City Collection: Sabah, Malaysia

During primary school days, I used to see Sabah as part of printed Philippine maps, it is in southern part of Tawi-tawi. Who knows I’ll be able to step on that part of the land.
I got this mug from Kota Kinabalu last April 2010. Too bad, there is no Starbucks in Brunei, so I had only 1 pair for that trip.

I must commend the post office of Brunei as they have Stamp Museum in it. While the door signs for KK’s post office are so familiar with “tolak” (which is “tulak” or “push”) and “buka” (which is “bukas” or “open”).

2010 April: Kota Kinabalu: Last Day and More Shopping

Travel Date: April 23, 2010
Destination: Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia

Friday, my last day in KK. I was able to attend a very small mass ceremony in Sacred Heart Cathedral Kota Kinabalu. They have an English mass every day at 6am. Go to the back door of the church as this is where the mass is held.

Sacred Heart Cathedral Kota Kinabaluhttp://sacredheartcathedral.net/component/option,com_contact/Itemid,28/
14b
Jalan Menteri, P. O. Box 10049
Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia, 88800

I had difficulty going back to the Hotel, but was able to resturn after getting lost for an hour.

After late breakfast, was able to roam around KK Plaza, Wisma Merdaka, Sinsuran Complex and Sabah Suria. Was able to send my postcards at their post office. Some of our Filipino words are related to their Malayan language, our “tulak” is their “tolak” and our “bukas” is their “buka”. I appreciate our door signs being on English language as open and closed.

While I was eating in a pasta restaurant, I saw this clip in a magazine.

While packing, here are my loots: Lexus biscuits which are my favorite, 3 pairs of Vinci shoes and Starbucks City Mug for my collection.

Upon check-in at the airport, all luggage should pass this x-ray machine. 8pm is my flight back to the Manila via 5J 734.

Thank you HK Lee for touring me around the city, the Filipino people at Next Café, the Cititel Manager who emailed me back on my suggestions. I appreciate the bus driver who made me lost on my last day, and to all the cab drivers who safely sent me to my destinations.

2010 April: Kota Kinabalu: Beach and Shopping

Travel Date: April 21-22, 2010
Destination: Manukan Island, Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia

Wednesday, upon my arrival from Brunei, I get my taxi coupon and go to Cititel again. I got my luggage without any issues and without anything missing. After check-in procedure and settling my things at my new smaller room with a cheaper price, I immediately went out for window shopping. Why I’m here in Malaysia? To buy Vinci! Haha! I went to Centerpoint and Warisan Shopping Mall checking out the prices. I also tried the food at their food court.

Thursday, is my beach day. From Cititel to Jesselton Point, the cab fare is 20RM. I bought my own snorkeling gears and good thing there is a group who is also going to Manukan, so as suggested by the counter I just joined their boat. Return fare for Manukan Island is 23 RM. The separate entrance for non-Malaysian is 10RM. Life jacket can be rented for 5-10RM. I choose Manukan over Sapi or Mumutik Islands due to security; since I’m on a solo journey I’d rather be safe. Manukan Island has more people (but still serene), has restaurants and stores, and has very good shower rooms, and no lizard or crocodile in the sand area. Beach closer to the arrival area has much jellyfish than when you stay on the farther area of the beach. The sand is white and pure and the water is so clear, that even if you are not yet snorkeling you can already see school of fish.



Before 12nn, I went back to the hotel to freshen up, took my lunch and now ready to go to their new mall, 1Borneo.

There is a free shuttle ride from Warisan Square near the taxi stand. The coach leaves every half hour.

1Borneo MallWebsite: http://www.1borneo.com/
Direction: http://sabahbah.com/kota-kinabalu-shopping-centres/1borneo/371/how-to-get-to-1-borneo

One Borneo Rainforest has its free entrance but you can skip this, there is nothing to see here. The Borneo SeaWorld is still closed (April 2010). I was able to buy my Starbucks City Mug collection here at 1 Borneo for 42RM.


Outside the mall, is the Tune Hotels which is also cheap and new. By 6pm, I took again the free return transfer from the shopping complex back to Warisan Square.

2010 April: Kota Kinabalu: City Tour

Travel Date: April 20, 2010 Tuesday
Destination: Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia

The next day, I booked for a City Tour at the travel agency at the Lobby of Cititel Express. You can contact them prior to your arrival at 1tourandadventure@gmail.com. I do recommend their tour but not the airport transfer.

