Kota Kinabalu is the capital city of Sabah, an east Malaysia state apart from Sarawak Bumi Kenyalang. Kota Kinabalu has a lot of federal preserved forests and jungles and therefore you can certainly and easily imagine it as a beatiful and peaceful place to visit especially those who love natural environment. Clear crystal sea waters, green forests, these are the criterias that make Kota Kinabalu a sure attraction to visitors from all around the globe especially Americans. If you can find a good hotel deal here in Kota Kinabalu, then you may consider your vacation in Kota Kinabalu a great and wonderful one and eventually you will fall in love with beautiful sceneries and friendly locals around here in Kota Kinabalu.
Kota Kinabalu is mostly populated with Sabah's native people such as Murut, Kadazan and Bajau. Some Americans found these local girls especially Kadazan to have sweet and beautiful looks. Perhaps that is another reason why foreigners love to visit the country. It's hard to find a Malay in the city as most Malays reside in west Malaysia. For your information, Sabah or Kota Kinabalu is situated in Borneo island, where its neighbour is Brunei Darussalam. There are a lot of nice and good deals around Kota Kinabalu and their hotels are excellent in terms of services and hygiene. I don't find it a waste of money if you choose to stay at five star hotels as Kota Kinabalu is definitely going to serve your purpose of travelling in Asia; escape from hassles and city hectics. Even the deals are quite reasonable.
As the second largest state in Malaysia, Sabah or Kota Kinabalu offers you splendid journey either you are travelling alone or with your family. Even a simple business trip may also turns into a great vacation if you know where to go and how to choose the right hotel deal at Kota Kinabalu. For shoppers, you should not miss to grab the opportunity to visit Filipino Market. In the market, you can shop for locals hand made items that are unique. You can also find creatively created stuff made from sea-items. There are also chances to find locals selling corals and reefs at the market. The market's name is actually due to a lot of Philippines hawkers who have obtained permanent resident in Kota Kinabalu. The market also a place for you to buy traditional ethnic cultural souvenirs as well foodstuff.
It is quite easy to reach this market in Kota Kinabalu from anywhere either by cab or local bus. Therefore it is not a big deal if you plan to stay somewhere further in the middle of the city as you can always stroll on the streets of Kota Kinabalu town to enjoy its exotic scenery. Perhaps you might stumble into one or two local hawkers that offer you cheap or undercut price for items that you have been wanting to buy here! By the way if you want to know about the market, you can always visit this site that has tremendous information about the market or now called Kota Kinabalu Handicraft Market. You may find a hotel situated at Sutera Harbor Resort to be one of the finest hotel deal in Kota Kinabalu.
The beaches here in Kota Kinabalu are not to be missed and you can find a lot of local seafood restaurants around here. Compared to restaurants and hotels around Kuala Lumpur Malaysia, the prices here are a lot cheaper up to the point you can eat all while you can. Shangri La Hotel for example in Tanjung Aru will be a great deal as the hotel's rooms overlook the Kinabalu sea. When I was there in Kota Kinabalu some time last year, I chose to stay at budget hotel only as my intention is only to enjoy their seafood there in Kota Kinabalu. Honestly, you can spend only a few dollars to enjoy great meal if you take a considerate amount of time to walk along the beach and compare the prices. Don't simply walk and then choose the last restaurant you check simply because you are too tired to walk back lol. It's always worthy to compare thought the prices might be similar to each other but there's always a chance to get the lowest one. Some people even choose to first enjoy their dinner and then only check-in late at nearest hotel. In other words, the deal is up to you depending on what is your priority. Of course, if you come with your family, it's best to first check in at your preferred hotel.
If you happen to visit Kota Kinabalu, don't forget to visit our National Park. Named after our first prime minister, Tunku Abdul Rahman Putra Al-Haj, the park consists of 5 small islands namely Gaya Island, Manukan island, Mamutik island, Sapi island and Suluk island. Offshore of Manukan may be the right place for snorkeling and diving activities since it has unbelievably beautiful corals and reefs. Try to look for best hotel or chalet deals here at Manukan Kota Kinabalu as the island is the most developed amongst the other four. I don't think anyone could actually resist from visiting the national park as there's slight chance to hear engine sounds apart from ferries and boats, hence make it a suitable place to integrate yourself with mother nature. Even Malaysians prefer to spend their vacation at Kota Kinabalu. The island also has clubhose and some other recreational facilities which makes it a user-friendly place for either day-stay or night-stay. Be careful though if you walk around the Sapi island as the island is inhabited by the macaques. If you prefer camping though, you can always get permission from the park warden and you can enjoy having campfire and all there in the kota kinabalu national park.
