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Just this week, out of the blue my son asked me if he has been to Malaysia already and I said yes. He doesn’t believe me at first but I told him that we’d been to Kota Kinabalu, Kuala Lumpur, and Johor Bahru Malaysia. Then he remembered the Petronas Twin Tower in Kuala Lumpur and Legoland in Johor Bahru but he can’t remember our Kota Kinabalu trip.
Some people say that it is better to travel when the kids are already old because they won’t remember it when they are still young. But for me, my son may not remember it but I have pictures, videos and stories to tell. There are so many memorable stories that I can share with him.
Read: Why Do We Travel with Kids in Tow
In fact, Malaysia is his first out-of-the-country, our first family overseas adventure, and the cheapest out-of-the-country trip we’ve experienced. Would you believe that I only paid P2000+ for our round trip fare and that is for 3 persons. Thanks to Air Asia promo!
Read: Air Asia Experience
At that time, Air Asia only flies at Clark International Airport so we traveled to Clark Pampanga and parked our car at DMIA. Then after few hours, we landed at Kota Kinabalu Airport, the airport is not that big so we were out after several minutes.
Where Did We Stay in Kota Kinabalu Malaysia?
I availed the airport pick-up service of City Park Lodge so we won’t have any problem haggling for taxi rate. I’ve read before that they don’t use taxi meter there and base on our experience, kontrata nga lagi pagsasakay, I’m not sure kung ganun pa rin.
One of the reasons why our Kota Kinabalu trip was cheap is, we did not stay in hotel. We stayed at City Park Lodge, the lodge has a good location too so we just literally walk when we went to the port, restaurant, market, and other tourist spots. They even gave us a coupon too that we can use for our island hopping, RM4 per person discount.
Read: City Park Lodge
And because of our flight schedule, we have very limited time in Kota Kinabalu Malaysia. Sharing with you our trip.
Day 1
It was already late in the afternoon when we arrived in Kota Kinabalu so we just bought food and drinks at the nearest convenience store then we had dinner at Secret Recipe.
Day 2
The following day, we woke up early so we can start exploring the city. From the lodge, we just walk to Jesselton Point Waterfront. It is where we’re going to ride the boat for our Island Hopping.
Island hopping in Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park
We can visit Mamutik Island, Sapi Island, Sulug Island and Manukan Island but because we have very limited time, we just chose one island which is Manukan Island. It is 15-20 minute speedboat ride from Jesselton Point Ferry Terminal. We had a great time at the beach, this was the first time na nakapagbeach ako sa ibang bansa.
Read: Manukan Island
We only stayed for few hours on the island and we went back to Jesselton Point. From the port, we just walked to Suria Sabah Mall to eat our lunch. Most of the time we eat at KFC because it is everywhere and some stores are open 24 hours.
Monsopiad Cultural Village
Some people say that a trip to Sabah will not be complete if you will not visit Monsopiad Cultural Village, so I included this in our itinerary. Since we did not want to get lost and we want to save time, we rode a taxi even though the price is steep. RM100 taxi ride vs RM3 per bus per person.
Monsopiad Cultural Village is a historical site in Sabah so you will learn more about its history by visiting the village. Aside from that, they will show you how Kadazan people live before. If you like history, you will enjoy this tour but if not you can skip it.
Read: Monsopiad Cultural Village
Seri Selara
After our trip in Monsopiad Cultural Village, we asked the taxi driver to drop us at Seri Selara. He agreed but he asked for additional RM10. Seri Selara is an open-air seafood restaurant so don’t forget to include this in your itinerary.
This is like Dampa Restaurant here in the Philippines, where you can choose the seafood from the glass tanks and they will cook it for you. We enjoyed our food trip here, there is Filipino staff here and he gave us a discount. From the restaurant, we just walked back to City Park Lodge.
Read: Seri Selara
Day 3
Gaya Street Sunday Market
The following day, we woke up early to take advantage of the Gaya Street Sunday Market. From its name, it is only open every Sunday from 6:30 to 1PM. You can buy souvenirs, clothes, food and other stuff. I bought some souvenirs and pasalubong here.
DIY Kota Kinabalu City Tour
Since we are budget travelers, we did not book any tour packages so we just hired a taxi driver to tour us around for 3 hours. We visited Signal Observation Hill, Wisma Tun Mustapha (Sabah Foundation Building), Pu Toh Tze Buddhist Temple, State Museum, State Mosque, and Handicrafts/souvenir Center.
