My Kota Kinabalu Trip - Day 4

At first we plan to stay here while some friends would trek up to the top of the summit; however, the accommodation for trekkers is full. So we end up looking to the top of the mountain together.

This is probably the most spectacular national park in Malaysia. The star attraction, without a doubt, goes to the famed granite-clad Mount Kinabalu which officially stands at 4,092 metres above sea level (though previously thought to have an elevation of 4,101 metres). Mount Kinabalu is actually still growing by about a few centimetres every year. In all, the Crocker Range is considered to be an active mountain system, although the possibility of earthquake or volcanic eruption is very remote.



Visit the Mt. Kinabalu Botanical Garden.



Nepenthes rajah. (หม้อข้าวหม้อแกงลิง) or the Pitcher Plant.



Only two of Nepenthes are seen.



Brunch.



Taking picture at the Entrance of the Park before leaving.




On the way back to the city, we visit the City Mosque. The architecture is closely resembles the design of Nabawi Mosque in Medina, Saudi Arabia. The sky-blue dome blends perfectly with its white masonry.

And that would be all for my trip.

My Kota Kinabalu Trip - Day 3

We rent a taxi to visit the Poring Hot Spring. Stop at one of the Chinese temple.



At Poring Hot Spring, a little trekking is required here to experience the Canopy Walkway. It is in length of 157.6 meter. The highest point of the walkway is about 41 meter. It is constructed high up in the forest canopy for use by scientists to conduct research.



Then we visit the base of Mt. Kinabalu Nature Park to stay overnight at the Summit Lodge.



Like last time, we have delicious dinner at Liguwa Restaurant.

My Kota Kinabalu Trip - Day 2

This morning we go shopping at the Sunday market before proceeding to Jesselton Piont to buy a ticket to Gayana Island Resort.



Though the water at the resort is crystal clear but there are many renovations. So after spend some time exploring the resort and playing with star fish at the Coral Reef & Giant Clam Rehabilitation Station, we decide to go to another island, Sapi.



Sapi is another small island. Here we meet a lot of Japanese tourists.

My Kota Kinabalu Trip - Day 1

This is my 2nd trip to Kota Kinabalu, though the first one was very short since I just passed through to go to Brunei. It is the capital of Sabah located on the west coast of the “the Land Below the Wind”.
In the morning we first visit Sabah Foundation Building, a unique 30-storey building, it is Sabah’s highest tower.



In the afternoon, we buy a cruise tour mainly to watch the Proboscis monkey. The tour costs Ringgit 160 per person.



Sunset at the village.

My Penang - Day 2

Penang Hill (Bukit Bendera)
This morning we plan to visit Penang Hill. The owner of our accommodation is so kind, he offers to give us a ride to the cable car station. Penang Hill is a series of hilltops which is approximately 833 meters above sea level. This is the only place that remains in my childhood memory of Penang: my first-time-experience of riding the funicular railway. The return ticket fare is RM 4 for adults.
Interesting places at the top include the tranquil Mosque and the Hindu Temple (Sri Aruloli Thirumurugan Temple).




We stop to have a coffee break and enjoy a panoramic view of Georgetown at Bellevue Hotel.





Fun experience with Henna drawing
While enjoying the greenery of the hill, we stop by to have Henna drawing. Mine is on the left arm, Mer is on the wrist, Nong and Nam Phueng are on their hands, while Tong is on the back. It costs 10 RM per drawing. (approximately Baht 100) They said that it would stay around 2 weeks.




Kok Lek Si Temple
The temple is situated in the Ayer Itam area, it has several pavilions with beautiful architecture, paintings, statues, and general items of Buddhist religious interest.




Construction of the temple started in 1893, but it was only in 1930 that the Pagoda of Rama VI, named after our king who laid the foundation stone, but better known as the Pagoda of 10,000 Buddhas, was completed. This pagoda combines a Chinese octagonal base with a middle tier of Thai design, and a Burmese crown, reflecting the temple's embrace of both Mahayana and Theravada Buddhism. Gigantic Statue of Goddess of Mercy ( Kuan YIn ) is the 30.2m bronze statue of the Avalokitesvara - Goddess of Mercy or Kuan Yin - on the hillside above the pagoda. This statue was completed and open to the public at the end of 2002.




Dhammikarama Temple or Burmese Temple
The main hall houses a tall Standing Buddha and behind the Standing Buddha are two rows of smaller buddhas.




Wat Chaiyamangkalaran or the Reclining Buddha Temple
It was built in the 19th century with the blend of Chinese, Thai and Burmese architectural designs. The reclining Buddha is measured up to a 33 meters length, the eyes and toenails of the Buddha are made of seashells.




Walking on Gurney Drive along Penang Beach, our main objective here is to try some local food since the beach is nothing to recommend. Lots of edible hawker food. It’s bursting with flavor and color. Here we sample Char Kway Teow (Flat Rice Noodles fried with Prawns, ,Bean Sprouts. For me, it is alike “Phad Thai” in Thai food.), Wanton Soup and desserts with ice (น้ำแข็งใส)




Komtar
It is the landmark of Penang. KOMTAR, a 65-storey building, is short for Kompleks Tun Abdul Razak, which houses Government departments, commercial offices, department stores, shops and restaurants. And that should be all for my two-day trip.

My Penang - Day 1

Segara Ninda
Five of us visit Penang on the weekend. Segara Ninda, the guest house that we stay, belonged to Ku Din Ku Meh, the governor of Setul (at that time Setul was the province of Kedah under the domination of Thailand, but later became Ampur Satun, a part of Songkla Province, Thailand). Ku Din received the title of “Phraya Purminard Pakdi” or “The Devoted King” by the King of Siam.
The house situated on the Upper Penang Road which is very very bustling at night, surrounded by night club. Good for the one who enjoys night life. The present owner of the house who is the grandson of Ku Din Ku Meh.



The Lovely Blue Mansion
The Mansion of Cheong Fatt Tze who came to Penange penniless but had become one of the most historic and colorful personalities of the era, “One of China’s last Mandarins and 1st Capitalists”, that Dutch and British authorities ordered their flag be flown at half mast throughout their colonies when he passed away in 1916.
The house which was adorned with “feng shui” elements which sent out a call for Gods of prosperity, health and good luck, “had been restored and received the UNESCO Most Excellent Heritage Conservation Award in 2000.
The blue exterior paint which I found out later, happened to be indigo paint which washes off with every rainfall but since the paint is organic, it preserves the "health" of the walls and prevents cracks.
http://www.cheongfatttzemansion.com/

We end the evening by planning to have dinner at Gurney Drive, we get lost and are offered a ride to another food center by a local guy. The seafood at this small shops complex are quite good with approximately Baht 200 per person. Sorry no picture.