Day 3 : Trip to Kota Kinabalu

Saturday, 12 May 2012

National Park...or also known as Kinabalu Park...started off as early as 6.30am. Hopped on a cab to Inanam bus terminal, MYR30 charged...just because we took it in front of the hotel. In actual fact, it would probably hit you only around MYR15 - MYR20.

"...yang bagus itu Tung Ma...iya, pukul 7, jalannya juga jam 7..."...reckoned by the cab driver...

7am bus, first scheduled time to Kinabalu Park from the bus terminal. On the bus...MYR15 per pax one way. 2 hours on the road. Departed around 7.15am.

in the bus...

hubby's morning "collected" pose...hee...

Scenery along the way...

green hilly view...so full of serenity...

top of Mount KK was heavily fogged up...no top view captured...sigh***

Few shots taken when I was here three years ago...

the top of Mount KK...

much clearer shot of the top...

closer shot...

rafflesia flower...managed to get the sight of it with the help
from the cab driver...it blooms only for three days...
lucky enough to be there on the right time!

Breakfast...around 9.15am reached the National Park. Such a really cold place...as cold as our Genting Highland. We just had to be in our sweaters here. Being in cold temperature place means...hee...hot sumptuous fooood!...Tummy's bell is ringing!...just on time for breakfast. We headed on to Balsam Restaurant.

Hmm...No ala carte available here. Buffet breakfast at this restaurant was at MYR45++ per pax. Limited range. Quality of food...a so-so...Taste?...hmm...a so-so too...but what the heck!...staaarrrviiinggg!

After breakfast, proceeded to my next plan...to Poring Hot Spring. Hubby asked the cab drivers seated just outside the main office of the park on the charges. MYR85 one way trip...hmm...my thought was maybe I could get down to Ranau, probably a much negotiable charge there by the local cab drivers.

National Park > Kundasang > Ranau...From here, the National Park, there is no official bus stand for you to get a ride on. Just wait for it by the roadside on the side of direction to the place you wish to go. It was a hop on hop off kinda thing.
Managed to get a bus ride to Ranau...charged MYR10 per pax, bypassing Kundasang. The place is like our Cameron Highlands I was told. There was a sight of stalls by the roadside selling fresh vegetables, exactly the sight you would see along Cameron Highlands main road.

stalls along the way selling fresh vegetables...

should the fog clears off, the top of Mount KK
can be seen from here in Kundasang town...

Didn't stop here. Straight on our way to Ranau, a small town. Upon reaching here, our system called for a fluid "re-fuel"...hee...yup, what a thirst!...

nescafe tarik and carrot juice...

The info gathered from the locals that it takes about one hour to reach there from Ranau. Looking at the time, we had to cancel our plan to Poring Hot Spring as we are not spending overnite here. So, after the pit stop for a drink, we headed to getting the bus ride to return to Novotel 1Borneo. MYR25 per pax, from Ranau to Inanam bus terminal. Cab charge MYR20, from Inanam bus terminal to Novotel 1Borneo. We reached "home" and perform prayers, jamak taqdim.

In the evening...we headed to 1Borneo hypermall, located just next to our hotel, by an attached door from the lobby. Very convenient place to stay should you require to buy some daily needs.

For the night...we dine on Kenny Roger's Roasters. After a window-shopping for quite a bit, we headed back to the hotel for a rest, of course...ooo, my feet...heheh...