For bird-lovers, The Kota Kinabalu City Birds Sanctuary may be your first destination once you step your foot here in Kota Kinabalu. Located at Likas Bay, the sanctuary or recently called Kota Kinabalu Wetland Center is a feeding ground for a wide range of resident birds as well as a breeding ground for marine life. It's a place for bird-watching and therefore it offers tranquility and fresh air journey. You might spend a few hours there in the sanctuary and if you happen to end up walking out from it at dusk, don't worry so much as there are few motels as well as hotels nearby each one offering great deal and packages.
Kota Kinabalu is the city, and "Kinabalu" is actually named after the prominent mountain which is located about two hours journey by car from the city. As the fourth tallest mountain in South East Asia, Mount Kinabalu is a must-go destination for rock climbing activities. Nice deal for accomodation or hotel can be found either inside or outside of the Kinabalu park headquarters. Make sure you listen to old folks stories about how the mountain gets its name. There are few variations though and no matter which one you believe in, don't miss the chance to visit this mountain and enjoy its fresh air. Another thing that you should remember is don't ever try to go alone as you must always go with guides.
Personally, I don't think you should find any trouble finding the so-called good hotel deals in Kota Kinabalu even if you are a first time traveller here. I myself is a Malaysian but I didn't have much experience when I first go to Kota Kinabalu. Arriving at the Kota Kinabalu International Airport which is only 8 kilometres from the city center made me feel comfortable enough just by looking at the airport. You know that you won't face any trouble when you see a well-developed airport. If you do not want to take the trouble finding your own hotel, you can always go to hotel booths located just before the exit gates. If you want only a little bit of adventure, get a cab and ask the driver to tour around the city first. Don't tell him it's your first time, just keep yourself silent and maintain your eyes on the buildings around the city. Look for places near the ports if you want to enjoy seafood or look for somewhere right in the middle of the city to experience the nightlife in Kota Kinabalu.
Talking about port, Sandakan is Sabah's second most important port after Kota Kinabalu. Fondly said as Sabah's best ecotourism tourists spot, there are a lot of interesting places to visit here including the Sepilok Orang Utan Sanctuary. The sanctuary is located 25 kilometres west of Sandakan and it is actually for rescue and rehabilitation of orphaned baby of orang utans (apes) from illegal huntings and also logging activities. It is located within reserved forest of Kabili-Sepilok. You may find the view here as amusing as Kota Kinabalu National Park and you will learn here how they train the orang utans' orphaned babies to survive in the jungel and eventually release them into the jungle. Take at least three or four hours there taking pictures and videos as they are humble and low profile primates. Compared to Kota Kinabalu, Sandakan also offers great range of hotel deals but I recommend you to stay in the middle of the city since Sandakan is not as developed as Kota Kinabalu.
Another wonderful and perhaps the best attraction of Sandakan is its Turtle Islands National Park. The Park is famous for its green turtles and hawksbill turtles which lay their eggs on the beaches of the islands. The Park covers an area of 17.4 km². The name Turtle Islands, however, refers to 10 islands, 3 of which are part of Turtle Islands National Park of Malaysia, and 7 which belongs to the Municipality of Turtle Islands, Tawi-Tawi, Philippines. There are three islands in the park - Selingaan island, Bakkungaan Kecil island and Gulisaan island. There is a resort called Octopus, a nice and good hotel where maybe you will enjoy the package offered. Get a good deal and you should have a memorable moments there watching wildlife at the turtle park.