The tour guide arrived at 8am at the Hotel Lobby. I really thought that I’ll be joining a group tour, but I was wrong. I was like in a huge van (like can accommodate 15 passengers), where I’m the only tourist to be guided for the half-day! However, I feel safe during the whole trip and thanks to HK Lee who has been very accommodating and act as a driver, tour guide, and photographer all in one.

Our first stop is the Atkinson Clock. It is the oldest standing structure in the whole of Sabah that survived the destruction of Jesselton town during World War II.


The Signal Hill is the highest point in the city. You can see the main road, building strip, and the water front from this location.

Next stop is the Floating Mosque also known as City Mosque at Likas Bay (with Blue Dome). The floating Mosque opens every day for Muslim prayer. You are not allowed to go in unless you are Muslim and do your prayer.

Then, since we arrived ahead of time, we were able to pass this long stretch of walkway going to the sea. Then at 9:30am we entered UMS Marine Aquarium Museum. I’m not happy with their procedure of having a separate entrance for the camera. Like you are non-Malaysian, you will pay 10RM for the entrance and you will need to pay a separate 10RM for every camera you have. It is a museum of the bones and shells of the species they found in the Sabah waters. They do have few aquariums inside. You can skip this if you have been to Sentosa Underwater Aquarium or Manila Oceanarium.

Next, we went to Yayasan Sabah also known as Menara Tun Mustpha or the Sabah Foundation Building. It is a circular tower with 30 floors. It houses auditoriums, theaters, offices and a revolving restaurant. We were able to visit the restaurant but it is still closed during that time. It is very elegant, nice paintings, soft sofas and chairs, and of course nice view to watch the KK city. You can even see the peak of Mount Kinabalu.

We had a quick stop in Filipino Market. They have different dried seafood and seaweeds, also offers traditional bags, clothes and textiles. This place is also the featured in Amazing Race Asia Season 4 Episode 2 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nOPuqV6jHMc).

We ended the trip by returning to the Hotel. I had a quick lunch, then, check-out at the hotel. Lock and left my luggage at their Safe Room and go the airport for my flight going to Brunei.

2010 April: Kota Kinabalu: The Arrival and Cititel Hotel

Travel Date: April 19, 2010 Monday
Destination: Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia

I took flight 5J 733 via Cebu Pacific from Manila to Kota Kinabalu. I arrived at Tanjung Aru Terminal 2 at around 8pm. It took me around an hour to pass the Immigration due to long queue of tourists and slow action of the Officers. I was about to be pick-up by the cab driver who I booked at the hotel, but he was no longer there. Since the Foreign Money Exchange is already closed at that time, I used the ATM to withdraw some money. It will automatically convert your entire peso to ringgit. Then, I looked for the coupon-sales and taxi-booking counter. I told them which Hotel I’ll be going, paid 20RM and finally got the coupon. Then, I gave it to the cab driver who is on queue.

Tip: try to study the map, so at least you will have confidence on which road you are in, aware if you are going to the right direction and conscious that you are finally reaching your hotel. After traveling for 15 minutes, I reached Cititel Hotel. In less than 10 minutes, I was able to complete the check-in procedures. The restaurant at the lobby still offers food and it tasted so good.

Restaurant at the Cititel Hotel Lobby: Next CaféBuffet Breakfast: 10RM (150php)
Dinner/Lunch: 9RM (Main Course + Soup) (135php)

I booked for a Standard Room (12 sqm) with Double Bed with windows at a very low price since it is just new during that time so they still have opening/early-bird discounts. I must say, that this is a good choice of Hotel. Very clean, very new (at April 2010), and also has modern facilities. Air-conditioner is working fine. Bed and pillows are soft. LCD TV works as both cable TV and radio in one. They also offer free toiletries, mugs, and hair dryer. Other services in the floor are free hot and cold drinking water, microwave oven, iron, and iron board. It's location is very near Centerpoint Mall.

CITITEL EXPRESS, KOTA KINABALU
No. 1, Jalan Singgah Mata 1, Asia City 88000 Kota Kinabalu, Sabah (Borneo)
Tel: 6088 521 188 (Hotel)
http://www.cititelexpress.com/KK/index.html