Kota Kinabalu Travel Forum

I have enjoyed reading this site, and all the advise on things to do, it's great, I have already learned so much. Our main interest this long awaited break is some rest and relaxation. We would also like to do some shopping, markets, swimming, diving, perhaps visit one of the islands and a little sight seeing. We are looking forward to the food, our last visit to Malaysia (Penang) was in 2003. Accomodation has been booked for us at Magellan Sutera.
So any advise and must do's are welcome.
(Thanks for the prompt to post - Rrajah)
Looking forward to hearing from you,
Shaz

don't miss Sunday morning market and... wait to see it before you'll do your shopping :-)

Quite a lot can be done in that time-there's no real beach at your hotel but you're 15 minutes boat ride from the 5 Tunku Abdul Rahman National Park Islands. Manukan has the best facilities, though all the rest also have basic essentials. One can go snorkelling there or do water activities. You can leave from your hotel's jetty. Diving there I am not so sure of, but I see people doing it. However, my very limited knowledge suggests that you can go diving at Mantanani Island for the day and that the boat actually leaves from your hotel jetty (not sure about that though).

As previously mentioned by the other poster, there's the Gaya markets on Sunday morning-as well, at the same time there's the Tamu (market) in Kota Belud about 1 hour drive away. Once a month they also have races there. Quite a sight, but watch out for the cow dung on the ground!

Other day trips should include visiting the Mt. Kinabalu National Park (I'd give nearby Poring hotsprings a miss though-the place is quite poorly maintained). Perhaps if you can get a 4WD, you can drive to the tip of Borneo (about 2.5-3 hours drive away, each way), though tourist-wise it is still quite basic. Nice beach, not maintained (a recurring theme unfortunately).

Another day trip would be to go white-water rafting at Padas-tours pick up from your hotel. One can go see fireflies and proboscis monkeys at Klias as well. $$$ and time aside, perhaps you can catch a morning flight to Sandakan (45 minutes flight), and at the airport catch a cab to Sepilok (30 minutes) and see the orang-utans at the rehabilitation centre (feeding time 10.30am/3.30pm if I remember correctly), then go back and catch a flight back in the evening.

The Filipino market in KK can be a good spot to buy sarongs and the like. A good overview of Likas Bay, the islands and the mountain can be had if you have lunch at Atmosphere Restaurant at Menara Tun Mustapha, as it is located on the 17th floor (if I remember right). It's a revolving restaurnat so the view is good, but obviously make it lunch, not dinner. You'll need a cab to get there though.

Thank you both for your informative replies, actually given me different options than the ones I've read about.I will print them and take them along. they will sure help me make a rough plan. What about the Monsopiad Cultural Village? And it's hard to make a decision from here as to whether to go to Sandakan or not, I guess we can book that once we are there.
Do you happen to know what is open at KL airport after 10pm until we leave on our flight to KK at 4am? (Silly times I know - but it worked best with our jobs here).
thanks again,
Shaz

With regards to the orang-utan, if you have already paid for all your days at Sutera harbour, then maybe you either want to spend 1 whole day in sandakan (as I wrote), or go to the shangri-la rasa-ria resort at Tuaran (30 minutes drive from your hotel) and see the orang-utan there. Not quite the same from what I gather, but good enough. But I have no idea about the details (feeding time, costs, etc...).

at KL airport.. which one?
with AirAsia it's LCC.. I've been there during the night (3:00amflight) last August, I found places opened.
At KLIA (Kuala Lumpurt International Airport) the one use by Malaysia Airlines, I've been late at night only for international flights with passport control, never had to look for a bar till two months ago, I tried the (only found) bar locate where the train leaves to satellite terminal.... my suggestion is to take drinks and foods from supermarket, you can take liquids till the gate.

I've spent many hours at KL airport going between Australia and the UK. There's always lots open and there is also a lounge you can pay to go in (not much at all) and there's showers, food, drinks, tv, comfy chairs, internet etc. It's on the mezzanine floor - near the business class lounges. Obviously if you are travelling business class you won't need to do that!

Thank you all for your help, we are now under 5 wks to go, but I'm very busy with work at the moment. So I may ask some more questions later if that Ok.
Best wishes
Shaz