7 Hours Road Trip from Kota Kinabalu to Brunei

Just came back from Phuket, Thailand last week and working for 2 days, I off to Brunei again with my family to attend my cousin's wedding. (My 2nd trip for the year 2012) It has been so many years that all of us has anticipated for his big day and now it's finally arrived. Instead of taking flight, my daddy decided to take a long 7 hours drive from Kota Kinabalu to Brunei. He has been doing that for hundreds of time since I was a little gal. Even my aunty and cousin from Kuching, Sarawak, who took a flight to Kota Kinabalu decided to join us too for this long road trip.

Packed all the things and we are ready to go.

Brought along my leftover Brunei Dollar from my previos trip in case wanna buy anything there

This is not the first time my family and I experienced this kind of road trip because we ever drove all the way from Kuching, Sarawak and pass through expensive sultanate Brunei before arrive Kota Kinabalu for a week. The longest road trip I ever had in my life!

Stopby Papar to pump petrol fuel before going for a long long journey

Luckily my dad did pump his vehicle to the maximum because in Brunei, there is a limit amount of petrol fuel given to a Malaysian vehicle by the petrol station; some only allows $5 and even the max will be $20 only.

The stretch covered by this route known as "Borneo Overland Trail" can be both challenging and fascinating; challenging because it involves traveling through some of the more remote corners of Sarawak and Sabah where some of the roads are not being repaired or improved yet (Sigh! This is how our government treat those live in remote areas).

But I guess the most challenging part is where this route brings us across several state and international borders. Don't be surprised when the next thing you enter the border, you will be in one of Brunei District and once you enter another border, you are somewhere around Sarawak. Try imagine a drive from Kota Kinabalu to Brunei, you will need to passthrough 6 IMMIGRATION!

After 2 and half hours we reached the 1st immigration: Sindumin, Sabah

2nd immigration: Lawas, Sarawak

Just a few miles away, we reached the Brunei's border. Quite a long queue because besides inspect passport, they also require to fill in vehicle form.

The 3rd immigration: Temburong, Brunei Darussalam

There even a public bus if you are lazy to drive

Another Brunei's immigration: Puni

The thing you'll probably need the most is patience especially waiting for the lines to get into ferry crossings across the river which can accommodate 6-7 vehicle at a time.

The price list. Which will be more cost saving?
Paying in Ringgit Malaysia or Brunei Dollar? You do the maths

See, now back to Malaysia again. The 5th immigration: Limbang, Sarawak.

Finally the last immigration for this trip: Kuala Lumrah, Brunei and we're officially in Brunei.

There are actually up to maximum of 8 IMMIGRATION if continue the journey to Miri, Sarawak which we did came across in our past road trip. My family and I ever experienced road trip in Peninsular Malaysia too from Penang to Kedah, Perlis and reached Hatyai, Thailand but never encounter so many kind of immigration. Deng!

Once we saw this, we realised that we had reached my aunty's place finally.

7 hours ride is really damn tiring and exhausting journey but the most fascinating throughout this journey was we were enjoy each and every pretty interesting Sabah rural life all along the journey, and see the differences of some district which has developed within the past few years especially Temburong, Brunei. But probably the best part for a part-time traveller like me was "PASSPORT STAMP COLLECTION".

Just a 3 days visit and already occupied 2 pages of my passport

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Shenzhen, China - Day 2 McD and Continue Shopping

Date of Visited: 29th May 2011

Like I mentioned before in my previous post of the Day 1, my second day itinerary is completely filled with shopping for the whole day. But we did went back to our hotel for a short rest before we continue again.

Since we're did not do any sightseeing around Shenzhen and not went any further, this trip is somekind like free and easy. Woke up around 8-9 am and went to the highest floor to have the complimentary breakfast.

The breakfast is so-so but for me, as long it is edible, I quite satisfy with that.
Like they said, "Be grateful for what you have"

Actually for this trip can be consider that my dad was hitting two birds using one stone. Beside as a family trip, it was his business trip too. After breakfast, we're going on our way. He and his friend went to meet the supplier for the business purpose, while for the rest especially my mom and I, we continue our shopping. Technically speaking, it was my mom who shop non-stop. I'm just accompany her walking around. See how filial am I.

