Return Day Trip From Kota Kinabalu To Labuan

This video was taken by my better half when he took a day trip to Labuan last week.  He did not bring us round the territory because it was a rush business day trip.  Most part of the video here is the ferry boat ride and the terminal.  For friends who have not been to Labuan using ferry or speed boat ride, this is for you.

Mount Kinabalu Re-open to climbers in September 2015

After near 3 months of closure to repair the mountain trails caused by the magnitude of 5.9 earthquake on 5 June 2015,  finally Mount Kinabalu of Sabah, North Borneo is now opened for climbers starting from 1st September 2015 amidst a mild quake struck Ranau on the very same day.  Climbers can climb up to Laban Rata via Timpohon trial.

The summit trial to the Low's Peak is expected to open by December 2015.

A photo from my brother with his tour coach at the fore ground and a nice and clear view of Mount Kinabalu as background.

Overnight Trip to Mesilau Kundasang -Day 2

The next day, we woke up early in the chill morning.  Everyone were excited to find the majestic view of Mount Kinabalu, it is so close as if we are almost reach the mountain top.  My youngest daughter was so excited, she was the one who woke us up in the morning.  Our hand phones worked very hard to capture the best view.  

Me with the Mountain view at the back

It was so cold that I have a bowl of rice wine chicken soup to warm up my body

On the way back,  we stop by Kundasang market place to buy some local vegetables and for the 1st time, I shopped at the flowers stalls

small pots of chillies, I did not buy any

spread of flowers

Cactus, these are the ones I was looking for

I bought 3 pots of flowers.  The red one is meant for my mum for Mother's Day but she asked me to take care of it.  She said this flower is very common.

and I also bought 3 small pots of cactus.  Now I will have to take care of my plants which I have never done before.  The weather is so hot,  I have been watering my plants for the last 2 days when I reach home after work.  

Trip to Universal Studio Singapore and Legoland Johor

This is a backdated post.  Our trip to Universal Studio Singapore and Legoland Johor was in May 2013.  One of the reasons for delay in posting is because there are too many photos that I wouldn't know which one to post them here.  My girl has been reminding me that I am slacking in updating my blog lately.  She is right.  So I make a point to do some updating.

Our initial plan was to go to the much talked about Legoland in Johor Bahru, never did in our plan to go to Singapore until our nephew, Bryan and family, suggested that Singapore is just across the Strait, why not go to Singapore as well?  As they reside in KL, they had been to Legoland during the last school holiday.  

Singapore is the 2nd overseas trip for our girls. At first they were a bit reluctant to go Universal Studio because their focus is to go to Legoland.  It turned out the our girls enjoyed Universal Studio more than Legoland.  I would sum up that Legoland is more suitable for smaller children. It is much too hot to walk around under the bright sun light, there is just too little shades to hide away from the sun.  Be ready to bring along your hat, umbrella, sun cream and rain coat (in case of rainy day) and wear comfortable shoes if you plan to visit Legoland Malaysia.  

 view of Singapore

 our group photo at Marina Bay Singapore

 Bought some souvenirs before leaving Universal Studio Singapore, it is a nice place to visit

at the entrance of Legoland's ticketing counter. 

Travel to a winter wonderland

Too much of seeing beautiful winter snowing scenes in the TV, our girls always ask when we can go to visit a snowy country.  Our visit to Genting Snow World last November definitely did not fulfil their desire of wanting to experience the real snow atmosphere. Again, yesterday, Pearl posted this question to me on when we can go snowy place.

In order to let her know what are the countries having snow, I showed her the world map for the first time.  I also showed her where we live and what countries we have travelled to.  Hopefully we can make a trip to a winter wonderland so that they can experience real snow this year.      

Food in the Philippines

Before heading to do some Christmas shopping, we had breakfast at the famous fast food chain, Jolibee.  The franchise was in Sabah at one time many years ago.  I wonder whether we could find any of its outlet in Malaysia now.  

 Beef served with rice.  The beef is very tasty well marinated.

   Our girls chose their favourite Hot Dogs with lots of cheese topping, served with rich soup.

 My breakfast, Lasagne with garlic bread.

