<![CDATA[Travel: Malaysia - Kota Kinabalu]]>Original Title: Mui Ne, Perhentian, Kota Kinabalu


Desperately trying to find the best destination for our holiday in June. Were hoping to go to Lombok or Bali but there are no cheap flights available.

So now we are contemplating between Mui Ne - Vietnam, Pulau Perhentian or Kota Kinabalu in Malaysia. We are traveling with kids (3 and 7 years). Hoping to find some beautiful beaches, friendly service and good food. Any experiences?

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/topic/3267/travel-malaysia-kota-kinabaluRSS for NodeTue, 28 Apr 2026 03:06:12 GMTWed, 20 May 2009 03:08:06 GMT60<![CDATA[Reply to Travel: Malaysia - Kota Kinabalu on Wed, 13 Jan 2016 05:18:08 GMT]]>If anyone needs an idea on \"how to spend a day within the city\", I have penned down http://obliquetravel.com/2016/01/12/exploring-kota-kinabalu/.


http://obliquetravel.com/2016/01/12/exploring-kota-kinabalu/

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1627645https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1627645Wed, 13 Jan 2016 05:18:08 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Travel: Malaysia - Kota Kinabalu on Mon, 18 Aug 2014 23:42:46 GMT]]>

floppy:
One touristy thing to do in KK: having the Bak Ku Teh at Yu Kee.


http://i61.tinypic.com/33mvcq8.jpg\">

I think it's good, not great. Nonetheless, since all the guidebooks seem to recommend it, best to drop by and tick it off the checklist :evil:
P/S: It used to be very crowded around dinner time. After the Chinese stop coming, the wait is now a lot shorter.
Just a note to those who want to try this bkt that floppy recommend, it is only open for breakfast and dinner. Closed in the middle of the day.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1365014https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1365014Mon, 18 Aug 2014 23:42:46 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Travel: Malaysia - Kota Kinabalu on Mon, 18 Aug 2014 15:40:51 GMT]]>One touristy thing to do in KK: having the Bak Ku Teh at Yu Kee.


http://i61.tinypic.com/33mvcq8.jpg\">

I think it's good, not great. Nonetheless, since all the guidebooks seem to recommend it, best to drop by and tick it off the checklist :evil:
P/S: It used to be very crowded around dinner time. After the Chinese stop coming, the wait is now a lot shorter.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1364944https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1364944Mon, 18 Aug 2014 15:40:51 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Travel: Malaysia - Kota Kinabalu on Sat, 16 Aug 2014 04:56:16 GMT]]>thanks for the trip report dnls_mum, and lovely pictures! 🙂

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1363045https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1363045Sat, 16 Aug 2014 04:56:16 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Travel: Malaysia - Kota Kinabalu on Sat, 26 Jul 2014 23:00:44 GMT]]>

KiddyLow:
Dear Dnls_mum


Is KK suitable for 7 and 3 year olds? U booked local tour via hotel?
Do you think your kids will like the stuff I mentioned in my trip review? Snorkeling and white water rafting may not be suitable for the 3 year old but what abt the rest? The Shangrila had great pool area with water slides and family pool etc which kids will like.

I arranged the tours on my own via the internet. Snorkeling and Kinabalu tour was with Dive Downbelow. They are absolute professionals for diving and snorkeling and I highly recommend them. I took the Kinabalu tour with them only because they offered private tour rather than seat in coach. White water rafting and Mari Mari was booked with Amazing Borneo. They are a big agency, was reliable but less flexible. White water rafting I book direct with Borneo Wavehunters. They are the service provider to Amazing Borneos, Dive Downbelow etc. They gave me a very good price as I contacted them directly and also agreed to a private raft for our family which was my priority. If you book through Amazing Borneo or anyone else, these agents will not commit a private raft as they could potentially put you with another group. My friend had Amazing Borneo arrange her complete KK itinerary including Snorkelling. But really, I can't recommend Dive Downbelow enough for snorkeling. They are expensive but I felt safe leaving my kids in their hands. Very experienced and patient pro divers.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1343224https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1343224Sat, 26 Jul 2014 23:00:44 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Travel: Malaysia - Kota Kinabalu on Sat, 26 Jul 2014 11:09:16 GMT]]>Dear Dnls_mum


Is KK suitable for 7 and 3 year olds? U booked local tour via hotel?