By now you may have become familiar with prefix "Kina" and there is a river in Sandakan which is called "Kina-batangan". Along the river, there are myriads of wildlife for your viewing pleasure as well as limestone caves, specifically at Gomantong Hill. There are also salty mangrove swamp near the river's coast. You can search for best hotel deals in Sukau Kota Kinabalu since they have a lot of lodges there maintained by major tour operators. Don't miss the chance to visit the Gomantong Hill as the hill is the largest limestone outcrop in the Lower Kinabatangan area, Sandakan division, in the Malaysian state of Sabah. The caves have been renowned for their valuable edible swiftlet nests, which are harvested for bird's nest soup. The most valuable of the nests, the white ones, can sell for very high prices. The birds' nest collection is an ancient tradition, and the trading of these nests has been done since at least 500 AD. Twice a year, from February to April and July to September, locals with licenses climb to the roof of the caves, using only rattan ladders, ropes, and bamboo poles, and collect the nests. The first collection takes place early in the breeding season before the swiftlets lay their eggs. The birds then make another nest in which they finally lay their eggs. After the young have fledged, the second collection is made. Care must be taken to assure that the nests are collected only after the young swiftlets have abandoned these nests. These individuals are very much in demand by the people and communities that hold the Government's harvesting licenses. Edible birds' nests are protected under the Birds' Nest Ordinance and the Forest Enactment of 1968. Heavy fines and penalties are imposed on unlicensed collectors, so take extra careful on this as make sure you buy them from licensed hawkers and sellers to avoid misunderstanding that you illegally took them. You can always the people at the hotel or near the lodge about this to get more accurate information and advice.
There are also other sights that are worth visiting such as the Sabah State Museum and also Tun Fuad Stephens Park. You can also capture the chance to personally view the annual harvest festival called Kaamatan. The Kaamatan Festival is an annual event in the cultural life of the Kadazandusuns of Sabah since time immemorial. In its deepest sense, Kaamatan festival is a manifestation of Creator and Creation relationship, as well as Inter-Creations relationship. It embodies the principal acts of invocation of divinities, appeasing, purification and restoration, re-union of benevolent spirits, and thanksgiving to the Source of All. It is part of a complex wholesome Momolian religious system centered on the paddy rites of passage and the life cycle of Bambarayon - the in-dwelling spirit of paddy. If you are into this, perhaps it's best to look for finest hotel deals at Kota Kinabalu outskirts area especially those near the paddy fields.
You may find Kota Kinabalu as another great destination apart from Kuala Lumpur. However, you may find the vacation here to be a far better option if you are looking for peace and tranquil one. Travelling is also easy as it is not that difficult to get cabs or buses around here in Kota Kinabalu. Even strolling would be a good idea as you will not miss any great view of Kota Kinabalu; the buildings, the people, and also the fresh air. Get yourself out from your comfortable hotel room and mix yourself among the locals to learn more about their culture and customs. You may get a fine hotel deals in Kota Kinabalu, but it is much more a better deal if you can take some time to communicate with both the locals and the nature.
Cheers!
Kota Kinabalu is mostly populated with Sabah's native people such as Murut, Kadazan and Bajau. Some Americans found these local girls especially Kadazan to have sweet and beautiful looks. Perhaps that is another reason why foreigners love to visit the country. It's hard to find a Malay in the city as most Malays reside in west Malaysia. For your information, Sabah or Kota Kinabalu is situated in Borneo island, where its neighbour is Brunei Darussalam. There are a lot of nice and good deals around Kota Kinabalu and their hotels are excellent in terms of services and hygiene. I don't find it a waste of money if you choose to stay at five star hotels as Kota Kinabalu is definitely going to serve your purpose of travelling in Asia; escape from hassles and city hectics. Even the deals are quite reasonable.
As the second largest state in Malaysia, Sabah or Kota Kinabalu offers you splendid journey either you are travelling alone or with your family. Even a simple business trip may also turns into a great vacation if you know where to go and how to choose the right hotel deal at Kota Kinabalu. For shoppers, you should not miss to grab the opportunity to visit Filipino Market. In the market, you can shop for locals hand made items that are unique. You can also find creatively created stuff made from sea-items. There are also chances to find locals selling corals and reefs at the market. The market's name is actually due to a lot of Philippines hawkers who have obtained permanent resident in Kota Kinabalu. The market also a place for you to buy traditional ethnic cultural souvenirs as well foodstuff.
It is quite easy to reach this market in Kota Kinabalu from anywhere either by cab or local bus. Therefore it is not a big deal if you plan to stay somewhere further in the middle of the city as you can always stroll on the streets of Kota Kinabalu town to enjoy its exotic scenery. Perhaps you might stumble into one or two local hawkers that offer you cheap or undercut price for items that you have been wanting to buy here! By the way if you want to know about the market, you can always visit this site that has tremendous information about the market or now called Kota Kinabalu Handicraft Market. You may find a hotel situated at Sutera Harbor Resort to be one of the finest hotel deal in Kota Kinabalu.