Not only one or two but I guess there are more than three wholesale clothing mall situated surrounding the hotel. They tends to prefer and welcoming the wholeseller but you can still buy a piece but you can't bargain more than the wholeseller.

Sports advertisement with Jay Chao

Shopping for around 4 hour plus, we decided to go back to the hotel to have a rest. It's quite tiring to stop non-stop. Somemore, I am not those shopaholic type. But before going back, we spotted a McD restaurant nearby the hotel. Immediately we went and bought to try their burger which some are vary from Malaysia version. But when we saw their menu, it is just the same as Malaysian version. Quite dissapointed with that because we thought they might have pork burger.

At the end, we bought it for lunch before heading to slumberland

For the dinner, I skipped it because my family was having the same thing as the previous night. I decided to visit their supermarket to take a look at their groceries especially the tid bits and biscuits. I did took few photo inside supermarket but unfortunately, I never thought they are so strict. I was given a warning by the staff to delete my photo I took inside the supermarket. Damn!@#$%^&* So no photo lor!

This is my supper as a replacement for my dinner

Conclusion for my second day in Shenzhen can be consider a bit dull and boring. Shopping, eat, shopping, eat. I guess most of you would prefer this life but for me, erm...sometimes I need firework. So on the next day, I plan to do some visiting to their theme park. So stay tune for next post!

Before I end this post, here is my haul on the second day.
Handbags, necklace, belt, pouch and a blouse.

Small Note: PACKING AGAIN because I am going for a road trip with my family for a short period. Looks like I just working 2-3 days in a week since working for almost a month. You think it's good? No! I have to replace my working hours on weekend even on Sunday.

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2012 First Trip - Phuket (Sneak Peek)

Sawatdee Kaa สวัสดี

Live from Phuket! Just came back from Jakarta, Indonesia 10 days ago, now I'm on vacation again. This time around, I'm going with another different geng of mine. Noticed that I always travelling with different kind of group of friends.

Although it is too hot, Phuket is absolutely a wonderful place to relax your body, mind and soul. Many people recommended Phuket for honeymoon and I am absolutely agree with that. So if you are beach lover, this is one truly place for you to be.

Take a look at what had I did in Phuket for the past few days:

Visiting Wat Chalong, the largest of Phuket's temple

Viewing a spectacular views of Karon and Kata beaches on the south side of Phuket from Karon View Point.

Watching the famous sunset from Promthep Cape

A visit to Phuket is incomplete without visiting their beach - Patong Beach

Don't underestimate Phuket's night life. It is truly live and happening every night in the Phuket city. We even went to watch 2 of Phuket's famous nightlife show:

Simon Cabaret - The Asia's famous Ladyboy Show


Phuket FantaSea - The Ultimate Cultural Theme Park

What more can I said about Phuket? A small island but comes with everything.

I am absolutely in love with Phuket.

And for your information, this is scheduled post because I am currently shopping around their night market which only open on weekend.
Pai-kawn ไปก่อน!

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Shenzhen, China - Day 1 The Arrival, Sushi & Shopping

Date of Visited: 28th May 2011

There it goes! My family trip after almost 5 years ago where my family and I went to Hong Kong together. And this time around, even my sister's boyfriend from Singapore tagged along with us. This is my first oversea trip for the year 2011. (Yeap, another backdated travelogue)

Shenzen is the only city of China that directly fly from Kota Kinabalu via AirAsia without any transit and the journey took almost 3 hours. Situated in the south of Southern China, Shenzhen is indeed very near to Hong Kong. So when next time make a trip there, do spare more time to "hit 3 birds using one stone" - by plan a trip to visit Shenzhen, Hong Kong and also Macau. Unfortunately for us, it was only 4 days 3 nights trip, so we can only venture around Shenzhen city. Somemore, I just visited Hong Kong and Macau few months ago.

Aerial view of Shenzhen

Everything in blue

Immediately upon check-in, we went for lunch. My dad brought us to the nearby Japanese restaurant which was few walking distance from our hotel (will blog about it soon). I kinda doesn't like the attitude and behaviour with the China's driver which they tend to like to keep on "hon" their car. All along the way from hotel to the restaurant, the driver never stop keep making those noises even for a second. It is very annoying for that!

