Boracay - Philippines

Hey y'olls!

Ok, straight to it. Now, for those that know me, you would know I'm a sucker when it comes to islands. How can you not love island?? Right??

Right. Of course I haven't been to most of the island here in Malaysia and yes, I would love to make a trip to some of the islands someday. Now, the my post this time is not about the islands in Malaysia but its in Philippines. Boracay Island.

Its a small island which is about 315km from Manila (thanks Mr. Google). Why Boracay?? Well, I haven't been there but through some (not many) research I've made (most of it are images) I found that the island is famous for its beaches. Well, where there's island there's beaches right??

Here are some of the pictures (again, I'm not sure either this is a genuine photos) of the island :
 

This photo is taken from the web

Of course, I'm a thrill seeker as well, and from what I understand, the island has a place call Ariel's Point. What is it? It's basically a diving spot. Not your ordinary diving spot but..well, I'll show you :

YEZZA!!!!

Ok2, some of you may not like this and might think this is the combination of crazy and dangerous. So, there are few beaches for you beach lovers such as, Yapak Beach (a recommended honeymoon spot or valentine's getaway), White Beach, Diniwid Beach, Willy's Rock and etc.

Willy's Rock with the statue of Mother Mary

From the review I did, Willy's Rock really catches my attention. Its the oddly shape of volcanic formation that points out the landmark of this place. Another that catches my eyes is Crocodile Island. Well, no good reviews on this island but why does the island being called Crocodile Island? According to the reviews, the shape of the island looks like a crocodile. I'm not sure whether there's any crocodile there but according to some of the traveler, most of the boat operators won't bring you to the island not sure what is the reason but will dig deeper on this.

 View of the Crocodile Island. It does look like a crocodile.

Well, like I said before, I haven't been there but will try to make a trip there. For those that have been to this part of Philippines, please do leave a comment and reviews on it. Maybe try to add in list of the activities you can do there.

That is all for now. Peace!

A memorable vacation/roadtrip to Kota Kinabalu, Sabah (Day 3)

Day 3 or 02/02/2014.

Its Sunday and sunny. Bobby and Lydia had this wedding reception to attend in the morning. So, its just me, Yan, Alom and Linda. We manage to have our breakfast together (with Bobby and Lydia) and after Bobby and Lydia went to the wedding reception, the rest of us decided to go to the Philippine Market. This market is located at KK Waterfront (Yes, we just love walking at waterfront). This is the place if your're looking for souvenir to bring back. They offered lots of creative handmade crafts, t-shirt and some other goodies. Alom had a mission, which is to buy dry products (anchovies, squid and prawns). Well, that was upon request from his mother.

Me and Yan decided to head to the craft market while Alom and Linda are shopping for dry products just next door. Well, Yan is the most happiest girl when it comes to shopping. The best thing about this place is not only the crafts are handmade, you can also bargain for the lowest price. Well, the items there are already cheap so why not make it even more cheaper. But you have to play you 'game' well if you  want to get the lowest price. Yan? Well, she's just overwhelmed by all of this and decided to on a shopping spree. Can't recall how many things did she bought but it was a lot.

So, after done with all of that, we went to Sabah Centre Point. Its a shopping located not far from KK waterfront and its easy to spot from a distance. We didn't do any shopping there because we needed to get out from the burning sun and get our lunch while waiting for Bobby and Lydia. So, McDonalds is the choice.

Bobby and Lydia head back to their hotel and so are we. We meet up at our inn and head straight to Jesselton Point or ferry terminal. Its island visit time. The island we choose is Sapi Island. Why Sapi Island? In my previous trip with my schoolmates, we went to Manukan and Sapi Island. Yes, Manukan is bigger and more spacious but the down side of it is there are too many people. You're lucky if you can find a spot to put your stuff. Sapi is slightly smaller but the carol reef there is just magnificent. In Manukan, you could find some coral reef but you have to get into a deeper water but in Sapi the coral reef is just right in front of you.

A REMINDER: PLEASE DO NOT STEP ON THE CORAL REEF. ITS SHARP AND THE FISH MIGHT BITE YOU.  

Ok, back to our story. So, we went to Sapi but unfortunately we were unable to do some water sports. We wanted to do the Fly Fish or Banana Boat. Yeap, we just love being thrown around in the middle of the open sea. Well, there are other games like jet ski and para-sailing but we wanted the thrill. So we decided not do any of it. We end up swimming around, looking at the reefs and fishes. Trust me when I tell you this, for those that have never been to any island before, the fishes are colourful. But in any of the island in KK, you are not allowed to feed the fishes.

