Wishing everyone a very Merry Christmas!!!
Thursday, December 25, 2014
Sunday, November 30, 2014
Qinghai-Tibet Railway
It is one of the great rail journeys of the modern world. The QingZang Railway, as it is called (Qing refers to Qinghai province in China, while Zang refers to Tibet), connected remote Tibet to China. The last section from Golmud to Lhasa was only completed in end-2005, and it was hailed as one of the major engineering marvels of China.
I did not quite take this train journey for the engineering feat though. Some of the reasons for the difficulty of building this railway is that altitudes at this part of the world exceeds 4000m and majority of the rail track would be on permafrost! But with such conditions, the scenery and landscapes along the way are also super fabulous, and I had wanted to see such remote landscapes.
There are already alot of information on the internet regarding the QingZang Railway, but whichever you choose, do note that train schedules may change. Note also that there are a number of trains that cover this rail journey, with different starting points, so note the various train numbers and the time of your point of embarkation. However, if you are trying to take a train from eg. Xining, and want to get the tickets for the train that originate from Beijing (but will stop at Xining too since all the trains that go to Lhasa will stop by Xining), the tickets are harder to get. There is, however, a train that originate from Xining (K9801). It is this train that I took (which starts at 14:55), and unfortunately, it is NOT the best of timings as I was to find out.
As described by many Tibet tour sites, the QingZang Railway is the world's highest railway, and will pass through the world's highest rail station (5068m) near Tanggula Pass. However, this Xining-Lhasa train (K9801) passes through this pass in the wee hours of the morning, and so we can't see anything of the pass nor the station! (And there's supposed to be a viewing platform on this station!) So for those who specifically want to see/take photos of this, you would have to either take the Lhasa-Xining train, or one of the trains that leaves Xining in the evening.
Nevertheless, the landscapes along the way is still stupendous. And I'm glad I am able to finally ride the QingZang Railway.
I did not quite take this train journey for the engineering feat though. Some of the reasons for the difficulty of building this railway is that altitudes at this part of the world exceeds 4000m and majority of the rail track would be on permafrost! But with such conditions, the scenery and landscapes along the way are also super fabulous, and I had wanted to see such remote landscapes.
There are already alot of information on the internet regarding the QingZang Railway, but whichever you choose, do note that train schedules may change. Note also that there are a number of trains that cover this rail journey, with different starting points, so note the various train numbers and the time of your point of embarkation. However, if you are trying to take a train from eg. Xining, and want to get the tickets for the train that originate from Beijing (but will stop at Xining too since all the trains that go to Lhasa will stop by Xining), the tickets are harder to get. There is, however, a train that originate from Xining (K9801). It is this train that I took (which starts at 14:55), and unfortunately, it is NOT the best of timings as I was to find out.
As described by many Tibet tour sites, the QingZang Railway is the world's highest railway, and will pass through the world's highest rail station (5068m) near Tanggula Pass. However, this Xining-Lhasa train (K9801) passes through this pass in the wee hours of the morning, and so we can't see anything of the pass nor the station! (And there's supposed to be a viewing platform on this station!) So for those who specifically want to see/take photos of this, you would have to either take the Lhasa-Xining train, or one of the trains that leaves Xining in the evening.
Nevertheless, the landscapes along the way is still stupendous. And I'm glad I am able to finally ride the QingZang Railway.
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| Tourists glued to the train window |
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| Meals in the dining car were actually pretty good (though expensive) |
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| Phenomenal landscapes along the QingZang Railway |
Saturday, November 15, 2014
Helambu Trek, Nepal
Nepal is one of the top trekking places in the world, with the famous Annapurna Himalayan range as one of its most popular and most visited backdrop. Treks range from 3-18 days, so there is one to fit most people's schedule and fitness. And this is only one part of Nepal!
