Selamat Datang: Kota Kinabalu Day 01

November 11, 2011

My 2nd travel outside the country and one of my most budgeted travel for 2011 (I think I spent much more peso in Coron than here). This trip actually tested me and my travel buddies' budgeting skills. This trip was also a DIY (Do-It-Yourself), we didn't booked with any agency and I only searched for the hotel to stay in thru Agoda. I personally contacted the hotel of our choice and had a reservation deal thru e-mail. And fortunately, we didn't pay any deposit and we only paid on the day of our arrival! :)

Booking for this trip was rather unplanned as I was only browsing though Cebu Pacific site when I saw that they have a seat sale. Still on the height of my travel hunger, I asked my office friends to have a DIY trip with me in Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia. July 14, 2011, the sale price that time was Php 488.00 base fare one-way. All in all, we paid only Php 2444.10 per head and this is already a trip going outside the country!

Originally, we were a group of 8 travelers but due to uncontrollable circumstances we were down to 6. Anyway, we continue and go on with our then discovered adventure with only a ticket, backpack and some Peso and Ringgit on our pockets.

We were already at NAIA 3 by 01:00pm as our scheduled flight was 03:50pm and we had plenty of time to just seat and wait for our flight. Basically, this day was our "relax" day. As when we reached Kota Kinabalu, we don't have anything to do but stay and have a good look at the hotel or stroll around the vicinity close to hotel, making ourselves familiar with the place.

My friend Irish won a merchandise from CP, yay! :)

We arrived at Kota Kinabalu International Airport at around 05:00pm and it was starting to get dark. Note: Taking pictures of the airport is not allowed. I was approached by an airport personnel when I was about to take some pictures. I managed to get some shots on the immigration but I won't be posting it, I hope you know why. Actually, our flight was delayed. Because of this, we weren't able to catch our hotel transfer courtesy of the hotel. We weren't able to advise them that the flight was delayed, so we took a cab. :(We paid RM 35.00 for the taxi ride but we actually enjoyed it as the taxi is well decorated)

On our way to the hotel and just like other countries, they are right-handed drivers

Decorative chandelier ng taxi

In less than 15 minutes, we're at the hotel, Megah D' Aru Hotel. We went to the reception area and paid for our hotel rooms. We paid RM 948.00 for two triple rooms (inclusive of breakfast) but before heading straight to our rooms and rest our tired bodies we opted to have some few shots of the hotel interior (Ground Floor).

Hotel Entrance

Hotel Reception

Our rooms are at the 3rd floor but our room numbers started at 2 which made us realize that the numbering of floors started at GF, 1st, 2nd and so on. All in all the hotel has 5 floors. We decided to have dinner outside and stroll around the place before knocking off but we settled our things first and have some shots of our room and most of the hotel interior.

We searched outside for a place to eat. There's a restaurant nearby our hotel but it was selling pure Malaysian food and as of that moment we're not yet ready to try it out. Fortunately, on our way to the hotel, we saw KFC nearby. I ordered 2-piece chicken with rice and drinks and paid around RM 08.00 for it. The taste of KFC chicken there is super different and they don't have free gravy like what we have here in the Philippines, as in NO gravy. But all in all its not that bad.

I was actually surprised to know that their crew members are actually deaf and mute. Its inspiring to see that even though they have disabilities, they were given an equal chance to work just like normal people do. I wish that we have the same mindset here in our country and that will make this world a better place. :)

After eating, we planned to stroll around some more but we realized that it is already getting late so we decided to go back to the hotel and rest.

As for Megah D' Aru Hotel, they have provided us good service except for the hotel transfer as we weren't able to catch it on our arrival. Near the airport and Tanjung Aru beach but not that far from places of interest. The hotel is nice, cozy, well-maintained and huge. The rooms are clean and nice and everyday they provide soap, shampoo and coffee, all are brand new. Wifi is free and connection is good but you can only access it completely at the hallway. You can choose your breakfast from their menu and all are delicious. All in all, we had a great time staying at the hotel and if ever I am going back to Kota Kinabalu, I'll consider booking in this hotel again.

That ends Day 01 and will continue for our Day 02!

Travel Chronicles 2011

2011, another year for me according the Chinese Calendar and I have thought this would be my lucky year, and yet it was! I received numerous recognition and awards at work that were beyond of what I thought of. And to add up with the good vibes, I had series of travels this year locally and I had two international travels, how good was that! :)

Since I've been back tracking all of my travels last year and I cannot do it in one snap, so I decided to come up of a list of it with a little history of what the travel was all about and photos as well. So, let's start!