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1343014https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1343014Sat, 26 Jul 2014 11:09:16 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Travel: Malaysia - Kota Kinabalu on Tue, 01 Jul 2014 12:52:28 GMT]]>

Dnls_mum:
Publica:

Hi Dnls_mum,


Enjoyed reading your KK trip review. Gives me an insight of what KK has to offer and will definitely consider this destination.

For the river rafting at Kiulu River, did you have to negotiate many flights of steps. We had to climb 200 steps up after the rafting at Ayung River and it was tiring!

I know what you mean about Ayung river. Walking down was bad enough, for the climb back up after the rafting, I almost considered asking the ladies carrying the raft and equipment if they could carry me too :yikes: ! There are no flights to climb at Kiulu River. We boarded and disembarked just steps from where the vehicle dropped and picked us. If you have done Ayung, this river is super mild in comparison. KK had a grade 3/5 river called Pedas if you are game for more excitement! :boogie:

Great to know that there are no steps at Kiulu River. Will check out Pedas river cos my DD does not get enough of the 'BoomBoom'!

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1322141https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1322141Tue, 01 Jul 2014 12:52:28 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Travel: Malaysia - Kota Kinabalu on Tue, 01 Jul 2014 12:38:29 GMT]]>

Publica:
Hi Dnls_mum,


Enjoyed reading your KK trip review. Gives me an insight of what KK has to offer and will definitely consider this destination.

For the river rafting at Kiulu River, did you have to negotiate many flights of steps. We had to climb 200 steps up after the rafting at Ayung River and it was tiring!
I know what you mean about Ayung river. Walking down was bad enough, for the climb back up after the rafting, I almost considered asking the ladies carrying the raft and equipment if they could carry me too :yikes: ! There are no flights to climb at Kiulu River. We boarded and disembarked just steps from where the vehicle dropped and picked us. If you have done Ayung, this river is super mild in comparison. KK had a grade 3/5 river called Pedas if you are game for more excitement! :boogie:

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1322137https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1322137Tue, 01 Jul 2014 12:38:29 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Travel: Malaysia - Kota Kinabalu on Tue, 01 Jul 2014 12:10:28 GMT]]>Hi Dnls_mum,


Enjoyed reading your KK trip review. Gives me an insight of what KK has to offer and will definitely consider this destination.

For the river rafting at Kiulu River, did you have to negotiate many flights of steps. We had to climb 200 steps up after the rafting at Ayung River and it was tiring!

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1322120https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1322120Tue, 01 Jul 2014 12:10:28 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Travel: Malaysia - Kota Kinabalu on Tue, 01 Jul 2014 06:06:54 GMT]]>Part 5: Mari Mari Cultural Village ( final)


There are 30+ minority tribes in Sabah. Mari Mari showcases the 5 major ones, Dusun (rice harvesting), lundayah ( head hunters) , rungus (longhouse tribe), bajau (sea gypsy) and murut (last tribe to renounce headhunting in Sabah). I was concern if it'll be super tacky tourist stuff, but it was quite ok. Gave the kids a good overview of the minority tribes. You can try their bamboo cooking, local cakes, honey and wine made the traditional way. We also had a go at the blowpipe. They conduct 3 fixed time tours per day. We went in the morning and it ended with lunch. If you go for the afternoon session, you get tea and the evening session serves dinner. There is also the usual showcase of bamboo and traditional dance at the end of the tour.

Clockwise from top left:
(1) Wine making ingredients (2) rice cook in bamboo (3) rice wine served to us in bamboo cups (4) bees kept to make honey (5) making the kueh jala, a traditional Bajau cake (6) ext of the murut house (7) interior of the rungus longhouse.
http://i58.tinypic.com/2ebu3op.jpg\">

The end of my KK trip review. Hope it is informative for those considering a visit to KK.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1321899https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1321899Tue, 01 Jul 2014 06:06:54 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Travel: Malaysia - Kota Kinabalu on Mon, 30 Jun 2014 22:36:05 GMT]]>Thanks bubbles_ling.


