My first time to Kota Kinabalu with my family and friends. About 11 adults, 2 children and 4 babies (5 family and 1 bachelor). Kota Kinabalu was our getaway after deciding from a few options on where to travel. The estimate cost to travel to Kota Kinabalu (flight and hotel only) for 2 adults and 1 baby is around RM700. Flights as usual we took Air Asia and for the accommodation we booked Cititel Express which cost us RM109 per night for a twin room (queen bed). Other expenses includes transportation, daily meals and shopping! Overall the total cost was around RM2000, depend on what you spend for shopping.
neat room
with LCD TV
The first day we reach Kota Kinabalu International Airport (KKIA) noon around 1pm. We chartered two 10 seater van (Hiace and Preggio) to send us to the hotel. It cost us RM50 per van which was quite ok for us. The van is available at the airport. We reached Cititel Express in half hour time and immediately check in. The hotel was nice and clean. But the room was so small, that can only fit a queen bed without any refrigerator. The bathroom was clean. Hot and cold water were available just next to the lift outside the room.
After check in, all the wives stayed at the hotel to clean up and prepare milks for the babies while the men went out to search for suitable places for dining and ground trip. We had agreed for the second day to go for the island trip to Pulau Manukan dan Mamutik. I'll share on the package that we had for the island trip on my next post.
neat roomwith LCD TVThe first day we reach Kota Kinabalu International Airport (KKIA) noon around 1pm. We chartered two 10 seater van (Hiace and Preggio) to send us to the hotel. It cost us RM50 per van which was quite ok for us. The van is available at the airport. We reached Cititel Express in half hour time and immediately check in. The hotel was nice and clean. But the room was so small, that can only fit a queen bed without any refrigerator. The bathroom was clean. Hot and cold water were available just next to the lift outside the room.
After check in, all the wives stayed at the hotel to clean up and prepare milks for the babies while the men went out to search for suitable places for dining and ground trip. We had agreed for the second day to go for the island trip to Pulau Manukan dan Mamutik. I'll share on the package that we had for the island trip on my next post.
seaweeds, yummy!
various types of seafood to choose for
the seafood stall
the seafood stall is on the right and the drink stall is on the left
For dinner, we went to the night market, just next to the Philippines Market. The night markets open at 4.30pm. We were looking for seafood off course! There's so many option and with about 10 stalls selling seafood. We had dinner at one of the stalls which looks clean and tempting. We took grouper fish (ikan kerapu), Jenahak, 2 sets of prawns, 2 sets of squids and seaweeds. It cost us RM129 which is quite reasonable for dinner for 11 adults!
We as tourist need to know, the seafood can be considered as cheap, but the drinks at the seafood stall are quite expensive. But we had options, just next to the seafood stall, you can get many types of drinks which are at the normal price. Ice blended juice fruit might only cost RM2.50 and teh tarik around RM1.50. So get your drinks at the opposite stall and its ok to bring the drinks together for dinner. If you would like to try the drinks at the seafood stall, it will cost you like RM5 and above for every drink even if you're only taking coca cola! And remember, when ever you're choosing the seafood, try to bargain for the price. Normally a lobster or big prawn may cost you RM35, but you can get it for RM15 if you're good in bargaining. Make sure you check the price before paying for the foods.
We as tourist need to know, the seafood can be considered as cheap, but the drinks at the seafood stall are quite expensive. But we had options, just next to the seafood stall, you can get many types of drinks which are at the normal price. Ice blended juice fruit might only cost RM2.50 and teh tarik around RM1.50. So get your drinks at the opposite stall and its ok to bring the drinks together for dinner. If you would like to try the drinks at the seafood stall, it will cost you like RM5 and above for every drink even if you're only taking coca cola! And remember, when ever you're choosing the seafood, try to bargain for the price. Normally a lobster or big prawn may cost you RM35, but you can get it for RM15 if you're good in bargaining. Make sure you check the price before paying for the foods.
End of day one.
p/s You can contact Sadat (019-860 0204) to arrange for the transportation from the airport to the hotel. He can help arrange for tours as well.
Muhammad bin Kamarulazizi
