Sabah Food & Seafood

Every night, accept for the first night in Sabah, we have seafood dinner. This was the first time we have so many fresh seafood in a week. Sabah is known for the fresh seafood. Cheap? Not really. But it's absolutely fresh.

This restaurant is recommended by Chris. It was packed with local and tourist of the 2 days we were there. I think can consider as the cheapest one among the shops in KK town. 

Fresh, fresh fresh. 

The prawn, must have in KK. 

We were too busy to take food photo. So these are all the seafood that I have in the collection. 

KK's apple. Hubby bought one but we only have a bite. 

Some local fruits, no idea what's called.

Jagung bakar. 

Sabah 2011 - Day 5 (18 Oct)

Going home time. We have some walk in front of the hotel before proceeding to airport during lunch.

End of the holiday. Great time with my kids and hubby. 

Sabah 2011 - Day 4 (17 Oct)

It was our own leisure time. Initially, we just plan to have some walk around KK town, but we have did that for the last few night ago. Hmm.. small town and we have conquered most of the tourist spots.

Beautiful sunset starting ~5pm

So, hubby decided to rent a car for Kudat visit. Tip of Borneo, that's the place we went. If you notice the map of Sabah, there is a 2 tip on the head of the state. Kudat is one place on the left tip. It took us 2-3hrs to arrive to the location. You will never experience this type of 'highway' in Peninsular Malaysia. Not many cars, which was great and half way, you may be wondering whether you got to the right place. We trusted the GPS 100% cause that's our one and only source of direction.

A long way in with no cars or human. 

We tried this on the way. Famous Jagung Bakar. 

Famous signboard in KK. You will see this everywhere you go.

Finally, we arrived at the destination. We were the only car arrived. It was a long walk up the hill before you can really see the actual scenery.

The hill up

Awesome view from top

A couple arrived before we left. They helped us with this photo.

The beaches around this area are beautiful. No pollution, clean beach with only couple of 'Ang Mo' having vacation there. Kudat has so much more potential to be tourist area, if it's been promoted and developed well. 

Sabah 2011 - Day 3 (16 Oct)

It was the island trip day. Manukan and Sapi Island. Got to the pier, Jesselton Point around 9am. It is beautiful.

The speed boat to get to the island

The best part about getting a tour is you don't have to worry about any details. Chris helps on everything - ticket, boat time, food, etc. If you are going for snorkeling, you may rent the gear at the pier. RM25 for 2 islands. If you get it at the island, it'll be RM15. We didn't expect to have any, some water play should be sufficient for the boys. 

Koko and Didi was very happy. You can hear Koko laughing sound on the whole boat trip. He did that on purpose, to show that he is very happy. Ha Ha Ha Ha. With the strong wind and the speed on the water, both of them were very excited. 

Holding very tight on Didi. Worry he might fly out. 

Manukan Island is the first island we landed. Beautiful. Crystal clear water. We went for some swim. A lot of people in the area, so we only managed to have little fishes swimming along. If you are up for snorkeling, it is recommended to be near to the jetty area. But beware of spiky urchin. 

Manukan Beach

Shady walkway

The nice uncle gave Koko and Didi some bread to feed the fish. 

We went to Sapi Island for our BBQ lunch. I think we were quite late arriving for the lunch. Food is not much remaining for us. Again, is part of the tour package. We just eat. In Sapi island, we just relax there while waiting for trip home. Not many people around at this beach. Very much smaller beach area compare to Manukan. 

Playing on the beach.

Didi snoozed off after awhile. With the breeze wind and shady area, I were ready for a sleep too. Unfortunately, it was Koko's loo time. 

Sabah 2011 - Day 2 (15 Oct)

Day 2- 15 Oct 2011: 
Breakfast was good. I love them. So many choices. I were so worried that couldn't get the right food for Koko and Didi. Over there, awesome! Pieces of cheese, bread, cake, porridge, sausage, noodle, raisin, apricot,.. all were edible for them. 

It was the visit to KK Park and Poring Hot Spring. Before you reach the KK park, you will arrive to this Tamparuli Bridge. A bridge used by local to cross the river between Tamparuli town and another town (can't remember the name).

Awesome view of the Mount Kinabalu along way. 

Half way to KK Park.