I've decided to try a less touristy trek, and I have 6 days. So I opted for the Helambu trek, which is part of a bigger Langtang-Gosainkunda-Helambu trek. The Langtang region is also a beautiful trekking region, and Helambu is south of the mountain range. Here's some feedback regarding this trek.
One of the plus points of this trek is its accessibility from Kathmandu. Trekkers to the Annapurna region would have to get to Pokhara, which is either a 7-8hr bus ride or a flight. The Helambu trailhead, on the other hand, is just an hour bus ride away from Kathmandu! At the end of the trek at Melamchi Puul Bazaar, it is also just a 4hr bus back to Kathmandu.
The highlight of the trek is the 3rd day/night at Therapati (3600m). So essentially, the first 2 days of the trek is the ascent to reach Therapati (from 1500m), and the 4th+5th day is the descent. The thing I didn't like about the trek is that most of the ascent (and descent) is all "bunched up". Especially the 4th day after Therapati, it was a continuous 4-hr steep descent which is a sure recipe for feet blisters and damaged knees.
The scenary during the trek is mostly of terraced fields and villages against the mountainous backdrop of the Langtang Himal, Jugal Himal range etc. So expect plenty of greenery. However, my first 2 days of the trek was marked by heavy mists and clouds, which is not common at this time of the year (Oct). So even though at Chisopani (first night), famous for its sunrise views and popular for weekend trips by the locals, I didn't quite get to see a good sunrise. Luckily, when I arrived in Therapati, the weather turned for the better, and it was a spectacular highlight. The lodge/guesthouse was set amidst a spectacular backdrop of mountains, and the setting was picture-perfect. Add to it a beautiful sunset, and an equally enchanting sunrise the next morning, it certainly washed away any negativity of the previous days.
At the end of the day, I had mixed feelings for the trek. If not for the wonderful highlight at Therapati, I would not have enjoyed the trek as much, the main gripe being the long continuous steep ascent/descent on the trek. I also didn't get good weather for half the trip but weather is not something anyone can control.
So for those wanting to experience a short less touristy trek, as opposed to something immensely popular like the Poon Hill trek, this is something to consider.
I've decided to try a less touristy trek, and I have 6 days. So I opted for the Helambu trek, which is part of a bigger Langtang-Gosainkunda-Helambu trek. The Langtang region is also a beautiful trekking region, and Helambu is south of the mountain range. Here's some feedback regarding this trek.
One of the plus points of this trek is its accessibility from Kathmandu. Trekkers to the Annapurna region would have to get to Pokhara, which is either a 7-8hr bus ride or a flight. The Helambu trailhead, on the other hand, is just an hour bus ride away from Kathmandu! At the end of the trek at Melamchi Puul Bazaar, it is also just a 4hr bus back to Kathmandu.
The highlight of the trek is the 3rd day/night at Therapati (3600m). So essentially, the first 2 days of the trek is the ascent to reach Therapati (from 1500m), and the 4th+5th day is the descent. The thing I didn't like about the trek is that most of the ascent (and descent) is all "bunched up". Especially the 4th day after Therapati, it was a continuous 4-hr steep descent which is a sure recipe for feet blisters and damaged knees.
The scenary during the trek is mostly of terraced fields and villages against the mountainous backdrop of the Langtang Himal, Jugal Himal range etc. So expect plenty of greenery. However, my first 2 days of the trek was marked by heavy mists and clouds, which is not common at this time of the year (Oct). So even though at Chisopani (first night), famous for its sunrise views and popular for weekend trips by the locals, I didn't quite get to see a good sunrise. Luckily, when I arrived in Therapati, the weather turned for the better, and it was a spectacular highlight. The lodge/guesthouse was set amidst a spectacular backdrop of mountains, and the setting was picture-perfect. Add to it a beautiful sunset, and an equally enchanting sunrise the next morning, it certainly washed away any negativity of the previous days.
At the end of the day, I had mixed feelings for the trek. If not for the wonderful highlight at Therapati, I would not have enjoyed the trek as much, the main gripe being the long continuous steep ascent/descent on the trek. I also didn't get good weather for half the trip but weather is not something anyone can control.
