My Graduation Trips Part 2...

 The next trip is Sabah trip with some of my classmates and Jia Ying's sister and friends from Alor Setar. It was suppose to be 5 days trip but I expand it into 12days with the days left staying with my dad. For the first 5 days, the journey is quite packed and they have limited time in Sabah but too much to explore and see.

Party Play-we had our dessert there

Perdana Park

The gang from UTM at Perdana Park

Fountain at Perdana Park

The first day, we went around Kota Kinabalu town to have our dinner. We also went to Taman Perdana to watch fountain. After reaching KKIA, we take our lunch at the KFC at KKIA. Then, we went to check in at Tune Hotel, 1 Borneo. Since Jia Ying and her friends were a little bit slower than UTM friend's flight, we have our own time at 1 Borneo for shopping although nothing much for us to shop. Then, we went for dinner at Pintas for the Minced meat noodles (肉碎面) and party play. Lastly, we went to Taman Perdana and accidentally met Wei Jie and Ming Li. Then, we went to the beach near Taman Perdana and have some drinks before going back to hotel. Since the next day, will be a long day, we went to sleep earlier.

Photo taken at Nabalu Village

At Sabah Tea

The next day is guided by a tour guided hired by us. We need to pay Rm65 each for the tour guide to bring us to area near Mt. Kinabalu. We stopped at Nabalu Village for some photograph session of Mt. Kinabalu. But the weather wasn't allowing. The second destination we went is Sabah tea, a place near Ranau. The tea plantation there is not as massive as Cameron Highland and the temperature at there is not as low as Cameron Highland. Near the Sabah tea, there is a long house for us to visit. However, it is a modern long house which the roof is made of zinc rather than atap.

Long House at Sabah Tea

Poring Hot Spring

The next destination is Tagal fish massage. This fish is different than normal fish massage where the fish is rather big in size and live wild. Then, we went to Poring hot spring. There are many activities at there such as tracking, hot spring, water fall and so on. But, with the limited time, we only manage to enjoy the hot spring awhile and then to the water fall. Next destination is the Kundasang War Memorial. It is a normal memorial park where the soldier sacrificed is being honored. The next destination is the Desa Cattle Farm at Kundasang. The farm is a suitable place to have a scenic view of the Mt. Kinabalu. We then move to Kinabalu National Park as our last stop for that day. The national park is a must go through place for Mt. Kinabalu climber. We didn't spend too much time at there as the day is getting dark already. Although it is just 6.30pm, it is almost dark already in Sabah. And so, we are heading back to Kota Kinabalu. Before that, the tour guide left us at sea food restaurant for our dinner. It's is indeed a tiring day for us but more to come on next day.

Kundasang War Memorial

A funny caption at Kundasang War Memorial Australia Garden

At Kundasang War Memorial-looks like in haven isn't it?

Desa Cattle Farm

Desa Cattle Farm

Kinabalu National Park

The following day, we were guided by Jia Ying's UMS friends to Kudat and Tip of Borneo. The journey is rather long as it is located roughly 200km from Kota Kinabalu. We used our rented cars which are one Kancil and one Proton Wira. At first we thought it was a normal journey it was a rough and vigorous journey. The road in Sabah is not as good as in Peninsular Malaysia where some part of the road is unpaved. But still we manage to get to our destination by rather low performance vehicle we had.

Bee hive demonstration

Gong Making

Rungus Long House

We have few stops before reaching our final destination. The first stop is the bee farm at Kg. Gombizau. It's just a normal small scale bee farm developed by the locals (Rungus). We had a briefing by the locals and then moved on to next destination. Then, we went to Gong making village. The village is famous of Gong making and as you walk along the street, you will find many house hold making Gong. We moved on to the Rungus long house. It is not as modern as the long house we visited yesterday, but I don't really see the difference except the roof.

Beach at Kudat

A clock tower at Kudat

After that, we all are hungry as it's nearly 2.30pm and we are yet to have our lunch. We headed straight to Kudat for our lunch at the Lavender Cafe. We then, have a rest at the Kudat beach. The sea water at there is very clean and crystal clear. We didn't spend too much time at the beach because we were late on the schedule and it is a quite a distance from Kudat to the Tip of Borneo. We continued our journey to the Tip of Borneo and took a lot of pictures at there. We headed back to Kota Kinabalu at 5.50pm and the sky is getting dark already. The journey back to Kota Kinabalu is very bumpy and dangerous. Finally, we reach Kota Kinabalu at 10.30pm and had our dinner before went back to our hotel. It was a tiring day and full of excitement, but we had fun.

My famous pose at Tip of Borneo

At Tip of Borneo

Fishes can be seen at the jetty of Manukan Island

Fishes can be seen at the jetty of Mamutik Island

The following day is sort of relaxing day for us. We are going to islands near Kota Kinabalu. There are Gaya Island, Manukan Island, Mamutik Island, Sapi Island and Sulug Island. However, we only went to Manukan Island and Mamutik Island. The first island is Manukan Island. The water at there is splendidly crystal clear and you can easily see fishes by your naked eyes. The island is famous for its snookering, diving and other water activities such as banana boat, kayaking, windsurfing and parasailing. There are many corals and fishes are attracted to these corals. Besides water activities, tourist also can choose jungle tracking. I didn't try any water activities as I don't know swimming and I had a bad experience from snookering last time at Pangkor Island. After tacking at Manukan Island, we went to Mamutik Island. For those had rented snookering equipment, they continued snookering while I was just playing with sand and enjoying the sea breeze. Afterwards, we headed back to Jesselton Point Ferry Terminal and walk around the town area of Kota Kinabalu. We also bought some souvenir at there. After taking a dinner at Yu Kee bah kut teh, we have our rest at Tune hotel.

