I recalled being in KK airport in December, as a transit point before heading Labuan. But the one last time was new & big & resembled KLIA. Now, what has happened here? This airport is way different, looks like an old airport, more like Kuantan airport as it is quite small.Then, thinking of it again, it's AirAsia, so, must be like LCCT. MAS flights go the new nicer ones.
Car Rental
Once arrived, we straight away rent a car. That's the plan. The rental rates of the companies on my list (from website of course) are more expensive, so, we opted for the rental car service counters available at the arrival hall. Compared to Labuan & Langkawi, the rental rates here are way expensive. A kancil/viva costs RM100/day, Waja RM180/day, Persona or Vios RM200-220/day (all without insurance!). However, we were left with not much choice on the car selection. We took Persona since we needed it to go up the hilly terrain to Kinabalu Park. The starting price was RM210/day. Since we needed it for 3 days, so, we got it at RM180/day after some bargain. Still, it could be considered expensive as compared to a Waja in Langkawi that costs RM60-80/day. Persona might be ~RM120 only.
Note: Car Rental company that we took: 'KK Leisure Tour & Rent A Car'
Lunch
We had our 1st lunch in KK at a place called Rohayu cafe (Ayu, hang nye cafe ke..?he..) It was a pleasant, good place to eat. It's located at the 2nd roundabout after the airport. Take the 3pm direction & the cafe is located just at that very corner.
Driving
Driving in KK is relatively easy. One thing that's obvious about KK's street is that there are so many roundabouts. Almost everywhere, from tiny ones to as big as the ones in Shah Alam. KK people must have hate traffic light. Or because roundabouts are free maintenance thingy. hehe..
A place to rest
We stayed at Nexus Resort Karambunai for the 1st night. It's a golf, spa & resort hotel. So, the price is at the higher side but very worth it.
How to get there?
Karambunai is about 30-40 minutes drive from the airport. It's up north, passed the University Malaysia Sabah (UMS) & the 1-Borneo shopping centre. If you're coming from KK city centre,the 1-Borneo mall should be on your left. After few kilometers from the 1-Borneo mall, you'll see a 4-junction traffic light and a church on your right. Take the left turn, go straight ahead, passed the Kolej Politeknik until you see a big roundabout. Go straight ahead (take the 12pm direction at the roundabout), passed the Jabatan Laut. A few kilometers after the Jabatan Laut, the Karambunai signboard is clearly visible on your right. Follow the signboard. Take this road until you see a guard house. The whole stretch of the road is estimated at about 500m or more. At the end of this road, there's a T-junction. The road on the right goes to the Karambunai Lagoon. Take the one on the left & it will head you straight to Karambunai Resort.
Though Karambunai is a bit outskirt from the city centre, it offers lots of activities for the kids and whole family. It's very scenic, breathtaking and really worth the money & time. See the pictures below..
Where to eat?
For our 1st dinner, we ordered in-room dining since we thought that the good seafood restaurants were quite far from reach & the kids were tired. Then, only at the last night did we realize that there is good seafood restaurant nearby called 'Salut Seafood Restaurant'. We actually went to Salut on our last nite, after coming down from Kinabalu Park. I'll tell in later posts ya..
Tips: Want to know the choices of seafood restaurants in KK? Click here
Car Rental
Once arrived, we straight away rent a car. That's the plan. The rental rates of the companies on my list (from website of course) are more expensive, so, we opted for the rental car service counters available at the arrival hall. Compared to Labuan & Langkawi, the rental rates here are way expensive. A kancil/viva costs RM100/day, Waja RM180/day, Persona or Vios RM200-220/day (all without insurance!). However, we were left with not much choice on the car selection. We took Persona since we needed it to go up the hilly terrain to Kinabalu Park. The starting price was RM210/day. Since we needed it for 3 days, so, we got it at RM180/day after some bargain. Still, it could be considered expensive as compared to a Waja in Langkawi that costs RM60-80/day. Persona might be ~RM120 only.
Note: Car Rental company that we took: 'KK Leisure Tour & Rent A Car'
Lunch
We had our 1st lunch in KK at a place called Rohayu cafe (Ayu, hang nye cafe ke..?he..) It was a pleasant, good place to eat. It's located at the 2nd roundabout after the airport. Take the 3pm direction & the cafe is located just at that very corner.
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| Soto ala Sabah - quite different, ada timum & limau nipis |
Driving
Driving in KK is relatively easy. One thing that's obvious about KK's street is that there are so many roundabouts. Almost everywhere, from tiny ones to as big as the ones in Shah Alam. KK people must have hate traffic light. Or because roundabouts are free maintenance thingy. hehe..
A place to rest
We stayed at Nexus Resort Karambunai for the 1st night. It's a golf, spa & resort hotel. So, the price is at the higher side but very worth it.
How to get there?
Karambunai is about 30-40 minutes drive from the airport. It's up north, passed the University Malaysia Sabah (UMS) & the 1-Borneo shopping centre. If you're coming from KK city centre,the 1-Borneo mall should be on your left. After few kilometers from the 1-Borneo mall, you'll see a 4-junction traffic light and a church on your right. Take the left turn, go straight ahead, passed the Kolej Politeknik until you see a big roundabout. Go straight ahead (take the 12pm direction at the roundabout), passed the Jabatan Laut. A few kilometers after the Jabatan Laut, the Karambunai signboard is clearly visible on your right. Follow the signboard. Take this road until you see a guard house. The whole stretch of the road is estimated at about 500m or more. At the end of this road, there's a T-junction. The road on the right goes to the Karambunai Lagoon. Take the one on the left & it will head you straight to Karambunai Resort.
Though Karambunai is a bit outskirt from the city centre, it offers lots of activities for the kids and whole family. It's very scenic, breathtaking and really worth the money & time. See the pictures below..
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| Arriving Karambunai |
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| Night view from its landmark |
Where to eat?
For our 1st dinner, we ordered in-room dining since we thought that the good seafood restaurants were quite far from reach & the kids were tired. Then, only at the last night did we realize that there is good seafood restaurant nearby called 'Salut Seafood Restaurant'. We actually went to Salut on our last nite, after coming down from Kinabalu Park. I'll tell in later posts ya..
Tips: Want to know the choices of seafood restaurants in KK? Click here
