Beautiful City of Kota Kinabalu (Sabah, Malaysia)

So, this was a post from my Facebook. I just posted it here in my blog, anyway, it's a travel blog. Everything's in detail and brief. Forgive my poor writing skills.

This is near their City hall. I think this is located at the center. Left side is the Kota Kinabalu City Hall.

This is the guard's quarter in the hotel.

Had a great time with Grandma (I call her Mama) at Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia (East) last March 23-25, 2011. We booked online 2 months earlier because of the airline promo. Got to book a good hotel also for not-so-expensive-price, my Lola's right knee is not in good condition that time when we traveled, we even asked for special assistance (wheelchair) for her to become much more comfortable during our travel. Fortunately, we haven't had a hard time passing through immigrations and all. I enjoyed the whole time I spent with her, even if she just stayed in the hotel for like two days and went out on the last day.

Inside our room. It's a two single beds. Please visit: Hotel Eden54. For more information. 

I checked this hotel through Tripadvisor, it was Best Hotel in Kota Kinabalu. We had a pleasant stay at the hotel. 

Day 1: We arrived at the city at around 8:00PM, went to the taxi booth, paid MYR30 to take us to the Hotel Eden 54. Went to the supermarket beside the hotel. Chat with my Dad and Alessia. Slept at around 12MN.

The Mango shake I bought on streets.

The Suria Sabah mall is located near our hotel. It's across the street.

Day 2: Went to the Suria Sabah mall. It's just a 5minutes walk from the hotel. Bought some KFC foods for our Brunch. Took pictures of the cool graffiti art. Went to Wisma Merdeka to change our Peso to Ringgit. Walked through the Gaya Street, took some pictures of the Kota Kinabalu City Hall, City Bus, Ect. Bought a Mango shake. Unfortunately, our own (Mango Farm or Fruitas) shake version is way better. Tried the Hailam Chicken at The Chicken Rice Shop and the huge donuts at Big Apple Donuts & Coffee, also bought a massage oil (cheap MYR 5) at Guardian. I went to the Night market at around 9PM while my Gran's having a cool talk with Ted (Born-again Malay staff) we've met at the hotel. Saw the Atkinson's Tower that was existed during the WWII, got to see also the City park and the Filipino Market (where I bought some pasalubong). I also even tried the Satay and Hot chicken wings, masarap! Malay food's good. I just don't like that distinct-ginger-taste in their rice, it's better to order "white rice" instead of that "chicken rice" (for me). Went to a supermarket beside the hotel, grabbed a canned milo and a strawberry yogurt. Slept at 11PM.

Monetary in Malaysia is called Ringgit or Malaysian Ringgit (MYR). 1 MYR = PHP 13.76 

Had sumptuous breakfast at The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf Wisma Merdeka alongside with Suria Sabah.

Went to the port at the back of Wisma Merdeka mall, the port is facing Sout China Sea.

My favorite 3 layer tea at The Chicken Rice Shop in Suria Sabah Mall. Here's how to make the 3 layer tea.

City bus. Transportation information in Kota Kinabalu.

Somewhere at the center of the city. 

Day 3: This is our last day in Kota Kinabalu, woke up at 9AM. Went straight to a nearby coffee house without taking a bath first (LOL.), has some scones witth strawberry jam and a large hot dark chocolate. Went to the seaside - Near Jesselton port. At 11AM, my Lola and I decided to have an early lunch because we need to check-out at 1PM, we roam around the Suria Sabah mall. Had lunch at the Chicken Rice Shop, met some locals. Bought some sabah teas and some consumables as pasalubongs. Went back to the hotel, at the reception area, they have this cool area wherein you can actually swap or exchange your book, there is a pile of good book selection (you can choose from). I exchanged mine with an intersting book about 'Rabbit Stew and a Penny or Two'. After that, we waited 'til 3:30PM, called a taxi, pay MYR 30 then, went straight to the airport, checked-in (ang sungit nung malay lady sa check-in), asked for a special assistance for my Lola, and she was like "We can let you borrow a wheelchair, but, you'll be the one who will take your Gran to the gate." and, I was like "Yea, I know right. Easy!" (In a good manner), As expected, our flight was delayed. Thanks, Cebu Pacific for an hour and a half delayed. My kwento was Detailed. All in all, I enjoyed this trip. Definitely, going back and explore more about the city and their good aqua sports and activities there. Thank You, God for this opportunity to travel.

On our way to Manila. It's always nice to see the sea of clouds above the skies.

The kid who have always been in love with the sea of clouds above the skies,

Aaron.

Revisiting Banaue With Batad Sidetrip (Ifugao, Philippines)

Second time in Banaue has never been this good. Booked our bus tickets day before our journey. Thanks to my good friend, Frenniel for helping me to find the Florida Bus ticketing office. The time of the trip to Banaue is usually Midnight. So, it's a night trip. The bus usually arrive in the morning. Florida Bus doesn't have a website, you can try to contact and locate them here. 

Banaue View Point. This has the perfect rice terraces in Banaue. But, yea. There's more!

Before checking in to the inn. We had breakfast at Las Vegas Restaurant. 

 It was considered as one of Banaue's Must Try! as written in Lonely Planet Philippines Guide Book. The food was great! Lovely Banana Pancakes. I always love to try Banana Pancakes in any place. And, listen to Banana Pancakes By: Jack Johnson.They serve wide variety of foods. From Filipino to American foods.

