KOTA KINABALU CITY TOUR

Location:  Sabah, Malaysia

Masjid Bandaraya Kota Kinabalu (Kota Kinabalu City Mosque)

This is just a side trip of my Mount Kinabalu Climb where we stayed here one day before the climb and one day after the climb before we had our Brunei Darussalam Trip.

Our whole team for the Mount Kinabalu climb at Kota Kinabalu International Airport

Our group left the Philippines thru NAIA Terminal 3 at 11:10 P.M. of  June 10 boarding Air Asia Flight No. Z2503 from Gate Number 4 of NAIA Terminal 3 seated at 28D and arrived at Kota Kinabalu International Airport June 11 at 1:30 A.M.

Immigration check at Kota Kinabalu International Airport

Since our arrival at the airport was at dawn, we stayed at the airport till 7:30 A.M. waiting for our service vehicle chartered by our tour organizer.

Simcards and e-sim available at the airport

Since, it was a tour package, I only exchange P6,000 to Malaysian Ringgit where it was converted to 385.20 Malaysian Ringgit or US$96.44  On other hand, I bought at the airport a Malaysian Wifi Simcard amounting to 35 Malaysian ringgit or P436 or US$8.76.

A convenience store inside Kinabalu International Airport

From the international airport, we were picked up by our chartered van heading to our  accommodation at Faloe Hostel of shared accommodation of 10 persons for one group located at I-50-3, Block i, No. 50, 3rd Floor, KK Times Square, Off Coastal Highway of Kota Kinabalu City.

The highly-modern Kota Kinabalu International Airport

The highway heading to our accommodation

Based on my own experience of travelling, the roads of the city of Kota Kinabalu are not that busy.  Very light traffic.  Though, it is considered as a major tourist hub in Malaysian Borneo, serving as the primary gateway to the state of Sabah.  It blends urban amenities --- like shopping malls and bustling seafood markets --- with easy access to nature, including the Tunku Abdul Rahman National Park for diving, islands, and yes, our ultimate destination, climbing Mount Kinabalu.

Almost reaching our accommodation

The KK Times Square at the left

My breakfast for 17 Malaysian Ringgit

Just down our accommodation is a restaurant.  Menus are entirely different from a Filipino dish.  The 17 Malaysian Ringgit is equivalent to P211.75 or US$4.26.  Meals cost higher inside the mall.  A 500ml bottled drinking water is 1.47 Malaysian Ringgit or P17.07 or US$.0.37.  In the Philippines, the average retail price of a 500ml bottled drinking water is P11.  I bought hot chocolate cup 40g 3-in-1 chocolate hazelnut for 7.30 Malaysian Ringgit or P90.93 or US$1.83.

Back to our accommodation after breakfast

After breakfast, we went back to our accommodation and comfortably rested in our beds.  We were so tired, but others went outside for a walk and some others took hot shower.  I opted to sleep.  Just imagine leaving the Philippines at 11:10 P.M. the other day and still have no sleep.

Just a couple of blocks away from our accommodation

At around 1:00 PM, we left our accommodation heading to a nearby mall for our lunch.  It was just three blocks away thru a leisurely walk.

Passing thru this point

Our destination for lunch

One of the stores where I bought pasalubong

At Victoria Secret, I bought an assorted perfume for pasalubong which costs 110 Malaysian Ringgit equivalent to P1,656.39 or US$27.54 for a very special person.  Kota Kinabalu Ref Magnet souvenir item costs 5.90 Malaysian Ringgit or P67 or US$1.48.

To make sure, we will get a cheaper lunch meal, we headed to the malls food court and opted to look at these corners.

But finally, we landed here.

It was cheaper here and with a variety of choices

Ended up ordering this combination

My lunch meal costs 23.90 Malaysian Ringgit or P297.70 or US$5.98.  In the Philippines, a Jollibee Super Meal A meal costs P185 or US$3.08 which includes 1-piece chickenjoy with one rice scoop, Jolly spaghetti, Yumburger and a soda drink.

On an afternoon city tour

Let's look at what they have in their city.

We are actually heading to Kota Kinabalu City Mosque arriving there at 3:52 P.M.

Masjid Bandaraya Kota Kinabalu (Kota Kinabalu City Mosque)

This mosque sits on a 14.83-acre (6.00 hectares) site at Pasir Road on the shores of Likas Bay, on the South China Sea.  It is partially surrounded by a human-made lagoon, thus, is has been given the nickname "The Floating Mosque".  It has a maximum capacity of 12,000 worshippers.  The mosque features an ATM, three madrasas, a palliative care clinic, and - in a joint project with University Malaysia Sabah - a fish farm.  In 2008, the mosque introduced paddle boat rides, from which visitors could see the mosque from the water; a mosque committee member stated that this was to make the mosque more relevant to the community's life encompassing religion, economy and social aspects.

