As much as we wanted to wake up early on our real first day in KK, we had a quite hard time to drag ourselves from the bed. Blame the Tiger beer for that!
Our hostel receptionist arranged a taxi for us to bring us to Jesselton Point Ferry Terminal where take a boat to the the Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park. Our kind receptionist also gave us the card of a tour operator in Jesselton.
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| Anna and I at the Jesselton Ferry Terminal |
Upon arriving at the terminal, we booked our tour through Aparu Holiday Tours. We paid around RM 50 (Php700) for the terminal fee and transportation to- and from- the two islands, Mamutik and Manukan Islands. We wanted to include Sapi or Gaya Islands but since we started late that today, the travel agent said it can’t be included anymore. Awww. The two islands are really what we wanted to see because we heard that the beaches are more beautiful and there are less crowd. Oh well.
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| Busy day at the terminal |
We boarded the speedboat with other passengers to the marine park. It took us only 10 minutes to reach our first destination, Mamutik Island. Whew, that was fast! I can’t help but compare how we do our island hopping here in the Philippines. You know what I’m talking about.
The speedboat dropped us off at Mamutik Island first. We paid RM 10 (Non-Malaysian) for the admission to the island which is good for all the islands you will visit. There was fewer crowds in the island so we found a good spot near the shore. The sand is not that fine and white but the water is perfect for swimming and snorkeling.
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| quiet beach time at Mamutik Island |
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| with travel buddies Nino and Anna |
After an hour of staying the island, we proceeded to the docking station and waited for our speedboat for our parasailing. Yay!
It was my first time to try parasailing. I was both ecstatic and nervous.; I am not good in the water and I am also scared of heights. But for the excitement, I wanted to experience getting high in the sky and being submerged into the water. By the way, I paid RM 30 (Php 900) for this 20-minute activity.
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| Uh oh... |
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| Anna is all smiles while I look STUPID |
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| Getting the hang of it |
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| Now being submerged into the water |
After our parasailing, the speedboat brought us to Manukan Island which is the most famous of the entire islands comprising the Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park. It has a number of facilities like restaurants, convenience store, shower and changing rooms, and a lodge (Sutera Lodge) where you can spend a night. The facilities more specifically the shower rooms are not that well-maintained but that would suffice.
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| Manukan Island docking station |
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| One of the Sutera lodges |
As expected, there were lots of people in the island mostly Caucasians. We settled in the far-end of the beach to avoid the crowd. I can say that the sand is not 100% fine and white, if you compare it to Boracay. Pinas beachers are still the best! But what I love most in Manukan Island is the abundance of fishes near the shore and the cool bluewater. I enjoyed snorkeling to my heart’s delight.
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| Beachineering at Manukan Island |
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| Calm water |
We spent our rest of our day here, just getting ourselves baked, soundtripping,drinking Tiger beer, eating, swimming, and just enjoying the sunny Kota Kinabalu day. This is the life!
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| Beer and beach |
At around 5pm, we left the island and was back in Jesselton Point Ferry Terminal. We planned to go to 1Borneo, which is the largest mall in East Malaysia, for some serious shopping so we left our bags first at Lavender Lodge. There is a free shuttle bus to- and from- 1Borneo being 30 minutes away from the city center. We arrived in the mall around 730pm and ate dinner at KFC.
Afterwards, we looked for the Vincci shop (VNC). Vincci is actually located inside Padini Concept Store. They sell not only shoes, but bags, accessories, clothes, and other ladies apparel as well.
Whew! Shoe shopping is crazy. Anna and I went gaga over their shoe collection. And what’s great is that the prices are half compared when you buy Vinnci (VNC) here in Manila. Yay for that!
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| SHOES <3 |
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| Happy, obviously |
We almost missed the last bus going back to the city at 10:30pm because of shopping.. hehe
Our day wasn’t over yet. As soon as we arrived at Lavender, we were in the mood for some clubbing.
We decided to parteyyy at BED since that’s where the most people are.. We orderd a pitcher of Margarita and finger foods. Drinking in KK is kinda expensive, so better share among yourselves.
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| After party |
Party all night until we drop!
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