Sabah Trip: Kundasang and Kota Kinabalu

After three days in Sandakan, i set myself free from boredoom by getting a bus ticket to Kota Kinabalu. Yeah, i was on my own, six hours in the bus all the way to KK (Kota Kinabalu). I was planning to take a flight there but it's meant to be a budget trip despite the cheap flights offered by Air Asia.

The bus took off by 7.30 am. I woke up at 6am, you might think that is bloody early only if you're not told my cousins woke up at 5am. The sun starts to set by 5am and rises by 6am in Sabah. Therefore the time we go to bed and off the bed have to be adjusted there.

i stopped over at Kundasang for an hour or two. There wasn't much to explore round here, but at least i had left my footprint. :)
Kundasang is renowned for its vegetables and flowers. There is a row of stalls selling fresh vege and flowers.
It seemed like i was in Cameron Highland didn't it? yeah, Kundasang is like the mini Cameron Highland except that they don't grow strawberry and cactus there! lol. The weather is not that chilly either.

Nevertheless, it has a great view. The life in Kundasang is simple and peaceful. The kids there have no PS2 or Nintendo, but i bet they have the best childhood. They fly a kite, play hide-and-seek, helping out in their parents' farm. they are not in touch with the high tecnology yet living their life to the fullest.

After that, i decided to go to the National park which is in the vicinity. i took a taxi from Kundasang and paid rm10 for a short distance to the National Park. Well, i couldn't complain, the taxi driver will certainly take the advanatage of the inconvenience of the transportation there.

During the visit to the Kinabalu Park, i had a strongest urge ever to hike the mountain. but due to the lack of company, i couldn't help but to call of the idea. :(

I was asking around to get a mean of transport to KK. To get a taxi cost around rm100 for an hour journey. WTH!!!!!!!!!! A nice lady told me i could signal any bus on the road to get onboard that cost only rm10. They were those express buses from either Sandakan, Lahad Datu or Tawau that were going to KK. argh, i was blessed!!

Sorry for the bad picture. i couldn't get a nice seat to take a nice picture on the way going down the hill where Mont. Kinabalu was in sight. mountain hiking next year anyone???

Since i brought my laptop along, it'd be risky to spend the night in the backpacker~I stayed in a budget hotel instead for rm60. After leaving all my luggage (a backpack and a laptop) in the room, i went out to explore the town.

This is the famous Gaya Street in the city centre of KK. There is a big market every Sunday morning selling all kinds of stuff. I was there on monday therefore missed the chance to see the happening Sunday Market. :(.

By the look of it, KK is nothing different from the busy KL. It's the capital city of Sabah afterall.

This is the handicraft center in KK selling all kinds of handicraft made by the aborigins and some Filipino. i wouldn't want to miss the chance of getting some authentical handicraft at a lower price compared to those selling in the shops.

There are many skillful tailors along the handicraft center to help people with the editing of their clothes.

There is a night market held everyday (not sure if it's held daily) next to the handicraft center selling food, vege and fruits. People started to get ready for the market from around 4pm.

This is the only picture taken in the night market as the battery of the camera had gone flat. lol.

KK is a city by the seaside thus the torrid is inevitable. Exploring the city on my feet and exposed under the sun for hours had definitely given me a hard time. Coconut juice anyone??? oh yeah~~~~~~~~~~~

It cost me rm2 for a coconut much bigger than those in West Malaysia.

Last but not least, it's me savouring the refershing coconut juice. :)

I spent a night in KK and took a flight straight to Tawau the following day. This will be the ending post for the sabah trip as i didn't have any pictures taken in Tawau.

During this Sabah trip, i have seen the big contrast among the rich and the poor. Some of them are as rich as a millionaire while some of the poor will be more than happy to have their daily meals settled. The illegal immigrants from Philipines are leading a miserable life there and i could really imagine how crappy a life they had had in their own country. However, they seem to have found the contentment from their life. Perhaps as what people told me, the richer you are, the more troubles you will have to deal with in your life.