The beaches here in Kota Kinabalu are not to be missed and you can find a lot of local seafood restaurants around here. Compared to restaurants and hotels around Kuala Lumpur Malaysia, the prices here are a lot cheaper up to the point you can eat all while you can. Shangri La Hotel for example in Tanjung Aru will be a great deal as the hotel's rooms overlook the Kinabalu sea. When I was there in Kota Kinabalu some time last year, I chose to stay at budget hotel only as my intention is only to enjoy their seafood there in Kota Kinabalu. Honestly, you can spend only a few dollars to enjoy great meal if you take a considerate amount of time to walk along the beach and compare the prices. Don't simply walk and then choose the last restaurant you check simply because you are too tired to walk back lol. It's always worthy to compare thought the prices might be similar to each other but there's always a chance to get the lowest one. Some people even choose to first enjoy their dinner and then only check-in late at nearest hotel. In other words, the deal is up to you depending on what is your priority. Of course, if you come with your family, it's best to first check in at your preferred hotel.
If you happen to visit Kota Kinabalu, don't forget to visit our National Park. Named after our first prime minister, Tunku Abdul Rahman Putra Al-Haj, the park consists of 5 small islands namely Gaya Island, Manukan island, Mamutik island, Sapi island and Suluk island. Offshore of Manukan may be the right place for snorkeling and diving activities since it has unbelievably beautiful corals and reefs. Try to look for best hotel or chalet deals here at Manukan Kota Kinabalu as the island is the most developed amongst the other four. I don't think anyone could actually resist from visiting the national park as there's slight chance to hear engine sounds apart from ferries and boats, hence make it a suitable place to integrate yourself with mother nature. Even Malaysians prefer to spend their vacation at Kota Kinabalu. The island also has clubhose and some other recreational facilities which makes it a user-friendly place for either day-stay or night-stay. Be careful though if you walk around the Sapi island as the island is inhabited by the macaques. If you prefer camping though, you can always get permission from the park warden and you can enjoy having campfire and all there in the kota kinabalu national park.
For bird-lovers, The Kota Kinabalu City Birds Sanctuary may be your first destination once you step your foot here in Kota Kinabalu. Located at Likas Bay, the sanctuary or recently called Kota Kinabalu Wetland Center is a feeding ground for a wide range of resident birds as well as a breeding ground for marine life. It's a place for bird-watching and therefore it offers tranquility and fresh air journey. You might spend a few hours there in the sanctuary and if you happen to end up walking out from it at dusk, don't worry so much as there are few motels as well as hotels nearby each one offering great deal and packages.
Kota Kinabalu is the city, and "Kinabalu" is actually named after the prominent mountain which is located about two hours journey by car from the city. As the fourth tallest mountain in South East Asia, Mount Kinabalu is a must-go destination for rock climbing activities. Nice deal for accomodation or hotel can be found either inside or outside of the Kinabalu park headquarters. Make sure you listen to old folks stories about how the mountain gets its name. There are few variations though and no matter which one you believe in, don't miss the chance to visit this mountain and enjoy its fresh air. Another thing that you should remember is don't ever try to go alone as you must always go with guides.
Personally, I don't think you should find any trouble finding the so-called good hotel deals in Kota Kinabalu even if you are a first time traveller here. I myself is a Malaysian but I didn't have much experience when I first go to Kota Kinabalu. Arriving at the Kota Kinabalu International Airport which is only 8 kilometres from the city center made me feel comfortable enough just by looking at the airport. You know that you won't face any trouble when you see a well-developed airport. If you do not want to take the trouble finding your own hotel, you can always go to hotel booths located just before the exit gates. If you want only a little bit of adventure, get a cab and ask the driver to tour around the city first. Don't tell him it's your first time, just keep yourself silent and maintain your eyes on the buildings around the city. Look for places near the ports if you want to enjoy seafood or look for somewhere right in the middle of the city to experience the nightlife in Kota Kinabalu.
