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the Gawai holidays is over. We had a one week off at my workplace ...yes..one whole week....best time to go somewhere usually.. and this time, my dear hubby and my SIL made plans for the trip. We had a few destination to choose from initially...but finally we (they) decided to go to Kota Kinabalu, afterall this is their first time planning for a family trip ...so give them simple assignment lah...bagi chance..hahaha.
On and off i will check on them..whether the accomodation has been booked etc... actually also making sure that the holiday is still on!! hahaha.. well...they did well..with a little help from my auntie/uncle and cousin in KK. We took the early flight there and arrived at terminal 2 airport. Wah..very impressed leh with the airport...big, clean...thumbs up for Air Asia!!!
Arrived just in time for a good breakfast at the famous fish shop, Wan Wan Cafe. When it comes to food...wah..KK is a food paradize...Anyway, we had this fish kon lo mee (dried noodles). The noodle came with a big bowl of soup - fish slices, fish noodle etc - nothing but fish!
Then we checked into the Marina Court Apartment. We had the 3-bedroom apartment with a nice swimming pool view just outside the window ..that is what i thought at first until the next morning...when people start coming to the pool by 6:00am in their long pants, sari and baju kurung!
Visited the Lok Kawi Wildlife Park during noon!!! Wah...we were all very tanned after that...all because of Lil' Zach! He enjoyed himself a lot..especially having a close view of the Borneo Pygmy elephants, Orang Utan, monkey, Malayan tiger but somehow i wonder how we missed out the snakes.
Only realise that when Zach asked us how about the snakes? We sort of answer him ' no snake' but he pointed out to us the picture of snakes on the leaflet. Left all of us dumbfounded.. poor Zach.
Got the chance to sneak out in the afternoon, leaving the rest at the apartment, my SIL and myself volunteered to go and get some snacks. And guess what, we ended up shopping...and tricking each other to spend more $$$. Well, bought a few stuff..and by the time we are done with shopping, my cousin called up and told us that he is at the apartment gate waiting to bring us out for dinner...and i was there queueing at Burger King, supposing to buy the others their afternoon snack!! Well..i did buy them food...from Dotts Egg Tart - pretty expensive small-size tart but the crust is soft and crispy... and also lotsa burger from Burger King!
More food for dinner. Went to this seafood place called 'Welcome' at Penampang. Couldn't resist not trying all the shell fish, so ended up ordering at least 10 dishes!!! (I think). We had some sea snails, baby geoduck clams, crabs, prawns, fish, soup, veg... hehehe dunno how much the bill was.. my boss paid! and he only commented "CHEAP"
2nd day. Plan was to go island-hopping but were a bit lazy after the previous day long walk at the wildlife park and half of the "participants" were afraid of getting seasick!! So ended up walking to the nearby shopping mall, Centrepoint and Warisan Square. We had some breakfast at Olde Station kopitiam - nasi lemak, beef rendang, roti kahwin with egg.. (introduced my style of eating this to Zach...dip the roti into the egg...yummy).
Waited for the Big Apple Donuts to be ready. We grabbed 12 pieces at one go as soon as they are out of the oven and finished 10 within 15 minutes! (and that was after breakfast!!!) Though a bit sweet, but it is soft and nice...especially the mango and durian ones..oh..and the pink one, for Zach. He adores pink, don't ask me why.. Anyway, he took finished one whole donut by himself even after the roti kahwin + egg! We must be all on food spree!!!
And cousin called right after we finished the donuts - time for lunch... hahaha... Char Siew Rice and beef soup (ngau chap) from a famous shop...aiya. ..cannot remember what was the name (will update once i have it)
After lunch was shopping spree for me. Auntie took me to a number of shops selling baking things ...and wah...shop till drop. Bought this donut tray, hahaha, you are right...will try to make donuts as nice as Big Apple!!!!
Had the best lamb chop that night at Archie De Corner@ Taman Cantek - cheap and huge portion Lamb chops (RM14) and chicken chops (RM12) are the must tries. No other western food shop can beat this shop...no kidding. After dinner, went to the City Mall. Actually my intention to go there is to get some recipe book at Popular. Ended up buying 3 recipe books by Alex Goh!!!
3rd day. While having dim sum at Foo Phing , auntie Elisa quickly ran to get some nice buns (the ones with luncheon meat was yummy) from some nearby shop to 'tapau' up to the mountain. On the way, we stopped at the roadside stalls that mainly sell handicrafts... i remembered the last time i went, i "sapu" a lot of the necklaces and bracelets... but this time, i only bought myself a bag!!! Even uncle James was surprised.. haha
By the time we reached Kinabalu Park and checked into Peak Lodge, we were all famished, despite having heavy breakfast. Had some of the buns and head off to Poring Hot Spring. The place was crowded and by the time we managed to fill up the water in one of the lil' personal square toilet-cubicle looking tub and soaked ourselves in, it was late evening. Suddenly sms came in - "pump petrol. Price will go up the next day". Tried to pump at the station at Kundasang..but reached there 10 minutes after it has closed. Darn!
