I started to plan the visit of Malaysia with a Lonely planet guide book which really helped a lot.Sabah is one of the two Malaysian states on Borneo island (Sarawak is second). The capital Kota Kinabalu (nick named KK) has got good and cheap connections with Kuala Lumpur. There are not much attractions in town but it is nice to spend a few days. Especially combined with some excursions to the nearest islands, natural parks etc.
One of the rare left colonial buildings is the Atkinson clock tower. It is worth to climb there for a view. But even more to the nearby higher viewing point Signal hill Observatory platform. Just a short walk but one of the best views of the city center and some islands.
There are some decent beaches at the outskirts of town and better ones on the near islands. It is easy to get a taxi boat there. Beside some mosques it is nice to visit big market - with souvenirs, vegetables, exotic fruits...And great outdoor food night market with cheap and good sea food! Better value than most of the city restaurants. There are plenty of hotels in town center. Probably the best one is Hotel Grandis.
Modern hotel is attached to the big shopping mall Suria. You can even enter it through one of the mall's shops. We had a room with great views to the sea and nearby islands. Also very quite location just a few steps from the town center! The breakfast was fabulous - lots of choice, local and international cuisine, great location with similar views that we had in the room. There is also a roof terrace with a pool and a bar. A must place to go, especially in the evening!
The busy port is just a close to the hotel, which is very convenient. So we could just walk to get on the speed boat which goes twice a day to the Labuan island. It takes some 3 hours to get there and the ride might be bumpy. But still comfortable with air con. Labuan is known as a duty free so most of the locals and also Bruneians come her for shoping alcohol drinks, chocolate and perhaps something else. Despite there are not really much and well stocked shops around. But the island is
easy going, with some decent beaches, mosques, temples and museums to visit... We stayed in the best hotel on the island - Dorsett Grand Labuan. The hotel is situated close to the beach and a short walk from the port. There is also the biggest islands shopping mall just near and nice paths leading along the coast. The hotels lobby is big, with green views to the palm grove in the hotels park. There is an inviting lounge open late in the night. We had a spacious nicely decorated room with great views to the see, hotel swimming pool and part of the town. One of the best things during our stay was the food-international and local cuisines: Great breakfast, and lunch, romantic dinner with a daily themed buffet. No wonder, a lot of guests come just for an inviting meal. Labuan coud be reached with the airplane as well-there is an airport with some good connections to other parts of Malaysia. But going to Brunei, it is more comfortable to take the speed boat, which needs less then one hour for a short trip. The immigration proces was smooth and reasonably fast.
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