Things To Do & See in Tamparuli

Tamparuli is a small and quaint town located 40 minutes away from Kota Kinabalu city center, depending on the traffic conditions and how fast your driving speed. It's a town you will passby before making your way to the Kundasang, Ranau, Sandakan and even Tawau.

 Besides serve as a stopover town, there are more than a Tamparuli town can offers.  

1) Confuse Yourself in Upside Down House

The Upside Down House, or Rumah Terbalik in Malay translation is the first of its kind in Malaysia as well as in Southeast Asia and also among the seven upside-down structures built in the world. Inside this 140 square metre of traditional Sabah kampung house, it is technically built just like any other houses, features a living room, kitchen, bedrooms and bathroom with unique features of Sabah decor and design inside the house. Just that everything inside the house, from the household items to furniture is viewed in a new and different perspective, actually upside down except for few items such as air-conditioner and CCTV. Each and every visitor would be guided by a tour inside the house. However, bear in the mind photography inside the house is strictly prohibited.

among the five upside-down structures in the world

among the five upside-down structures in the world

Opening Hours: Daily from 7am to 7pm (including public holiday)
Admission Fee: Malaysian - RM10.60 for adult and RM5.30 for child
                        Non Malaysian - RM19.10 for adult and RM5.30 for child

2) Satisfy Your Hungry Tummy with Tamparuli Fried Noodle

Named after the town where it was originated, Tamparuli Fried Noodle (Tamparuli Mee) is a freshly handmade egg noodle and usually served with roasted pork, egg pork rolls and scrambled egg. You can request for seafood if you want. Some people said it looks similar to Tuaran Fried Noodle (Tuaran Mee) but I personally think it's more springy than the latter one. A plate of Tamparuli Fried Noodle cost RM5.

There are two coffee shops serve the best authentic Tamparuli Fried Noodle; Keng Swee Hing Coffee Shop and Restoran Wun Chiap. [You can refer this blog for more info about the location]

3) Embrace Yourself Walking Through Tamparuli Suspension Bridge

The most famous landmark in Tamparuli is the long hanging bridge, which is immortalised in the song Jambatan Tamparuli, a favourite folk song of the Kadazan Dusun people of Sabah. Tamparuli Suspension Bridge is very important to the local as it was built in order to help people to cross the Tamparuli River.

4) Understand The Local Culture in Chanteek Borneo Gallery

Chanteek Borneo Gallery is Sabah's first ever miniature gallery showcases an array of exhibition to preserve our Sabahan cultural heritage in a size of a “playdoll”. Here, one can see hundreds of playdoll wearing the traditional costumes of the over 40 ethnic groups of Sabahan local people. This is the best spot to see the beautiful and colourful costumes of the past and present of Sabah as some of the costumes are hardly seen nowadays except during festivities such as the Harvest Festival which is celebrated this coming end of May.


By the end of the tour, my friend and I have the opportunity to play the traditional musical instruments. It was exceptionally fun and interesting.

Opening Hours: Tuesday - Saturday from 9am to 6pm
                             Sunday from 10 am to 4.30 pm
                             Closed on Monday. 
Admission Fee: RM15.00 for adult and RM10.00 for child and senior citizen.
Camera Pass: RM5.00 is charged for each gadget

It's real! Sakura in Sabah.

We're lucky while driving along the Tamparuli road, we saw a row of trees with glorious of white and pink blossoming flowers early of this May.

One of the best way to visit all the above in Tamparuli town is by renting a car for a day. Or before going up to the Kundasang and Ranau, plan your trip earlier.

Before I end this blogpost of mine, I would like to wish 

Happy Harvest Festival & Happy Gawai 

to all fellow Sabahan and Sarawakian readers!

We Eat, Shop & Sleep in Hatyai: A Day Tour Around Hatyai

Date Visited: 23rd June 2013

Initially on the third day in Hatyai, my friend and I decided to continue shopping but not until we were approached by a almost middle aged lady for a day tour around Hatyai. After haggled for almost ten minutes, we finally agreed with the price offered of 1,000 baht travel around with her tuk-tuk. Be make sure to do research of the market price beforehand, or else you will likely being ripped off with with absurdly high prices. I always do my research earlier at least, by reading blogs, TripAdvisor and so on.

Wat Hat Yai Nai

Not far away from the Hatyai city center, we started off by visiting Wat Hat Yai Nai, which known as Temple of Wisdom. This temple is well-known for a gigantic statue of sleeping Buddha, named Phra Phuttha Hattha Mongkhon. With the measurement of 35 metres long, 15 metres tall and 10 metres wide, Wat Hat Yai Nai is claimed to be the third largest reclining Buddha in the world. No admission fee is required, just a small donation would be appreciated.


Hatyai Ice Dome


I knew about this place exist but we came here without any early preparation; wore short pants and slippers which is totally insane! But we glad that we were provided with thick coats and warm gloves before entering. Upon entering, we were amazed with the beautiful colourful ice sculptures being displayed around such as our proud iconic, KLCC as well as other famous landmarks around the world. It was really pretty impressive and we were indeed enjoyed the ice cold feeling inside but just make sure in case you are interesting to visit here, please wear long pants and shoes.