While waiting for our breakfast to be served, a woman uproached us and offered us some tours.

 She didn't gave that map, so we took a picture of it instead. Anyway, we contacted her and tried her tour to Batad.

We rode a tricycle to reach Ilob Village Inn. We were supposed to stay at this native ifugao house. But, we assumed that too much cold weather might make us uncomfortable to sleep.

The room is nice. Good for 4 persons. We were charged 800 for the whole overnight stay at the inn.

After resting for several hours, we contacted the lady who offered us the sidetrip to Batad and meet her up outside the Las Vegas Restaurant where we met her first.

The native ifugao house. I stayed in this house when I first visited Banaue in 2007, I think.

The skull of a carabao outside an ifugao house. I just took one photo. They're many! They have some beliefs and explanation why they're hanging these outside their houses.

The road to Batad.

We weren't able to try the top load on our forward trip. 

The sidetrip to Batad were joined by old Italian couples, a Chinese and an Irish backpacker. And the four of us, my cousin Roch, her boyfriend, Jason, my goodfriend, Janie and I.

Muddy trekking!

That was a long trek. I didn't notice that I'm overcoming my fear of doing these kind of activities. I was overwhelmed. But, tired. Anyways, it's all worth it!

Notice what I'm wearing. Slippers again. I always fail in bringing trek shoes. Anyway, all of my treks are unexpected.

The Italian couple decided to go to Tappia Fals. Our group decided to have our ate lunch at a restaurant downhill.

On our way to the start of the saddle, we took short cut. This 34678613746895483473 steps is just tiring but much nearer.

Yes! Topload, baby! Like a boss. Priceless experience, you guys should not miss this when you visit Banaue-Batad or to Bontoc-Sagada. v.v.

We saw this cool local who even offered us to drink some beers and wine with their group. Rice wine, it is! Had dinner at Las Vegas Restaurant again, and went to the inn. The brownout that time was around the whole town.

We were bored that time. It's cold. Then we decided to play cards, much some chips and some beers! My cousin Roch and Jason, teach us a new card game. 'Gin Rummy'. It was an epic night, indeed. Went sleep after. 

The morning after, we hired a tricycle to tour us. We went to different view points to see the  rice terraces and to have an up close encounter. Hahaha.

Banaue Tour Map. We also stopped at the Banaue Tourist Information Center.

Went to Banaue Museum also. The culture of the indigenous Ifugao tribe were brilliant and abundant.

My good friend, Janie. To Banaue Museum?

With mg 1000 peso bill, showcasing the actual site. The fog that time was getting heavy!

This is the site. 1000PHP.

Outside the Banaue Museum. Truly, an educational trip also. Hahaha.

Posing with an old ifugao man.

The old ifugao ladies.

With the two Old Ifugao Native Woman. Happiest persons I've met. They produce the sound "Ahihihihi" when you take pictures with them (Facts: the Old Woman on the left is 100 years old.)

Bought some pasalubongs, what can you expect? Wood materials. Hahaha.

The kid who never miss Banana Pancakes in a certain place,

Aaron.

Reaching The Taal's Crater (Luzon, Philippines)

The itinerary of this trip was originally staying in Tagaytay only. We rented a 15 seater van for the day, while we're waiting for our friends who tried the zip lining at Picnic Groove in Tagytay we were approached by Manong who offered us a day trip to see the peak of Taal Volcano. We were somewhat hesitant at first because it was almost past 12 in the afternoon and our stomachs are empty. Manong said that we can have lunch at the resort. My college friends are adventurous so we gave it a try. Apparently, we're not prepared to do some hiking and stuff.  Actually, we weren't able to bring anything for hiking, take note: What we're wearing for a day tour in Tagaytay is all we have and an extra shirt. So here it goes:

This how we looked like inside the van, I'm at the last seat.

Some of us were sleeping because we departed in Manila at around 7am in the morning.

While waiting for the van, we paid some entrance fees and other fees.

Some of my adventurous classmates tried the Tagaytay Ridge Zipline. 

Saw this little insect at the railings of the stairs. "Life's hard, y'know.?"

Creepy abandoned old structure.

On our way to Batangas. We're getting ready to conquer Taal's trek.

We rented two Bancas. Yes, we're getting close to the volcano. 

We always thought that this is the Taal Volcano. The Taal Volcano is actually the Volcano beside that. That is active.

Yeah! Almost there.

And yeah. We finally reached the start of the saddle.

Let the trekking begins. Notice our outfits: slippers, shorts, ect.

The trek would normally consume 40mins. to 1 1/2 hour. Depending on how fast you are. I was dead tired at the first half. Thanks to the people who sells bottled water at the start of the saddle. Note: Don't rent hats. It's sometimes useless. The stick or tungkod is better.

We reached the mouth. We were on the peak of Taal Volcano. Magnificent!

Our good friend, Mik. Took us some group pictures.

The actual peak/mouth of the Taal Volcano. It's actually look like a big lake surrounded by islets.

My good friends, Vanessa and Sexy (Rose Anne). On our way down, we rented the horses for 100 pesos /per one way. Horseback riding, baby!

The kid who have been astounded by the magnificent Taal's peak,
Aaron.