Review: Kuala Lumpur

beertons

...I'll write up here what I did and what I think of it.

Diageo1

Hi, I have booked 22 days in malaysia and apart from flying in and out of kuala lumpur am not sure quite where im going to go, had a look at Langkawi, the perenthians and borneo so id be very interested to know how you get on and what the weather is like!

Enjoy:)

beertons

After many hours of flying, 3 flights, we got into Kota Kinabalu, headed to the Meridian Hotel, and had pizza and beers. Went over to the market across the road to have a look and went to a bar/club called bed. Expensive night, but needed after so many hours in the air. On Monday we book a trip to Mount Kilabalu, and a day trip to Sapi Island. Checked out Hotel D'Borneo too, as the Meridian was booked out for the following day. Cheap and cheerful, we took it. Day trip to Sapi was nice. 20 mins in the boat, and we were there. The water was a bit choppy, so we say very little snorkling, so maybe try somewhere else, even another island. There was probably a few more waves and storm 'coz of the weather in The Phillipines and Indionisia (both spelt wrong). We did walk around Sapi, which took and hour comfortably, and saw a monitor lizard, which was kinda cool.

We left for Mount Kilabalu at 715am, and there was thunder and lighting. Very bad, alot of roads flooded. We eventually got to the park at 1215. Got our stuff sorted, a guide to bring us up, she also carried one of our bags. Took us 4 hours to get to Laban Rata, which is where you check in with reception and find out where you are staying. Tough climb, get some mountain walking/running experience before you try this. It's not for the faint hearted, I'm so glad I did IMRA runs this year, they really stood to me.

Got up at 230am, and proceeded to reach the summit. The weather was a little better, but still very cold, and the air was thin. You could only go a few steps before you were out of breath, and had to stop again. My partner got altitude sickness though after 15 mins, and I turned back to bring her back to the hut and look after her. There ends my attempt to scale Mopunt Kilabalu.

Got down the next day, took 4 hours too, and upgraded our room to the Liwagu Suite, you'll understand when you come down from the peak, or even near enough the peak. Legs fecked, sleep deprived, well worth it. Herself odered massages, and they called around to the room at 5 and 2 girls gave us full body massages at the same time. We paid around 15euro each for it, and it was beautiful.

Did a tour of the botanical garden in kilabalu park today, it was only for an hour. Then at 2, we hopped on a bus to Sandakan, got here around 8. Tried to stay in The Mayfair Hotel, but we were only minutes late from the last room being taken. The owner has a sister hotel across the road, so we're in Malaysia Hotel now. Our laundry is being done in The Mayfair tomorrow. We're also getting up early to see if we can go to Turtle Island tomorrow. If not, the day after. We also want to go to The Sepolik Orang Utang Rehab Centre.

Then we want to go to The Damin Valley, maybe somewhere else, before we head back to KL for the final 3 days.

More to come, hope this helps!!!

Tweenas

We went on or honeymoon to KL and Borneo.... it was fantastic. KL is like a more upmarket Bangkok and Borneo is super. The Orangutan Park is a must plus if you get a chance to over night in the rain forests go for it.

beertons

Ok, we're up to Friday 11th so far. Saturday went like this.

Packed an overnight bag and got the boat to Palau Selingan, or Turtle Island. It was very nice. Tried snorkling, but didn't see very much. Waters were too choppy. Coral was dead, but there were a few different fish going about their ways. Nice food served. Waited till late that night, around 11pm, to be taken out to see a turtle lay eggs. The turtle was 102cm x 80cm. Big girl!!! She layed 117 eggs. The take the eggs out as they fall to the sand, to store them in a more secure place, away from crabs and monitor lizards. We then saw where they were stored, and then we took a small container, with 10 baby turtles in it, and released them into the sea a short distance away. It was really special.

Next day, we got on a bus to Sepolik, and saw the monkeys. I'm not mad on monkeys myself, but herself wanted to go. We booked a 2 night/3 day trip to the jungle. Had an early night in the Mayfair Hotel, I'd really recommend staying there.

