Explore East Malaysia, City of Borneo - Kota Kinabalu

Personal Experience: 5/10 

Travel Period: 4D3N

Travel Mode, Time & Cost:r
Flight: Air Asia
Duration: 2 hr 40 mins
Return Cost: RM 426.50 / pax

Accommodation:

Hotel Sixty3 - Family Suite (Fits 4)
Cost: RM 382 / night
Remarks: Spacious, clean and close to Gaya St Weekend Market, Yee Fung Laksa and Jesselton Point.
Rating: 8/10

Visa:
Malaysians - Eligible to travel with I/C and will be granted 3-months stay with a white card. Retain the white card till you leave Sabah.

You can check your visa requirements here: https://airasia.traveldoc.aero/

General Remarks:

Ideal if you are looking for a short trip with a combination of island and city.

Recommended activities:

1) Sutera Harbour Sunset Cruise
Price: RM 230/pax including transportation to and fro from hotel, inclusive buffet dinner
Remarks: Recommended for those whom are willing to spend some dime to chill with the ocean. We even had a dance floor with the live band towards the end, initiated by my supercool mum!

2) Mantanani Island 
Remarks: Perfect for snrokelling. You don't need a guide, just swim all the way to the middle of the ocean and enjoy the underwater wonders. I spotted plenty of baby nemos in their nest!
Tips: Food is rather expensive on the island hence, do pack your food and water from the jetty!

NOT RECOMMENDED: Kinabalu Park and Poring Hot Springs.

Glamourous tour name with a hefty price tag (RM 165/pax) but overall, we weren't satisfied at all. Kinabalu Park is basically a tropical forest (which can easily be found everywhere for free) while Poring Hot Springs is a public hot spring which are fully occupied by locals, not well-maintained either and our lunch was at a warung opposite Poring Hot Springs whereby food provided wasn't suffice for my family of 4. Worst, we saw the signboard whereby the entrance fee is only RM 3-5/pax for Malaysians. For its price and travel time, I'll say you can skip this unless your are camping / hiking KK or visiting Kundasang for some chill time. Alternatively, book a Grab (which is cheap in KK) and do your own travelling instead of following a tour. I booked mine from Klook.

 Traditional Nebula Market - My only highlight for the entire tour.

You'll have to pay additional RM 30/pax to see this largest flower in the world.

List of local food that I had chance to explore:

 1) Yee Fung Laksa

2) Kedai Kopi Jia Siang - Pork Noodles (It's very famous but it's like RM 10 a bowl of that black sauce noodles which I will not recommend it if you are visiting KL cause we have better ones at cheaper price)

Photo Credit: Google Image

3) Seafood - You can try Welcome Seafood Restaurant (recommended by a local friend) or Seafood Place (opposite Jesselton Point). I like for a fact that in KK, they allow you to choose your live seafood. Seafood frenzy for a fan like me!

Photo Credit: Google Image

4) Tong Hing Supermarket & Bakery - Try their cream puffs!

Photo Credit: Google Image

5) Kopi Ping Cafe - Good local coffee/tea and food.

Overall, I had a great bonding sesh with my family but the state itself, was rather boring in my opinion. I would rather spend time in Penang or Ipoh if not for the Borneo experience.

Don't you rather have a life of oh wells than what ifs?