Mabul and Kapalai

Mabul is a small island located at the south east coast of Sabah Malaysia, the village used to be a fishing island where it later become more popular to divers because of the Sipadan Island some 15km away.

To get into this macro diving paradise, I flew in to Tawau, then approximately 45minutes drive to Semporna to catch a ferry to the island which takes another approximately 45minutes by medium size speed boat.

Big John Scuba home stay on the stilt - Big John Scuba
In pic, at the right edge was our room for the few nights, electricity supply in this island is very limited, so be prepared for the heat!

The view approaching Mabul island - unbelievable beauty

Speechless view - absolutely stunning! Still this picture doesn't do the justice as the real thing was way more spectacular

Morning seafood 'marketing' by the pier of Big John Scuba

Crystal clear water by the side

This - is Kapalai, there are lots of turtles here, variety of coral and fishes are pretty amazing as well

Sashimi fresh from the morning season 'marketing'

Here's what I paid for the trip: RM300 for 4days 3 nights food and room (quad sharing) include all meals with airport transfer as well as return boat transfer to Mabul, RM160 for 3 snorkeling trips, RM150 for 1 discovery diving trip. And lastly my flight ticket to Tawau was RM380.

The above snorkeling trips only cover spots around Mabul and Kapalai, for those who plan to go Sipadan, reservations needs to be done earlier and I would expect cost may differ as well.

This trip is also my first time trying out scuba diving, staying in water for the first time was rather scary than fun, I was struggling to calm myself but my guide was indeed caring where he hold me throughout the whole discovery journey, so at least the money paid for the discovery package not wasted. I love the experience, but whether to dive again, I'm still trying to get over the fear.

On yhe other hand whether I would return to the island? I think is too obvious to tell... praise lord for his perfect creation.

The first evening sunset shines onto these coconut trees - isn't them pretty

Tourism in Kuching

Besides food, there are a number of touristy thing one could do when you visit here in Kuching. I gather outdoor activities in Kuching is quite something but unfortunately it rains most of the days during our visit here, we therefore didn't have much chance to explore it's outdoors more.

How else best to see the city other than driven by a local, it was such a privilege!

rare scene of drying noodles the old school ways

 Kuching Riverside - what to see?

the riverside, crossing this river to the other side only cost 50cents

cats artwork nearby riverside

city view from a complex and did u see the red chinese temple from the picture? go have some shooting fun with the vibrant red wall - sample of fun in the following picture :)

I'm the wall paper

Friendship garden at Jalan Song, the park's landscape's design are contributed by both Malaysian and China. Local goes to the park for working out.

these engraving is made for every single state in Malaysia

some very Chinese looking architecture 

The following activity is definitely my favourite - hiking at Mt Singai!

free parking space is available at the roadside, there isn't any visible signboard to the mountain, however you could look out for the huge signboard in this picture.

Parking near this area is strictly not allowed, this is apparently a private area

here's the right direction to the entrance of the mountain 

The slippery stairs all the way up the Catholic church 200m high

From the main worship hall, you will find the entrance to the mountain trail, and the trail is quite easy, it was a little challenging that morning due to the slippery floor cause by raining season

This huge tree is amazing, located not far from the church, if you can't reach the top, try at least aim here as your objective

The peak - approximately 1600m above sea level

Kuching biggest roundabout - road on the way to Santubong. 

A quick glimpse of Santubong from the car

Those kids got a little crazy and excited over the biggest roundabout in Kuching

Cotton tree at Kuching Merdeka square - I called it Merdeka tree 

Dragon boat at the riverside, however too crowded to even squeeze in to take a closer glimpse

This roundabout with cats statue is the only thing I remember seeing when I last visit Kuching like close tp 10 years ago. 

Conclusion from the trip is that I like Kuching, much for it's food as well as the state is so rich with green and outdoor activities.

Food adventure in Kuching

How much can we eat in 4 days? I was sharing with 3 others 6 meals in a day! Crazy hey. And this is the only time that I ever capture every single thing we consume.

Day 1 - arrived Kuching at approximately 3 to 4pm

Late lunch - sugar cane with coconut water, sotong kangkong, sotong meehoon and fried lobak

Very good Coffee break at black bean coffee shop near to riverside

Dinner - 3 different types of kolo mee (red, flat and curly), fried sweet slim noodle, white lady sweet drink and shredded ice with gula malaka with longan

Supper - siew mai, char siew pau with soya bean

2nd supper - ice lemon tea, hot milk tea and salty plum drink with belacan char kway tiao

Day 2 - a day with hiking and easy sight seeing around Kuching town

Breakfast - Sarawak laksa, mee rebus and coffee of course!

Lunch - Mee Sapi, kampua mee, fruit rojak, 3 layer tea, sarsi cincau and sundrop orange juice

Tea break - 3 layer tea

Coffee break - 2 cuppocino, caramel latte, mocha latte and brownie

Dinner - fried oyster, chicken cook with cereal, butter prawn, bidin, fried ubi kayu leaf and spicy bamboo shell seafood

Supper - horlick tabur, didn't snap pic of milo horlick and 3 asam

Day 3 - final day to explore Kuching, bit of shopping and going through our final to do list.

Breakfast - kolo mee, kway chap, ding bian hu, sweet fried lobak and drinks black coffe and 4 layer tea

Black bean coffee - yes, again!

Lunch - traditional Iban food at Dyak. 

With traditional brewed tuak (rice wine)

Tea break - 4 layer tea, sundrop and 3 different types of nyonya kuih

Dinner with Ian's family

Supper with Deb, Ivy and Shirley - soya bean and chocolate cake bake by Deb

Day 3 - food before flight

Sarawak laksa, Vietnamese grass noodle, home made noodle, 2 coffee and 4 layer tea

Roti bakar

After these 4 days of feasting non stpp, I didn't eat proper meal for the next lunch and dinner, cos my belly has no more space...

Redang Bay Resort

It was a long anticipate 3 days 2 nights beach getaway.

Since my friend and I took the midnight bus where we arrive at Kuala Terengganu very early at about 5 to 6am that morning, about approximately an hour before arriving at the KT main bus stop, the beach resort shuttle already trying to contact me to check on our where about.

We were one of the early bird, the shuttle driver drove us to a nearby town where we can hang around eat our breakfast while waiting for the rest of the arrival.

Breakfast in Kuala Terengganu China Town while waiting for the jetty departure time

After some waiting, we were sent to the jetty where we wait again for the ferry to arrive.

Finally boarding the ferry!

The ferry ride took approximately 1.5 hours, air condition in the ferry were very strong, and it was quite cold.

Smaller boat to transfer us to the shore

The crystal clear water that's so pleasing to the eyes

the small boat that transfer guest in/out daily

Redang Bay resort entrance

The resort's rooms outlook

Our little chalet

We to a triple share room for the 2 of us

The 3 days 2 nights package included all meals where they serve in buffet style.

Stairway up to the resort canteen

Buffet served here daily

Notice for meals timing

The resort is basically sufficient for a short breakaway with snorkeling and meals provided at one prize, nothing to shout about, everything were average. 

What's under average with Redang is it's under water world, there aren't many coral left, not that impressive which think is because the island is too overly commercialise.