So for those wanting to experience a short less touristy trek, as opposed to something immensely popular like the Poon Hill trek, this is something to consider.
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| Terraced fields with snowcapped mountains as backdrop |
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| Contrast of the fertile land and bare snowy mountains |
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| Alpenglow on the Jugal Himal range at Therapati |
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| Sunset in Therapati - High in the clouds |
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| Guesthouse in the mountains (Therapati, 3600m) |
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| Misty atmospheric post-sunrise at Therapati |
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| Village life - one of the key aspects of the trek in Helambu |
Monday, August 25, 2014
Hermanus, South Africa
Travelers to the Western Cape in South Africa are no doubt spoilt for choice in the things to do and attractions to see. Capetown alone offers so much, and for those who can afford to tear themselves away, check out Hermanus, especially if you are a whale fan!
Hermanus is a town just 1.5hours away from Capetown, and is renowned for one thing - whale watching. In fact, it is reputed to be the best destination for land-based whale watching.
That's right. From June to November each year, the Southern Right Whales would come to Walker Bay to calve. And that's where Hermanus is situated - a coastal town hugging Walker Bay and a series of rocky cliffs. From the town, a Cliff Path Walking Trail is available where visitors could leisurely stroll along the coast and sight the whales! And even if no whales are in sight, the rocky cliff formations are quite a sight as well.
The whales are known to come quite near the shore though, particularly in September (hence its land-based whale watching title). Naturally, a Hermanus Whale Festival is held, though the dates do vary. Personally I think its just an excuse to increase prices....:p The town's tourism draw is so big that there is even a town crier. Yes, whenever a whale is sighted, he would sound a horn that could be heard all over town!
For those who want to get even closer, there are whale watching cruises available as well. The cruises last 2-2.5hrs and they bring you to the spots that the whales frequent, and prices range from ZAR450-600 (~ USD42-56).
While Hermanus can be easily visited in a day (it's supposed to be a very popular day-trip from Capetown), an overnight stay is recommended as the town is indeed a very nice town to relax by and there's plenty of nice accommodation options with sea views. Unfortunately, there are no public buses from Capetown, and while it is listed as a Baz Bus destination, it is technically not. The Baz Bus drops you at quite a distance from Hermanus, and you would have to fork out additional money for the transfer into Hermanus. So, self-drive would still be the best bet!
Hermanus is a town just 1.5hours away from Capetown, and is renowned for one thing - whale watching. In fact, it is reputed to be the best destination for land-based whale watching.
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| Whale watching right from the town |
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| Views from Hermanus |
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| Another view from Hermanus! |
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| The Whale Crier of Hermanus |
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| Sighting the whales during the boat cruise |
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| Unfortunately, we could not see the whales do a "breaching", ie leap out of the water! |
Thursday, July 10, 2014
Discovering Kota Kinabalu
The reactions and questions were identical. I had told my family and friends that I would be visiting Kota Kinabalu (commonly shortened to just KK) for a couple of days. And that hiking up Mt Kinabalu was not part of the itinerary. So what would I be doing there if not for climbing up the highest mountain on the island of Borneo? The funny thing is, I did not know either.
Well, I would be finding out myself. Together with 2 other bloggers, we were invited to experience the hospitality of KK. As we chatted over our late dinner in Cafe Boleh in the Pacific Sutera hotel, it seemed a common misconception that aside from climbing Mt Kinabalu, what else is there?