Part 4: white water rafting

We spent a day doing white water rafting at Kiulu River which has grade 1&2 rapids and thus suitable for young kids and even the elderly. The river is very mild compared to Ayung River in Bali when we brought our 2 boys white water rafting 3 years back. But it was a gd first time experience for our scaredy cat DD8. Ayung was probably grade 2/3. Because the rapids were so mild, we could jump into the river and float along the rapids which was great fun for the kids and they did it again and again. Next time, we’ll want to try a more exciting river!

To be continued…

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1321584https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1321584Mon, 30 Jun 2014 22:36:05 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Travel: Malaysia - Kota Kinabalu on Mon, 30 Jun 2014 17:27:04 GMT]]>wow...beautiful!


Thanks for sharing 🙂

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1321566https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1321566Mon, 30 Jun 2014 17:27:04 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Travel: Malaysia - Kota Kinabalu on Mon, 30 Jun 2014 14:03:00 GMT]]>Part 3: KK town and wildlife and firefly cruise


KK Town:
If you are in KK on. Sunday, drop by the Sunday morning market. It is a local market that sells Ikan billis, keropok, fruits, etc etc and even pets!! The Ikan billis were fresh, not salty and cheap! After browsing the market we were recommended by locals to try the very local and authentic, sun lo mein. The broth is made with very thinly sliced pork. Very tender and yummy. The dry noodles tossed with the typical Malaysian black sauce for dry noodles. Only RM6.50 per bowl.

The very traditional coffee shop stall that sells the sun lo mein.
http://i59.tinypic.com/2gy7eq0.jpg\">

Wildlife and firefly sunset cruise:
In the afternoon, we took the wildlife and firefly sunset cruise. We were picked up around 2pm in the afternoon and driven to kota belud. We were served afternoon tea of local kueh and coffee/tea. Then went on a river cruise to spot the proboscis monkeys. There were the long tail macaques too. Other animals that we spotted included the monitor lizards and even a family if water buffalos swimming in the river. After that our boat took us to the estuary where the mouth of the river met the sea to view the very beautiful sunset. Then it was back to shore for a local buffet dinner before we head off to another river to view the fireflies. The trees along the entire banks of the river were filled with fireflies. They were like Christmas lights. The fireflies even flew towards our boat and we could catch them in our hands. An absolutely wonderful experience for us city pumpkins! Unfortunately our camera cannot capture the natural beauty of the fireflies.

Kawa kawa river, kota belud:
http://i61.tinypic.com/345liyt.jpg\">

The beautiful sunset:
http://i62.tinypic.com/2vj1v0p.jpg\">

To be continued.......

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1321453https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1321453Mon, 30 Jun 2014 14:03:00 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Travel: Malaysia - Kota Kinabalu on Sun, 29 Jun 2014 15:33:59 GMT]]>Part 2: Kinabalu Park and Poring


Kinabalu Park:
We took a private tour for just the 5 of us as we wanted to be able to walk around at our own pace and not be herd around like cattles. Kinabalu Park is cooling because of the high altitude. It has beautiful flora and fauna. There are many species of orchids there.

Various orchids and fruits. See the Mickey orchid?
http://i57.tinypic.com/2645gqr.jpg\">

Mating butterflies and giant beetle.
http://i60.tinypic.com/2q0k6s6.jpg\">

After a local lunch at Poring, we went for the canopy walk. The hot spring there is just like some open swimming pool. There were lots of locals playing in it and didn't seem very clean. Our guide also said he won't go into the water as there are no filters like swimming pools. They just fill up the pool very morning and drain them at night. So by each afternoon the water is quite dirty. The canopy walk is not for those with height phobia. It is roped suspension bridge very narrow and each section takes only 6 person each time. Nice to be able to walk among the tall trees. After the canopy walk, since we didn't want to go to the hot spring, we took a 15 min walk to a nearby waterfall.

A great cool place to rest in the hot afternoon.
http://i61.tinypic.com/2nq5g7t.jpg\">

As the Rafflesia was not blooming in the park, we paid extra to be brought to a private garden which had the flower that day. The Rafflesia flower is the largest flower in the world and takes 9 mths to grow. When it blooms, it last about 6-7 days only. Thereafter it starts to rot and gives out a pungent smell which makes people call it the smelly flower. We were glad to be able to see the flower when we were there.

Rafflesia. This particular flower is about 70cm in diameter. Note it has no leaves but sprouts from vines from the ground.
http://i62.tinypic.com/16aw31l.jpg\">

To be continued......