At Manukan Island

Burying Ah Goh at Mamutik Island

Finally, there comes the last day of trip with my friends at Sabah and they will be going back at the fifth day while I will be going to stay with my dad after they went back. We took our breakfast at Likas and then we have a tour to UMS by Jia Ying's friends who study at UMS. We went to the aquarium, museum and chancellery in UMS. Lastly, we went to observation tower, before heading to airport. My dad picked me up at the airport after my friends left. Then, my dad took me to his construction site and shows me the pre-tensioning slab. I slept early that day because the next day will be a tiring day for me.

At UMS

UMS aquarium

UMS Museum

My dad Construction site

Unlike the days before, trip with my dad means going around Sabah with little or minimum stops. So, most of the time, I can't really snap any pictures at all. We started of heading to Sandakan at 11am on sixth day. After having lunch at Tuaran (Tauran noodle is by far the most delicious noodle I ate in Sabah), we headed to Sandakan. Don't be agitated, but the truth is Sabah food doesn't suits my appetite. I again have to go to Kundasang as that is the shortest way to Sandakan. However, I still couldn't see the top of Mt. Kinabalu for the second time. After a tea break at Telupid, we continued journey to Sandakan. We stayed a night at Sandakan before heading to Lahad Datu, Tawau and Semporna on the next day.

Tuaran Noodle

The Grand Hotel at Sandakan

Proboscis Monkeys

View from Semporna beach

The next early morning, we went for Proboscis Monkeys watching at Labuk Bay. We waited for awhile before entering the bay because we were too early. Those Proboscis Monkeys are wild animals but they get to feed by the locals. After snapping a few pictures and video, we continued our journey to Lahad Datu. We didn't spend much time at there but just to have a lunch. Then, the next destination is Tawau. Along the journey, there is the vast land of palm tree plantation. And the road tends to be bumpy as huge trucks always pass by there. At Tawau, we had a tea time before going to Semporna. We stopped at the Semporna sea side for some photos before going back to Lahad Dato for staying.

The next day, is just another long journey driving to Pitas and then back to Kota Kinabalu. Along the journey to Pitas, we drive through some hilly area but not as high as Kundasang though. Pitas is just a small town in Sabah and we didn't stop at there. We had our lunch at Kota Marudu before going back to Kota Kinabalu.

Kasih Sayang Health Resort

The next day my dad had to work for on that day. But he is free to bring me around during lunch time. So, he took me to Kasih Sayang Health Resort at Kota Kinabalu. It is located on one of the mountain near Kota Kinabalu. At there, I got to see the top of Mt. Kinabalu for the first time and at the short distance. We then, went back to Kota Kinabalu for lunch before going to my junior's, Ivy, house at Kepayan. It took quite a long time before getting to her house as my dad is not familiar with that area. We had a short stay at her house before my dad need to go back to his office again. I was left with Ivy family and her mother took me to vist some historical places in Kota Kinabalu. The first place we went is the KK Time Square, then Atkinson clock tower. Then, we had some refreshment at nearby food court before going to Tun Fuad Stephens Park. The next destination is Lido Square and Grace Point. After having dinner at Lido Square, which again paid by Ivy's mother, they drop me at Tong Hing supermarket and my dad picked me up.

Me, Ivy and her younger sister at Tong Hing-what a happy family and a warm welcoming from their mother. Thanks

Me and Casse at Beaufort

The next day which is tenth day is a one-day journey to Lawas, Sarawak. We departed early in the morning (roughly 6.30am) as my dad afraid we might be insufficient time for the whole journey. After breakfast at Likas, we went straight to Beaufort where we will be met up with another junior of mine, Cassendra. She actually stays at somewhere between Beaufort and Sipitang but we choose Beaufort as our meeting point. After a tea break at Beaufort with Cassendra, we moved on to Sipitang. We also have at drive to Weston before reaching Sipitang. The Weston town is a really small town which considered abandon town. Then, at Sipitang, we stopped by at the beach for photo taking. After that, we continued to Lawas. But before that, we need to pass by the custom at Sindumin where we have to hand over the Permit for entering Sabah and they will give us another permit for entering Sarawak. We straight went to Mengkalap custom where it is the border of Malaysia and Brunei. We didn't go into Brunei as it would be tedious. So, we are going back to Lawas town for lunch. Then, we choose a different path to get back to Kota Kinabalu. We went through Tenom from Sipitang then to Keningau, Tambunan and lastly Kota Kinabalu. The journey is a little bit hilly especially the road after Tambunan. We did stop at Mt. Alab for a tea break before going back. Mt. Alab is quite high and such a coincidence that it is covered by clouds during that time. I got to feel like we are in the havens for awhile.

Check points information at custom

Mt. Alab covered by clouds

The next day is my birthday and I don't get to travel around as my dad had to work. So, I just walked to Kopicat Cafe at Likas to online and check my e-mail. It was quite a boring day, but I not suitable to travel as I got flu that time. My dad took me for a nice dinner and that's basically makes my day. The next day is the last day at Sabah and my dad is coming back with me. So, he took me for breakfast and then dropped me at airport.

Although I didn't stayed long in Sabah, but I kind of loving that place as the people there a less differentiated by races or skin color. Comparing to Peninsular, the people at Sabah get each other in a harmony environment. I can see some Chinese restaurant at Sabah serve no pork. I not sure why, but I think that will probably attract Muslim to dine at there. Many locals (bumiputera) can be seen dining at Chinese restaurant that makes it more to harmonious environment.