Thursday, March 31, 2011

Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia

Yesterday, a colleague asked me if I've been to Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia.  I said, "Yes, I went there back in 2009 with friends."  Then she said, "What are the places we can visit there?"  It took me a while to answer, because honestly, I can't remember anything!  I just told her "I'll get back to you, I have to refresh my memory first."

Kota Kinabalu in 2009

I looked for my photos and tried to recall the things we did and places we visited.  They have no plans of climbing Mt. Kinabalu so they will spend most of their time roaming around the area just like we did.

With Mader Ambet and Alma on board Cebu Pacific flight to Kota Kinabalu

A friend booked us at Hyatt Regency which is one of the best
hotels there.  Everything is just walking distance.

We were not able to try out the hotel's facilities because we were always out.

This vacant lot during the day turns to a night market at 6pm every night where
you can dine and buy food and souvenirs.

Pictorial galore!

By the Bay.

We were lucky Charles & Keith was on sale at Bintang Warisan mall so we
hoarded on shoes! *wink*

Every Sunday morning, the length of Gaya Street is closed off to traffic to give way to the Sunday Market. Shop for anything under shady trees and over-sized umbrellas.  From batik sarongs, fruits and flowers, arts and craft, footwear, antiques and souvenirs, cakes, even pets and herbs!

The Gaya Street Fair is on every Sunday from 6.30 am to 1.00 pm

At Gaya Street Sunday Market.

We were told that one of the attractions that you shouldn't miss when in Kota Kinabalu is the beach.  But upon seeing the photos, I say we still have the best beaches in the country so we passed.

The view from our room.

Three days in Kota Kinabalu and we did no tiring activities, no adventures.  Just pure relaxation.

Wednesday, March 30, 2011

Splash Island


We arrived at Splash Island around 1500H only to find out it closes at 1800H.  We were only charged Php350 though instead of the regular rate of Php500.  With only three hours to spend in the water park, we wasted no time, changed into our swimming clothes and hit the water!  I was only able to take a few photos after I was able to experience the big waves at Agos Grandes.

It is important to know the park schedule so you'll get to plan your activities.

Some attractions at Splash Island you shouldn't miss.


Get on your rubber balsa and drift along this gently flowing river. 
There is nothing like floating easy on a raft.


The bamboo, a straight, tall and hallow tree-like plant abundant in the Philippines grows to
colossal proportions at Splash Island.  The Big Bam Boo is a covered tunnel rid that
slides straight into pure excitement!  This is my favorite attraction, my friends said
they could hear me scream from the top of the slide!


Big waves are exactly what you get at Agos Grandes.  With machine-generated waves,
this one-of-a-kind pool allows you to completely immerse yourself and go with the tide.

They also have Zipline and Wall Climbing for the more adventurous ones.

Beach volleyball facilities is also available.

You can rent a kayak and paddle at Agos Grandes.

Sun-kissed.

These cottages can be rented and is scattered all over the park.

Kubo

Air-conditioned Cabana

Since we only had a few hours before Splash Island closes, we just rented a locker for Php100 and put our valuables there instead of renting out a cottage.



I hope to be back again soon.  Summer has officially started!

~o~o~o~

Splash Island
Southwoods Ecocentrum, BiƱan
Laguna, Philippines
Tel.: (632) 382-4711

Good Food, Good Friends


I have always loved Bigg's wall decors ever since I first dined at their restaurant in Bicol.

Good Food Great Fun.  There can Only Be One Bigg's Diner.

I love the taste of Bigg's

Bigg Taste You Can Afford

On the table

Raffy had Pork Barbeque while Melody ordered a burger.

I had the Baby Back Ribs which was so tasty and so tender.  The gravy was just perfect
and they served it in a big bowl so there's no need to refill.

With my good friend and travel buddy Melody

~o~o~o~

Bigg's Diner
Ground Level, SM Sta. Rosa
National Road, Barrio Tagapo, Sta. Rosa
Laguna, Philippines

Tuesday, March 29, 2011

Fun-Filled Impromptu Weekend

Call time was at 0900H.

We all arrived on the dot and drove towards South Luzon Express Way to go to Enchanted Kingdom which was the plan since last week.  The last time I went there was back in college so I was really excited to go back and try out their new ride called EKstreme Tower Ride 

Towering 150 feet above the ground, the EKstreme Tower Ride challenges daredevils to
a unique and thrilling ride experience elevated to a whole new level.

which was quite like the one I tried in Ocean Park Hongkong.

Abyss Turbo Drop

It was a 20-floor drop! You can just imagine how I screamed my lungs out.

And their newest attraction:  EK Biki World! The first and only world-class inflatable water park in the country.

Photo grabbed from EK's website

Photo grabbed from EK's website

Only to find out that it was reserved for a private event the whole day.  We were all dismayed because we were looking forward to an exciting and action-packed Saturday.  But then again, what's the best way to beat the summer heat?  Hit the beach!  Or the next best thing, Splash Island!

We went to SM Sta. Rosa to buy swimming clothes and grab lunch.  But 1030H was too early for lunch so we opted to go watch a movie first.

Chaos!


It was such a kilig movie! I highly recommend you go see Catch me.. I'm in Love.  Sarah Geronimo movies never fail to make me laugh and fall in love all over again.  Gerald Anderson, her love interest, was such a revelation.  It was my first time to see him in a movie, and I must say, the guy can act!  From a teenybopper to a hunk (you'll get the point when he takes off his shirt, which was a couple of times in the movie *wink*) he'll definitely go a long way.

An hour and a half later, we finally had lunch at Bigg's

I first tried Bigg's when I went to CamSur last year and I was surprised they have a branch here.

before heading to Splash Island (more on that later).


If there's no back up plan and your Plan A has failed you, always remember:  Spontaneity is the key!

Monday, March 28, 2011

Keyaki Smokeless Sushi Grill and Hotpot

A good friend once said, to be able to live a healthier life, one must eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince and dinner like a beggar.  Sounds extremely hard to follow right?  Especially when you have this for dinner.

First round

You can either grill

or boil.

Bacon!

The choices are endless!



Keyaki is the seafood lover's haven.








You'll need different sauces for all of that.

The cooked food section was okay.


The Japanese section was a disappointment though.  They don't even replenish the maki.  The salmon and tuna sushi are on per order basis.


Dessert Section. You can even make your own Halo-Halo which I failed to take a photo of.

Ice cream

Macaroons

Brownies

Assorted fruits

 I love the dark chocolate flavor!

In celebration of Keyaki's 1st Anniversary, they are offering promotional rate of Php398nett for lunch and dinner buffet for the month of March only.

No lines. No waiting.

You still have a couple of days before March ends!

~o~o~o~

Keyaki
Hobbies of Asia
Diosdado Macapagal Avenue
Pasay City, Philippines
Tel.: (632)  836-8124 / 836-8126
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