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1320834https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1320834Sun, 29 Jun 2014 15:33:59 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Travel: Malaysia - Kota Kinabalu on Sat, 28 Jun 2014 05:20:09 GMT]]>Part 1 : Resort and Snorkeling


We just came back from a one week trip to KK. We had a great time, enough activities to keep the kids interested yet relaxing enough too. Thought i'll share a simple trip review here in case someone is looking for a fun and sea vacation and yet sick of the usual Bali and Phuket type.


Hotel:
We stayed at the ShangriLa Tanjung Aru which was only 15 mins from the airport and 15 mins to town. Thee are 2 Shangri La in KK. The other one is next to the orangutan sanctuary and has a better beach but an hour or so from town. We pick Tanjung Aru as we planned snorkelling trips etc which is more accessible. Furthermore we weren't keen to see orangutan. Have seen enough at the Sg zoo.

The hotel has a good pool area with 4 slides and a water war zone in addition to the usual family pools and adult pools. Great fun for kids and adults. There is even a ice cream bar next to the pools which were great for an afternoon snack or swim break. The beach here is almost non existence so if you want beach, go to Rasa Ria.

We booked the Kinabalu club sea view rooms which gave us a wonderful view of the sea and access to the club lounge for bf and evening snacks and happy hour which were substantial enough if you want to make a simple dinner out of it. We did that on 2 nights when we were too lazy to go anywhere further. Being able to have bf in the lounge is great as the main bf restaurant is quite a mad house in the morning and you may need to q to get a table at certain peak timings. We had dinner twice at Shang palace the Chinese restaurant and felt price was extremely reasonable. We spend between RM220 and RM270 for 5 pax for a good Chinese dinner. We don't order dessert but go up to our club lounge for dessert, coffee and drinks.

View from our club room:
http://i57.tinypic.com/xfu9tx.jpg\">

The resort at night:
http://i60.tinypic.com/34ns0ma.jpg\">

Snorkeling:
We book a full day snorkeling trip to the Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine park with Dive Downbelow. There was only 8 people in our group, ie just our family of 5 and another family of 3. We had 2 dive guides and a boat captain. I wanted my kids especially my scaredy cat DD8 to have proper coaching on snorkeling and as it was DD's first snorkeling experience I wanted to make sure we got it right. DD refused to try snorkeling when we did it 2 years back in Orlando.

The guides were very patient and in fact one of them was so patient with DD and so reassuring that she who initially refused to try actually finally took the plunge and she loved it so much she refused to get out of the sea after that. I felt safe leaving DD in the guide's able hands. The boys just took off like 2 fishes in the sea but the guides and boat captain kept a constant eye out for them too.

The whole trip was split into 3 sessions. 2 sessions in the morning after a briefing session on the proper techniques. Then we break for a simple local lunch of rice, veg and chicken with fruits for dessert at Dive Downbelow's base camp at Gaya Island. Then we had a third session in the afternoon before heading back to the mainland. Each of the 3 sessions were at different locations near different island including Sapi and Manutik.

http://i61.tinypic.com/2qnnmnk.jpg\">

All in all a wonderful day and now the boys want to do diving! :imcool:

To be continued.....

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1320175https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1320175Sat, 28 Jun 2014 05:20:09 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Travel: Malaysia - Kota Kinabalu on Wed, 07 Nov 2012 14:36:32 GMT]]>We just realize that each of our kids have KF miles expiring in June 13. They all have sufficient air miles to redeem tickets to Malaysia or Indonesia. Since we just went Bali last year, we are considering KK for next june. We are considering staying at the Shangrila Rasa Ria since it seems to have lots of kid friendly activities.


We are planning on going snorkeling and visiting Mari Mari cultural village. Can anyone advise how far is the Rasa Ria from jetty to get to Gaya Island for snorkeling or to Mari Mari? Is Rasa Ria a good base for such activities, or will a split stay with Tanjung Aru be recommended? Also, if we go snokelling for a full day, will we be able to leave our youngest at the kids club, as in will the kids club staff take care of her meals? She is very independent and has no problem being at the kids club the whole day and we are also willing to pay extra for her meals. Just wondering if the club will keep her for so long.

Any other advise on KK will be appreciated. TIA!

