Mili-watt River ?

Last Thursday, I was on a working visit to one of the project site by my client. The Site located in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah with such beautiful frontage of Miliwat River and just a few meters away from the firth to South China Sea. Its view include the majestic Mount Kinabalu which were already shrouded by thick clouds far beyond the horizon at 11am!  However, I find it a bit disturbing that the whole design doesn't take into consideration into 'wrapping up' these view for a dedicated vista appreciation which, for an instance, this view were captured in between windows of one of the rooms!

Uniquely, the river were name Mili-wat,  (a combination of milli as in millimeter, and watt as the measurement unit for electric, but it has nothing to do with those two actually) and if we were to wrongly miss-spell it as Meliwat it could represent another meaning in Malay which is 'sodomy'.  Plus, the site actually located at a local area known as Menggatal, which if we were to literally translate as a Malay word to English it would means - flirtatious. Hillariously unique, I think. No offence to Sabahan, but everybody else from Peninsular thought these names were uniquely hillarious. :)

Mount Kinabalu?

 

This place is supposed to overlooking the majestic Mount Kinabalu, but I wasnt able to capture it that day.. 

Palace Hotel Kota Kinabalu

I chose this hotel because other participants of this visit were here and no further reason that. If I were to chose a hotel, in Kota Kinabalu, I would rather choose those that were located within the walking distance of  the beach or the city centre, so that I don't have to depends on other mode of transportation other than my own two feet. It will make a different if I were here on leisure and I have all the time to cover places on my own sweet time by hiring a car. Since, I'm here on my own and I have specific programme within very limited time that being permitted, so this is the sort of arrangement that I have to deal with.

The hotel is actually located nearby the city centre but not within walking distance of any other places of interest and furthermore the entrance route to this particular hotel were diverted further from the actual distance that you think where it was located (it seems near but drifted away kind of place). However if you prefer a more privacy, and away from all those bickering traffic pollution, this could be your spot. The hotel wasn't as posh as it name, nothing close to any palace in the world that is, but limited to just a basic comfortable hotel with all the basic amenities that you would wish a hotel to have. I mean, look at the price you are paying, so be fair. And I guess, from looking from these two photos that I uploaded you can basically imagine the whole scenario (you can actually get more info from Palace Hotel own website).

Bathroom was very basic, nothing posh. If I were to compare the same room rate of Vistana, I believe I'm getting a little bit less in terms of spaciousnes and layout design. The only complain would be; the vertical blind of its window IRRITATE me the whole entire night as it can't be pull down any lower to cover the entire window and I kept seeing those neon lights from afar. Am all grumpy for that, thank you.

Time freeze at Kota Kinabalu International Airport

I have arrived at Kota Kinabalu International Airport a 2.5 hrs earlier than my actual departure time to Kuala Lumpur. It is not an achievement that I could be really proud of or something that I really looking forward to do but being that the only other choice would be extending my stay at the not-so-fancy-hotel for a hefty additional sum, so I guess doing this is the only sensible thing that I could think of at the moment. Am lucky enough  to spot a McD around the corner at level 3 of the departure common hall, so here I am blogging this down in order to fill the time that, I have now so much to my own. However, I was feeling quite uncomfortable for having to choose a seat at the outer aisle just to be close to my bags and belongings on the push-cart, plus this particular branch is blaring some tune than loud enough that could be heard in between the Bruno Mars tune through the earphone that I have plucked into my ears. However, having to seat in this main terminal with such a bright ambiance, that comes from its triple-volume ceiling height with blaring glass-walls of its modern architecture, with a spikier environment compare to dilapidated-look of Terminal 2 does help me to wind-down from a tiring morning-half of my day, but still doesn't help me to ease the uncomfortable feeling from being 'in the middle of the world' with people passing by and screening my typing skills. ;|

And, a flight delay is not something in my wishlist!

Kota Kinabalu: Day 3

We finally come to our last day in Kota Kinabalu. I think a brief 3 days were not sufficient to cover the magnificent Sabah, let alone Kota Kinabalu. We have yet to venture into those museums, do some snorkelling or island hoping and enjoy the sunset!  as the conclusion - we shall return to get the feel of more places!! Till then, thank you for such warmth welcome!! We did enjoy our stay!!