Our flight to KK was an evening flight, and our trip discovery began with a fabulous start in Changi airport as AirAsia Singapore had extended their Red Carpet Service to us! This service is available only in certain airports, and KK is one of them. We had a special check-in counter (red-carpeted of course ;) ), and our baggage tagged prominently with "Priority". During boarding, we were also given priority boarding as part of the Red Carpet service. I did not notice till boarding that we were also given seat number 1. Yes, that is the spacious Hot Seats - perfect for those with long legs (like me)! Once in the air, we were also served Hot Meals. It's not often that I have in-flight meals on low-cost carrier flights since most flights are short, but I have to admit the food taste great! I'm glad AirAsia Singapore had provided these Hot additions! ;)
We were pretty impressed then, when at the KK airport baggage claim, even before the baggage carousel started moving, our luggage were carried out to us separately from a side door! Now that's priority! :)
We were hosted by Sutera Harbour Resort, which have 2 hotels in its premises - The Pacific Sutera Hotel and The Magellan Sutera Resort. The Pacific Sutera, equipped with business suites with wonderful views, as well as access to the Pacific Club Lounge, is popular for business travelers. The Sutera Harbour Marina Golf and Country Club sits between the two with facilities like a 104-berth marina and 27-hole a golf course. Our stay for the night was at the Pacific Sutera.
Journey Back in Time & Sunset Cruise
We were introduced to the Pacific Club lounge the next morning for breakfast with Tracy Lim, the Communications Manager for Sutera Harbour Resort, and our host for the trip. Situated at the top of the hotel, the day can't start any better with such views for breakfast!
Our first activity of the day was a ride on an authentic steam-engined train - the North Borneo Railway. Brought back to life from a museum, the train now runs twice weekly for tourists, from Tanjung Aru to Papar. The firing of the train engine was quite a draw, as everyone clamored to see the engineers throwing log wood to feed the fire that build the steam that drives the train. It was definitely a throwback to the old days. This was not the only throwback, as the seating and service attire within the train was reminiscent of the olden days.
Our guide Grace Leong, with over 20 years of experience under her belt, was on hand to fill in all the details of the journey. Passing through traditional villages and small towns, paddi fields and mangrove forests, the ride was really pleasant, except for the tropical heat. Through it all, Grace enthusiastically plied us with information and history on the surrounds and also Sabah in general. There were stops along the way where we could disembark for a short walk around, and the highlight for me was a visit to a local market where Grace introduced us to a local fruit - Tarap. Found nowhere else, it looks like a jackfruit but taste like soursop!
The service onboard was really thoughtful as after each outing, we were presented with this cold-pressed towel which was a god-send in the sweltering heat. To complete an overall wonderful experience, and a further throwback to old times, lunch was then provided in tiffen boxes! Cute!
What better way to close the day than a sunset cruise? That's exactly what we did in the evening. At the Sutera Harbour Marina, we boarded the Puteri Sutera and went cruising round the islands of Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park. I would think for group outings, these sunset cruises make excellent options. There are very little things that could beat chilling out on a deck of a beautiful boat with good company and feeling the wind massaging your face and blowing all your worries and stress away. Just before the sunset hour, some tapas and refreshment were brought out to complement the experience. We did not know it then, but this happened to be the best sunset of the few days we were there!
Fun-filled Day
Day 3 brought out new excitement for us as the day was scheduled to be out on a reef pontoon. Our host for the day, Mr Youngcrippen from Borneo Passages, was all smiles. We'll call him Young for short. After all, today's activities are certainly targeted for the young!
For me, I was doubly excited as the first activity was something I had wanted to do for the longest time - parasailing! As I sat on the harness of the "parachute" (known as the parasail wing), the grin on my face seemed permanent. But apparently, I realized my grin could go even wider when I lifted off into the air! The views were amazing and it was exhilarating floating up in the air. Like I said, these activities are perfect for the young, and Mr Young was on-hand to help us take photos as well! :)
Next up was something that sounded no less thrilling. The world's longest island-to-island zipline! We were brought to Sapi island where Coral Flyer, the operator of the zipline, is situated. It was a spanking new attraction, barely a few weeks old. After the formalities are done (which included the signing of an indemnity form), we were brought to the neighboring island where we would be ziplining back to Sapi. In all the excitement, I was still carrying my bulging camera slingbag! Would I be zipping through the air with my slingbag dangling by my side? The staff nonchalantly affirmed that it would be so... I wouldn't need to be worried though. The gradient of the slope was actually quite gradual, and as such, the speed was alot less than I imagined it to be. Which kind of made the activity less "exciting" to me. However, the views more than made up for it - the waters around Sapi island are out of this world!