Crystal clear view of the peak of Mount Kinabalu. 

Arrived at KK park after 2hrs++ drive. Hmm...a bit disappointing. Nothing much to see there. Unless you plan to hike the mountain, this is the starting point. There is a gallery showing some history of the park and some insects display, a small restaurant and a park 

I think we stayed there for 20-30minutes before heading for our lunch. It was part of the tour package. The food was a lot a lot. I don't have a photo for that. There were meat, 2 types of huge plate of vege, fish, soup and fruits. More than ever we expected. Another thumb up for the tour!

After lunch, we headed to the Poring Hot Spring. 1.5hrs from the park. Expecting some water fun play over there. When we arrived, the scenery was nice, a bridge crossing over a small stream. Unfortunately, when we saw the hot spring area, Koko straight said he didn't wanna go swimming. The water is green! 

The place is photogenic, in actual..hmm.. 

At last, we decided to get to the canopy walk area. We weren't prepare for it. However, spending 2 hours sitting there do nothing, doesn't sound right. We didn't wanna get into the water, so some jungle walk should be fine. I were eager about the canopy walk, but didn't expect a challenge for it. 

Half way up. The place is beautiful. 

With a long skirt and a boy on the hand, it really tested out my stamina. 

For the first 10minutes, Koko managed the hike by himself. Then, he started mentioning his legs can't walk. Guess how we manage to get to the canopy top. It is ~4000m above sea level. We took around 30minutes to reach there, rotating Koko and Didi between Hubby and I. The challenge yet to come. It was just beginning. 

Canopy walk. It swings!

Holding Didi on one hand and the other hand to hold the rope, balancing is the most challenge walk. I never realize that I can hold 10kg with only 1 hand. Moving and struggling 10kg. Half way on the canopy, suddenly Didi was just too excited and would like to try the walk by his own. I were calling for help from Hubby, but he also couldn't do anything cause Koko was another challenge. With no way out and no turning point, I grabbed Didi up again and continue the walk. Thinking about it now, it was an amazing walk for us. Nothing will ever challenge us now. But, for you out there,with kids 3yrs and below. Think twice before try to attempt this walk. No challenge for adult or independent kids. 

Half way of the walk. Should be an awesome view though I didn't manage to really catch a glimpse to it. Full concentration on the 10kg on hand.

We completed it gracefully!!

Sabah 2011 - Day 1 (14 Oct)

This was the trip that I look forward so much since early of the year. Until the ticket is booked, planning is still a planning. Since Hubby booked the air ticket, I were very excited about it. It was the first trip that Koko and Didi board on a plane. We have kept on telling them about plane, but I guess at that time they still didn't really understand it.

Day 1 - Oct 14 2011:
One the day, we went to Penang airport, early in the morning. Koko and Didi were very excited, running around in the airport. It was PG to KK. It was ~2hrs45min flight. I was wondering what were going to happen during flight considering 2hrs were quite long. Koko was ok. It was problem with Didi as infant doesn't has a seat. He couldn't find a good position to sleep and was crying. Everyone nearby was looking at me. There were no empty seat around that I could move to so that can get a better space for him. At the end, luckily he managed to doze off.

 Anxiously looking at the plane

Time to get into plane

I have booked the ground arrangement tour with the local agent. The agent, Mr Chris picked us up with his Exora. It was a 5D4N trip. Our itinerary was quite relaxing, couldn't afford a hectic one with the boys.

We started with KK city tour, it included visited to some famous building in the town. Menara Tun Mustapha Building, City Mosque and the Buddhist Temple “Pu To Tze”. The trip ended with the Filipino Market. Basically all the markets, selling the souvenir and local delicacies are along the same road. Side by side. Filipino market, the dry seafood (Pasar Ikan Masin) and handicraft.

Inside the Filipino market. It is repetition items on most of the stalls.  

All types of dry seafood. Sea cucumber ranging from RM480(small) to RM720(big). Claim to be the dried scallop (RM60/500g). I'm not too sure about pricing of this as never really buy before. Cheap? 

Koko found his souvenir - the lion key chain. 

We stayed at the Promenade Hotel. The hotel condition is satisfying, no complain about it. I were very glad that I choose this hotel. It was just beside the Ocean Seafood and around 15minutes walk to the market area.