Even if you are not planning to go tracking to the top of Mount Kinabalu, you should visit the Kinabalu Park.. Why? A promising view of the top of this righteous mountain! Did you know that the top of the mountain is covered by rocks? This is why you can track right to the peak..


After paying the entrance and conservation fee, we parked and got out to have this cool and cold breeze sweep our cheeks! And the view from here was totally amazing.. Such a scenic destination.. exceptionally beautiful and suitable for lots of picture taking!


All you need to do here is the enjoy the view.. just looking at the mountain gives you the chills.. something so high and so far away can be seen with your bare eyes.. really a wonder..


I would totally recommend anyone going to Kota Kinabalu to take the tour to Kinabalu park as well as the Poring Hot Spring.. the tours are usually together for these 2 places.. although there's nothing much to do here, except if you're hiking.. its a clean fresh experience for your eyes and skin.. especially if you're from a city like KL..

There are many places where you can go to experience a good and hot spring water experience.. My family and I recently paid a visit to some relatives living in Sabah and they took us to Poring for a nice day out with the kids..


I got to say the drive was kinda long.. From Penampang (where we stayed) to Kundasang.. I was expecting a run down place with small tubs where the hot water comes out but i was pleasantly surprise.. It was almost like a Mini Sunway Lagoon, minus the rides of course..


We immediately went to the section where we can soak our legs in steamy hot water.. I for one, love love love hot water.. and i soak my legs till my feet was practically red! Its safe to say that my legs looked like it was cooked.. Don't worry about the water being too hot.. You cannot adjust this but logically speaking, the further away you sit from the tap, the better.. Once you get used to it, you can slowly move nearer.. I did it and i enjoyed myself..


After soaking our legs, one of our aunties got us a private chalet.. ranging from RM50 i guess.. There are 2 tubs in this chalet.. with a bathroom so you can change and wash up after.. This is where you get to soak your whole body.. and i think everyone going to poring should get a chalet.. its totally worth it..


For the kids who don't like hot water.. all they need to do is pay RM3 and get themselves tickets to the pool.. My cousin and I thought we had enough of hot water so we went to the huge pool area.. guess what? The water was freaking.. i repeat, freaking cold!! Imagine soaking in ice..

I was totally admiring nature just then.. these are all natural source water.. the hot and the cold and its amazing how 1 location can have 2 totally diverse temperature.. best part is.. there was a huge slide.. plunging into ice water was my first, one of a kind experience! Also there 2 pools.. another with the same icy cold water but at 8 feet.. :)

I was soo busy swimming i left my camera in the bag guys and girls.. sorry! I'll be sure to get pictures next time before i jump.. i couldn't help it.. i was too excited! :D

p/s: please bring along, fresh change of clothes, towel, bathing suit, toiletries, some cash to pay for entrance and conservation fees and some finger food, in case your kids get hungry from all the swimming :D

Tanjung Aru is only about 10mins away from Kota Kinabalu.. For a city girl like me.. who always grew up surrounded by concrete jungle.. it was amazing that the beach was so near to town.. i wish we had that here in KL.. The nearest for us is Port Dickson and i know its been so long since i was there.. but the sea was kinda dirty..

A lot of sabahans just take a drive to beach in the evenings and on the weekends just to hang out.. play football or volleyball and just enjoy some sea breeze accompanied by a beautiful sunset..


We played football.. Well, they played football.. I'm not so much into sports so i was walking around the beach just enjoying myself and being one with my thoughts.. i love beaches and this is one of the reasons why i want to settle down in Sabah when i can.. You just feel so relaxed..


My cousins and i had some fun time in the sea as well.. one most famous game was to run towards the waves and it was fun coz the waves were getting bigger and bigger as it became darker.. don't worry.. we were only at knee deep :)

After getting wet from the sea and sweat (for those who played ball), we headed to the public bathroom which was pleasantly clean to wash up and get dressed.. then we went to this huge food court just by the parking area.. they had anything you could name but i was more interested in the totally huge glasses and chicken wings!!


All in all.. my perfect day.. sun, beach, sand, watermelon drink and chicken wings.. how i wish everyday could be like this... :)

Coming soon!