(Reference: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kota_Kinabalu)
Most of the people who knew about my trip to KK asked me, what the hell will you do there? And I told them, I will go there to waste my money.
And yes, I did waste my money.
I felt like I have wasted my money, time and effort on this trip not because the place's dead but, I stayed within the city when there are more places to explore just few kilometers beyond the city. And why did I stay? My only reason: Lack of budget.
With 7,000 pesos to spend, I have managed to go to this places (though I really really felt bad for not climbing Mt Kinabalu) and tasted these meals (food haven, indeed):
(From Left to right, top to bottom)
1. Sunday market - It's like our typical "tianggian". Good place to buy pasalubong.
2. Metrojaya - Biggest shopping mall in KK (feeling ko). Our malls here are lot better though. Not that good place to shop, few choices, almost same price.
3. City Mosque - Magnificent place, with all those chants and prayers which can be heard even outside the square. Should visit this.
4-5. Pu Toh Tze Temple - I have seen temples in Hongkong and Macau, and I think this is not beyond par. Just Ok.
6-8. Atkinsons Clock tower and just random places - It's just a clock. Not that tall, nothing special.
9. Jesselton Point - The place is nice and organized. Pretty crowded but manageble.
10. The islet of Poultry, Clay and Possess (Manukan, Mamutik and Sapi) - I cannot help but compare. I have been to Balicasag, Bohol here in the Philippines where I saw the most colorful schools of fish and corals. And so I guess, what I like about the place is how they have developed it into more tourist-friendly islets. No wow factor (sorry).
For food, well, I have enjoyed all the meals I had:
11. Sabah Milk tea - A must-try. The bitterness of the tea, the creaminess of milk and the sweetness of sugar (But I don't think it is plain sugar) blended perfectly.
12. Laksa - Best tasting laksa (to date). Not too spicy, not too much curry powder. Just right.
13. Takuyaki - I hate takuyaki, but this one's different. I learned to love them now.
14. Shabu-shabu - Different taste. But still good.
15. ABC - Sabah's version of Gulaman ala halo halo. Sweet and refreshing. Simple yet addictive. A must try.
16. Hainese cuisine. Good. Hongkong's version's still the best.
17. Various....
18. Buttered clams (yata) - Just ok.
19. Spicy stingray - A must-try also. I love the spice and the softness of the stingray meat.
20. Coconut pudding - Until now I am still wondering how they have made those. Hahaha! The gelatine melts in the mouth. The best healthy dessert, ever tasted. Winner!
21. Beef and mushroom - The meat's tender, the sauce's nearly sweet, the mushroom's rightly cooked.
22. Tom yum. Hurray! I love tom yum. My most favorite food in the world. I have not tasted authentic tom yum before, but this is incredibly delicious. The sour taste and the spice blended nicely. Better that the one from Singapore. (I am waiting for my Chiang Mai trip though and wishing for the best tom yum soup)
For the budget and detailed itinerary:
And so, actual expenses exceeded by budget... sad. We have stayed at Lavender Lodge, and the service was good. The wifi's working and the breakfast's okay. The location is very accessible to the tourist spots and restaurants. The bathrooms are clean and not crowded. The aircon's functioning well, and the bed and pillows are comfortable and clean. The staffs are friendly and accommodating.
For food trip pictures, click here
For pictures of Lavender Lodge, click here
For KK Map, click here
For more pictures of KK City, click here
For more pictures of 3 Islets, click here
Definitely, I will go back to Sabah to defeat Mt Kinabalu!
Had a great time,
"P"
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