Capturing the totality of the mosque

There is an entrance fee of 5 Malaysian Ringgit to enter the mosque which is equivalent to P62.28 or US$1.25.  Muslim attire (robes and headscarves) at the mosque is available for rental which range from 5 to 10 Malaysian Ringgit for all visitors.  The mosque requires that visitors should wear modest clothing that covers hair, shoulders, arms and legs to ankles to enter, that is way, we were not able to enter the mosque because we did not rent for this attire.  It was so hot then when we visited that I don't like to be wrapped up with a robe and headscarves.  All visitors must register at the kiosk before entering and renting.  For attire rentals and entrance, they only accept cash.

While at Jesselton Point

Jesselton Point in Kota Kinabalu is the main ferry and jetty terminal for tourists traveling to the nearby Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park islands (Sapi, Gaya, Manukan, Mamutik, Sulug) and Labuan. It acts as a bustling waterfront hub for island-hopping, water activities, and boat transfers, ofren referred to now as the new South Jetty area.

The Jesselton Mall

Along our afternoon leisurely walk

Still on an afternoon city walk

Another malling

Outside the mall

Searching for other souvenir stores

And yes! This is the right area

Just next to the city hall

It was already 6:42 P.M.

It was already an evening stroll

The dinner ambiance at the night market

The night market offers a variety of seafoods.   Our group bought for a number of seafoods variety and had it cooked in one of the restaurants and our individual share costs 31 Malaysian Ringgit or P386.14 or US$7.76.

While waiting for dinner

After dinner, we headed back to our accommodation to have an early rest, conditioning ourselves for the following day's Mount Kinabalu Climb.

MY 2-DAY TRIP IN THE MAJESTIC COUNTRY OF BRUNEI DARUSSALAM

  The Jame ASR Hassanil Bolkiah Mosque

This is my first time to visit Brunei Darussalam, just a side trip when I climbed Mount Kinabalu.  Just for a reference, Brunei is a tiny nation on the island of Borneo with a total area of 5,765 square kilometers or 2,226 square miles, where the island of Samar of the Philippines is even bigger with a total land area of 6,048.03 square kilometers.   It has 2 distinct sections surrounded by Malaysia and the South China Sea. The capital of Brunei is Bandar Seri Begawan, the only city of the country, the home to the opulent Jame'Asr Hassanil Bolkiah mosque and its 29 golden domes.  The capital's massive Istana Nurul Iman palace is the residence of Brunei's ruling sultan.

Day 1 - Evening Stroll

Lunch stopover in the town of Pekan Sipitang of Sabah, Malaysia

Our tour package afforded us to have a van transport from the city of Kota Kinabalu, also a part of Sabah, Malaysia.  After 2 hours and 50 minutes of land travel from Kota Kinabalu, we had a stopover for lunch in the town of Pekan Sipitang, also a part of Sabah.

Arriving Brunei after 6 hours of land travel from Kota Kinabalu

It actually took us four passport stamps for our land travel from Kota Kinabalu to Brunei, because there is a need to cross both Sarawak/Sabah and Brunei/Malaysia borders.  You will get stamped out of Sabah, into/out of Sarawak/Limbang, and into/out of Brunei's exclave (Temburong) before reaching mainland Brunei.  This this is the detailed road travel key checkpoints:

           Checkpoint 1:  Exit Sabah, Malaysia (Sindumin)

           Checkpoint 2:  Enter Sarawak, Malaysia (Merapok)

           Checkpoint 3:  Exit Sarawak (Limbang/Pandaruan)

           Checkpoint 4:  Enter Brunei (Temburong District)

Dinner treat at Borneo Kopitiam Restaurant with my cousin

As soon as we arrived in Brunei, my travel buddies had check-in to their accommodation which is just within the city center while I my cousin, Jovito Bracero, who works in Brunei, met me and treated me for dinner at Borneo Kopitiam and drove me to my accommodation at Poni Homestay just near his accommodation.  It was our first meeting after so many years, so he gave me 50 Brunei Dollars with peso equivalent of P2,350 and a Philippine peso of P1,700.  I only exchanged P6,000 at the nearby foreign exchange which was converted to 130.43 Brunei Dollars.

The Sultan Haji Omar Ali Saifuddien Bridge

After dinner, Jovito tour me around Brunei.  The first destination that we visited was the entrance of the Sultan Haji Omar Ali Saifuddien Bridge.  This is the very bridge that we passed thru earlier in going to Brunei from Kota Kinabalu.  This is also called Temburong Bridge, a 30-kilometer and US$1.7B structure connecting Brunei's Temburong District to the capital, Bandar Seri Begawan.  It is considered as the Southeast Asia's longest bridge which includes 14km of marine viaducts, 12km of swamp viaducts, two cable-stayed spans, and advanced RGBW LED lighting, cutting travel time to under 30 minutes.