The boat ride from Jesselton point to Sapi Island is about 15 to 20 minutes and it cost around RM26 to 36 (excluding the life jacket and snorkel gears which you have to add another RM10). The prices may be slightly different with the other boat operators. Try to survey for prices before choosing. There are about more than 10 booths at the terminal.

 Yan just love taking photos

Trying my best to look good while the wind is blowing my face off 

Kak Yan 

View of the open sea

Its a little bummer that we couldn't do any water sports but at the end of the day, we had a good time. I had the chance to do some self-reflecting time while sitting on the rocks. I praise God for the moment I had there. Its just unbelievable.

 With love from us

And being us, here a photo of...well, just have a look

  Can you spot a lost ostrich

So, at 5.00pm, we leave Sapi Island and head back to our inn. The rest of us decided to rest before heading out for dinner while me and Yan, we head out again but this time its not sunset hunting. Its night market shopping. And yes, I'm a shoe lover, spot this really awesome Vans shoe and the design is sick. Again, bargaining skill is a must. I manage to get for RM75 (the price is RM90). I know its not an original Vans shoe but with that design, I just have to had it. 

Again, our dinner is at Waterfront and this time we try out some of the barbeque seafood. It was just delightful.

So, that's about it. We leave KK on 03/02/2014 with our heavy heart and the lovely memories that comes with it. What I can say about this trip is, it was an awesome experience and the most important thing is the joy of having good, no, AWESOME people to share it with. What's next in our life adventure? Camping trip.

Moral of the story, enjoy your life. Put your sorrows away and smile away. Go out, explore and travel to places that you've never been before. I'm sure that you'll have a great time while you're at it and share the experience with the awesome people that always put a smile on your face.

So, that's all from me. May this blog trigger your inner spirit to go out and have fun! Remember, no matter how little the thing is, if it makes you happy then just keep on doing it.

A memorable vacation/roadtrip to Kota Kinabalu, Sabah (Day 2)

Dated on 01/02/2014, we wake up in KK and on this day, the first plan is to Kundasang, Sabah. Kundasang is located at the mountains of Sabah. The drive from KK city to Kundasang is about 1 to 1.5 hour (again depending on the traffic).

As the drive is an uphill drive, it is advisable for road users to watch their speed limits. I've been to Kundasang before with my previous roadtrip with my schoolmates. So, I knew that the drive would put a lot of pressure to the brakes. So, before you begin to drive up to Kundasang, always check your brakes (espacially brake pads) including your handbrake is in working condition. The drive is basically uphill and downhill drive, so, you are require to use the brake mostly on the downhill drives. That is why your brakes must be in good working condition. Don't be surprise if you start to smell some burning to your brakes. It is common due to the temperature. Due always keep an eye on the brakes.

Ok, enough with the reminder. So, the journey to Kundasang begins at 9am (after breakfast). If you love driving in a foggy, cold and windy condition (which for some is dangerous) you can begin your drive at 6am.

After half hour into the drive, we reached Kinabalu Park. Again, it is advisable for you to make several pit stop before reaching Kundasang as it allows your car to cool down for a while and not pressuring the brakes. Kinabalu Park is definitely a tourist attraction. Once you reached the park, there is a huge parking space located at both side of the road. So, we stopped there and had our photo-taking session again. It is a beautiful place for sightseeing and just to enjoy the mountain breeze.

 The boys, Bobby, Me and Alom

The girls, Yan, Lydia and Linda

Group photos

Here are some, well, I should let the photos do the talking.

Ok. After some photo-taking fun, its time to continue to Kundasang. Before I forget, please make sure you clear your bladder before making this trip as the temperature is very cold you might end up using the toilet more than you thought.

So, we reached Kundasang well before noon. What do we do in Kundasang, we visit Desa Cattle Farm, where fresh Desa Milk are produce daily. Not sure about the price cause I didn't bought any of the milk. But according to Lydia it is RM2.00 cheaper than the price in normal groceries store.

Desa Cattle Farm is where you can find the famous 'New Zealand cow'. You are also allowed to feed the calf and some goats. Of course you have to pay. 

 

Other than feeding the calf and goats, the mountain view from Desa Cattle is just breath-taking. All you can see is just green field.

 Check out the background (don't mind us)

The "we are cool" walk

Bobby, Lydia and Yan manage to buy the Desa Milk while the rest of us are simply enjoying the view. So, we make our way down to KK City. Since, you are travelling to Kundasang, you are bound to pass the famous Upside Down House or "Rumah Terbalik" in Tamparuli. Being the tourist that we are, we stopped by to check it out.

