MABUHAY!
Another best way to spend your birthday is by traveling. Whether traveling to a local or international destination, the intense feeling of excitement of seeing a new place, meeting local people, eating local dishes and just enjoying every click and shot of your smartphone camera, action cam or whatever you got to capture those memorable moments in your timeline is just PRICELESS!
KOTA KINABALU, known before as Jesselton, is the city center of SABAH a part of Borneo Island. My wife and I chose to travel in this place first, due to its proximity from the southern tip of the Philippines, then our curiosity of knowing SABAH because we only heard it by name.
This is a photo and video journal of the first part of our DAY 1 to this majestic city.
ARRIVAL AT KOTA KINABALU INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT
MALAYSIAN CURRENCY
The official currency of Malaysia is RINGGIT (MYR). 1 MYR is equivalent to 12.18 Philippine Peso (PHP) at the time of our travel. The money changer at the airport sells them for PHP 12.50. 1 USD is equal to 4.19MYR.
Our day 1 travel itinerary route map
CHECKING-IN AT AKINABALU YOUTH HOSTEL
Our hostel is located at Jalan Gaya street a few meters away from Kota Kinabalu City hall and 10 minutes drive by a grab taxi from Kota Kinabalu International Airport. A clean and peaceful place to lodge after enjoying your travel time roaming around the city.
Our accommodation was booked at www.airbnb.com
Our total stay is 3 days and 2 nights that cost MYR 152.58.
We took a taxi from an airport booth taking us to the hostel costs MYR 45
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| The social hall |
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| The Reception counter |
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| The hostel has 2 computers with an internet that can be used for free. |
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| Atkinson's Clock tower- a well known historical landmark in Kota Kinabalu is just right across the street from our hostel. |
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| Toilets |
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| Showers |
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| The hallway |
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| Banners reminding the guests to be environmental friendly. |
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| The stair leading to Jalan Gaya Street |
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| Miniature of Mount Kinabalu, Kota Kinabalu's main tourist attraction. |
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| We share a room with a Mexican guy |
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| A souvenir photo with a Chinese guest |
BREAKFAST
Our breakfast consists of a hard-boiled chicken egg, hotdog, toasted bread with strawberry jam, Papaya fruit, and coffee.
The cost is free.
Out travel itinerary and some of the excerpts here are from Sabah Tourism Board (click this Link)
ATKINSON CLOCK TOWER
One of the most enduring landmarks in Kota Kinabalu, it stands prominently on a bluff along Signal Hill Road adjacent to the old Police Station. Built-in 1905, this all-wood, no-nails structure was built in memory of Francis George Atkinson- the popular first District Officer of Jesselton during the British North Borneo Chartered Company Administration.
This Clock Tower has the distinction of being the oldest standing structure in the whole of Sabah that survived the destruction of Jesselton town during World War II. Till today, it still serves to keep the city's time.
The entrance fee is free.
PADANG MERDEKA
Padang Merdeka Kota Kinabalu became the only sporting place in British colonial times. Before the Jesselton Community Hall was built in the 1950s, this field is not just a football field, but it is also a parade. In short, this field is like a stadium in the days before the Kota Kinabalu Sports Complex. On September 16, 1963, the late Tun Fuad Stephens had declared Sabah's state participation in the idea of Malaysia. Since then, Padang Merdeka is only used for small ceremonies.
The entrance fee is free.
SIGNAL HILL OBSERVATORY
Signal Hill, the highest point in the city, is one of the best places to get a good view of Kota Kinabalu. Just a couple of minutes drive from Padang Merdeka will bring you to the airy deck where you can get amazing views that extend to the outlying islands of the Tunku Abdul Rahman Park and further.
Entrance fee is free.
View from Signal Hill Observatory using W8 1080P Action Camera
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| An old concrete utility structure on Signal Hill, photographed from the Signal Hill Observatory in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah. |
Signal Hill Observatory, Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia
The Signal Hill Observatory is a hilltop viewing facility situated at the highest point of Signal Hill in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah. The elevated structure provides panoramic views of Kota Kinabalu, the South China Sea, the surrounding islands, the waterfront and harbour, and, on clear days, Mount Kinabalu and the Crocker Range.
Signal Hill has a long history as a strategic lookout over the city and harbour. Today, the Observatory serves primarily as a tourist attraction and photography viewpoint, allowing visitors to appreciate Kota Kinabalu's unique combination of city, tropical forest and coastal scenery.
The exact original completion date of the present Observatory Tower could not be reliably verified from available historical sources. The facility has subsequently undergone improvement and upgrading works.
The Observatory has contributed to Kota Kinabalu's tourism appeal by providing an easily accessible panoramic viewpoint close to the city centre. Together with the historic Atkinson Clock Tower and the Signal Hill Trail, it forms part of an attraction that combines the city's history, nature and spectacular coastal views.
TRAVELLING AS IT IS! AMAZING VIEW FROM SIGNAL HILL OBSERVATORY - Video Footage
Australia Place is where the Australian Soldiers first camped when they landed in Jesselton in 1945. It is now a quiet street of print shops, a popular backpacker hostel, the downtown police station and the Dewan Merdeka. Although times and landscapes have changed, and no Australians are camping there anymore. Old memories still linger and the site is still known as Australia Place to some.
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| My wife bought a DIGI simcard for MYR 10 |
JESSELTON MALL
Formerly known as the Kota Kinabalu Ferry Terminal, Jesselton Point Waterfront has become one of the main city attractions in Kota Kinabalu ever since its privatization in February 2006.
Situated north of downtown Kota Kinabalu, this quaintly scenic place has an unmistakable historical feel to it—complete with olden days snapshots of Kota Kinabalu city (Jesselton) and vintage red English phone booths. Jesselton Point Waterfront serves as the only ferry terminal for Labuan-bound passengers as well as the main (and cheapest) boat terminal for the Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park and Gayana Island.
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| Ticket booths offering island hopping and and other water sports activities |
LUNCH AT JESSELTON POINT WATERFRONT
Cost of our lunch is MYR 18
Lot's of Malaysian dishes at Jesselton Point Waterfront foodcourt.
TRAVELING AS IT IS! Roaming around Jesselton Point Waterfront, Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia
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