Saturday, June 6, 2009

Driving to KK

We always wanted to drive up to KK since a few years ago, and we finally made the trip during the Gawai Holiday. Together with some friends, we set off in three cars on Sunday morning (31st May). After almost 9 hours of driving (because we stopped many times throughout the journey), crossing two rivers with ferries, and passing through multiple immigration check points, we finally arrived at Sutera Harbour at around 4pm. The journey was surprisingly pleasant without much traffic.

We went to Manukan Island the next day. It turned out to be less than memorable. It was crowded and the water was no longer crystal clear as it used to be. We did not see as many corals and fish as it was a few years ago during our 1st trip to the Island. I don't think I will go there again.

On the 3rd day we drove to Mersilau Nature Resort, and spent two nights there at Low's Peak Lodge. It wasn't easy to find the Resort and we had to turn back from Ranau to Kundasang village. The access road was steep and slopy, and my MPV could barely made it. Once there, we forgot our grouses and just enjoyed the nature. It's worth the trip, although I must say for the price we paid, I expected the facilities to be in better conditions.

On Thursday, I drove a record of 12 hours journey from Mersilau Nature Resort all the way back to Miri. Will I do it again? No way!

Overall, it was a good trip, especially the time we spent together with family and friends. I look forward to another trip soon, but it will have to be by air :-)

The pictures I took during the trip (I did not bring along my DSLR .... which is another regret):-

One of the ferry crossings.....
.... and immigration check points.
Having our meals in the car to save time.
The kids at the Sutera Harbour Resort.
Taking a speed boat to Manukan Island.

Min Jed and Min Waye at the pool.
Having breakfast at the famous Fish Noodle Shop .... quite pricey!
Outside the restaurant at Mersilau Nature Resort, near Kundasang.
The lodge we were staying for 2 nights.
By the way, this is one of the very few photos we had on Ming Yih, who is now extremely camera-shy. I thought he looked quite good leh !?
Min Waye took this picture.

Family photo #1. Mount Kinabalu at the background.
The crystal clear stream at the back of our lodge. We could hear the running water from the lodge. The water is extremely cold, and no one took my challenge to take a plunge into the water.

The Rock Garden.
Group photo at The Pine Resort.
Family photo #2 and #3.
Ladies ... seated according to "certain order". Siew Yew and Min Waye were at both ends!
And the guys.
Visiting a vegetable farm.
Family photo #4.

2 comments:

Unknown said...

what a nice trip to kk!! =) a good break/rest too yah?

Anonymous said...

The family time spent together is priceless!