Back at the pontoon, Jonathan Wheeler, manager at the Borneo Reef World, gave us a tour of the pontoon, which included an underwater observatory! We had a quick lunch, cooked fresh on the pontoon, before eagerly "plunging" into our next activity. Another first for me, we got to experience a "sea/scuba walk". Essentially, we could literally walk underwater with just a specially fitted "helmet" placed over our head. We could breath normally under this helmet, and so we just concentrated at gaping at the beautiful corals and schools of fish swarming about us.
And as if that was not enough, it was followed by a "Discovery Dive". We were given a 10-minute crash course on diving, complete with scuba gear - flippers and oxygen tanks and all. The instructors then led us on a short dive to marvel at the wonders of the sea floor. The underwater world is a whole new world, and it was easy for me to be completely lost in it.
Back at Sutera Harbour Resorts, we have moved to the Magellan Sutera for our stay. The hotel lobby was magnificently huge and modeled after a Sabah longhouse. They even engaged someone dressed in the ethnic tribal attire to play some traditional music during certain hours. The rooms are absolutely fabulous, as befitting a 5-star resort. Targeted towards families and couples, the decor and ambience would certainly ensure a comfortable and relaxing holiday.
Kota Kinabalu Tourism
Breakfast the next day was at Five Sails, which provided both local and international fare. Even Korean kimchi and Japanese sushi were part of the spread. But nothing beats local laksa made like what you see at the hawkers', except that well, this was in a 5-star environment ;).
Grace was again our guide as we embarked on our Kota Kinabalu City tour. We visited several sights including a "floating" mosque (City Mosque) and a "hanging" tower (Menara Tun Mustapha), but the highlight for me was the visit to the Sabah museum. It was a fascinating visit with excellent commentaries from Grace, though unfortunately, no photography was allowed. There was also a heritage village where replicas of the longhouses and village artifacts of the various ethnic groups were displayed. However, we couldn't linger long as we were ravaged by mosquitoes. Considering that more than 50% of Malaysia's mangroves are in Sabah, perhaps that's why the mosquitoes here are particularly numerous. In fact, as Grace have enlightened, there is even a mangrove reserve in the city itself. Interestingly though, Grace was unaffected by these mozzies, which led me to believe that the local mosquitoes prefer foreign blood :p
KK city also boasts one of the best seafood around, particularly their huge tiger prawns. Thus, our lunch stop was a recipe for a cholesterol overdose. Crabs, prawns, mussels and cockles, it was unfortunately so so good that I had to have a helping... ;p
Sutera Harbour Resorts is also home to a 27-hole championship golf course, divided into 3 distinct 9-hole set - the Lake Course, the Heritage Course and the Garden Course. So naturally, in the late afternoon, we had a short stint at the driving range. Unfortunately, it would seem I am not cut out for golfing, with my golf balls skewing away in dangerous directions! And a blistered thumb for my efforts too :(. But it was still a happy ending, as later, we were driven around the golf course in a buggy, where we could appreciate the beautiful and thoughtful landscaping.
It was the final night of our stay, and a farewell dinner was specially arranged for us. After freshening up (those golf swings are tiring!), we adjoined at the Ferdinand's for some fine dining. Also invited were Jason and Josephine, the marketing team from Sabah Tourism Board, who had kindly co-sponsored this campaign. In between fine food and wine, feedback and opinions were gathered and exchanged. If they had wanted to show another side of KK besides scaling Mt Kinabalu, they had certainly succeeded. During the past few days, I got acquainted with many other faces of Sabah, which I have yet to experience. In particular, the wildlife and nature within Sabah have so much to offer. From Proboscis monkeys to Orang Utans, and from fireflies to the astonishing Rafflesia, I had envisioned that a revisit would be forthcoming.
