Kota Kinabalu Experience#2: "Weather Weather in KK with KFC and Big Apple"

Kota Kinabalu Experience#2: "Weather Weather in KK"

It was a sunny morning when we reached our port in Kota Kinabalu. I went out of the ship with my fave Magic 89.9 jacket given to by Arlene Andaya (she's one of our Account Executives when I was still working in a University Marketing Department).

Anyway, it was way too hot when we went out good thing our service vehicle is waiting to be filled with crew members. I told my self that I am wearing an inappropriate attire. The sun is really strong that time around two in the afternoon. Good thing Suria Sabah Shopping Mall is just near. 

It was a good place and it houses a good number of shops - from the on-sale to high end brands.

We got to visit a fast food chain, KFC and there I ordered my favorite two-piece Chicken rice meal. The chicken portions were actually bigger here in Malaysia compared to what we have in the Philippines (which most of the time you really have to talk to the Manager and argue to give you the biggest chicken part they have) but then ours taste better I think. 

Now, it's gravy time... When I poured the gravy to my rice, I know the taste would not be like what we had back home and then for a try. It just confirms my thought - no offense meant - but then, as if I was taking the customized glue (made of 7-Tex) which we use to put posters of election candidates on lampposts and street walls. Well anyway, there is still my fave Ketchup to save my meal.

Now a sip of the intriguing Mirinda Strawberry Cola. Well, I am fond of strawberry products that's why I would like to try this. Well, the taste is ok but it doesn't tastes like strawberry. It is more of a children's medicine and a Cobra Red energy drink. A cola and an energy drink in one. Way cool. And for desert we ordered cheesy french fries. Nothing so special but then it's good as a french fries with Cheez Whiz.

Before we go, we dropped by a new store named Big Apple Donuts and Coffee. The smell coming from the store is so inviting. Freshly cooked donut bread and newly prepared designs of the bun. Whoa! What a good way to end the day! (See my next post about this cool store).

We have to hurry walking going back to our ship because it's already 6:15 in the evening. To our amazement, it's raining cats and dogs and the place to our ship is really dark. Good thing, I am wearing a jacket but none of us got an umbrella. So we need to buy in Daiso - no choice, the colorful ones are those present. 

Heading back to our ship, I have to jump and hop from an island to another because my shoes would get wet. But no choice again, I have to bear with it. So I got my crocodile taste its first rain water.

Why does it rain in Kota Kinabalu almost every night though every morning til afternoon the sun is so strong? Any scientific, geographical explanations there? That is for me to find out.

November 13, 2014

KOTA KINABALU EXPERIENCE#1 "Nasi Ayam and Calamansi and Sour Plum Juice"

AS PART of my cruise ship job, I was blessed to go to different countries and experience the different cultures and delics of Asia . I've been to China, Vietnam, Taiwan, and a new place for me this year is Malaysia. (I will be doing a backtracks/flashback edition/write-up of my visits in other places and will also post some photos soon).

Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia is one of the places rich in greenery. Seeing from our ship, you can check out the lanscape covered with carpet of green trees. Well on the other side it's the crystal clear water which keeps us upfloat in our stay.

My friend Lin and sir Jaime tagged me for a lunch out. I've prepared for an on-the-go food trip. I've not eaten breakfast because I woke almost 10:00 am and I need to report the fastest. Sir Jaime and I was talking about going to the seafood market for the day's lunch a bit excited we told Lin of the plan and she said that she just wanted to eat in a nearby cafeteria. That blew my bubble. I was already thinking of the fresh seafoods to pig out.

Well, we are outside the port and there is no point of returning. The cafeteria is just steps away from the gate of the port. They call this cafeteria as  "Sri Pinang Kafeteria". It is a place where you can taste local dishes in a very minimal cost. 

What I've tried that day was nasi ayam and for my drink a cold Calamansi and sour plum juice (I don't know do they call the drink)  ..

The food was perfect - a fried chicken leg, rice (which got a different flavor), freshly cut tomato and cucumber slice. My drink is a combination of fresh calamansi juice with sour plum or RED CHAMPOY as we call it in the Philippines. Champoy has this sour taste which you experienced when you eat "NANO"-sour candy. Imagine the sweet-sour taste combination of this drink would give you a bit of a goosebumps when you taste it. The recipe for this is a glass of water, ice, five or more calamansi fruit and 3 pcs. of red champoy. Then you have to enjoy the drink.

Nasi Ayam (rice and fried chicken with tomato, lettuce and  a dip)

Cold Calamansi and Sour Plum Juice

Yuri and Wako's (family pet/member in the Manila)
favorite part of chicken.
(You'll meet Yuri and Wako soon.)

That was an enjoying meal anyway. Even we ended up not eating the seafoods I am thinking about an hour ago, it was a nice food experience and would definitely try some more soon.

November 13, 2014

Puerto Princesa, Palawan Experience#1 Firefly Watching in Iwahig Eco Park

Opening Hours: 1900H-0200H

Travel Time from the City: 30-45 mins

Duration of Tour: Waiting time depends on the bulk of registered tourists (It took us 30 minutes before we had out turn). Boat ride time is about 40 minutes (Our boatman said that when the current is strong, it took then one hour to one hour and half to do a full turn).

Ways to get there: Rent a van or a tricycle; or a pick-up in the Baybay (But this doesn't allow you to take picture in the entrance of the place)

Entrance Fee: Boat Rental is 600.00Php good for three (3) persons.
A bit of history and facts: The place was opened in 2008 thru the efforts of ABS-CBN Foundation and became a joint venture with the City's government. The river is 7 kilometers but due to the security reasons, only the 1 Km water path is allowed to navigate.
NO CROCODILES. I asked this when I was waiting for my turn to hop on the boat. A clever answer was responded, that is, "If there would be crocodiles in the area, no one would dare to paddle and tour you." Convincing, right?