It was just a short city tour since we have to go back to our lodge to get our luggage. After check-out, we went straight to the airport so we won’t miss our flight.
Read: DIY Kota Kinabalu Tour
Note: If you still have time, you can also visit Brunei, you need to ride a ferry boat from Kota Kinabalu to Brunei.
A few days ago, I posted our 4 Days Adventures in Coron, Palawan. Now, I decided to share our 3 Days Puerto Princesa Palawan trip with the fambam. Almost seven years ago we went to Puerto Princesa, Palawan for our family outing. This was a much-awaited trip because this will be the first family out of town of via plane. Four generations kami, from my grandmother up to our own kids.
Read: 4 Days Adventure in Coron Palawan
Ysabelle Mansion
We’re group of 13 people so a month before the trip I already booked our accommodation at Ysabelle Mansion and rented a van for our three days tour. We stayed in Ysabelle Mansion for our 3 days and 2 nights trip. It is a hostel that offers basic accommodation. The rooms and bathrooms are clean. The service staffs are all friendly and nice. It is very near in seaport, airport, market and restaurant so transportation is not difficult.
Day 1: Honda Bay Island Hopping
Our rented van picked us up at the airport and we dropped by at the hostel to leave our baggage and off we went to sea port for our Honday Bay Island Hopping. Since our flight was delayed for almost an hour, we only have limited time for island hopping.
On our way to sea port, we went to 7 Plates Building to book our Underground River Tour, we bought mineral water and picked up our food. I ordered BBQ liempo, Grilled Pusit, Spicy Garlic Shrimp, Ensaladang Talong, Lato Rice, Grilled Baby back ribs, Buttered lobster, Kangkong w/oyster sauce and Atchara. The food were placed in a bilao and plastic container. I also brought disposables just in case magkulang. Good thing that I already ordered our food in advance because we were all hungry before we reach Snake Island. Sa sobrang gutom, walang pictures ang mga food.
Boat rental is P1500 good for 6 person, additional pax is P250 including kids. There are different islands in Honda Bay that you could visit such as Cowrie Island, Bat Island, Lu-Li Island (lulubog-lilitaw), Dos Palmas Island, Pambato Reef, Pandan Island, Starfish Island and Snake Island. Each island has its own entrance fee except for Snake Island but you have to pay for cottage.
Pandan island entrance fee P 50/head
Starfish island entrance fee P 50/head
Pambato reef entrance fee P 50/head
Pandan island cottage P 400/cottage
Snake Island
We only choose Snake Island, Star fish Island and Pandan Island. First stop is Snake Island, where we ate our lunch. The place is quite crowded maybe because there is no entrance fee. You will enjoy swimming and snorkeling even you are not a good swimmer because you can see school of fishes at knee deep of water.
Starfish Island
Next stop is Starfish Island but we just dropped by and moved to Pandan Island.
Pandan Island
Pandan Island has the best facilities and amenities among the three islands. They have their own comfort room, restaurant and massage place. So we already stayed in this Island till 5PM.
Bilao at Palayok
After Honda Bay Island Hopping, we went to Bilao at Palayok for our dinner. It is one of the most recommended restaurants in Puerto Princesa so we want to try it. The place has native ambiance and look.
We ordered Boodle Feast, Lengua Estofado, Buttered Garlic Crab and Ginataang Seafood. Among the food, my favorite is Lengua Estofado. For 13 persons, our bill is less than P2000 so price is very reasonable. Don't forget to bring your insect repellent. We took tricycle on our way back to Ysabelle Mansion.
Day 2: Underground River Tour
It’s been raining the whole night because there was LPA. I am bit worried that our Underground tour will be canceled but thank God for giving us good weather in Sabang. The travel time going to Undeground River is almost two hours and expect that is very long and winding road. It is not a smooth ride because some roads are not cemented.
Fortunately, we had stopover at Viewdeck because some of us are really dizzy and about to vomit. So don not forget to take bonamine to prevent biyahilo moments. This road is the same road that I will need to travel if I want to go to El Nido so I am really thinking twice about El Nido.
Underground River Expense
Van Rental P3000
Permit P150/head local, 200/head foreigner, 13-17 yrs old P50, 6-12yrs old P30 and 5yrs old below free
Boat (good for 6pax) P 700/boat
Tip: Do not forget to bring ID because they will look for it. I forgot the cost of terminal fee. For toddlers, bring your own life vest.
