Trip Report, HK, Macau, Borneo

Old Jan 28th, 2008, 02:44 AM
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Trip Report, HK, Macau, Borneo

We are now in Kuching and in the second week of our holiday.

We flew Oasis Airlines at the unbeatable price of 526 pounds sterling ($1042) people return UK - HK. The flight was fine - seating ok, food ok, no complaints especially at this price!

We stayed at Salisbury YMCA with a harbour view room - always good! Thanks to rkkwan we did use his quick airport to hotel route, and on our first night ate at Hutong (thanks to Ciccerone for this recommendation). The restaurant has the most wonderful view - tables at the front next to the window were all booked but nevertheless it was wonderful. We had great food (especially lamb ribs) served in a quirky way. The restaurant has interesting decor, a birds cage signifies a table is ready to use and a small chinese embroidered babay shoe holds toothpicks - very interestingly presented!
On the second evening we were lucky to get tickets for "le Petit Prince" presented by a french theatre company with both English and Chinese sub titles - so good for both of us!
We took the turbojet from Hong Kong to Macau (again thanks to all for their inout on this) - it ran to time with no problem. We used their express service which meant that our luggage was stored and then transferred to the airport. It seems few people use this service and we had a sort of VIP tour through customs to a bus on Macau side that took just us to the airport. Our Air Asia flight left on time and was fine.

Sabah
We had booked 2x2 nights at the Hyatt Kota Kinabalu. On arrival at the airport it was just after midnight - coming out of customs we had booked a Hyatt limo to meet us, however there was no-one. A woman at a help type desk phoned the Hyatt and they had forgotton us but said they would send their car. This was not a great start! We finally arrived at the hotel and I did then ask to speak to the manager to say we hadn't expected to be forgotton like that - I had received a printed confirmation of booking. Our room was good - nice river view in club room.
The next day we went to the pier and eventually tok a boat to Manukan island - the small brightly coloured fish were clearly visible even from the boat. We had thought of getting snorkelling equipment but could still see small fish easily and so didn't bother to hire anything. We had a lovely afternoon here.

The next day we took an Air Asia flight to Sandakan.

more to follow...we are now in Kuching.
janev is offline  
Old Jan 28th, 2008, 05:28 AM
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Did you actually take Cityflyer A22 to Jordan Road and then take the taxi to the YMCA, or was it another way I mentioned?

If it was A22/taxi, then you'd be the first one to actually try this and report on this board.
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Old Jan 28th, 2008, 05:52 AM
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Great start! I'm looking forward to more!
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Old Jan 28th, 2008, 04:57 PM
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Ray - Yes we took A22 cityflyer and then taxi - just as you said. It was quite easy, just stupidly we didn't realise we had to buy a ticket at the booth first so that was a bit last minute, but otherwise easy and fine. Thanks.

To pick up where I left off on trip report...

Air Asia flight KK to Sandakan was on time & fine. We left one bag at Hyatt & were picked up by Annie Chong and taken to Sepilok Forest Edge Resort http://www.sepilokforestedge.com/
The people who work here are very friendly and helpful and from here was a 10-15 minute walk to Sepilok
Orang-Utan Rebabilitation Center. There were about 15 people here for the 3pm orang-utan feeding time and many orang-utan did come along. It was very nice to see - it didn't feel too crowded or zoo like as many have written - maybe due to this being afternoon? I wonder if folk on day trip from KK usually go to the morning feed time.
The next day we were picked up by Robert Chong and taken to Kinabatangan Jungle Camp - as the name suggests a place on the Kinabatangan River. Accomodation was in simple but clean rooms and we had a great time here. We had 4 trips out by boat and saw lots of wildlife. We especially loved the evening trip when we got very close to different birds asleep on the trees over the river - this was very special. Food was great and Robert Chong the host is great company. Robert lived for quite a time in Canada and speaks perfect English, although his first language is Cantonese. He is a very interestin gguy and explained all the history of the area. For those who love bird watching Robert has an expert knowledge - just to mention we aren't bird knowledgable but it was all a great experience.
www.kinabatangan-jungle-camp.com

Kathie - we did want to go to Borneo Rainforest Lodge too - but were worried about moving between places easily ie. Lahad Datu to Kinabatangan. I think now we could have done it - but we weren't sure when we booked. However, we are really pleased with all that we saw - it was wonderful.