Mobile Number for Reservation: (0908) 562-0040; This is to make sure that your group would be accommodated on the time that you are scheduled. Be on the area 15 minutes before your scheduled time.
Experience Meter: 4.5 Stars

I have been planning to treat our crew members to an exciting tour and one of my friends said that one of the nicest and for you to feel nature is the firefly watching.

Once we docked in Puerto Princesa, Palawan, I immediately coordinated with the Tourism  Department of Puerto Princesa who willingly assisted me in reserving our group for the night's tour. We were fourteen that night (most are CAC members and first time to join is our staff captain). 

From the Puerto Princesa port, we head our way going to Iwahig. Travelling towards the place makes you see the development of Puerto Princesa. They got Jollibee, McDonalds, KF, Chowking, Mang Inasal, Dunkin Donuts and many others which you wish to jump in once your done with our tour. 

I want the tour for our crew to be like "do-it-yourself" (DIY) tour. No agents, no extra charges, getting to the place on a lesser cost. So for us, I rented a van for 14 persons for a very low cost of 2,000.00 Php which would be staying with us for the next four hours. 

Our group to check out the Iwahig Firefly Eco Park.

The entrance of the Iwahig Firefly Watching Eco Tour and Wildlife Park.

The first part of our trip was smooth and relaxing but then we got close to the area, it became a bit bumpy due to uncemented road. What makes me nervous was, we are being welcomed by a heavy pouring of rain. How would we able to see the self-illuminating creatures if it is raining. For sure they would hide and they would be nowhere to be found.

After half an hour, we have reached the Iwahig Eco Tourism and Wildlife Park. We were welcomed by the frontdesk people and we were told that the boat rent costs Php600.00 for three persons plus a boatman to assist in the course of the tour. We have paid and we were given our numbers and we just waited for our turn to check the "light-creatures".

The reception area where you register and pay for the boat rental.

If you are a bit hungry, you may purchase in their mini canteen.
They also have a souvenir shop for your presents.

The weather is still not fine and the rain is still dripping but miraculously, when it was our turn, the rain suddenly stopped and we had a great time as our boat rows in the darkness of the river. We also got a good view of the clear sky and constellation which was also part of the spiel of all the boatmen. Things about the stars and names which you never heard of.

The landing area for you to get on the paddle boat.

After a while when we were released to the water, Nurse Yayang and I  were asked by our guide (named Anthony) to check on the first batch of fireflies on our right. This time you may feel that it is Christmas time now. A tree being lit by a good number of "rice-lights" entertaining you with their self-lit bodies.

Nurse Yayang as we wait for our turn.

Time to hop on our boat. Getting ready for the adventure.

We went on our tour and each tree has different number of fireflies. Anthony said that on a really good weather, the number of fireflies is more. "Not all trees were lighted by these small creatures.", Anthony added. According to him only those trees with flowers are the spots were fireflies could be seen.

Souvenir photos are also available for you to purchase. 200.00Php-300.00Php for a souvenir is worth it.

Our entertainer-dancer, Anastasiia as she checks her pics.

Some interesting facts about the firefly:

1. The light of the fireflies are actually not located on the tip of their "butt", it is in their abdomen.

2. The light comes from the oxygen they inhale when it combines with a certain enzyme.

The best shot that I could get.

Firefly on my palm.

We were fortunate to have experienced a firefly in our hands, too. In the darkness, you will just see a glow on your palm coming from an escaping firefly.

It is an amazing nature tour and even our Staff Captain enjoyed and said "It was a wonderful experience and the travel going there is worth it."

November 17, 2014

Where do I begin?

My nth time try to start this blog site. Actually last week, I was able to compose a good start but then being a neophyte on the tabs, I was not able to save it and wasn't able to retrieve it. 

Back 2011, I was asked by a good friend of mine to attend a bloggers' night for a fun run event and I have to register as a blogger. That's why I got this account registered. Well, I would definitely would like to start blogging during those times since the popularity of the so-called "title - BLOGGER" is getting on a high  and a status and it was since then that it would try to log in, then log out, and then log in and out again on this portal not doing anything. Waiting for a miracle to happen, that one of those days I would be starting to write. Well, as you can see nothing happened.

What should I write here? 

I am not the type of person who maintains a huge number of web accounts - I just got yahoo, gmail, FB, and the then Friendster nothing else. Oh, I failed to include the DROPBOX which I was forced to log in for my previous job. Now that I remember that I have that account,  it gave me the urge to recall the password...

Well, another week had past and my mind is not resting thinking on how to start this site. I have changed my blog name from abetski runner (I am/was an ultra marathoner when I signed in on this site thinking to blog events and things that I've been doing for running.)  then to Jack of All Trades (which I find negative) to Abet of All Trades which I think nicer to the ear.

I am a bit hesitant to start on my writing because of the way of writing I compose, which I think very amateur as I qualify it.

Abet of All Trades blog spot is an anything and everything under the sun page. It will feature on the places, food, music, happenings, events, fitness, running, and things that I do from the past (now I'm thinking to have a regular Throwback/Flashback Blog Tab which I have to study on how to do).

I'll just have to share my piece of mind on things, opinions and insights, comments and suggestions, fortunes and misfortunes, highs and lows, good and bad, triumphs and not-so-successful moments, products for endorsements (advertising and marketing person here) and a lot more.

Now...

LET THE BLOGGING BEGINS...