Sabah! Here We Come:)

Assalamu'alaikum,

Sorry sebab lama menyepi..takde benda sangat untuk dikongsikan..except this thing;

YES!! we are going to Sabah soon:) bila?? the exact date is on 27th of April 2012 but our first destination will be Labuan..Kenapa Labuan?? Kerana kat situ kakak aku ada & tujuan utama adalah untuk melawat Kak Na di Labuan..Alang-alang sudah ke Labuan, aku akan ke Kota Kinabalu & kalau sudah alang-alang ke sana..Hajat di hati mahu ke Kundasang juga!!

Owh i'm suuuuuuper excited..Starting from now aku dah start survey apa yang patut:P Owh by the way, i will travelling with my kids & bibik ops silap! my SIL will joining us also..Herm, en suami hanya sponsor tickets & perbelanjaan sahaja..Al-maklumlah..en suami kan saaaaaaaaaaayyyyaaaang sangat dengan kerjanya so kali ni he just let me *meroyan seorang* bawa anak-anak berjalan:P Besides, dia cakap dia dah berpuluh kali pergi ke Labuan so kali ni kasi can mummy & kids pula ke sana.. *yelah tu padahal dia sayangkan kejenya*

Takpe..mari kita buktikan kuasa wanita..Kali ni semua yang pegi pompuan sahaja except Haziq & Ashraf:)

So the itinerary will be just like this:-

Friday morning (27/04/2012) depart from LCCT to Labuan..yes! en suami bermurah hati belikan tiket flight Air Asia semasa promosi (2 adults, 2 kids & 1 infant berhabis dalam RM900++ return flight from Labuan) sampai sekejap rehat & then dalam petang gitu naik express ferry from Labuan to Kota Kinabalu..Haaa hambek ko..merasa naik bermacam transportlah nanti:P

Malam tu aku plan nak makan-makan di pasar Filipina..herm..apa aktiviti yang best malam hari di Kota KInabalu eh?? I mean selain dari makan?? Tapi maybe we are not going anywhere, just nak rehatkan badan & kumpul tenaga sebab esoknya pepagi lagi nak bertolak ke Kundasang! Weehuuuuuuu:P

Kundasang is a pleasant village town nestled between lush valleys that stream southwards from the eastern base of Mount Kinabalu. It has been described as the Cameron Highlands of Borneo, but unlike its counterpart in West Malaysia, retains a charmingly simple yet idlyic environment bereft of major tourist development. The lovely Dusun natives inhabit the surrounding villages of wood and stilts, perched randomly on hill slopes and beside roads across the valley. For decades now, the locals have sustained a frugal lifestyle through crop farming and poultry, having little progress in terms of urban growth or infrastructure.

Kundasang lies just 6 km after the entrance to Kinabalu Park along the Tamparuli-Ranau highway. Visitors can drive their own vehicles or take public transport from Kota Kinabalu on a 2-hour journey covering roughly 90 km of mountain roads. In Kota Kinabalu, mini vans (MYR15 per person), MPVs (MYR16) and long-distance taxis (MYR20) run daily trips to Ranau from the Jalan Padang Bus Station next to Merdeka Field and opposite the state library. Request to the driver to be dropped off at Kundasang, which is along the way but about 20 km before Ranau town. To visit Kinabalu Park, you can hail the dilapidated-looking vans (which is actually the local form of public transport) for MYR1 along the main road in Kundasang for a lift there.

source from here

Aku dah survey dah tempat-tempat menarik di sana. Antaranya adalah:-

1) Poring Hot Spring

Poring Hot Spring is a nature reserve and park located 40 km away on the southeast fringe of Kinabalu Park, just 19 km from Ranau town. It lies along the lowland rainforest extension and ridge routes that flow from the base of Mount Kinabalu towards the north, south and eastern regions of the Crocker Range. The second most visited destination next to Kinabalu Park itself, the place is a blend of eco-luxury resort, recreational water park and nature-based attractions. Boutique chalets, rustic lodges and simple hostels provide accommodation for visitors. Locals are charged MYR3 per adult for entry to the hot springs, while internationals, MYR15.

2) War Memorial

The Kundasang War Memorial is a poignant monument that commemorates the British and Australian soldiers who perished in the Sandakan Death March during the War. Careful thought and considerable skill have clearly gone into its construction, as the architectural designs are heartfelt with many evocative structures, inscribed with touching messages and poetry by survivors and families of victims. Indeed, the horrendous memory of the event contrasts strongly with the peaceful garden surroundings, carpeted with a blissfully ignorant sea of green grass mixed with colourful flowers, hedged in by imposing stone walls.

3) Kipungit Waterfall

Just 15 minutes away by foot on the jungle trail from the hot springs, the first Kipungit Waterfalls is a small but pleasant pool fed by a steep 8 m drop of stream water cascading down mossy boulders. Because of its proximity to the main park grounds, it’s very popular with visitors who come to bathe and frolic in the crystal clear waters. While the pool has considerable depth past waist level, it’s only large enough for a few people to take a dip at a time. The stream that flows from the small pool is also rather shallow and strewn with large rocks, making it unsuitable for swimming activities.

