Around and about Kota Kinabalu: A ‘Biyahe ni Drew’ itinerary

Are you up for a ride on a 19th century steam-powered train? How about a halal food trip? What about meeting Malaysia’s adorable monkeys?

Whichever Kota Kinabalu adventure you’re after, we’ve got you covered! Here’s the itinerary used by Drew Arellano and the crew of “Biyahe ni Drew.”

How to get there
Kota Kinabalu is less than two hours away from Manila by plane, with no time difference. Our exclusive biyahe partner for this episode: Cebu Pacific Air. Follow them on Facebook and Twitter for the latest updates on their seat sales!

What to see

Kota Kinabalu Landmarks
Keep an eye open for these following photo-friendly destinations. Puh Toh Tze Temple, a local place of worship; the KK City Mosque, with its high domes and white-and-blue marble exterior; and Menara Tun Mustapha, a modern building that resembles a glass cylinder 30 storeys high. Drew visited all of these spots on foot, and ended his “Biyahero Run” at the Signal Hill Observatory Tower, where you can picnic with a panoramic view of Kota Kinabalu.

Where to stay
Horizon Hotel
Jalan Pantai, Sabah, Malaysia
Horizon Hotel is located a few meters away from the Sunday market on Gaya Street, Kota Kinabalu. This makes it a good starting point for the land-based adventures used in this itinerary. A spacious room for two costs RM350 (P4,550) inclusive of a breakfast buffet. “The bathroom is really, really nice too,” notes Drew, because of its tub, shower and classy black tiles.

The Pacific Sutera Hotel
Sutera Harbor Boulevard, Kota Kinabalu, Sabah
Located near the harbor, this hotel is a good choice if you plan on going island-hopping. This is a rather high-end hotel that even comes with an iron and board to help keep your clothes fresh, and a sarong that guests can use. A room with a king-sized bed costs RM630 to RM790 (P8,190 to 10,270). “This is the best hotel we stayed at in Kota Kibabalu, not just because of the amenities but because of the soft bed and the view of a golf course,” says Drew.

Where to eat
Sunday Market
Gaya Street, Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia
This is literally a three-minute walk from Horizon Hotel. On Sundays, Gaya Street turns into a tiangge-style bazaar from 5:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. On sale are everything from traditional instruments (a friendly vendor let Drew play with the gongs for free!), delicate celadon pottery, coffee, wooden toys for kids, rainbow-colored sour candies, and more. Keep an eye out for coconuts labeled “Pandan.” These are imported from Thailand, and these are the ones that Drew went crazy for in Phuket.

Yee Fung Laksa
Gaya Street, Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia
You don’t need to wait ‘til Sunday to enjoy laksa, because this one’s open all week round. This hole-in-the-wall restaurant is jampacked with locals. Always a good sign, eh? Order their bestselling titular Yee Fung Laksa for RM5 (P65) a bowl. “I think this might be the best laksa I’ve ever tasted in my life,” said Drew. “Alam mo ‘yung paghigop mo, matitikman mo ‘yung asim at coconut milk? Tapos sa dulo, matitikman mo ‘yung anghang?” This is some special soup.

Lucy’s Kitchen
88 Market Place, Kepayan, Sabah
Here are some recommendations straight from diners: Wat Tan Hor, or noodles with shrimp; lamb chop, and basmati rice with grilled chicken and sambal sauce. Drew says the grilled chicken isn’t as impressive as Bacolod’s chicken inasal, but the Wat Tan Hor? Amazing. For dessert, get the mango pancake, which is actually like brazo the mercedes with a slice of mango. Yum! Price range is around RM9.90 to RM15.50 (P130 to P200) per dish.

Restoran Sri Melaka
Jalan Laiman Diki, Kota Kinabalu, Sabah
If you’re missing a taste of the familiar, head to this resto that serves Chinese and Malay favorites. Nothing too exotic here: fried calamares, chopsuey and more. If you want true-blue Malaysian cuisine, though, the specialty here is Assam Fish (RM10 or P130). It’s a spicy fish stew with okra and other veggies.

What to do

North Borneo Railway
Tanjung Aru Railway Station, Sabah, Malaysia
Available on Wednesdays and Saturdays only - book one day in advance to be sure
Imagine riding a steam train from the 1800s! This train was already in use during Sabah’s British Colonial era. Because this train isn’t air-conditioned, attendants hand out fans to guests to keep them cool.

Whether you’re a fan of history or locomotives, this is a treat. The dining booths in the carriages are still here, and everything is well-preserved. There’s even an actual whistle made by the steam! Choo-choo! Guests also get a “passport” that gets stamped at each stop. During each 20-minute layover, you can walk around the towns and buy souvenirs.

The fare for one adult is RM290 (P3,770). This includes a breakfast of Danish rolls, bottomless coffee; and a lunch of mixed veggies, rice biryani, fried mackerel and different fruits. The whole trip is around three to four hours, and along the way, you can glimpse the Sabahan countryside and the people who live there. Think of it as a trip back in time!

Taman Tunku Abdul Rahman
Pulau Mamutik, Malaysia
Spend a day at five islands spread out over 5,000 hectares. This national park lets you try all kinds of water activities. Speed boat fare plus buffet lunch comes at a bundled rate of RM160 (P2,080). At the beach, you can go snorkeling. There are also areas for scuba diving (RM240 / P3,120), fish feeding, and seawalking (RM 240 / P3,120). The buffet by the beach is great, too. Say hello to unlimited crabs!

Klias River Cruise
Klias Wetland, Sabah, Malaysia
First, take a two-and-a-half-hour drive from Kota Kinabalu. Then, get ready for a day with nature. Here, ferry boats take you to see an animal that can only be found in Borneo: the proboscis monkey! After your boat ride, you can enjoy a buffet lunch of noodles, chicken curry, beef in soy sauce, mixed veggies, and more. –Cristina Tantengco/PF, GMA News