopped at Atkinson Clock Tower. Apparently this old clock tower still ticking. Drove by so-called Australian Place area, but don't really know the exact spot or what to see :-)

Then, went to the State Museum, yes... I did the boring stuff.. visiting museum, mosque and also stopped by at the airport (the new terminal) and Tanjung Aru beach. Had lunch at Tanjung Aru beach hawker centre, stall #41. Lesson learnt --> don't eat here. Slow service and not good food. 

At night, had dinner at Rainforest and once got back to 1Borneo, had supper at New York New York. You should try their gigantic burger! Enough for 4-5 pax sharing :-)

So, tomorrow is our last day in Kota Kinabalu. 

~ MT @ Malaysia

~~ 1Borneo, Kota Kinabalu

~ To Travel Is To Discover Oneself ~

MY: Day 3 BKI

In the morning, felt like  to eat Nasi Lemak. The only place in 1Borneo for Nasi Lemak is either Old Town White Coffee or one small stall at the basement near the Giant Supermarket entrance. Since Old Town open at 9a.m., that was our best option.

After breakfast, we drove to the Jesselton Jetty to catch a boat to Manukan Island. In addition to the boat fare plus tax, we were also required to pay an entrance fee to the Marine Park. This is a one -time payment if you decided to islands hop within the Marine Park.

We did enjoy half a day at the Manukan Island Beach. And it is good if you can bring your own food from the mainland. It is quite expensive on the island.

On the way back, there was some commotion at the jetty. It was around 3pm and there visitors were leaving the island. The jetty was packed and luck was not on our side, we could not find our boat. Lesson learnt --> NEVER buy the ticket from the first counter once you entered the Jesselton Jetty (on your right once you entered the ticketing area at the jetty). At the island, there was no one to assist us and every time we asked people there, they either don't know or simply brush off and said "That's not our company". Hell!

We managed to find our boat by recognizing the same people that came with us. Luckily we got back to mainland around 4pm plus. So, to enjoy the Marine Park, use the proper managed company i.e. SeaQuest. This is not an advert for them but the good thing about them is they jotted down the name of passengers for each trip. So, you know which boat and when. Moreover, they have lots of staff around to ask. Identified by their t-shirts.

We had Nasi Padang for late lunch at the jetty. Pretty expensive. It cost us RM50.40 for two pax. Don't think both of us eat that much :-) We drove back to our hotel and before going back to our room, we stopped by at YogurBerry to enjoy some delicious yogurts.

For dinner, we drove back to city centre to enjoy another round of seafood :-) 

What a day!

~ MT @ Malaysia

~~ 1Borneo, Kota Kinabalu

~ To Travel Is To Discover Oneself ~

MY: Day 2 BKI

Woke up as usual per timing in KL. However, 6.30am in Borneo seems to be the same as 7.30am in Peninsular Malaysia. So kind of losing an hour. Since the hotel room uses black-out curtain, we did not realize how bright it was out there in the morning.

Had breakfast at Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf, then we drove to Kundasang.

1Borneo mall, although has lots of restaurants, none open for breakfast in the early morning except Starbucks and Coffee Bean at 8am while Old Town White Coffee open for business at 9am. Others, around 10am. So, for those who are staying in the four hotels, better arrange for breakfast at the hotels (with exception to Tune Hotel - don't think they offer breakfast).

Kundasang is popular for the Mount Kinabalu view and the War Memorial. However, we did not stop at these two places but instead drove straight to hot spring. The hot spring was crowded. Probably due to extended weekend. And the public area, which is free of charge was full as well. So we opted for the private cabin. 

Even if the public pool is available, I don't think I want to dip myself. Apparently, most Malaysians, as usual, become possessive and sharing is not part of it. Even though they know it is available free to all. They eat inside the pool thinking that if they stepped out, someone else will take the place. What a selfish behaviour!

Overall, it is good to dip yourself in the sulphur rich water :-)

On the way back, stopped by a town called Ranau. Had a lunch and the only recognizable restaurant was KFC :-) my favaourite. Unfortunately the air-condition was faulty, hence pretty hot in the restaurant.

Stomach full, time to move on. Visited the War Memorial at Kundasang. Very nicely maintained as compared to the surrounding area. The view of Mount Kinabalu from the memorial was wonderful. If you happen to be in the area, do stop by at this memorial. 