4) Desa Cattle Farm

pic credits to my.Mustaffa.org

Menurut laman facebook Desa Cattle, ladang ini dibuka pada tahun 1981 dengan keluasan 199 hektar. Memang luas sekali padang ragut di sana. Lokasi ladang yang jauh dari kesibukan kota dan jalan utama memang sesuai untuk pembiakan lembu. Udara di sana memang bersih dan sejuk dan Gunung Kinabalu juga jelas kelihatan.

5) Kinabalu Park

Kinabalu Park was gazetted as the first State Park in Sabah in 1964 and declared Malaysia’s first World Heritage Site by UNESCO in the year 2000 for its outstanding biological attributes. A sprawling 75, 400 hectares, this melting pot of natural wonders is larger than Singapore.
Also the Centre of Plant Diversity for South East Asia, the Park boasts more than 5,000 vascular plant species, an estimated 1,000 orchid species, 621 fern species, nine Nepenthes species, 29 Rhododendron species and two Rafflesia species. The Park has no shortage of fauna as well, being home to some 90 lowland mammal species, 22 montane mammal species, 21 bat species, 326 bird species, 62 toad and frog species and a large population of the 850 butterfly species that occur in Sabah. Out of the 29 bird species that are endemic to Borneo, at least 17 are confined to the mountains, notably Mount Kinabalu. These include subspecies of the Red breasted Tree-partridge, Crimson-headed Wood-partridge and Mountain Blackbird. Such diversity is truly the makings of a naturalists’ paradise!

The main attraction at the Park is none other than the majestic Mount Kinabalu, one of the highest mountains in South East Asia standing at 4095.2 metres. Apart from traditional mountain climbing, visitors can also experience the Mountain Torq, the world’s highest and Asia’s first Via Ferrata or ‘iron road’ at 3,200m to 3,800m above sea level. The various routes on the northern rock faces of Mount Kinabalu consist of a ‘trail’ that is made up of iron rungs, palettes, cables and rails. Depending on the preferred difficulty level, visitors can enroll in various activities such as the intro to single pitch or multi pitch sports climbing, intro to rappelling (abseiling) and introduction to rope ascending. Mount Kinabalu attracts thousands of climbers from around world every year and is also the venue of the annual Mount Kinabalu International Climbathon.

source from here

6) Sabah Teh Plantation

pic credit to my.Mustaffa.org

Ladang teh Sabah terletak di kampung Nalapak dalam daerah Ranau iaitu kira-kira 120 kilometer dari bandaraya Kota Kinabalu, Sabah. Lokasi ladang teh ini berada di laluan lebuhraya di antara Telupid – Ranau iaitu selepas persimpangan ke Poring Hot Spring. Ladang teh ini berada di ketinggian 2,272 kaki daripada aras laut dengan keluasan ladang sebesar 6,200 ekar. Kawasan ladang teh ini dikelilingi dengan hutan rimba yang telah wujud sejak 130 juta tahun dahulu. Selain itu, ladang teh ini juga berlatarbelakangkan gunung Kinabalu dan merupakan ladang teh organik tunggal di Malaysia serta menjadi pilihan di dunia.

Di Kundasang nanti, aku akan menginap di Strawberry Garden Hotel. Oleh kerana aku travel dengan anak & dalam bilangan yang ramai (3 dewasa+6 kanak-kanak) so aku rasa baik menginap di chalet sebab kat sini boleh masak:) Alah, bukan nak masak nasi bagai pon cuma kalau malam-malam tu rasa lapar bolehlah masak megi siapkan apa-apa yang patut..Bilik pun besar so mesti seronok berkumpul ramai-ramai..Aku rasa yang paling seronok nanti of courselah anak-anak aku:) Mama tak berapa nak seronok sebab rindukan papa penat handle anak:P

By the way, harga chalet untuk 1 malam adalah RM300 (bukan peak season)

Established in 2001, Strawberry Garden Hotel Kundasang is strategically located between the World Heritage Site and the popular stopover site for temperate vegetables of Kundasang town. The hotel is along the main highway and is a mere 3.9KM from the Kinabalu Park. Situated atop the cool highlands, it has a spectacular view of the Bundu Tuhan Valley highlands dotted with adorable traditional village houses. The hotel is less than 2 hours drive from Kota Kinabalu, the capital city of Sabah, and is situated at a height of approximately 1,600 meters above sea level.

Strawberry Garden Hotel has guestrooms, chalets and a bungalow house to suit every guest’s needs. Rooms are adequately fitted with the essential facilities and are especially ideal for families and groups who enjoy close and warm companionship during outings. The cool air of Kundasang coupled with the cozy hotel promises guests a refreshing experience at great value. There is also a spacious lobby on the ground floor where guests can mingle and enjoy Free Wi-Fi service.