To our surprise, at the end of our dinner, we were gifted with a memento - a Proboscis monkey plush toy! No doubt, this would be a constant reminder for me about my revisit to Sabah!
Relaxed Departure
Next day, while we would be flying back home, it was not the end of our trip yet. The flight was early afternoon, and so we had a morning to relax by. And relax we did - in Mandara Spa. Mandara Spa is a luxury spa treatment brand, of Balinese origin and international presence - they are found in over 70 locations worldwide. Its presence certainly complements the facilities available in Sutera Harbour Resorts. I was given a choice of 6 different essential oils for my massage session and I think the whole session might have been sooo relaxing that I can't remember which of the oils I have chosen! :p
I guess a good massage is a good way to end a trip. And so, as I sat on my AirAsia flight back, I pondered - what have I discovered in Kota Kinabalu?
I have ridden on a historic steam-engine train, dived its crystal clear waters, savored its succulent seafood, zip-lined across its islands, cruised its shimmering seas, golfed its lush green courses, visited its cultural sites and parasailed its wide-open skies.
And I have not climbed Mt Kinabalu! :)
* Special thanks to the following sponsors that have made this trip possible :
AirAsia Singapore
Sutera Harbour Resorts
Sabah Tourism Board
Well, I would be finding out myself. Together with 2 other bloggers, we were invited to experience the hospitality of KK. As we chatted over our late dinner in Cafe Boleh in the Pacific Sutera hotel, it seemed a common misconception that aside from climbing Mt Kinabalu, what else is there?
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| Sutera Harbour Resort, Kota Kinabalu |
The Flight
Our flight to KK was an evening flight, and our trip discovery began with a fabulous start in Changi airport as AirAsia Singapore had extended their Red Carpet Service to us! This service is available only in certain airports, and KK is one of them. We had a special check-in counter (red-carpeted of course ;) ), and our baggage tagged prominently with "Priority". During boarding, we were also given priority boarding as part of the Red Carpet service. I did not notice till boarding that we were also given seat number 1. Yes, that is the spacious Hot Seats - perfect for those with long legs (like me)! Once in the air, we were also served Hot Meals. It's not often that I have in-flight meals on low-cost carrier flights since most flights are short, but I have to admit the food taste great! I'm glad AirAsia Singapore had provided these Hot additions! ;)
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| Fellow bloggers on the red carpet |
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| Boarding pass marked "Red Carpet" |
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| Priority baggage handling! Yes, all the others are not even out yet! |
We were hosted by Sutera Harbour Resort, which have 2 hotels in its premises - The Pacific Sutera Hotel and The Magellan Sutera Resort. The Pacific Sutera, equipped with business suites with wonderful views, as well as access to the Pacific Club Lounge, is popular for business travelers. The Sutera Harbour Marina Golf and Country Club sits between the two with facilities like a 104-berth marina and 27-hole a golf course. Our stay for the night was at the Pacific Sutera.
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| The comfortable room in the Pacific Sutera hotel |
Journey Back in Time & Sunset Cruise
We were introduced to the Pacific Club lounge the next morning for breakfast with Tracy Lim, the Communications Manager for Sutera Harbour Resort, and our host for the trip. Situated at the top of the hotel, the day can't start any better with such views for breakfast!
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| Oliver sharing his "Breakfast with a view" at the Pacific Club Lounge |
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| Friendly staff at the Pacific Club Lounge |
Our first activity of the day was a ride on an authentic steam-engined train - the North Borneo Railway. Brought back to life from a museum, the train now runs twice weekly for tourists, from Tanjung Aru to Papar. The firing of the train engine was quite a draw, as everyone clamored to see the engineers throwing log wood to feed the fire that build the steam that drives the train. It was definitely a throwback to the old days. This was not the only throwback, as the seating and service attire within the train was reminiscent of the olden days.