Anyway, went back to the park and it started to rain. Packed some dinner (fried noodles, rice) from Liwagu Restaurant and watched the news. Wah, petrol price, go up by 78cents/litre. How leh? Aiyo, one car got no 'minyak' some more...
The guys tried to start up the fire at the fireplace but after several attempts, they gave up. (haha, if only Juha was around, we never had any problem starting the fire during our NZ trip!!!) Called for help instead and within minutes, we had a nice fire burning at the fireplace.
Woke up to the superb view of the peaks. Wah, amazing sight. Packed up and went over to the Visitor Centre Building's Exhibit Hall to let Zach peep at the display of the huge snake. Actually all of us felt guilty about missing out the reptiles area at the wildlife park. Breakfast was at the Balsam Cafeteria. Not much variety of food but enough to make us happy :)
Drove to Kundasang to get petrol for the car but was redirected to Ranau instead. A few of us got down to stroll around the market place. Took lotsa photos with hubby's new camera until the local folks thought that i am a reporter!
It seemed a while before they came back with a full tank car, face very "masam" due to the price hike in the petrol. Anyway, thought we will pop by Nexus Karambunai on the way down to have a look at what a lot of people consider a "heavenly" resort to stay. Walk around a bit and after a few "WAHs", the two travel planner went to check out the price. Came back confirming that we are staying there...haha.. What happened to the booking for Sutera Harbour in KK city? Dah..who cares... Anyway, while we waited for the Deluxe Ocean View rooms to be ready, we "lepak" around the hotel lobby, and to keep Zach occupied.. i took him up and down the lift, and each time the lift door close he will sing "nga inseng mata kaji, nga insung..." depicted from P.Ramlee Ali Baba Bujang Lapuk song and was so amazed when the door actually opens!!! After a few rounds, wew...i was glad the room is ready. And guess what, since we asked for adjacent rooms, they only had one..right at the end of the building, the last two rooms!! Wah..so far to walk..was about to complain and called the front desk..but when i stepped into the room, i told hubby, "nevermind". why? becos the room was big and nice and Zach had a good time soaking himself in the bubble bath that afternoon.
Took him for a horse ride after that and surprisingly he was not even afraid. Usually he would want to take his smelly lil cloth with him but not this time.. but me, i was a bit worried after finding out that it was only the second day of work for the "horse trainer"!!! OMG! cold sweat all the way!
Later in the evening we tried driving down to my aunt's place on our own. Though we missed a few turnings here and there (actually we took a very long way, passed by the new hypermall, 1 Borneo , Tune Hotel and all the way down to the city before driving back to Luyang because that is the only way we know how to get to my auntie's place!! haha) She was surprised when we told her that we are about to reach her house!! So what is for dinner? Food again?
Well, at first we wanted to go to Supertanker but were told that they are closed, so how leh my uncle asked? Want to try the famous pork leg at Ang's Hotel? But have to drive down to the city.. and of course my answer was "GO". Fatt Kee Coffee Shop (Ang's Hotel Restaurant) is located opposite Wisma Merdeka. They serve good Chinese dishes especially the "not to be missed dish" pork leg, honey roasted chicken wings. Oh one thing, the menu on the wall board is all in Chinese... and people like me.."Banana Chinese" cannot understand a single word.
Lucky for me. My auntie frequents this place pretty often, and knows this lady that takes the order very well (btw, this lady talks very loud...and she can sing to you what is on the menu, yes.. "Sing". for she continues line after line and you are not suppose to stop her in between, else she will start from the beginning!!!) Being very greedy, i requested for two pork legs besides other things on the menu. Wah..pants felt so tight after all these food.
Stopped by at City Mall on the way back. SIL says must try the "Veda Blu" ice cream.. it is in her "Must try" food list. So another round of ice cream before we head back to the hotel. How is the ice cream? so so only lah...hehehe
Early next morning, took a stroll by the beach before heading for a quick swim. Breakfast was at the "The Penyu". More food... aiyo....stomache also want to burst liao!! After checking out, drove to my auntie's place (this time round, we got it right! no more detour to town), and head for the airport, on the way, stopped by my cousin's new house... and finally, at the terminal taking the next flight back to Miri...
I had a great time, thanks to both the holiday planner, my SIL and hubby.. you both have done well...... can i leave it to you guys for our next trip??? *grin*