The public transport

The menu and ambiance of the restaurant

Itadakimasu!

Regarding the price, I can't really recall any of them but they do have more variety and choice which can't find in most typical Japanese restaurant in Malaysia. After done with lunch, now we have more energy to kick off the day - SHOPPING!

Located just behind our hotel, this shopping complex is totally insane. For shopaholics, this is must visit place especially for the ladies where you can do all the madly shopping. For the first few floor, it is fully occupied with clothes and garments and trust me, you probably might need at least a day to venture all around. No! Maybe 2 days! Gosh!

This is the shopping complex looks like.

For those who went China and shopping there before, I guess you might know the rule when comes to bargain with them. For those who never, here is an advise based on my personal experience. Before you bargain with them, make sure you are 100% sure want the item. If can't meet your expected price, you might just leave but you may pay the price for your action. They will SHOUT SO LOUD and everyone nearby you, will definitely look at you. I never experience this before but I saw thousand times in a day inside this building. Damn scary!

After shopping for more than 5 hours, it's time for dinner. We dined in a restaurant located inside the shopping complex. Just a glance from outside of the restaurant, this is one of the most grand restaurant I ever encountered.

Warning! A sinful food.

Because this dinner was having together with my dad's friend and his family, so I unable to snap as much photo as I mostly did in most of the time. I guess the photo itself (above) has make your saliva drooling at this moment.

My first day ended with sushi for lunch, shopping like mad and tempting Chinese food as dinner. And you know what? My mom continue shopping on the next day. Deng! So prepare my Shenzhen Day 2 with full of non-stop shopping experience.

My haul for first day.
Can't you believe for less than RM100, I managed to grab all of these?
2 dresses, 1 short, 1 blouse for myself and 1 collar T-shirt for boyfie.

Note: Notice the spelling mistake of my watermark. It suppose to be Shenzhen but I mistakenly spelled as Shenzen. Will edit it once I back because while you are reading this right now, I on my way for another vacation. First trip for the year 2012. Stay tune to find out where I am heading to.

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Recap of My 2011 History & My 2012 resolution

Happy new year to all my readers and here it is, my officially first post for the year 2012. Talking about the year 2011, I try to figure out what has it brought to my life. Change my life dramatically or just the same old simple life I had?

Beginning with the month of January, this month totally gave me a mixed feelings indeed. The month for the 1 year memorial of the lost of someone that is so important in my life but then it's also the month that my boyfie and I celebrated our 1 year anniversary we'd been together. Somehow somewhere, I still miss you a lot, my dearest late grandfather.

My own handmade card to the boyfie.

My career life started to change in February where I was being promoted as audit semi-senior along with my boyfie. Yup, both of us were working together under the same field. Like they said, when salary increased, the responsibilities also getting heavier. Beside that, being part as one of the Company's sport committee, I was given a real opportunity to organise the Company's annual dinner - with lots of grand and exclusive prize sponsored by our boss including iPad, Canon compact camera, iPod and more. Too bad I didn't won any of those.

Then the following month, March is where again another year for me to blog candle. No more blast and happening celebration like I had in previous year, but I grateful to celebrate this important day with my family, friends and not forgeting, with boyfie too. A simple birthday celebration marked my life another meaningful and remarkable moment when got to celebrate with all the loved one.

This year my birthday celebration filled with lots of foods.

Fast forward to the month of May is where I began my travel journey for the year 2011. First, went to Kuala Lumpur for less than 2 days just to attend my friend's wedding. Frankly speaking, friends are important to me and has become part of my life. If I really got the time, I will try my best to attend their wedding even it is so far away. Therefore for me, good friends are meant to be kept, but for a friend that doesn't meet the definition of a friend at all, sorry to tell you are not meant to be part of my life, dude! Next, travel oversea with my family which I will mention about it later.

My friend's wedding in Mines, Kuala Lumpur

Officially being a semi senior for less than 4 months, I finally decided to tender a resignation letter and terminate my services in the month of June to further my study - to continue my professional accounting papers which I had keep extending for so long.

My farewell treat by my colleagues. Thanks and I really miss them a lot.

