Journey To The East ( Part II - The Abundance of Joy Continues ) )

Day 3 - Kundasang and Ranau

We woke up daily about 6.30am and got ready as Uncle Chong fetched us to a kopitiam at Ranau, we ate Tuaran Mee (dry) which is like Wan Than Mee but it is totally dry. I rate it B+ ^^

Then we headed to souvenir stalls, like flee market. I just bought some keychains, cube looking ones with the word Sabah on it.

Poring Hot Spring + Canopy Walk + Kipungit Waterfall, Ranau

When we arrived, hot spring bath tub was full with visitors and we straight headed to Canopy Walk and paid RM3 entrance fees. The total of 4 bridges can only accommodate 6 people at one time. We walked in excitement and even took photos. It lasted about 15 minutes hiking and another 15 minutes canopy walk.

Then we walked to the waterfall with clear signs along the way and reached there about 15 minutes later. Form far, we can hear the water splashing down. The water was cold and nice, refreshing our body. However, Ivan and Jai jumped into the water soon as we arrived, while others just dipped their legs in and took photos again ^^

Mishap happened when my slipper were brought away by the dashing river water, without nanosecond, i rushed to prevent it being snatched away from me. All my friends were shocked to see me acting like ninja turtle. 

We got free fish spa out of the sudden. I felt ticklish as it bit me between my toes :)

However, we all enjoyed it ^^ Finally we returned to Hot Spring and found an empty tub. We juz dipped our legs again into that warm water and continued taking photos. About 15 minutes later, we left that place.

Desa Cow Farm, Kundasang

The feeling of New Zealand was the best part of the trip. The cold weather and the chill wind blows upon us once we got down the van. The road towards it was steep and took us some time to reach. The smell of the cow was so dense and we went it eagerly to harvest some milk. However, most of the processes were already been carried out by machines. We went wondering around and even some took photos with a mud of stool. What an eye opening event!! haha :)

From there, we were able to view Mount Kinabalu peak, sometimes it was covered with thick white clouds. We waiting for it to be blown away and we chatted with Uncle Chong. We then took photos again. Rainbows can be seen very often at this place as it's damp and cold daily.

Vege Market, Kundasang

They sell fruits, flowers and vege all are freshly pluck from their farms. They even have various kinds of "keropok" and the price is reasonable. Uncle Chong drove us there and recommended few local favourite "keropok" to us. We bought some home ^^

Fairy Garden Resort, Kundasang

Located half hill and high from the sea level, it is cold and windy at night where the windows were hit by the wind and sounds of the wind could be heard. The bedrooms was nice and tidy. The guys rooms had some problems with some haunted stories. Seriously I do not believe doors can open by itself as spirits could not access it. They do not have to open it at all. In fact, they just go through it. These are the stories created by a couple. Maybe those spirit was not plesant by their indecent act. haha :)

We ended up gathering at one of the ladies room for approximately 4 hours chatting and playing cards and games. However I did not join that night as I was having slight headache. Our noise had made the resort filled with joy and luckily no one else complained. It seems empty too.

We ate steamboat as dinner and we ordered original chicken herb and tomyam soup. The steamboat was not worth its price, the seafood was not fresh, the meat was too little and a lot vege served which is not my favourite. It was a failed dinner.

Day 4 - Kundasang + KK

Mount Kinabalu Park Pit Stop

We were at the starting point of the great Mount KK hike. At that faithful morning, the weather was so good and clouds could be seen floating nearby. There is a botanical nearby and we tried to explore it. Given limited time to fool around, we headed back to KK in a short while and stopped by the souvenir shop again. Many of my friends bought things but I managed to taste their ice-cream on that bright sunny afternoon to quench thirst.

Guo Min Restaurant, Kota Kinabalu

We tested its SHENG ROU MEE costs at RM8.60 per set (it was stated on its board that it only costs RM7 but the bill showed that mee and meat were separately counted). The service by the old maid was bad. I doubted she's having menopause or what but considering her age like 55+, i think she's having depression or emo. Haha :)

Suria Sabah, KK

It was a new shopping complex located bout 1km away from our lodge with branded shops and many others yet to be opened. The cinema was located at the 8th floor and we decided to watched The Priest (which was not my choice - just followed the crowd) and it was considered to be late movies as my daddy never approved me to watch this late.. yeahh, freedom abroad... The cinema was not as crowded as Queensbay and it is smaller in size.

Day 5 - Kiulu White Water Rafting

It was never in my mind that I would have the chance to play with rafting. This is my very first time trying out on new sports. It was fun, the briefing by Sham was hilarious and informative. As Yi Hong, Ivan, Michelle, Fong Sim, Seng Wah and I board the same boat with another instructor; he was friendly, willing to guide us with patience and keep pouring us with water keeping us wet and cool.

The remaining other Jia Shen, Jia Ye, Melody and Huey Chyi with 2 other visitors under Sham guidance was more adventurous. He dragged them all down water and again they taste the river water ^^ The rafting is 8km long and it took us about 1hour + to finish it. We swam during half of the journey in that chilled water river. Even though we got stucked at swallow water due to high rocks, our instructor went down to move our boat and we continue to flow with the water.

A Particular Temple At Ranau

It was unpredictable stop as we encounter Ranau's Pagoda temple along with scrulpture of the character in the movie *Journey to The East*. The Pagoda was nicely built and it is about 15floor high above ground. There are zodiac signs outside at the main entrance.

UMS Aquarium

It was a common aquarium which only takes 10minutes to explore. We were charged RM3 for entrance fees which is not worth the price of visit. The brief moment at the aquarium was just to rest our mind. At the entrance if you look up to the ceiling, there was a model guy snorkeling as if he was in deep sea water.

Philipino Market Pit Stop

With the crowded stalls of up to more than 50, visitors were busy bargaining for the best price. We, the ladies lost to the guys as they went for shopping more than us. I bought 2 bracelets made of pearls and crystals, a pair of pearl earrings for mummy and a heart-shaped crystal for my granny. Yi Hong bought the most jewellery for his family. :)