At the hotel, every guest is treated with care by our friendly staffs that are ever ready to lend a hand to make every guest feel at home. Dedicated to service and hospitality, Strawberry Garden Hotel promises to provide a comfortable stay at the most affordable price.

Aku pilih Strawberry Garden Hotel ni sebab kalau menginap kat sini, aku boleh melawat strawberry Farm for FREE!! Kalau tak kena bayar RM1 per entrance..Haaaa, dah jimat dalam RM5..Bolehlah buat beli ais krim strawberry:P

ini view hadapan Strawberry Garden Hotel

ini pula chalet tempat kami bakal tidur:)

harap-harap masa kami datang strawberry ada:)

Macam banyak je tempat di Kundasang yang aku nak pergi kan?? Hehehehe tengoklah, mana yang sempat aku pergi..Kalau boleh nak pergi semua tapi memandangkan aku travel dengan anak-anak yang kecil, so kena ambil faktor keadaan diorang juga..Herm..pada sesiapa yang pernah ke Kundasang, bolehlah bagi tips pleaseeeeee:)

Jangan ingat kami ke Kundasang sahaja..Nanti di Kota Kinabalu pon rasa macam nak ke sini;-

1) Jesselton Point

pic credit from here

Kalau melancong ke Kota Kinabalu, selain Pasar Kraftangan dan Pasar ikan masin yang menjadi tumpuan, Jesselton Point Waterfront juga adalah salah satu daripadanya yang mesti dikunjungi. Sejak dibuka pada Februari 2006, Jesselton Point yang sebelum ini dikenali sebagai terminal feri Kota Kinabalu sering menjadi kunjungan pelancong-pelancong dari luar negara mahupun dalam negeri termasuk penduduk Sabah sendiri. Ia terletak disebelah utara Kota Kinabalu iaitu di Jalan Haji Saman.

Bagi yang inginkan ketenangan, Bersiar-siar di sepanjang waterfront ini tentunya cukup mendamaikan.Panoramanya juga sangat mempesonakan lebih-lebih lagi pada waktu pagi dan petang sehinggalah melewati ke waktu senja. Ditambah pula dengan tiupan bayunya yang begitu lembut membuai-buai sangat menyegarkan.

Disini, Anda juga akan dapat melihat beberapa deretan bot laju yang beratur menunggu penumpang ke beberapa buah pulau di Taman Laut Tunku Abdul Rahman yang berdekatan yang terdiri daripada lima buah pulau yang sangat cantik iaitu pulau Manukan, Pulau Mamutik , Pulau sapi, Pulau Gaya dan Pulau Sulug. Malah Jesselton Point juga menjadi destinasi untuk berlepas ke Labuan yang mengambil masa kira-kira 3 jam untuk sampai.
Beberapa buah kedai kecil menjual cenderahati seperti t-shirt,rantai kunci dan barang-barang kraf juga ada disini.Seandainya ingin menjamu selera pula,anda boleh memilih beberapa buah restoran. Salah satu daripadanya,restoran menghadap ke laut.

2) Pasar Kraftangan / Pasar Filipina

Pasar ini juga dikenali Pasar Filipina di kalangan penduduk tempatan. Lokasinya terletak di Jalan Tun Fuad Stephen bertentangan dengan Kompleks Sinsuran.Ia bukan sekadar pasar menjual produk-produk kraftangan atau cenderahati tempatan seperti t-shirt, rantai kunci dan tikar rotan tapi juga pasar ini paling popular dengan produk mutiara dan kristal seperti gelang mutiara, rantai mutiara dan kerongsang. Semua produk disini dijual dengan harga yang berpatutan dan boleh tawar-menawar. Sememangnya Sabah terkenal dengan mutiaranya. Kalau ke sini tanpa membeli mutiara tak lengkap percutian anda ke Kota Kinabalu. Pasar ini tutup seawal jam 6.00 petang. Oleh itu pastikan anda tidak terlepas untuk berkunjung ke pasar ini.

3) Pasar Malam Belakang Pusat Kraftangan

Pasar Malam yang menjual beraneka jenis makanan termasuk makanan laut seperti ikan bakar, Sotong Bakar dan Udang Bakar dengan harga yang berpatutan.Suasana disini agak berlainan dengan Pasar Malam di Kuala Lumpur atau mana-mana pasar malam di Semenanjung. Bukan satu atau dua gerai yang menjual ikan bakar tetapi lebih lima buah gerai yang terdapat di sini. Rasailah keunikannya..ia pasti memberi kenangan terindah buat anda sepanjang berada di Kota Kinabalu.

Owh tak sabar rasanya nak pergi berchutiiiiii!!!!

Pada sesiapa yang pernah bercuti di Kota Kinabalu & Kundasang, jomlah share pengalaman..sharing is caring:)