Say Hello Again to Kuala Lumpur in July. Thanks to my friend and his sister for giving me a great place to stay during my study there. I really owed them a lot for their courtesy and taking a very good care of me.

My comfort place somewhere around Kuala Lumpur. Enclosed with private bathroom somemore

Went Malacca with my friend's sister aka my housemate in August after my last trip to there was like almost 5 years ago. Deng!

My Malacca travelogue

Among of all the month for the year, I love the most would definitely be September. The first reason was having TWO trips in a month and secondly, a visit to KL by boyfie.


My class ended in November and I went back KK immediately. Somehow, I think home is the most coolest place to be on earth. I used to like KL life once when I was a KL college student before, but after working in KK for almost 2 and half years, I think KK still the best. KL life is so complicated and such a hectic life, really doesn't suit me at all (my two cents opinion, no offence)

Can't imagine how long I never fly with one of the world best airline after the existence of the world's lowest fare airline?


Having the worst nightmare where study non-stop for day and night for my exam which held in the month of December. Anyhow, my exam ended in the middle of month, and from there onwards, I started a new working life - working with my dad. Not my choice but what can I do. I still missing working with my previous employer somehow.

Gosh! Too many things to study.

So, that's summarised all my life for the year 2011. Wondering how about my globe trotting? One of my #2011 resolution has achieved and that was visited at least 4 different countries in a year:

1. Shenzen, China with family. The last trip we went together was back in year 2005 where we went Hong Kong together with my late grandfather. Although went Taiwan with family in 2010, but it is incomplete without the other family members.

2. Seoul & Jeju Island South Korea with my Europe trip gang. After travelled together around Europe in 20 days, four of us "back in action again" since we promised to meet and gather for another trip after our graduation.

3. Singapore with boyfie. Thanks a lot to boyfie to accompany me for this sweet trip and I guess he must be damn tiring and exhausted for walking a lot during the trip. Like I mentioned above, he came KL first before going to Singapore, and again he did a lot of walking too which he never did in KK. Walking from KLCC to Pavilion, Low Yat, Sungai Wang, Berjaya Times Square and almost walking everyday for almost half hour from the place I stayed to LRT :P

4. Jakarta & Bandung, Indonesia with mommy. At first, it supposed to be a trip of three but last minute, my friend can't managed to join us. However, proudly to say, my mommy and I managed to complete our journey to travel around this where most of them claimed to be so-called-not-safety place without the help of any travel agent. *Hebat right this anak-beranak!*

Although I am not an avid traveller which I really hope I could be someday, I guess this year is where I travel a lot and fly a lot too. Travel via airplane for 16 times, which I never travel so frequently in my entire life. Not forgetting, taking 6 different airlines during the whole trip for the year.

Talking about #2012 resolution, never in my mind to think about it but since many of you did shared it, so I won't be hesitate to share about my #2012 resolution too.

1. Earn and save lots lots lots of money to fulfill the 2nd.
2. Travel at least once a month but it has to depend whether I manage to achive the 1st. Hopefully manage to visit at least few of the places I listed under "My Travel Bucket List" in DT Travel page.
3. Losing some weight to reach my ideal weight. Looks like I to need take my ass up to go and do some exercise.
4. Time for a new and better camera. Perhaps Canon DSLR or Panasonic latest camera, GX1.
5. Complete my Europe trip saga and 2011 trips post
6. Read more travel magazine to sharpen my writing skills and enhance my travel knowledge
7. Start and set-up my own business in providing accounting services and tuition center.
   
8. Browsing for a great location and stylish house (hopefully but seems impossible)
   
9. Erm.. Guess that's all for this moment. Worry I might not able to achieve the above by the end of 2012.
   

Looks like 2011 had been a fruitful, awesome and eventful for me, at least. Now, it's time to brace myself for the brand new year. Hopefully it will be more happening and eventful throughout the year 2012. Most importantly, be healthy and happy always, right! Hope you guys a have a great one too!

Last but not least, welcoming these two new gadgets into my life. Seriously, can't live without them. For your information, these two are the best ever birthday present I ever received.

Deng! So many things happened actually but I can't mentioned all here especially my life throughout the blogging world. Seems like I gonna continue blog about it in my next post.

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