Herself was a bit sick through the night, but we still headed for the jungle.
Noticed a couple from the turtle island trip, they were really nice. We went for a boat trip when we got there, saw more monkeys, and had a little hike that night, saw loads of birds sleeping. Could hear wild cats in the distance, not sure how far away they were though! We also saw a small crocodile in the river while on the boat. We were too slow with the camera, but hope to get a snap off another couple on the same trip. There was a small cobra snake sleeping in a tree outside our hut. He never bothered anyone. A few bats flying around too. The monkeys used to throw apples at the roof's of our huts in the mornings. Galvanised roof's, not a great idea. But at least they didn't hop into the bed beside us.

Another day on the river, more monkeys. Saw about 10 elephant, of all sizes, clearing growth, and drinking water. Was amazed at how big they were, and how fast they cleared green areas. Got a great pic of the biggest elephant coming torards us as we got a little too close to the bank.

Left the jungle, and headed for Semporna. Thinking about doing a Discover Scuba Diving course. 3 dives, no experience necessary. Happy days. Hated the first dive, but loved the second. I did see 2 trutles sleeping, and thought it was pretty amazing So much so, I thought I should do a PADI course, and convinced herself to join me. Spent the rest of the afternoon doing theory in a room, and doing little tests. Next day we spent it in the water. By the time it was midday, we were both fed up with it. Herself wasn't comfortable with being underwater, and I didn't like the idea of taking my mask off. So we finished up there. Had a good final night with the guys we were in the jungle with, about 7 of us altogether, and the next day we got the boat home.

Paid our bills in Scuba Junkies for what we owed, and got on a bus to Tawau, where we hopped on a plane to KL. Stayed in a small hotel called Hotel Babylon. It was late when we got there, so we went straight to bed. Next morning, we hopped on a bus to Melaka. Tried 2 places, but they were booked out. We're worn out by now, so opted for comfort, saying 2 night in Mahkota Hotel. It's expensive, but has 2 pools, and we need comforts now. I'm not doing dorms/huts/hostels again. My feet ache, my legs and hands are cut to sh1t from the coral/jetty at where we were diving. I'll stick in the name later, can't remember it now. (Mabul was the island where we stayed and went diving)

beertons

Wasn't up for much in Melaka. Went down to Chinatown on Sunday evening, there was a huge market on. Stalls on both sides of the road, selling everything. Food, handbags, shoes, drinks, and various little titbits for tourists! Got a trishaw the next day, it was lit up like a christmas tree, cheap too.

Got the bus at 11 the next morning back to KL. Checked into the Hotel Maya, everyone should stay here once, and unpacked. Headed down to Sungai Wang to find a tailor. Got measures up for a casual dinner jacket, costs €200. Back to the hotel and used the pool. Bed early as we were shattered.

Herself went on a trip of the city, took 3.5 hours. I had arranged to meet a guy from boards that evening, so decided to pass on it. Used the pool, read the papers, and headed out at 530. Simon, the baords guy, brought me to 3 different bars, the second one was one of the better Irish bars. And we finished off the night in the sky bar (www.skybar.com.my.)

Overall, this is a beautiful place to go. We only really travelled around Sabah, and we'd have liked a bit more time. Sepolik was a bit of a waste of time, and we should have taken photo's in turtle island too. I didn't know how to turn the flash off on my camera, so left it in our room. If you haven't scuba dived before, do the dsd (discover scuba diving). They bring you on 3 dives, and point out all the fish for you. There's no lessons or theory to learn. If you're going to Mount Kinabalu, make sure the weather is good. No rain. Wear shorts till you get to Laban Rata, then wear warm clothes. Bring a head torch. I have 3 gigs of pictures and videos, everyone of them amazing.

Hope this convinces someone to try out Borneo. I hadn't been out of Europe before, and had an amazing time.


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jank

Good review. Did something similar to you myself last year. Mt Kinabalu is the job alright. I would do it again but will get fitter next time. The knees take a pounding though. Would love to be back there but I did find the place quite expensive especially after cheap Vietname and Cambodia