With the backdrop of Sultan Haji Omar Ali Saifuddien Bridge

Jovito served to be my photographer and videographer.  He drove me from point to point of destination where he showed to me.  Luckily, the evening weather was perfect.  The weather is just the same with that of the Philippines.

With the backdrop of Omar Ali Saifuddien Mosque

This area which Jovito brought me is a part of Brunei Darussalam Heritage Trail where we entered the Perpuspaan Main Gate 1968, this is a historic monument in Bandar Seri Begawan of Brunei, built to commemorate the coronation of the current Sultan, Hassanal Bolkiah, in August 1968.   This was originally located at a water village entrance, it was moved to its current site near the Omar Ali Saifuddien Mosque in 1993.

The dancing light fountain

Another angle shot of the Omar Ali Saifuddien Mosque

A wider angle shot of the Perpuspaan Main Gate 1968

The giant picture frame

The following are random shots while I was boarding my cousin's car heading to my accommodation where I stayed for 3 days and 2 nights.

After the quick evening tour, my cousin dropped me to my accommodation to check-in at 10:21 P.M.  It was so close to his accommodation where he works.

Poni Homestay:  My accommodation

Poni Homestay is a 3-star accommodation in Bandar Seri Begawan in Brunei located about 18.9 kilometers from the city center which sits in Muara at Lot 3480, Simpang 170, Jalan Serasa.  It has free parking on site and free wifi set with airconditioned rooms with a garden view.  It is so close to snorkeling area.  In fact, most of the guests are scuba divers.

Day 2 - Day Tour

My cousin drove me to the city center to meet my travel buddies that availed this Brunei travel package.  It was such a refreshing day blessed with a perfect weather.

The Gadong Centerpoint

I was the only joiner who checked in outside the city center, thus, my cousin has to drive me to meet all my travel buddies at the city center early in the morning.

A Jollibee fastfood in Brunei city center

There is a Jollibee fastfood in Brunei, the topmost favorite fastfood of Filipinos, unfortunately, I had already a breakfast in my cousin's flat.

The Mall

This is just next block to Gadong Centerpoint.  Since, I arrived at 6:14 A.M. so early for the day tour, I explored alone at the nearby establishments establishments.  They were still sleeping in their rooms.

First Destination: Royal Regalia Museum

The Royal Regalia Museum

For the entrance at the museum, I paid 6 Brunei Dollars or an equivalent of P261.   By the way, ours was not really a tour package.  It was only organized for us, and we have to pay on the spot for every location we are in with no add on at all.  Just a bonus for us by our Mount Kinabalu climb service provider in the person of Dr. Eric Ranchez and wife Jonah Chavez Ranchez. This is also the arrangement for our Kota Kinabalu city tour.

To get inside the museum, one has to remove his/her footwear and leave it at the entrance. The following pictures are taken inside the museum:

The Royal Regalia Museum is originally built as a monument in 1965, the museum had a makeover and expansion in 1992 that combined constructivist and Melayu Islam Beraja (MIB) architectural elements.   It later underwent a transition into a museum.  The building, which still has some of its original features intact, currently houses historical antiques and royal regalia from Brunei, signifying the country's rich cultural legacy and royal customs.

Mannequins dressed in honor guard and traditional uniforms

Mannequin dressed in traditional uniform

                                               Mannequin dressed in traditional uniform

Other highlights in the museum is a large, silver royal chariot used for the Sultan's Silver Jubilee parade in 1992, coronation crowns, ceremonial weapons, and lavish gifts from international dignitaries.  It also features exhibits on the Silver and Golden Jubilees and ornate state gifts from various heads of state and world leaders.

Second Destination:   The Big Wall

The Big Wall

This attraction is a massive 15-story high mural located on Jalan Roberts in the capital, Bandar Seri Begawan, which was created by local artists to beautify the area where it features vibrant paintings of Kampong Ayer, the national Bunga Simpur flower, and Jawi calligraphy, makit it a popular cultural landmark and photo spot.

Third Destination:  The Colored Buildings

The Colored Buildings

These colored buildings near the prominent wall in Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei, refer to the vibrant, multi-story shophouses located along Jalan Roberts and Jalan Sultan.  Situated opposite the massive stone retention wall that borders the Yayasan area, these colorful, historic structures blend traditional Chinese and Malay architecture.

Fourth Destination:  The Frame Brunei Darussalam

The Frame Brunei Darussalam

This landmark is a 9.3-meter-high, modern, picture-frame-shaped landmark located in Taman Mahkota Jubli Emas (TMJE), Bandar Seri Begawan.  It is situated along the waterfront, which is a popular photo spot offers scenic, framed views of Kampong Ayer and the nearby Omar Ali Saifuddien Mosque.  This is conveniently located near food center, cafes, a souviner shop, and ATMs, making it easy to visit during a walk along the waterfront.  It is open for public which means, it does not have an entrance fee.