You need to ride boat to get to Underground River, it is just 15 minutes travel time. Upon arrival, you have to wait for your turn, yes pila ulit sa boart for Underground River Tour, it is about 45 minutes tour inside the cave. You will not get bored because the tour guide is really good, he will explain everything to you. I am proud that I have been here.
We availed the buffet lunch at the beach for P200 per head. The food is just ok so it is not worth the price especially for the kids because they have the same rate.
Puerto Princesa City Tour
After lunch, we decided to proceed with City Tour since we still have time. Itinerary for the day: Iwahig Penal Colony, Cathedral, Crocodile farm, Mitra’s house -Sta. Monica Ranch and Baker’s Hill.
Crocodile Farm and Nature Park
First stop is Crocodile Farm, there is a souvenir shop where you can buy pasalubong while waiting for your turn. I bought crocodile stuffed toy here. Between Crocodile Park of Davao and Crocodile Farm, I like Crocodile Park because there is so much to see in their park. But in Crocodile Farm, we were able to hold baby crocodile.
Then we visited Iwahig Penal Colony, Mitra’s house -Sta. Monica Ranch and Baker’s Hill. At this point, my grandmother was already complaining bakit hinto daw ng hinto, hehehe! City Tour nga e! So we did not stay long in each spot because our grandmother was just staying inside the van.
You will enjoy the Baker’s Hill because there is a playground for the kids. The place is big and it is not just a bakery. You can also buy food pasalubong here, the famous here is hopia.
Last stop is Cathedral na ako na lang ang bumaba just to take pictures because pagod na ang lahat. They did not want to go out anymore for dinner so we just ate at Ysabelle Mansion.
By the way, there is Vietville, Plaza Cuartel and Butterfly garden too but we did not include them in our itinerary.
Day 3: Palawan Museum
This was our last day in Puerto Princesa, since our flight was still 2PM, we decided to go to Palawan Museum. We just took a tricycle to get there. P10 for entrance fee.
We checked-out at 12 noon and naiinip pa kami na ihatid sa airport. Yun pala sarado ang airport, hindi man lang kami ininform na nagsasara pala yun. So we waited more or less an hour bago nag-open ulit ang airport.
Ysabelle Mansion
214 Abad Santos Extension
Puerto Princesa City Palawan, Philippines 5300
Contact Nos.: Landline (63)(48) 723-0992
Mobile No. (63)918-4089377 / (63)929-2417797
Email: info@ysabellemansion.com
Website: www.ysabellemansion.com
Two days ago my husband told me that Nickelodeon is planning to build an underwater resort and theme park in Palawan. Yesterday, I’ve been seeing a lot of posts about it and I am one of those people who does not agree with the underwater resort or theme park in Palawan.
Coron, Palawan is a gem and please do not destroy it. We’ve visited this place 12 years ago and we’re planning to revisit so my son could also see the beauty of Coron. But not anytime soon, since most of the activity here is island hopping. #CoronIsNotBikiniBottom
And because of this, napareminisce ako bigla ng trip namin. Coron, Palawan is one of my memorable vacations and I consider Coron as one of the best places I have been to. Honestly, I was not familiar with this place when my ex-boyfriend now husband suggested this place.
I’m happy that I’ve visited this place 12 years ago because today the rate is expensive. Imagine almost all places that we have visited before has no entrance fee but now the entrance fee is P200 or less.
The disadvantage before was the airfare, there is no promo fare and there were only two airlines that offer Busuanga flight which is Sea Air and Asian Spirit. In the year 2005, these two airlines only offer Busuanga route. It was a small plane with only 19 seats, so you really feel the movement of it. (wala na yang airlines ngayon, hehehe!)
We visited Coron with no preparations at all, we just booked our flight and off we went with no room accommodation and no itineraries. There were a lot of first time experiences and memories in this travel and it was really an adventure for all of us. Sharing with you, our adventure. #AdventureinCoronPalawan
Day 1 Off to Coron, Palawan
It was our first trip via airplane with my friend and ex-bf now husband. (level-up na kasi may work na) We’re a little bit nervous because it was also our first time to ride a 19-seater airplane. Thank God, we landed safely at Francisco Reyes Airport. I was surprised to see the airport, ang liit lang niya. From Francisco Reyes Airport, we rode a jeep to reach the city proper, it is P100 per head.