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| All Aboard! At the North Borneo Railway |
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| An authentic working steam engine train |
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| Firewood is still used to run the train! |
Our guide Grace Leong, with over 20 years of experience under her belt, was on hand to fill in all the details of the journey. Passing through traditional villages and small towns, paddi fields and mangrove forests, the ride was really pleasant, except for the tropical heat. Through it all, Grace enthusiastically plied us with information and history on the surrounds and also Sabah in general. There were stops along the way where we could disembark for a short walk around, and the highlight for me was a visit to a local market where Grace introduced us to a local fruit - Tarap. Found nowhere else, it looks like a jackfruit but taste like soursop!
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| Local Tarap |
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| Jiayu taking a snap for social media sharing |
The service onboard was really thoughtful as after each outing, we were presented with this cold-pressed towel which was a god-send in the sweltering heat. To complete an overall wonderful experience, and a further throwback to old times, lunch was then provided in tiffen boxes! Cute!
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| Service on board the North Borneo Railway |
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| Lunch served in original tiffen boxes, and a happy Tracy |
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| And its really delicious! |
What better way to close the day than a sunset cruise? That's exactly what we did in the evening. At the Sutera Harbour Marina, we boarded the Puteri Sutera and went cruising round the islands of Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park. I would think for group outings, these sunset cruises make excellent options. There are very little things that could beat chilling out on a deck of a beautiful boat with good company and feeling the wind massaging your face and blowing all your worries and stress away. Just before the sunset hour, some tapas and refreshment were brought out to complement the experience. We did not know it then, but this happened to be the best sunset of the few days we were there!
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| Wonderful company for a cruise - onboard the Puteri Sutera |
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| Jiayu enjoying the breeze |
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| You can't complain with the sunset |
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| End of Day - Homeward bound |
Fun-filled Day
Day 3 brought out new excitement for us as the day was scheduled to be out on a reef pontoon. Our host for the day, Mr Youngcrippen from Borneo Passages, was all smiles. We'll call him Young for short. After all, today's activities are certainly targeted for the young!
For me, I was doubly excited as the first activity was something I had wanted to do for the longest time - parasailing! As I sat on the harness of the "parachute" (known as the parasail wing), the grin on my face seemed permanent. But apparently, I realized my grin could go even wider when I lifted off into the air! The views were amazing and it was exhilarating floating up in the air. Like I said, these activities are perfect for the young, and Mr Young was on-hand to help us take photos as well! :)
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| Oliver up in the air! |
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| Exhilirating!! |
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| Oliver on the zip-line |
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| Amazing waters of Sapi island |
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| Amazing waters on Sapi island |
Back at the pontoon, Jonathan Wheeler, manager at the Borneo Reef World, gave us a tour of the pontoon, which included an underwater observatory! We had a quick lunch, cooked fresh on the pontoon, before eagerly "plunging" into our next activity. Another first for me, we got to experience a "sea/scuba walk". Essentially, we could literally walk underwater with just a specially fitted "helmet" placed over our head. We could breath normally under this helmet, and so we just concentrated at gaping at the beautiful corals and schools of fish swarming about us.
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| Bloggers Unite! - Underwater Sea-walk |
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| Colours of the underwater world |
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| A Whole New World |
Back at Sutera Harbour Resorts, we have moved to the Magellan Sutera for our stay. The hotel lobby was magnificently huge and modeled after a Sabah longhouse. They even engaged someone dressed in the ethnic tribal attire to play some traditional music during certain hours. The rooms are absolutely fabulous, as befitting a 5-star resort. Targeted towards families and couples, the decor and ambience would certainly ensure a comfortable and relaxing holiday.
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| At the Magellan Sutera Lobby |
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| Comfortable airy room in the Magellan Sutera resort |
Kota Kinabalu Tourism
Breakfast the next day was at Five Sails, which provided both local and international fare. Even Korean kimchi and Japanese sushi were part of the spread. But nothing beats local laksa made like what you see at the hawkers', except that well, this was in a 5-star environment ;).
