[Food] Tasty Wok Venition Chinese New Year spreads

Chinese New Year is just around the corner!  Time is definitely moving fast.  

Also known as Spring Festival or Lunar New Year, is the grandest festival for the Chinese community and the most colorful annual event.  It is dominated by iconic red lanterns, loud fireworks, massive banquets and parades throughout the festivity period.  Chinese New Year is a time to be home with the family, enjoying a hearty meal together specially on New Year's Eve, for a reunion dinner with the whole family.  The essential course on all Chinese menu for a reunion dinner will be a steamed or braised whole fish, representing a surplus every year.  Various kinds of meat, vegetable and seafood are made into dishes with auspicious meanings.

[Food] Festive Indulgence and Year-End Celebration at Hilton Kota Kinabalu

Celebrate the festive season with a line-up of gastronomic delights, specially prepared for the joyous season.  From 1 December 2018 to 1 January 2019, start the journey with Zest Cafe's choices of festive pastries and bakeries including whole roasted turkey, followed by an indulgent buffet spread at Urban Kitchen to Rooftop Poolside Bar & Grill first wet countdown party!

[Events] Innisfree finally in Sabah!!!

innisfree, the No. 1 natural beauty brand from Korea, opens their 12th store in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah.  Yayyy finally!  Located at Ground Floor (facing PADINI Concept Store) in Suria Sabah Shopping Mall, the store recently had their Grand Opening last 7th December 2018 and will be having opening specials till 31st December 2018.  This is so exciting!

They had an early bird special on the day, where the first 100 visitors in queue, were to receive an innisfree Pencil Roll Case and 2 pieces My Real Squeeze Mask for free!

[Food] Hotel Grandis Christmas Buffet

Hotel Grandis ushers in the festive season with a calendar of delicious dining and fun-filled entertainment throughout Christmas and the New Year to celebrate the most joyous time of the year.

Photo credit: wanyyg

As a special highlight of the season, the hotel's Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony welcomed the public on 12 December 2018 where the hotel is dressed to impress with holiday decors.  The ceremony was held in front of the hotel entrance where by-standers were able to enjoy the beauty of the 15-foot tall Christmas tree.  Plenty of bright LED string lights were strung vertically on the Christmas tree, adding to the air of festivity.

[Food] A Winter Wonder at Ibis Styles Kota Kinabalu Inanam

Inspired by the magic of the festive season, ibis Styles Kota Kinabalu Inanam presents a blue and silver holiday of "Winter Wonder" to spice up the most wonderful time of the year.  The hotel launched the festive season with their Christmas Tree Lighting ceremony last Saturday, 1st December 2018, marking the beginning of the Christmas and New Year celebrations.

[Food] Viva Le Fete with Le Meridien Kota Kinabalu this Christmas

Unlock limitless festive inspirations at Le Meridien Kota Kinabalu this holiday season with fascinating dining offers prepared by Executive Chef Fahdrul and his culinary team.  This holiday season will be a delightful Christmas curated with your favorite dishes.

Latest Recipe offers delicious Festive Buffets: - 

1. Christmas Eve Dinner at RM158nett per adult and RM70nett per child.
2. Christmas Day Lunch and Christmas Day Dinner at RM138nett per adult and RM60nett per child.
3. New Year's Eve Dinner at RM158nett per adult and RM70nett per child.

[Food] Hard Rock Cafe Kota Kinabalu New Lunch Menu

Hard Rock Cafe Kota Kinabalu in Oceanus Mall introduces new set lunch menu starting this Monday, 26th November 2018.

[Events] Domino's Pizza Officially Opens in Kota Kinabalu - Marks Monumental Entry into Sabah

Domino's Pizza Finally in Kota Kinabalu!!!

Staying true to its commitment of fulfilling the voice of its consumers, Domino's Pizza is now serving and delivering its delicious freshly baked pizzas in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah.  Unlike the other outlets, the outlets in Sabah allows consumer to dine in for the experience of the freshly baked pizza.  Its opening in Sabah recorded a milestone for Domino's Pizza in Malaysia and Asia Pacific.  Domino's Pizza Malaysia is ranked the 15th largest market in the world as well as the 5th largest in Asia Pacific.

[Activities] Lobou Lobou Trail, Kampung Natai, Telipok

I stumbled upon this when browsing around Facebook pages.

Got my friend, Mag to arrange it.

A newly opened trail at Kg. Natai, Telipok near Kokol.  This trail is handled by Natai Eco Tourism and brings hikers along a 7km loop trail with river crossing, waterfalls and caves, over 800m elevation a.s.l.

I roughly know where Kg. Natai is since me and my running buddies will pass through this junction before running down to Kg. Tombongon for our 21km Kokol Hill training loop.

Price subject to change, please check with Robert as per above image.

Price for hiking only is RM35 and for hiking and abseiling is RM55.

[Activities] Nulu Kebayau, Telipok

There are 5 hills at Nulu Kebayau, Telipok, it has been in operation since 2015 and has since received many visitors especially from the avid hikers.

My IG friend recommended to go there for sunsets when I inquire about the trail.  We had arranged our trip to the trail with the local guide earlier and he estimated we start around 3pm for that.  It's also nice to go for sunrise but you will need to get there earlier.  

The starting point for this hill is SK Kebayau, Telipok.  Now am not sure if, like me, the only SK Kebayau that I know of is located in Kota Belud, boy, I was wrong.  There is one in Telipok, located about 12 minutes drive from Telipok town (I will include the map as follows).

