Backpacker Travelling with Young Children: KoTA KinABaLu Trip Day 1

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...