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/894017https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/894017Wed, 07 Nov 2012 14:36:32 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Travel: Malaysia - Kota Kinabalu on Tue, 15 Mar 2011 04:23:55 GMT]]>Hi Micollh,


Thanks for your reply.

We DIY our trip. So, need to find out more information. Tried to get quotation but it is way too pricey.

Any updates?

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/380448https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/380448Tue, 15 Mar 2011 04:23:55 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Travel: Malaysia - Kota Kinabalu on Tue, 15 Mar 2011 03:38:28 GMT]]>i went there in 2008, stayed at Hyatt Hotel. but i was so disappointed with the hotel and facility. really so below my expectation. maybe i would have though Hyatt Spore standard… so must lower expectation. i went to the Mt kinabalu, very nice place,. but we din climb up as i brought my girl who was 15 month-old then. and went to the near by island for a dip. vety nice island. but dun expect shopping… nothing special actually. and the local food at their pasar malam, really… nothing fantastic. but starbucks there was cheaper haaa…

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/380416https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/380416Tue, 15 Mar 2011 03:38:28 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Travel: Malaysia - Kota Kinabalu on Tue, 15 Mar 2011 02:40:40 GMT]]>We plan to go Kota Kinabalu for 4 nights next month. A group of 17 pax.


Can someone advise

1. hotel- convenient and affortable - budget $100 a night
2. Seafood- good seafood stalls to recommend and the price
3. island/beach - we intend to spend a day on beach/island. Please advise which one is nice for young kids, how shall we arrange for transport to Jetty and prices.
4. Anything that we need to take care of
5. We plan to rent 7-seaters for a day to KK. Does anyone know about the car rent, any nice places along the way to and from KK?

Thank you

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/380385https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/380385Tue, 15 Mar 2011 02:40:40 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Travel: Malaysia - Kota Kinabalu on Wed, 15 Dec 2010 07:13:30 GMT]]>Just came back from KK last week. Doesn’t seem like the monsoon season to me. We had fine weather in the morning, and like our local weather, the sky changes and tended to rain in the late afternoon and evening. The rain doesn’t last very long. It may rain more in the highlands, especially on the way to Kinabalu Park and Poring Hot Springs.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/313903https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/313903Wed, 15 Dec 2010 07:13:30 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Travel: Malaysia - Kota Kinabalu on Mon, 25 Oct 2010 15:18:59 GMT]]>looks like its monsoon alrite http://www.asiahotels.com/weather/Malaysia

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/282106https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/282106Mon, 25 Oct 2010 15:18:59 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Travel: Malaysia - Kota Kinabalu on Sun, 17 Oct 2010 13:53:04 GMT]]>I am planning to bring my 3 children to KK this coming Dec. However, my friends told me Dec is monsoon and raining season so it’s not advisable to go. Is it true?


Has anyone stayed at Seamaiden before? The unit has 3 bedrooms and charge at RM400, big enough for my family of 5.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/277856https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/277856Sun, 17 Oct 2010 13:53:04 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Travel: Malaysia - Kota Kinabalu on Wed, 08 Sep 2010 06:22:56 GMT]]>I was there just last month (Aug), with wife and 5 year old kid.


Stayed at Pacific Sutera Harbour for 2 nights. Island hopping was easy with the jetty just next to the resort... my boy enjoyed the snorkelling experience very much and the close encounters with the fishes... 🙂 He also loved the pools with nice landscaping and slides at the resort.

Overall, it was a good getaway with plentiful of activities. We did day trips to KK park and Klias Wetland's River Safari (river cruise to see fireflies and proboscis monkeys).

Food was great with the seafood at Ocean Restaurant and Secko & local laksa, noodles and bah kah tea..

Recommended esp with cheap airfares via budget airlines!

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/256931https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/256931Wed, 08 Sep 2010 06:22:56 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Travel: Malaysia - Kota Kinabalu on Fri, 06 Aug 2010 07:11:44 GMT]]>erm, I went in October last year, it's quite fun. n we plan to go again next March holidays.. We stayed at Shangrila Tanjung aru.. very good service, we took the standard rooms.. but they made up the sofa bed for our kids, breakfast was fantastic.. there were activities for adults n children.. very good resort.. In fact we plan to stay there again if the current renovations are completed by March. 😄

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/233913https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/233913Fri, 06 Aug 2010 07:11:44 GMT