Kota Kinabalu Travel Forum

Hi People

I will be visting Kota Kinabalu in september 2008 as part of my medical degree at Queen Elizabeth hospital.

I'd appreciate if you could tell me

1.The best place to change money?
2.The cheapest/best prepaied sim card?
3.Do I need to show ID to get sim card?
4.Places of interest and/or things to do within the area?
5.Would visiting Petronas Towers and sight seeing KL be a straight forward thing to do?
6.if so? could you recommend good value for money place to stay and eat?

feel free to give any other tips

Thanks in advance

Ok. I will just share some of my experience here.

1. There are some licensed money changer in KK city. If you want the best rate, you can check in Wisma Merdeka. (http://www.bnm.gov.my/index.php?ch=203%E2%8C%A9=bm&state=Sabah).
2. Currently, there is competition between all the prepaid cards. It depends whether you are making domestic calls or international calls. For domestic calls, I would prefer Maxis or Digi. For international call, you can check those IDD call card.
3. For initial purchase of sim card, they need identity document for registration.
4. There are many places you can visit. On Sunday morning, you can visit Gaya Street for the local handicrafts, costume jewellery, food etc. The Phillipine market is a place to buy dried seafood. There is a big market beside it for daily fresh vege and fruits purchase. There is also island hopping to a few islands around KK, offered by tour operators. If you have International license to drive, you can go even further to visit some nice spots.
5. To come to KL, you need to take a flight from KK to KL. If you are here, I can bring you around.
6. Restaurants are offering reasonable price for food & beverages. Some would say it is cheap to drink beer there but I don't think so. If you looking for a budget lodge, check Lavender Lodge at www.lavenderlodge.com.my. I had personally stay there and I like it very much.

Hope these tips can help a bit.

Regards,
Cathy