We were driven back to Sandakan from here and then picked up the afternoon MAS flight (the timing of this fit better than the Air Asia flight) back to KK and onto the Hyatt.

Just to mention all taxis from KK airpoty to the city have a fixed rate of 20 ringgit - so its no hassle.

more to come...


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Old Jan 28th, 2008, 06:56 PM
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Glad you had such a good experience there! I'm so glad to see others going to Borneo!
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Old Jan 29th, 2008, 01:29 AM
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There is a great Sunday morning market in Kota Kinabalu - I thought it might just be the same as the everyday handicraft market (mainly jewelry and other bits and bobs) but this was a great market with a wide variety of goods, very interesting!

We then flew from KK to Kuching, Air Asia again & all running to time. In Kuching we are in Crowne Plaza, and this email comes from the Exec lounge - its cocktail time!

So far we prefer Sabah to Sarawak, I know most people seem to prefer Kuching over Kota Kinabalu, but we don't so far. Kuching is more developed than KK. Along the waterfront are many tourist type shops, they sell lots of local tribe (mainly Iban) and Chinese goods and many are a bit of a jumble!

We visited the Chinese museum here today too and just looked around the town area.

Yesterday we had a hire car and drove to Damai. Although we have driven all around mainland Malaysia this was a challenge here due to poor maps (this is a very developing city and older road maps aren't very good) and bad signage. Eventually we got to Damai and did find a good restaurant where we ate seafood next to the sea. Yummy!

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Old Jan 29th, 2008, 06:35 PM
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great report....were you travelling light, or did air asia not present you problems about suitcase weights...??

i'm looking forward to using them later this year
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Old Jan 29th, 2008, 09:59 PM
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We are travelling with 2 Victorinox wheel bags - combined weight is just under 30kg - so we are doing fine for the Air Asia flights. Packing has been a challenge though as it was quite cool in HK for the few days we were there and from Bangkok we've booked Nok Air (Hannuman brought this bargain air fare to our attention) return to Hanoi to see friends and colleagues of my husband - its still very cold there as part of the big cold front that has hit southern China. So we have big walking boots through to flip flops - but its all fitted in, its in weight and fine. I think you'll be fine with it Ray.

Will let you know how we do with Air Asia tomorrow when we have two flights, Kuching to KL and afternoon Kl to Bangkok. Hoping they run to time!

This afternoon we are booked to go on a further boat trip to see wildlife.

The weather here is changeable - but you just have to be ready for it, and carry umbrella and raincoats.
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Old Feb 2nd, 2008, 12:41 AM
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An update...

The flight from Kuching to KL went to time (although initially they said it would be 5 mins late) and then we were able to get a bite to eat at KL before taking our secong Air Asia flight to Bangkok. So these flights worked really well.

In Bangkok we took a taxi from the airport to the hotel. I booked us into the Ibis Bangkok for 2 nights as we arived latish and then had only 1 full day before getting up this morning to leave. The Ibis Bangkok is a basic Ibis - but room was clean and all ok. No skytrain here, but easy to get taxi or bus (having been to Bangkok a number of times we are very good on the buses!!). We had a busy day there yesterday, first ordering some curtains to be made, then my DH had his teeth cleaned at Bumrungrad, then got my hair cut and then picked up our laundry.
This morning we flew Nok Air to Hanoi and we are here now at Hanoi Elegance 3. Its the 3rd of their hotels as the name suggests and just opened on Jan 15th 2008. Its in the heart of the old town. Rooms are clean, flat screen TV and computer with free access in each room. Fine so far for $65 a night.

Just to go back to Nok Air - flight left on time (very bright pinky purple coloured plane!!! - easy to spot on the runway!!). No food on plane (unless purchased) but a better bagage allowance then Air Asia at 20kg.

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