Fifth Destination:  The Omar Ali Saifuddien Mosque

The Omar Ali Saifuddien Mosque taken from The Frame Brunei Darussalam

Omar Ali Saifuddien Mosque is one of the two state mosques (masjid negara), the other being Jame' Asr Hassanil Bolkiah Mosque.    It is one of the biggest and most striking mosques in the Far East, where it was completed in 1958 at a cost of US$5 million, built by the eponymous Omar Ali Saifuddien III, the 28th Sultan of Brunei.

The main entrance to Omar Ali Saifuddien Mosque

It takes around 2 minutes walk or a distance of 350 meters from The Frame Brunei Darussalam landmark to Omar Ali Saifuddient Mosque. 

With the backdrop of Omar Ali Saifuddien Mosque wearing thobe or jubba

The thobe or jubba is adopted as a modest, comfortable and "Sunnah" (Prophetic) way of dressing, often seen on Fridays at the mosque.   It serves as a symbol of religious devotion rather than being solely traditional attire to Brunei.

Felt deeply the grandeur of the mosque

We were lucky that there was a mosque administrator who assisted us and provided us with thobe and toured us around the mosque.  He also volunteered to be our photographer and videographer.

Inside the mosque with my travel buddies

Had it been a prayer hour, then we won't be allowed to get inside the mosque.  Thanks the mosque administrator who accommodated us.

I was with the mosque administrator

Touring around the peripherals of the mosque

Still a part of the mosque outside the main building

Still at the peripherals of the mosque

Sixth Destination:  Jame' Asr Hassanil Bolkiah Mosque

The Jame' Asr Hassanil Bolkiah Mosque

This highly impressive and holy landmark is approximately 5 to 6 kilometers from Omar Ali Saifuddien Mosque and it will take 10 to 15 minutes for a drive.  It is located in Kampong Kiarong near the Brunei River, northwest of the city center.

Getting closer to the holy mosque

Another captured angle of the mosque

A souvenir picture despite the searing heat of the sun

Seventh Destination:  Souvenir Buying

Yayasan Sultan Haji Hassanil Bolkiah Complex

It is actually a good sized mall with some shops, a market, a couple of food courts as well as outdoor street food vendors in the evenings.  Like most malls, prices here is higher than the street food a the night markets.  The one good benefit of the mall is the air conditioning to provide some relief from the heat and humidity.   Brunei is really that humid.  One needs to bring more than enough drinking water.

Eighth Destination:  Kampong Ayer Water Village Boat Tours and Temburong River Tours

The Bandar Seri Begawan waterfront

For us to take a water taxi jetty for Kampong Ayer boat tours, we proceed to Bandar Seri Begawan Waterfront just beside the Sultan Haji Omar Ali Saifuddien Bridge.

Capturing the Sultan Haji Omar Ali Saifuddien Bridge

Boarding a water taxi jetty

Part of the Kampong Ayer

What is Kampong Ayer?

Kampong Ayer is the world's largest stilt village in Brunei known as the "Venice of the East," a historic 1,000-year old settlement consists of over 40 interconnected villages, 38 kilometers of wooden walkways, homes, schools, mosques, and police station all built on water.  Other captured pictures of Kampong Ayer.

The Temburong River Tours

Back to Bandar Seri Begawan Waterfront

Searching for sunset but to no avail

Heading for a sumptuous seafoods dinner

Day 3 - Wash Day and Departure for Manila

My cousin's accommodation

My third day stay in Brunei was purely a rest day since my flight was at the evening.  Thus, I stayed with my cousin and washed and dry my clothes there.

Almond chocolate from Brunei for 8.90 Brunei Dollars

Arriving at Brunei International Airport at 6:43 P.M.

As early as 3:30 P.M., my cousin drove me around Brunei, but I decided to just stay in his car and we only had a sightseeing, except that we went to The Mall to buy some souvenirs and pasalubong.  Just to give you an idea, the cheapest refrigerator magnet costs 2.90 Brunei Dollars or P136.72.  An almond chocolate bar costs 8.90 Brunei Dollars or P420.  A small cup of halo-halo with ice cream in the mall is 2.50 Brunei Dollars or P118.  Then, finally, he treated me with a dinner in the nearby Jollibee fastfood chain drove me to the airport.

While at Brunei International Airport

Approaching the airport

The Departure Area

The airport's check-in area

With my cousin, Jovito L. Bracero

A mosque inside the airport area

Finally, at the boarding gate for my Manila flight

Thank you Brunei Darussalam for a worthwhile and unforgettable experience.  I really value this cultural experience.