Talking about port, Sandakan is Sabah's second most important port after Kota Kinabalu. Fondly said as Sabah's best ecotourism tourists spot, there are a lot of interesting places to visit here including the Sepilok Orang Utan Sanctuary. The sanctuary is located 25 kilometres west of Sandakan and it is actually for rescue and rehabilitation of orphaned baby of orang utans (apes) from illegal huntings and also logging activities. It is located within reserved forest of Kabili-Sepilok. You may find the view here as amusing as Kota Kinabalu National Park and you will learn here how they train the orang utans' orphaned babies to survive in the jungel and eventually release them into the jungle. Take at least three or four hours there taking pictures and videos as they are humble and low profile primates. Compared to Kota Kinabalu, Sandakan also offers great range of hotel deals but I recommend you to stay in the middle of the city since Sandakan is not as developed as Kota Kinabalu.
Another wonderful and perhaps the best attraction of Sandakan is its Turtle Islands National Park. The Park is famous for its green turtles and hawksbill turtles which lay their eggs on the beaches of the islands. The Park covers an area of 17.4 km². The name Turtle Islands, however, refers to 10 islands, 3 of which are part of Turtle Islands National Park of Malaysia, and 7 which belongs to the Municipality of Turtle Islands, Tawi-Tawi, Philippines. There are three islands in the park - Selingaan island, Bakkungaan Kecil island and Gulisaan island. There is a resort called Octopus, a nice and good hotel where maybe you will enjoy the package offered. Get a good deal and you should have a memorable moments there watching wildlife at the turtle park.
By now you may have become familiar with prefix "Kina" and there is a river in Sandakan which is called "Kina-batangan". Along the river, there are myriads of wildlife for your viewing pleasure as well as limestone caves, specifically at Gomantong Hill. There are also salty mangrove swamp near the river's coast. You can search for best hotel deals in Sukau Kota Kinabalu since they have a lot of lodges there maintained by major tour operators. Don't miss the chance to visit the Gomantong Hill as the hill is the largest limestone outcrop in the Lower Kinabatangan area, Sandakan division, in the Malaysian state of Sabah. The caves have been renowned for their valuable edible swiftlet nests, which are harvested for bird's nest soup. The most valuable of the nests, the white ones, can sell for very high prices. The birds' nest collection is an ancient tradition, and the trading of these nests has been done since at least 500 AD. Twice a year, from February to April and July to September, locals with licenses climb to the roof of the caves, using only rattan ladders, ropes, and bamboo poles, and collect the nests. The first collection takes place early in the breeding season before the swiftlets lay their eggs. The birds then make another nest in which they finally lay their eggs. After the young have fledged, the second collection is made. Care must be taken to assure that the nests are collected only after the young swiftlets have abandoned these nests. These individuals are very much in demand by the people and communities that hold the Government's harvesting licenses. Edible birds' nests are protected under the Birds' Nest Ordinance and the Forest Enactment of 1968. Heavy fines and penalties are imposed on unlicensed collectors, so take extra careful on this as make sure you buy them from licensed hawkers and sellers to avoid misunderstanding that you illegally took them. You can always the people at the hotel or near the lodge about this to get more accurate information and advice.
There are also other sights that are worth visiting such as the Sabah State Museum and also Tun Fuad Stephens Park. You can also capture the chance to personally view the annual harvest festival called Kaamatan. The Kaamatan Festival is an annual event in the cultural life of the Kadazandusuns of Sabah since time immemorial. In its deepest sense, Kaamatan festival is a manifestation of Creator and Creation relationship, as well as Inter-Creations relationship. It embodies the principal acts of invocation of divinities, appeasing, purification and restoration, re-union of benevolent spirits, and thanksgiving to the Source of All. It is part of a complex wholesome Momolian religious system centered on the paddy rites of passage and the life cycle of Bambarayon - the in-dwelling spirit of paddy. If you are into this, perhaps it's best to look for finest hotel deals at Kota Kinabalu outskirts area especially those near the paddy fields.
You may find Kota Kinabalu as another great destination apart from Kuala Lumpur. However, you may find the vacation here to be a far better option if you are looking for peace and tranquil one. Travelling is also easy as it is not that difficult to get cabs or buses around here in Kota Kinabalu. Even strolling would be a good idea as you will not miss any great view of Kota Kinabalu; the buildings, the people, and also the fresh air. Get yourself out from your comfortable hotel room and mix yourself among the locals to learn more about their culture and customs. You may get a fine hotel deals in Kota Kinabalu, but it is much more a better deal if you can take some time to communicate with both the locals and the nature.
Cheers!
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