EXPLORING SABAH part 1: KOTA KINABALU, MALAYSIA

Itinerary

April 21, 2013 (Sun)

NAIA T3 to Brunei International Airport

April 22, 2013 (Mon)

Bendar Seri Begawan Labuan Ferry Terminal to Jesselton Ferry Terminal

Check-in Traveler's Light Backpacker Lodge

Half Day Tour

April 23, 2013 (Tue)

Check-out at Traveler's Inn

Jesselton Point Ferry Terminal Shopping at duty free stores in Labuan Island

Back to Bendar Seri Beagawan and did half-day tour

April 24, 2013 (Wed)

Brunei Int'l Airport to NAIA T3

Expenses

Flight Ticket: P2146 (two-way with 15kg baggage allowance)

Travel tax: P1650

Terminal fee: P650

Accommodation: P904 or 21USD (for two persons)

Ferry: P1800 (two-way) Transportation: P600 (taxi, fx, and tricycle)

Souvenir: P300 Food: 1000 (including presents)

Total Expenses: P

Accommodation

We arrived in Kota Kinabalu (KK) with our accommodation booked 1 month earlier. The driver of the van was familiar with Lorong Dewan but never heard of the Backpacker's Lodge. We just got off in the area and asked somebody for the direction. A few meters away, we finally found this inn. Surprisingly, the attending receptionist that time was _____, who is a Filipina and married to a Malay. Since Sabah is one of the nearest neighboring countries in the Philippines, no wonder a lot of Filipinos work in this exotic part of Sabah. You can see them in the restaurants, shops, and many more.

It was not my first time to stay in a backpacker's inn, where I got to share the room with other travelers and even the bathroom. We were just lucky that no other tourists were staying in our room that day. The beds here were firm and clean, linens were free of stain although they were old, and the ventilation was working well. 

I noticed that 80% of the whole structure was made up of wooden materials, so the noise from other rooms could be easily heard in the four corners of our room. My favorite part of this place was the balcony built at the back of the inn, facing the hill forest. Even though I spent an over-night here, I enjoyed staying at the balcony while reading some magazines and travel books available at their mini library. I also had a bit of chitchat over dinner with other foreign tourists. I loved the cool wind blowing coming from the forest behind us, which according to _______, some endemic animals such as squirrels and macaque (Asian monkey) come out at anytime of the day.

Note:

- Shoes or any kinds of footwear must be left on a small area in front of the entrance door.

- Plates, glasses, and other utencils are all available at the kitchen located at the balcony.

- They provide hot water for coffee and milk, and 3 variants of spread like strawberry,  raspberry jam, and peanut butter free of charge.

Tip: Since there is no breakfast included, you can have your meal at some nearby eatery or restos or buy them at the grocery a day before.

Room Rates

Female Shared Dorm:         RM 22/bed

Male Shared Dorm:             RM 22/bed

(both are air-conditioned)

Family Room (3 persons):    RM 77/room

Family Room (4 persons):    RM 88/room

(both are air-conditioned)

* breakfast not included, shared bathrooms

Facilities:

-      Common bathrooms with hot and cold shower

-      Tour information & a mini-library

-      Board games

-      DVD player & TV

-      Desktop computer with Internet & Wifi access

-      Freezer

Contact Information

Traveler’s Light Backpacker’s Lodge.

Address: Lot # 19, Lorong Dewan (Australia Place)

88000 Kota Kinabalu, Sabah Borneo, Malaysia

Telephone #: (6) 088-238-877 /

Fax #: (6) 088-250-343

Website: www.travellerslight.com

Tour

We only had 24 hours to explore the city of KK and other sites that are not too distant from where we stay. Here’s the list.

1. Signal Hill Observatory Tower

On the right, a few feet away from our inn, there is a high stairway up to the top. On the top, there is a platform that gives you a breathtaking view down over the city and the horizon from a far.

Tip:

- You need to go up for over 50 steps and pass some trails to reach the viewdeck.

- The site is built right next to the road, so be extra cautious of the fast-moving vehicles.

- Leave unnecessary things except fluid that will quench your thirst and a camera to capture the perfect view especially the sunset.

2. Atkinson Tower

From the Signal Hill Observatory platform, we descended and headed directly to Atkinson Tower, not too far from the site. This clock tower was built in memory of Francis George Atkinson, the Jesselton's first district officer, who died at the age of 28 due to malaria. It was in 1983 when this clock tower was acclaimed as a heritage building.

3. Australia Place Heritage Walk

We never knew that the street where our inn is located used to be a camp site of Australian soldiers when they landed in Jesselton in 1945. The entire area has changed over the years. At present, you can find a wide array of hostels and some restaurants, print shops, including a downtown police station.

4. Gaya Central Market

5. Jesselton Point Waterfront

As you arrive in the city of KK by ferry, Jesselton Point welcomes you with its ornate dark emerald archway. This site shows a big number of old photos and a railway line that runs to the end of the pier. It is also the docking area leaving for the islands of Labuan and Tunku Abdul Rahman Park.

Fastfood & Restaurant

1. Peppermint

2. Seafood Market

Market & Shopping Malls

1. Suria Sabah

2. Sabah Centrepoint

2. Night Market

Other Accommodation

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Blogger's Note

Please be informed that details are subject to change at any time, particularly the price, location, and contact numbers. I, therefore advise that you visit their website or email ahead for confirmation when making your itinerary. The blogger cannot be held responsible for the experiences of the readers while travelling.