Backpacker Travelling with Young Children: December 2014

We wake up as early as 6am in the morning to get ready. Al maklum la... anak ramai.. 4 hokeyy. We check-out around 8.30am and start the Avanza engine to Kundasang. Haven't taken our breakfast yet, but not to worry cause I know there must me a pit-stop that we can fill our stomach later.

Last nite, Mr Hubby already google a map and try to briefly find the way to Kundasang. We cannot use waze because the coverage is not good along the way. So the connection might go on and off. But frankly speaking. to find our way to Kundasang is not that hard.

From city we just follow the signboard to Tuaran, not because we want to go to Tuaran.. definately not!! Just as our guide as u might find it hard to see a road sign along the way. Trust me. Or u can as well follow the Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS)sign to make sure u on the right path.
Okeh, let continue. Along the way to Tuaran just now, u will find Tamparuli road sign. If u do.. just forget about Tuaran and now please follow Tamparuli signboard. When u are reaching Tamparuli then u can start seeing Kundasang road sign... and wallah... there you are. I will eloborate more on how to make it easy even without those gadget ok... but maybe this map below will give u the idea which way to go for a start.

Kota Kinabalu to Kundasang Map

From the hotel we just follow the way to Tuaran. From the city after u pass the Jesselton point, u can see Tuaran signboard. Just follow through. After few turn, u be able to stop for a while to snap photo at Masjid Terapung (Floating Mosque), one among KK attraction.

Masjid terapung

Opss.. KIDDOS need to be feed. They crying like a birdy asking for food.. hahaha
So we decided to make a pit stop here in KFC, Jln Sulaman.

A coffee and Colonel Burger.... Its perfect for my breakfast

Okay, we are full now. Gotta continue our journey back to Kundasang.
Fron Jalan Sulaman, we continue to follow Tuaran route and looking for Tamparuli sign. You need to turn right when u see Tamparuli signboard. Along Jalan Tamparuli on the left handside u can make a stop to see Rumah Terbalik ( Upside Down Hosue). The entering fee is RM10 for adult and RM5 for children (Infant below 3 years free of charge). For your info, inside Rumah Terbalik, you cant take photo. They put a lot of CCTV in the house to see if any visitor taken any photo inside it. If u do, dont be suprise if someone asking for your camera and ask you to delete it in front of everybody. Malu tau!!

But chill out guys, as you make your exit from this house, there is photo area where u can enjoy taking photo in the upside down toilet. Okay what. Better than nothing. Let me share some of ours.

Okay.. enough photo taking. Quite a lot huh?? Trust me when I told you try not to be upset. So now, lets continue our journey. Its still a long way to go.

Just after Rumah Terbalik, you will at last find Kundasang signboard. And after you do, pls dont bother about other sign or board accept Kundasang and Kundasang and Kundasang. Vrroooommmmmm....

You know that you are in the right path when the road is like climbing the hill. Before you reach Kundasang, you will approach Pekan Nabalu first. Here, you can make a pit-stop to buy souvenir and snack. We make our stop and i do bought fridge magnet and RM10 T-shirt.

* Tips - You can bargain the fridge magnet and souvenir T-Shirt cause if u are lucky u can buy it even

cheaper than Filipino Market.

When u pass Pekan Nabalu, its about 30 minute more to Kundasang. You know you already reach Kundasang when u can see a big roundabout, straight to Ranau and 9 o'clock to Mesilau.

KIDDOS happy faces... After about 2 hours stuck in the car.. Stretching kids.. get back your bones alignment

Kundasang view from the big roundabout

We reached Kundasang around 12pm. And before taking our lunch, we decided to climb Mesilau to Desa Dairy Farm. The journey takes about 15 to 20 minute from the roundabout. Unfortunately, the whether is not really good. When we are there at Dairy Farm, it was a cats & dogs rain. Arghhhhhh!!
So, we cancel our plan to enter the Farm and go down to Kundasang to have our lunch first.
But before that, I snap the opening hours so that we can start to re arrange our time again.