One of the ice cream outlets serve their flavoured ice cream in little balls shape

 While the daddy doing his shopping at the men's section, our girls entertained themselves, sitting around or doing funny acts in  front of the mirrors.  They were tired after a couple of days of walking and shopping.  

 Choosing stars decorations for Christmas, we bought 3 of them in different colours.  

One of the nights, we had our dinner at Sugarhouse, a small cake house cum restaurant nearby our hotel serving Western and Philippino's cuisine.

 our girls had Fettuccine Carbonara.  A serving tossed in a rich cream sauce.  Topped generously with bacon bits and finished with a dash or two of Parmesan, PHP165.00 (RM12.40) per serving.  The taste is somewhat different from what they usually had. 

 Tuna Melt, a serving of tuna topped with melted mozzarella on a lightly toasted soft roll, served with side salad, PHP180.00 (RM13.50).  The lettuce is fresh, the burger is not bad too.

 Another cheesy pasta for our girls, Baked Macaroni.  It is served with a medley of meat, tomatoes, cream sauce and loads of cheese, PHP195.00 (RM14.65)

Beef Salpicado.  Tenderloin cubes in captivating salpicado sauce served with garlic rice, tomato salsa and a side salad, PHP350.00 (RM26.25).  The beef is very tasty.   

One the 5th day, we had our lunch at SM mall before heading to the airport.  As time is limited, we picked one of the small eatery to settle our lunch.   I think this is Daing.  Milk fish which has been dried, salted and marinated in vinegar with garlic and fried.  I was told that this dish is also made famous in Tawau too, a fast growing town at the east coast of Sabah.

 Tapsilog, dried beef served with rice

 Lots of brownies.  I am not a chocolate lover so these did not tempt me much.  But we brought back some as gifts.  

Though we had lunch before we boarded the aircraft,  the pre-ordered in flight meals had became our tea break.   

 Spaghetti Bolognese Combo

chicken pops, mashed potatoes and diced carrots

 Bukhara chicken Briyani combo, a bit too hot and spicy for me

Panini Chicken Combo

We are Home Sweet Home not long after we had our "Tea Break".

Travelling is tiring. After our Genting/KL trip in November and travelled to the Philippines in December, our girls asked us to give them a year break before we could go for another holiday...:D..After all school term will be starting soon..no time for holiday lo..

Our Trip to the Philippines, 1st - 5th December 2012

This is to record down our trip to the Philippines from 1st to 5th December 2012.  After our trip to Kuala Lumpur in November, this was the first overseas trip for our girls, and also my first trip to the Philippines.  Clet has been there many times on business trip and wanted to bring us along for shopping and have a feel of the Christmas mood which started as early as September in the Philippines.  

It took us a couple of weeks to decide which country we should visit and shop for our purpose.  We chose between China, Thailand and Philippines.   We finally decided to hop on Air Asia to Clark, spent a 5D4N at Manila.  It was a short trip as we need to come back in time for Crystal to join her carolling scheduled on the 6th which was later postponed to a later date.

On board the aircraft having our meals

pre-ordered meals.  We enjoy having meals on the aircraft despite a bit uncomfortable with the space.

After near 2 hours flight from KK.  We arrived at Clark International Airport on a bright sunny afternoon.  Pearl can hardly opened her eyes under the sun.

it took 2 hours drive on a coach to the city of Manila from the airport.  The traffic is terrible in Metro Manila, worst than those in KL.

We arrived at the hotel about 7pm.  Our hotel room is very spacious equipped with other facilities.  It just 2 minutes walk to the shopping malls, too convenient for us to unload our shopping and go back for more round of shopping..:D.  Here are some of the photos of the deluxe room:

The TV is a bit old fashion but with Astro channels, sufficient to entertainment our girls with the cartoon programmes

Huge floor type aircon.  I think is pre-set with higher temperature during day time

Day view from our hotel room

Night view of the shopping malls from our room

stationery provided.  Internet service is PHP150.00 per hour and PHP600.00 per day.

safe and bathrobe too

After settling down at the hotel, we took a walk at the shopping mall to have a feel of where we are and look for our meals.  These are what we had on the 1st day in Manila.

We planned to go to the chapel in the shopping mall to say a prayer after meal but we were a bit late, it  had closed when we finished our meal, we took some photos with the Manger in front of the chapel.