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| Lakesa made-to-order |
Grace was again our guide as we embarked on our Kota Kinabalu City tour. We visited several sights including a "floating" mosque (City Mosque) and a "hanging" tower (Menara Tun Mustapha), but the highlight for me was the visit to the Sabah museum. It was a fascinating visit with excellent commentaries from Grace, though unfortunately, no photography was allowed. There was also a heritage village where replicas of the longhouses and village artifacts of the various ethnic groups were displayed. However, we couldn't linger long as we were ravaged by mosquitoes. Considering that more than 50% of Malaysia's mangroves are in Sabah, perhaps that's why the mosquitoes here are particularly numerous. In fact, as Grace have enlightened, there is even a mangrove reserve in the city itself. Interestingly though, Grace was unaffected by these mozzies, which led me to believe that the local mosquitoes prefer foreign blood :p
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| Traditional Longhouse replica in the Heritage village |
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| Interior of a Murut longhouse |
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| Replica artifacts displayed include liquor jars used by the tribes |
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| Menara Tun Mustapha |
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| Fresh Seafood Spread |
Sutera Harbour Resorts is also home to a 27-hole championship golf course, divided into 3 distinct 9-hole set - the Lake Course, the Heritage Course and the Garden Course. So naturally, in the late afternoon, we had a short stint at the driving range. Unfortunately, it would seem I am not cut out for golfing, with my golf balls skewing away in dangerous directions! And a blistered thumb for my efforts too :(. But it was still a happy ending, as later, we were driven around the golf course in a buggy, where we could appreciate the beautiful and thoughtful landscaping.
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| Beautiful landscaping in the golf course |
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| There is even wildlife found within the resort! |
It was the final night of our stay, and a farewell dinner was specially arranged for us. After freshening up (those golf swings are tiring!), we adjoined at the Ferdinand's for some fine dining. Also invited were Jason and Josephine, the marketing team from Sabah Tourism Board, who had kindly co-sponsored this campaign. In between fine food and wine, feedback and opinions were gathered and exchanged. If they had wanted to show another side of KK besides scaling Mt Kinabalu, they had certainly succeeded. During the past few days, I got acquainted with many other faces of Sabah, which I have yet to experience. In particular, the wildlife and nature within Sabah have so much to offer. From Proboscis monkeys to Orang Utans, and from fireflies to the astonishing Rafflesia, I had envisioned that a revisit would be forthcoming.
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| Lovely food and presentation in Ferdinand's |
To our surprise, at the end of our dinner, we were gifted with a memento - a Proboscis monkey plush toy! No doubt, this would be a constant reminder for me about my revisit to Sabah!
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| Our nice memento |
Relaxed Departure
Next day, while we would be flying back home, it was not the end of our trip yet. The flight was early afternoon, and so we had a morning to relax by. And relax we did - in Mandara Spa. Mandara Spa is a luxury spa treatment brand, of Balinese origin and international presence - they are found in over 70 locations worldwide. Its presence certainly complements the facilities available in Sutera Harbour Resorts. I was given a choice of 6 different essential oils for my massage session and I think the whole session might have been sooo relaxing that I can't remember which of the oils I have chosen! :p
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| Mandara Spa |
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| Mandara Spa |
I guess a good massage is a good way to end a trip. And so, as I sat on my AirAsia flight back, I pondered - what have I discovered in Kota Kinabalu?
I have ridden on a historic steam-engine train, dived its crystal clear waters, savored its succulent seafood, zip-lined across its islands, cruised its shimmering seas, golfed its lush green courses, visited its cultural sites and parasailed its wide-open skies.
And I have not climbed Mt Kinabalu! :)
* Special thanks to the following sponsors that have made this trip possible :
AirAsia Singapore
Sutera Harbour Resorts
Sabah Tourism Board
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