We did not book any accommodation thinking that it is not a peak season but unfortunately Sea Dive Resort was already fully booked, they said, we could try Darayonan Lodge. We rode a tricycle to get to Darayonan, the lodge is also fully booked but if we could wait till evening, there will be an available room. It was only lunch time but we have no other choice. The room with private bathroom is P300 per head and additional P50 for the TV. Lesson learned, always book your accommodation in advance.
We also asked them where we could rent a boat for our trip and they referred us to Calamian Geo Eco-culture Expedition Travel and Tours. We did not want to waste our time so we left our baggage there and visit the travel agency. There are several packages but we booked Coron Tour P1200 and Culion Tour P1800.
Maquinit Hot Springs
We hired a tricycle to get to Maquinit Hot Spring for P100. Roundtrip ride plus the driver will wait for us. This was our only itinerary that day. We enjoyed the hot springs and it relieved our stress for not having an accommodation. Hehehe!
We went back to the lodge and we’re so glad that we can already rest.
Day 2 Coron Island Tour
We woke up early because the tour will start at 8AM. We went to Calamian Travel and Tours to rent kayak, snorkel, and fins and of course to meet the boatmen. The sea port is just beside the market so before hopping on the boat, we bought cooked rice, bread, and ingredients for grilled liempo which is good for five persons (3 + 2 boatmen)
Itinerary for the day: Banol Beach, Twin Lagoon, Skeleton Wreck, CYC Island, Barracuda Lake and Maquinit Hot spring. We already went to Maquinit Hot Spring during our first day so we skipped this part.
First stop is Banol Beach, it is a small and peaceful beach where you can relax and unwind. It is a good place to kayak and snorkel. This was our first time to experience kayaking.
While enjoying the beach, our boatmen cooked our food and we ate our lunch here.
Next stop is Twin Lagoon, the place is really beautiful and there are so many fish so we tried fishing. We are so happy because we caught several fishes. We gave the fishes to the boatmen, edible naman pala silang lahat.
Then we went to Skeleton Wreck, where you can see the Japanese shipwreck. I felt so scared because I feel that there are some spirits that will pull my legs so I did not stay too long. lol But if you are a diver, I’m pretty sure you will enjoy this place.
Next stop is CYC Island; the place was so packed so we headed to Barracuda Lake. You need to trek to reach the lake. On our way to the lake, there were so many sea urchins so be careful.
The Lake is so clean but we’re the only people so we did not stay too long. If ever may mangyari, sa min feeling namin kahit sumigaw kami hindi maririnig ng boatmen. Hehehe!
Last stop is Siete Pecados, (Marine Park) since we’re so tired na kakalangoy with our life vest, my ex-bf is the only one who swam in this place, he lost our ring nga here, buti na lang hindi pa kami kasal so hindi wedding ring ang nawala.
Day 3: Culion Tour
Last day of island hopping since we have an early flight the following day. Again, we bought cooked rice and fishes in the market for our lunch.
Itinerary for the day: Culion Tour, Sangat Island Resort, Gunboat, Coral Garden, Culion Church and Culion Museum
Culion Island is a little bit far so ang tagal sa biyahe but since Palawan is picturesque, you will not get bored. First stop is Gun Boat, our boatmen grilled our fish while we enjoyed the beach. We ate lunch here before going to the resort.
We went to Sangat Island Dive Resort, it is a private resort. We just took some pictures.
Next stop is Coral Garden.
Last stop is Culion Island, I’m pretty sure that you already heard or read about this place. Culion is known as “The Land of the Living Dead” because those people who have leper were relocated here. It was only in the year 2006 when the World Health Organization declared that Culion is leprosy-free. So when we went there last 2005, hindi pa siya leprosy-free. Waah!
We don’t have a guide, we just do our own walking tour. We went to La Immaculada Church, Fort Culion, and Culion Museum. There is a museum guide at the Culion museum so we had an idea of Culion history. We did not stay long because we need to travel more or less two hours back to Coron Island.
Day 4 Back to Manila
3 days were over, back to reality. When I went back to the office, my officemates were surprised, negra na ko pagbalik sa kakaisland hopping.
I still dream to visit Coron again and I hope when we get back we can visit Mt. Tapyas View Deck, Banana and Malcapuya Island and Calauit Safari. I will definitely take more pictures, if you notice panget pa photos namin. Ito yung time na film pa gamit namin sa camera and tipid na tipid sa paggamit. Hehehe!
Read: 3 Days in Puerto Princesa Palawan with Kids