[Food] Sutera Harbour Resort's Wicked Halloween Feast!

It's the time of the year that am most excited about!  Happy Halloween!

[Activities] Mayang Endurance Trail, Kg. Sinorut, Kiulu

I have been off running for almost 2 months after completing TMBT 100 last September, when my friends suggested to explore this new trail in Kiulu under Kg. Sinorut Eco Tourism, the Mayang Endurance Trail 20km loop, I couldn't resist the offer.  I needed the time off from everything and get back to what eases the soul.

As the day finally approaches, am getting nervous, I started to regret my decision.  But glad I proceeded it.

[Food] Damai Foodtruck Gathering

I finally found myself at Damai Multipurpose Hall parking lot with my friends last Friday.  Thanks Charlotte and Beverly for letting me tag along. 

I always wanted to go there but my main concern was parking.  I finally realize that it wasn't a problem coz the foodtrucks use the far end of the lot while visitors can park at the nearby lot nearer to the building.

The Damai Foodtruck Gathering has been going on for quite a bit, handled by Estona Events and Promotions and goes on every weekend from Friday to Sunday, 5pm to 10pm.  The numbers of foodtrucks varies from time to time, so do follow their Instagram: estonaeventsandpromotions or Facebook for updates.

[Food] Alu Alu Kitchen Kolombong Dim Sum

Good news everyone!  Here's a new place to enjoy dim sum.

Alu Alu Kitchen is known for organic and healthy range menus.  These dishes are examined before being served.  Also are healthy and safe to be consumed.  Their seafood are chemical and antibiotic free!

[Race] TMBT Ultra Trail Marathon 2018 - 100km

If you haven't read about my first 100km trail running the year before, click here.

But if you just wanna read about my latest race update on 100km, proceed here.

Right off the bat, I probably wasn't feeling it in the first place, had mixed feelings and given that I was still somewhat mentally drained from my first 100km, a small part of me wanted to do better  since I was rather ill last year, and would wanna come back stronger this year.

I contemplated till the very last minute and registered.

[Food] Kampung Nelayan Floating Seafood Market Restaurant Super Value Set Lunch

Kampung Nelayan Floating Seafood Market Restaurant being one of the famous dining places for tourists and locals for their steamboat buffet has recently launched their Set Lunch Menu.

[Event & Activities] Rediscovering Tawau - Part 1

If you've been following my social media (especially Instagram and Twitter), I have been in Tawau for the past 3 days last weekend, experiencing it like a tourist.  Hashtag: beingtouristy.

Hello TAWAU!

I was in Tawau for 4 years during my teen years and studied there.  I don't go back as often as I want but I would definitely wanna go back again to rediscover the food and hiking spots (think I've been to some when I was younger, my dad like to take us around and see places also enjoy plenty of eating, hence why I was a chubbykins when I was younger, thank you dad), maybe can also include diving in the process since I got my license.  

[Events] Milo Breakfast Day Run 2018

I don't usually register for a race/run till the very last minute but this is one of many last minute run that I've registered (okay, that includes TMBT coz I registered before closing date).  

For this one though, I'd registered 3 weeks before (just coz I saw the "bunting" along the road near my house and couldn't resist).  A way to kick start my running haha okay not really but you get what I mean.  Thankfully, they still have shirts my size (size cumil). 

Registration fee was RM30 (and it's cheaper if you registered in a group), you'll get an event tee, a running bib, the medal (given you finish the run/walk) and goodie bags after the run.  It's not a competition guys! (bilang si Cassie).

Apparently, Milo Run is not something new.  It is an annual event and has been around since 2013.  First time for me though, I wonder why I did not register any before.  Glad I did this year.  According to the website, the mission of driving the importance of breakfast as an essential source of energy to take on the day.  I also found out that RM5 of the registration fee goes to charity (correct me if am wrong).

[Activities] PADI Open Water Dive Course

You can't imagine the number of times I rewrite this post (now, while listening to Jacob Lee on Spotify).

Here we go again trying to restart how I wanna write about my Open Water Dive course experience (typing without looking what am typing and let all the juices flow).

I know a lot of people who wanted to explore the underwater world but doesn't know how and where to start.  Thankfully, I have friends who thought about me when they have something interesting to do.  

My first underwater experience was with Borneo Divers, I took the Discovering Scuba, which takes about a day with 2 dives, did it at Mamutik, that was brief, but was definitely a fun experience, though, I wished I had gone more than 10m at that time (didn't know how to equalize and what's up with my buoyancy?), and this was 3 years ago.

Moving forward to 2018, I finally decided to take the Open Water Dive course with my two (2) other friends.  Again, am blessed with people who helped me arrange.  I guess I wasn't thinking straight, I had 10 days to prepare (right after my Maliau Basin trip, I hope I couldn't finish that post soonish, "sabar kamurang").  I mean, what is there to prepare right?  Just do it! YOLO!

[Activities] KK (Kota Kinabalu) Free Walking Tour

Sabah Tourism Board (STB) recently introduced the KK Free Walking Tour.  It is open for everyone (tourist, locals) who wish to learn more about the history (dated back to pre-post and post-war), heritage and culture of KK City.  The tour is currently available on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday and starts at 9am, Sabah Tourism Board.  

Registration can be made via freewalk.sabahtourism.com or walk in and register at the counter at the STB building (please take note that each session is limit to 15 pax only, it is advisable to register early).  Oh yes, did I mention that it is FREE?