Fees and opening hours

Its still raining and we decided not to go far for our lunch stop. At the roundabout we manage to find one restaurant which is halal and Muslim meal. Its Intan's Restoran & Cafe.

During our arrival, this restaurant are pack of people. We need to be waited at least 10 minutes for them to clean a table and make it available for us. The food is good. Not bad at all. But the best part was the chicken wing. It was marvellous. I love it. The best so far to be compared that we had in Filipino market last nite.

We keep ordering the chicken wing.. cause its sooooo goood

Chicken wing... RM15 for 10 pieces

We are taking ample and sweet time enjoying our food and its 3pm already. Rain have stopped. But, where do we have to go? Check in? Sight Seeing? Photo taking? Hurmmm... We decided to try our second time luck to Dairy Farm. We know its a bit of rushing since The Dairy Farm close at 5pm. But who cares... hahahhahaha.

Its about 15 to 20 minute climbing from pekan Kundasang. (Depending on what car are you driving.)

And taraaaaa....

Finally... here some of our memory there in Desa Dairy farm. The ice cream was so good and taste so fresh. Same goes to the milk. You better taste it once you are here. You will not regret it.

Here you can feed the animals with a fee of course :) . To milk the animals one must pay RM1.50 and to feed them with grass its RM1.

Milking process.

This is the trademark. If u reached here, you must have a picture with the welcome big rock. Its a must and like a tradition... :P

To bad the whether is not ok. I think we are there not even half and hour and the rain start to pour again. We stuch inside the Dairy Farm building. There is not many photos I can snap outside with the beautiful sceneric because its rainny and the midst to thick. You can even see a thing. Not even mount Kinabalu.

On the back down to the city, just dont miss war memorial on your left handside just before the big Kundasang roundabout. I just snap the gate from the car. Its getting late and the kids are tired so we heading to the hotel. This war memorial fees around RM3 per adult.

Its five pass 6 already and its getting dark soon. The Kundasang town will become dead twon by 6pm. So, we need to stock up for tonight snack and drink in case KIDDOS gets hungry again. Its getting cool as well.

I already make a booking through agoda.com at J. Residence. Its like a cabin style stay but more like a house to me. Nice view definitely and comfortable room. Its just RM88 per night. No breakfast included.

This house are actualy down to steep hill. If you are driving other than 4 wheel car, just park your car up at the main road and make ur way down by foot.

During night time, this place was very very cold. Room without air-conditioner but the drink easily cold off just like that. We are like stuck in the icy cave. To tell you the truth the water heater here didn't help much cause its really so cold... They need to put heater in the room perhaps.

Notwithstanding that, we have a very save and sound good nite sleep here in J. Residence. Cant wait for more exciting experience tomorrow.

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Me, hubby and my 4 lovely kids are flying again but now we are exploring the beautiful Sabah land, Kota Kinabalu.

Some might have a thought that, isn't it messy to travelling with kids?.. Even worse if you beg-packers traveller with them. But seriously, it was not bad at all. In fact I'm travelling with my kids, without using any ground arrangement by agents. Save money and most important is... we having fun and enjoying they trip.

Today everybody especially KIDDOS over excited because they can fly again with our fav airlines.. MAS. Everybody get ourselves ready early in the morning. Sharp 7.30am and are ready to leave the house. We park the car at Station Transit Putrajaya/Cyberjaya. The best part here was.... no parking fee... yeayyyyyyy

KLIA transit take us to airport only 20 minute from Putrajaya. Awesome!!
We reached KLIA around 8.15 am. A lil bit rushing as the flight are calling for final call already. Thank GOD it was MAS. We rushed to check-in counter 17 &18 for all the final call flight. After check in, now we need to do a lil bit of exercise by running to the gate. Thank you for the far away gate A10. Flight take off 9.30am and we are on board...Alhamdullillah... It takes about 2 hours and 10 minute journey...

