As we know, Sabah is an beautiful island that at the top of Borneo. It fulls with beautiful small island and seafood. It is under the Malaysia country and face to the East China Sea.
In September, I had the chance to visit Sabah with the less money. And the most important place we need to visit is Mount Kinabalu.We go and back with a car around RM 550.
1. Mount Kinabalu
In 1997, a re-survey using satellite technology established its summit (known as Low's Peak) height at 4,095 metres (13,435 ft) above sea level, which is some 6 metres (20 ft) less than the previously thought and hitherto published figure of 4,101 metres (13,455 ft).
On the way to mount, we need to pass through the by pass at half road there. We may buy souvenirs like handmade keychain, t-shirt, hat and handmade bags with the "I Love Sabah" logo besides you may see the mountain at the peak pview point and enjoy the food.
When we getting near the mount, we will passed through a gate with the name Kinabalu Park and entrance fee around RM3 -5. It is high and hard to move on. You will feel the cold air on the way going up the mount.
After 45 minutes, you will reach the gate of the climbers. You may go inside and climb up the stairs of view top to see the mountain nearer with squirrel if you are lucky.
For the climbers , it is sorry to said. As we suffered the earthquake and due to the renovation, NO CLIMBERS allowed until further notice. (sept 2017 updated)
2. Kundasang (DESA Farm)
It is at the other side of the Mount Kinabalu. If you are interested with yogurt, milk. Then, it is a good place for you because it is famous with fresh milk with different flavour like coffee, chocolate and original. Kindly reminder dont buy a lot to bring home because you may regret as it just can maintain 2 -3 days after buy( expiry date is not working). Entrance fee around RM5 -7.
Scene at kundasang also make it a good place to take wedding photo for Sabah people. It is cold too. You also may visit the barn with lots of cows mow.
3. Island (Pulau Sapi, Pulan Manukan, Pulau Gaya dan Pulau Mamutik)
At first, you need to go Jesselton Point. Here, you can go Labuan with jetty around 8 or 9 am and 3 pm daily with 3 hours time. Besides, you can go to island with others or rent a small boat. We chose to rent a boat and driver with price around RM 300. The driver will wait for us when go and back within the four islands.
Sea water here is green or blue colour. We can see the bottom of water with naked eyes. Besides, you may buy the food or others equipment like pants at jetty before go out. At the way to island, the driver brought us to see the coral reef which getting less due to the pollution. He said, lots of coral reef already dead.
Then, we went to the island. First, we went to mamutik island. At the first island, we pay RM3 once for visit all island. Remember to keep the ticket for checking when go to other islands. It has a restaurant on island. The sapi island more concern on water activities like banana boat, swimming, snorkeling, diving and underwater walk etc. All of this need to pay around RM100 and above.
4. Filipino Market
Filipino market is near to the old market of Kota Kinabalu. All of the products like souvenirs, snacks (keropok) and the seafood are along the roadside. In Sabah, there are lots of seafood that are cheap and lots of choice like sea cucumber, abalone, anchovies, scallops and dry jellyfish. Besides, we bought the famous snack in Sabah named Ampram, a small round shape snack with fish, prawn and jellyfish flavour. Free test eat before buy. Middle size 3 pack for RM20. Small size 3 pack for rm10 and big size for RM30. For the handicraft, you can get key chain, handmade bag, accessories and t shirt from the wooden shops.
5. Welcome Seafood Restaurant(大茄来海鲜菜馆）
It is a Chinese restaurant that rich with local seafood. It also have a normal price with nice food. At here, we ordered 5 dishes for person. We paid around RM180 with plain rice and drinks. A fried octopus, cooked egg crabs, two vegetables and fried tauhu.
It is crowded and lots of foreigner came here for dinner. It is really tasty besides 30 minutes to 1 hour waiting.
6. Gaya street
It is located just at the back of the CIMB bank which opposite the Suria Sabah. It is actually the Sunday market. At here, we found food, pets, plants, handicraft,vegetables, fruits and clothes.
7. Yu Kee Bak Kut Teh
It is famous Bak Kut Teh shop in Sabah. Bak Kut Teh is the cooked pork with chinese medicine that is black and help to keep them warm. You may order local food like Sabah spinach or fishball besides the main portion. May order for fried flour (you tiao) as side dishes to add it inside the Bak Kut Teh as a good combination. It costs around RM 80 include drinks and plain rice for 6 person.
For those who are interested may visit to Sabah Tea, hotspring and fish massaging "Tagal" when go to Kundasang or Mount Kinabalu as it is somewhere there. May need to pay entrance fee and enjoy.