1. Baguio City - February 26-28, 2011
This was the first ever out-of-town trip I've had since I started working. It was only decided in a short span of time and I've spent it with my college friends and my other half. It was somewhat very tiring and exhausting that time as we never thought it was actually the Panagbenga Festival, I swear! We had difficulty in searching of a place to stay and riding public vehicles here and there as there were a lot of people but nevertheless, we really had so much fun. A DIY trip. Such an adventure! This was probably the main point that I have decided to gear up for more travels. :)

Mines View Park, Victory Liner Bus Station(Pasay) and PMA 

The Mansion, Intersection at Session Rd, Float of Flowers and Burnham Park

2. Daraga and Legazpi City, Albay - April 21-24, 2012
Second local trip for the year and we have not booked any hotel reservation as we stayed on my friend's house in Daraga. We have reserved our bus ticket though as that time was the Holy Week, it won't be easy to be a chance passenger as people are flocking the bus stations during that time. No itinerary was done but we managed to go on several tourist spots there. I've spent this vacation with my office friends. I had some of my firsts here: Riding the Zipline and Spelunking. Another DIY trip and great adventure indeed! :)

Cagsawa Ruins, Daraga Church and some souvenir shops at Cagsawa Ruins

Swimming at Sto. Domingo, Kart Driving at Albay Park & Wildlife

Mayon Volcano and Zipline

3. Bangkok, Thailand - May 12-17, 2011
This one is the best. This trip gave me my greatest firsts: My first ride on an airplane and my first ever trip abroad! So how's that for a first? Haha. This trip also gave me the chance to get to know Thailand's rich culture, especially Bangkok. This trip was a combination of agency-booked and a DIY trip (since its my first time abroad). Since the 2nd and last day we've done DIY's, I've managed to do some research of tourist spots and do's and don'ts, hence creating my very own itinerary! And from this time I'm beginning to love it! Oh I just love Thailand! :)

The Reclining Buddha, Suvarnabhumi Airport and Wat Po

Airport Link, Wat Benchamabophit(Marble Temple), Anantasamakhom Throne Palace and Tuktuk

Dusit Zoo, Rama VIII Bridge and Chatuchak Market

Siam Paragon, Platinum Fashion Mall and Lumpini Park

MBK Center, Swesen, Suvarnabhumi Airport and my bed at the Patra Place

4. Boracay - July 30-31, 2011
My birthday getaway! I really had fun here though our stay was short and unfortunately we experienced some kind of bad weather. We weren't able to see the true beauty of Boracay as the tide was so high and the water was not clean that time, due to the storm. Anyway, before heading back to Manila, I met my boy's whole family, another plus! :) Another DIY trip.

Boracay Island and Local Delicacies in Kalibo

5. Coron, Palawan - September 16-19, 2011
Another best ever trip for me. One of the smooth sailing and hassle free trip as I booked the whole trip with the help of the Hotel we stayed in, so that whole trip was a breeze (No agency help here). This place is a true paradise on its own right. I think I liked it better than Boracay. The place is much serene and unspoiled. If ever I am going to have my own honeymoon someday, this will be one of my options. :)

The White Cross and 700+ steps of Mt. Tapyas and The Sleeping Giant

Siete Picados, Kayangan Lake and Twin Lagoon

Malcapuya Island, Banana Island and Coron Town Proper

6. Bohol - October 21-24, 2011
Another smooth sailing and hassle free trip (Contacted the hotel and booked the whole trip. Again, no agency help here). Our first day here was spent in mall hopping and strolling around the town. We even met a cousin of my friend who happens to be a bank employee that given us the experience of riding an armored van! How's that for the first day? :) We indulged the life in Bohol, so quiet and peaceful. Way different from the noisy Manila, you can even walk there with all your gadgets out and never worrying about snatchers and thieves. Laid-back life in Bohol!

Church at the town proper, Blood Compact, Chocolate Hills and Butterfly Sanctuary

Man-made forest, Tarsier, Hanging Bridge and Loboc River Cruise 

Bohol Bee Farm, Panglao Beach, Hinagdanan Cave and Baclayon Church

7. Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia - November 11-14, 2011
Second international travel for this year. This time, we only booked for a hotel to stay in and the rest were all DIY. Luckily, we found a hotel that we only paid once we were already at the hotel, no down payment. We also tried some island hopping here and saw the island's own beauty (but I think Coron is much better though). This trip also challenged our budgeting skills and we were also surprised to see that there are many Filipinos living in Kota Kinabalu, maybe because this place is really close to the Philippines. Tip: Taking pictures on their airport is a big NO-NO (unload from the plane). :)

Atkinson Clock Tower and view from Signal Hill Observatory Tower

Jesselton Point, Petagas War Memorial, Tanjung Aru Banchetto and some delicacies at Gaya Market

Pulau Sapi, Pulau Manukan, Jesselton Point and Tanjung Aru Beach

8. Cebu - December 03-05, 2011
This trip was for my college friend's birthday celebration and luckily we were able book a sale ticket for Cebu. Since they want a hassle-free trip, I've contacted the hotel and booked the whole trip (Again, no agency help here). We had a nice time in Cebu but it doesn't look much different than Manila, but this city is much cleaner. I also learned some history from this city and finally cleared it up that it was not Lapu-Lapu who killed Magellan, it was one of his people, nice story. And what made this trip more memorable, we met a new friend! A Japanese! :)

Magellan and Lapu-Lapu Landmarks and Alegre Guitar Factory

Taoist Temple, Yap-Santiago Ancestral House, Magellan's Cross and Sto. Nino Church

Wow! Eight destinations in a year was not a big joke but I managed to get and do all the possible ways to lessen my travel expenses, making it all cheap and affordable as much as possible. Some of these were not that cheap but at least me and my travel buddies had a great time. Memories, experiences and learning are much more important than anything else.

Some tips from me, and I also believe tips from other travelers too: (1) Make use of airline ticket sales - it will take you to many places; and (2) As much as possible do a DIY trip - much cheaper and you are in control of your time and space. :)

So that's it for now. Will now continue, writing my other entries.

Ciao!