Happy faces.... We are readyyyy onboard

12.35pm... Here we are in KK Airport. My hubby already made earlier arrangement with En Jaya, owner of "Tuan Jaya Holidays Sdn Bhd". Can be contacted via his mobile 013-8836005. We rent Toyota AVANZA for RM170 a day. Altogether RM680 for our 5D4N adventure. Mr hubby give all flight details to En Jaya, by the time we arrived in KK, he waited with a smile at Arrival Area. We take the car, pay the full payment, get the resit. No deposit or extra charges and no nothing and wallah.... we are ready to start the engine on..... KK.. here we come bebeh...

Now where do we have to go? Its not difficult at all. Just drive out from the airport and looking for signboard to Pusat Bandaraya. We need to check in to hotel first. Too bad, we cannot find the hotel just yet. so we decided to make our first experience by climbing a way to Signal Hill Observatory Platform to view the whole KK city. It it an organize and structured city. All I can see only rock and cement building.

This is what I'm talking about... Rock City of Kota Kinabalu

Another side of the hill view.... only greeeeennnnn

On the way down back to main road, u can see many car parking on your right handside. Not a problem, u can join to park ur car there for a while to snap a photo at Atkinson Clock Tower - The big clock built up with no nail. Its one of KK attraction. You cant miss it..

We here for photo taking... The kids was amazed how they can built such a tall tower without a single nail

Atkinson Clock Tower

KIDDOS look very tired and we really need to check in the Hotel to freshen up. I made a booking via agoda.com for Promenade Service Apartment. Its only cost me RM147 for a family room. Dont mess up Promenade Hotel (the big giant building opposite Oceanus) with the one that I've booked. Promenade Service Apartment is just behind Promenade Hotel and its beside Marina Court Apartment. Just check out the room photo. Its Awesome when u stepped in. Spacious and very neat room. KIDDOS love it.

Two queen size beds.... One for kiddos.. dun be surprise, all of them can fit in one bed... hahhahha

The hall area. Really not bad huh?? For me its value for money cause its spacious and comfortable.

This room comes without breakfast. But u don't have to worry, easy access and convenience shops and restaurants just down the hotel apartment. A lots of it. U know what, after check in, I also make myself a 'wash and blow' just to get refresh after long journey in the flight. Not forgetting, the is also a self service laundry available here, just in case you dun bring your closet here :).

By 6.30 pm you will not be able to see sunlight anymore. Its getting dark because Sunset appears around 6pm here in KK.

I suppose we are not that tired just to keep ourselves locked in the room. Hence, around 7pm, we decided to make our round to Filipino Market and have dinner local style perhaps. ;P
There is so many market here along the road. I make my stop at salted dry fish maeket. Lots of type and the best part was... Its cheap!!.. damn cheaper than Kuala Lumpur.

Various of choices. All stall selling the same product. U just need to seek for the one which value for money.

Ikan bilis, sotong kering, Ikan kering and many more... here .. at best price

I spent RM100 here in "Pasar Penjual Ikan Masin" bought 1kg Ikan Bilis (RM18), 2pkt Sotong Kering (RM10each), 1pkt Ikan Kurau Masin (RM25), belacan and I cant remember what else... hahhahha.
*tips - just ask every stall and u will find the best price with better quality.

Now, KIDDOS already crying to be feed. So we go straight to Filipino market to find what we can have for our dinner. The local dessert and become my favourite is Ais Pisang Hijau. The taste exactly like u drinking kuih tepung pelita.. Totally different but...Sedap Gilos!!

My Fav... only in KK so far. RM3 per pack

This is nona manis (the green one). I find it unique and different, but tasty and puding nangka (yellow color)

You also can have seafood fresh here but the price not really cheap. So, better negotiate for good price. One thing here, for me, its a lil bit dirty as we see rats playing around at our feet. huhuhuhuhuhuhu...