Yes, most of them stuff there are upside down. Please excuse us boys for the photo taking style. We just can't take proper photo of us.

So basically, that is what we did on our second day in KK. Had so much fun. After the trip, we head back to our inn and rest. But me and Yan decided to go out again to check out the sunset at KK Waterfront. You can find the picture in my Instagram page. We meet up with the others for dinner and this time, we decided to try out the food stalks along KK Waterfront. Surprisingly, the method of cooking the seafood there are similar to the methods used throughout KK city's restaurant and the price is way more cheaper than normal restaurant. Our dinner comprises of fish, prawns, vegetables and squid. And that cost us less than RM100.

So we called it a night with a happy tummy.

A memorable vacation/roadtrip to Kota Kinabalu, Sabah (Day 1)

Its been a week since my last roadtrip to Kota Kinabalu (KK), Sabah with my buddies; Petrus Kalom (Alom), Raihannah (Yan), Hazlinda (Alom's girlfriend), Bobby and Lydia. This is my third time driving up to KK, the first time was with my brother and alom and the second time was with my schoolmates.

Driving to KK would take about 6 to 7 hours drive (depending on the traffic and speed). There are few checkpoints throughout the drive, Miri-Brunei, Brunei-Limbang, Limbang-Brunei and Brunei-Lawas.

Our roadtrip begins at 6.30am on 31/01/2014. We used 2 cars, my brother's Myvi and Bobby's Saga BLM.

Lucky for us, throughout our drive, the weather was fine and sunny. So we manage to stop at several places just to relax and sightseeing. The first stop was at Lawas for lunch and forced Yan to take picture of Lawas's buffalo statue. She refuses at first but since we forced her, she got no choice but to follow what we said.

Above photo is taken by Lydia 

Just in case you were wondering where is this statue at, see the background, that is the Seri Malaysia Hotel, Lawas, which is also located in front of the Lawas Waterfront. Its really easy to spot.

So, after done with lunch and photo taking session with the buffalo, we continue our journey to KK. Before entering Sabah, we reached Sabah boarder, Sindumin. Unfortunately for us, we were stuck in a heavy crawl. This is due to the Chinese New Year holiday. Since all of us are from Sarawak, we are not required to get our passport stamp at Sabah boarder. Luckily the RELA officers, let us through by cutting the line and straight to Sindumin. After that, it was smooth all the way.

Before reaching KK, as we have to wait for Linda's flight from Kuching, which arrives at 5pm. We decided to take our time and rest at Sipitang. We reached Sipitang about 2.45pm. The ocean view from Sipitang is just awesome. There are several stall open along the seashore and according to some, the 'satay' is to die for. But we didn't give it a try cause all of us are still full. I'm pretty sure that Sipitang has a lot to offer other than its beach and 'satay' but I don't what are the attraction. Will do some research on it aite!.

 Beautiful view of the ocean

After a short break, we continue. This time its straight to KK. Reached KK at 4.30pm and stop at the airport to pick up Linda. We arrived early and me and bobby, as the drivers, get the chance to sit in the massage chair while waiting for her flight.

After checked in our inn, Stay Inn, located at Kampung Air, or in the middle of KK city, we rest and head out for dinner at 7.30pm. At first, we wanted to have our dinner at the famous KK seafood food court, which basically located next to our inn but we didn't manage to get our orders as there are too many tourist around. So, we walked to Old Farm Restaurant, also a seafood restaurant. Old Farm Restaurant is located in front of KK District office, a white building that looks like a court house.

Pre-dinner photo session

Had our dinner and since we are in KK, our trip won't be complete without boozing/drinking. Well, its a must 'to-do-thing' when you are in KK (only for non-muslim). The place of choice is definately, BB Side Walk & Cafe. This place offers live band and DJ, similar to some clubs, but its completely open. Its a must go to place for me and alom whenever we are in KK. While we were there, we meet up Lydia's friends from her matrix days, Ms. Daphne and Ms. Cynthia. At the end of the day, since I'm single, Bobby decided to take my phone and asked for Daphne's phone number (credit goes to you Mr. Bobby). So yeah, I got her phone number. We head back and call it a night.

Yes, Lydia's phone was hijacked by us

That is our first day in KK. More to come in my next blog.

P/S: all of the photos are taken by Lydia with her iPhone. Some are edited through her phone and some are not edited at all.