Since we had some more time to spend, we did a bit of detour. From Kundasang, instead of driving the same way back to Kota Kinabalu, we decided to take the by-pass road to Kota Belud. Reached Kota Belud after driving in the rain on an unfamiliar road. Nothing much to see there (or is it me don't know what to see there? :-)), so we planned to drive to Kudat - visiting the most northern-tip of Borneo. From the map, it looked not that far. However, just a kilometre from Kota Belud towards Kudat, we saw the mileage marker that states more than 100km to Kudat. Oppsss..... better turn back. We will never reach Kudat before the night and then need to return to Kota Kinabalu. So, cancelled the trip and drove back to the city.

Dinner for the night was near Likas, by the sea-side. There is a place called "Anjung Selera". The food was so-so and expensive (compare to the night before). So, better go to the city for the seafood.

Feeling tired, retire a bit earlier. Tomorrow's plan is to laze at Manukan Island :-)

~ MT @ Malaysia

~~ 1Borneo, Kota Kinabalu

~ To Travel Is To Discover Oneself ~

MY: Day 1 KUL - BKI

A night before, I spent a night at Izam's place. It is easier this way since he is travelling with me to Kota Kinabalu.

Called the taxi 30 minutes before the requested pick up time. The journey to KL Sentral was smooth. No heavy traffic.

Took Skybus from KL Sentral to LCC-T KLIA at 8.20am and reached the "Puduraya Plane Station" an hour later. Proceed directly to check in and went for a quick breakfast at a Asian restaurant near the entrance.

The flight was delayed first time due to late arrival of the aircraft from Medan. Then, it was further delayed due to technical problem. A common reason used to inform passengers of the delay.

We finally took off at 12.50pm, around 1hr 40 minutes late from the original schedule. Around 30 minutes later, when the food was being served, the aircraft hit an air-pocket. Wow!!!!..... It was a wonderful experience... :-) Drinks spilled all over :-))

We landed at BKI Terminal 2 at 3.05pm. The flight was at 37,000 ft with speed of 850 km/h (average). Went to the hotel immediately after that and it cost us RM40 from BKI T2 to 1Borneo. We have booked Novotel 1Borneo via internet for RM173 per night excluding breakfast. I thought it was a good deal.

Checked into room 0926 and this will be our home for the next four nights. Pretty new hotel and the whoel 1Borneo is yet to be fully constructed. Only the hotels (Novotel, Mercure, Tune and Courtyard) and the shopping mall are competed. So constructions are still in progress.

Izam managed to get a car from his friend. This saves us some cash from renting a car. In fact, if you are planning to stay at any hotels at 1Borneo, it is highly recommended to rent a car. It is further away from the city and to move around, definitely need a transport. A taxi will do, but how much you want to spend on taxi?

After changing, we walked around the shopping mall. Pretty huge and there are mixtures of locals and visitors from neighboring country, Brunei.

In the evening, we drove to the city for a seafood. Original plan is to have a dinner at Port View Seafood, however, this place is too expensive, so we settled for dinner behind Handicraft market (if I am not mistaken). A lot cheaper and "hawker" style. In fact, few foreigners were seen enjoying the seafood there.

With one medium size fish (can't remember the name), a prawn, one big squid, five small squids and a crab, altogether cost us RM60. Not too bad considering two plates of rice, a seaweed ulam and three cans of drinks.

So far so good... tomorrow's plan is plan to drive to Kundasang.....

~ MT @ Malaysia

~ 1Borneo, Kota Kinabalu

~ To Travel Is To Discover Oneself ~

MY: Travelling Again

Yes... MT is travelling again.... :-)

Merry Christmas to those who celebrate it...


MT @ Malaysia
~ Ampang, Selangor

~~ To Travel Is To Disocver Oneself ~~

MY: The Sacrifice

Am planning to go back to my hometown for this Eid-ul-Adha. The planned date is on 6/12 and returning to KL (via SZB) on 9/12.

Three days before the departure date, my younger brother suddenly wanted to go back as well. His exam scheduled on Tuesday (9/12) was cancelled. No more tickets available, so be a good brother (ehem..) I changed my name to his. 

So, my sacrifice, celebrating Eid in KL... quite a long weekend for me... 4 days in a row.... let see how I survive :-)

Selamat Hari Raya Korban...

~ MT @ Malaysia

~~ Ampang, Selangor

~ To Travel Is To Discover Oneself ~

MY: World AIDS Day

peace...............................


~ MT @ Malaysia
~~ Kg Attap, Kuala Lumpur

~ To Travel Is To Discover Oneself ~