Kota Kinabalu: Day 2

We decided to choose Mount Kinabalu instead of the islands tour. So, when we finally woke up at 6am in the morning, it is way too bright!! The sun streak notoriously bright into our rooms once the curtains lifted. OMG!We have forgotten the fact that daylight in Sabah is actually comes almost an hour earlier than Peninsular Malaysia. So 6am here is already as bright as 8am in Kuala Lumpur!

We finally leave KK city centre around 9am and head for Mount Kinabalu Park. Of course we wouldn't dream of climbing up the mountain so getting as close as to its lower plateu would be as similar honour!  ;)   The journey was smooth as the weather was quite pleasant. Eventhough for certain stretch, the road was quite wind-up, but it wasn't that bad, plus the view of the mountain range which most of the time were on our left drive is astonishingly awesome!

When we finally managed to take a glimpse of the Mount Kinabalu' s peak, the feelings were so overwhelming! We are so at awe at the magnificent height beyond our eyes!! Gorgeous!! We thank God for creating such magical place! But, the peak seems to shy away from us as the cloud keep on hovering around it which made it harder for us to capture the mountainscape on camera.

When we reach Mount Kinabalu Park, it was already around 11am but the sun was striking the heat  and the temperate cilmate was leaaving us with basic humidity of the tropic. Hey, we didnt know that there's place to stay here at the foot of Mount Kinabalu! Imagine what it would be like at this place really early in the morning - woww!!

the chalet at Mount Kinabalu Park

we trail the track to upper levels of the Kinabalu Park halfway through by car

Mount Kinabalu seen from the road to Kundasang

After awhile in Kinabalu Park,  we decided to continue the journey to Poring Hot Spring which is located near Ranau, which basically going to take us another hour journey to the place. On our way, we pass by awesome place known by the name Kundasang.

sunset facing the South China Sea

Sunset  along Jalan Tun Fuad Stephens

Sunset in Kota Kinabalu

seafood galore for dinner

Kundasang

When we pass through Kundasang, we were so taken by the breathtaking view of the town which basically situated within a valley. The green-scape of the hills (range of hills actually) that lies before our eyes, and those clouds  wrapping  up Mount Kinabalu which stood prominently as the town's background with the cool temperate climate being some few thousands feet above sea level is totally awesome. There is nothing much to adore to the town if you are looking for high-end development as it don't even have a proper petrol station like the one we had in big town and the only commercial lots would be the one row of shops next to its main road, but you will not miss anything of such when you are here as the landscape is so stunningly heaven!!

range of hills of Kundasang valley

Mount Kinabalu as the background..

the only Petrol Station in Kundasang

Kota Kinabalu: Day 1

Leaving the Kota Kinabalu International Airport in a rented car, we made our way through the traffic to locate our hotel-Imperial Boutec which is located within the Plaza Warisan along Fuad-Stephen Road. Did not expect that it would be on 7th floor and within a mixed development complex but it's practically an ideal location given to the facts that it is only a walking distance to all the 'markets' and there're more retails and eateries outlet on the lower level which would enable us for a quick getaway if we need to.

It was a brief checked-in and we immediately head-out to Monsopiad Cultural Village in Penampang which is roughly about 15km away from our hotel. The entrance fee is RM55 for each adult and children under 12 is free. We join in the aerlier group for the guided tour and the whole experience has been very educational. We now have a better understanding of particular culture of Kadazan tribe in Sabah. We are lucky that our arrival has coincide with the time-slot of the cultural show, which basically a composition of traditional dance accompany by live music of traditional instrument. It is so interestingly colourful!

We spent almost 2 hours at the village and when we reach the city centre it was already 6pm. We decided to head for the craft market or locally known as the Filipino Market where we get to buy some souvenirs, and enjoy a refreshment of coconut drinks at the nearest market.

sunset reflection

sunset view of South China Sea

Jesselton-here I come!!

My family and I are taking a leave from our routine activity and made our way through the South China Sea to Kota Kinabalu (of course it didnt mean we swim through but we fly over it!! ;)

Check-in was smooth, boarding was smooth, flight with slight turbulance..but most of it was smooth.. So, hopefully everything gonna turn out smooth for the 3days-2night stay, here in Jesselton!