Admission fee: 300 baht (Adult) and 200 baht (Children)
Opening Hour: 10 am to 8 pm

Chang Puak Camp


Chang Puak camp is the place for those who are interested with elephant trekking activities. Besides elephant trekking, they even offer other fun activities such as ATV and archery. However, we just dropped for few minutes for phototaking and left instantly. I'm strongly disagree with elephant riding activities, especially after seeing the animal cruelty exposed. It's indeed heartbreaking.

Songkhla Aquarium


After more than 40 minutes of ride from Hatyai district, we reached a small, beach side town of Songkhla and the first place we went was Songkhla Aquarium. Our tour guide convinced us to visit this home to a great variety of both fresh and salt-water fish. Don't expecting this aquarium as big as the one in Singapore or even in Langkawi as it was quite small but sufficient enough for a visit in less than an hour. If you are bringing small kids with you, then this would be one of the recommend place to be but if not, well perhaps you could just skip this place cause honestly speaking, nothing much to see here. The only thing we enjoyed the most was the feeding time performance.



Admission fee: 300 baht (Adult) and 200 baht (Children)
Opening Hour: Tuesday to Sunday (Close on Monday)

The Great Serpent

One of the popular attractions around Songkhla is the statue of "The Great Serpent" found on the sea shore. This Nag is highly respected in southern Thailand as it believed to bring happiness and good fortune to the population of the town.

Golden Mermaid Statue


Probably Songkhla's most photographed tourist attraction, this golden mermaid statue sits on a rock on the Samila white sandy beach. A visit to Songkhla is incomplete without seeing this statue and this is the reason why I agreed to take the day tour trip, just mainly for this.

Besides the places we went, eventually there are even more places you could consider when visiting Hatyai such as:

• Hatyai Municipal Park
• Tang Kuan Hills of Songkhla
• Hatyai Cable Car

and more but we decided to end the trip earlier as we were exhausted and the weather was unbearable hot. 

Bangkok & Hua Hin Version 3.0 (Sneak Peek)

I just came back from my recent trip to Bangkok and that's explain why I didn't update my blog recently.

This is my third visit to Bangkok, after two years and I'm looking forward to go again. See, I told you that Bangkok has indeed put spell on me. I just can't help myself from going back over and over again.

Not just Bangkok, this time we managed to go Hua Hin as well for 3 days 2 nights.

Hua Hin is getting more attention and popular lately, especially among foreign visitors for its interesting and charming theme parks such as Santorini Park, The Venezia, Swiss Sheep Farm and more.

#2: A day tour around Hua Hin cost 1,800 baht

That is one of the reason why I choose to be back Bangkok, instead of other cities. The other reasons:

#3: Shopping around Pratunam area

I admit that I shopped a lot when I was in Bangkok cause they were freaking cheap, from the top to the bottom. I could get a nice and decent top plus with good quality for only 120 baht (approx. to RM14) and a dress for 200 baht (approx. to RM23). I can't deny that Bangkok is indeed ladies shopping paradise.

#4: Aroi mak mak! (means very very delicious in Thai)

Besides shopping, a trip to Bangkok and Hua Hin is about food, food and food. Tom yam gung, Thai fish cake, pad thai, coconut milk sticky rice with sweet mangoes, fresh seafood - I just love Thai cuisines.

#5: Thanks to AirAsia for the cheap fare

Cheap shopping, delicious food and cheap massages - that's explain why Bangkok always my favourite city to be. Anyone love Bangkok as well? 

[Note: Just when I wish to go Bangkok again, I received another invitation to there but I rejected due to work commitment. So sad]

We Eat, Shop & Sleep in Hatyai: Klong Hae Floating Market

Date Visited: 22nd June 2013

Floating markets in Thailand are the most popular attraction among the tourists. Like the one in Bangkok,  Damnoen Saduak Floating Market I eventually went twice and I found it was pretty interesting and unique experience which hardly to seen in Malaysia. So when I was in Hatyai, I never missed the opportunity to visit their local floating market.

The floating market in Hatyai is known as Klong Hae Floating Market, the name was given upon where it's located. They are commonly known as Hatyai Floating Market too, so don't worry if you couldn't memorise the actual name.

#1: One of the mode of transportation to the floating market - Tuk-tuk

We took tuk-tuk to reach this popular floating market and the ride cost 420 baht for return. The more people, the lesser you pay but because there were only two of us, hence it cost 210 baht each. The driver allowed us to venture the floating market for 3 hours, at least. In case you are wondering how to look for these tuk-tuk driver, most of the time these tuk-tuk drivers would eventually approach you everytime step out from the hotel, especially if you are staying nearby Lee Garden Plaza.

#2: Small stalls before reaching the floating market selling unique and cute handmade handicrafts 

Klong Hae Floating Market is only open from Friday to Sunday. Generally, the vendors start to operate from 3pm to 9pm. So if you are lucky to be in Hatyai on that particular day, why not spend some time to visit this interesting and unique floating market? 

#3: Klong Hae Floating Market

From the bridge, we saw a line of colourful boat lining up alongside the canal. Just can't wait to get closer to see what are they offering. Large number of vendors there are selling variety of local Thai food and snacks but in a unique way. The vendors will hang over a basket tied on a long bamboo stick, put the money inside the basket, and they will place the foods inside the basket and hang over back again to you. Pretty interesting but sometime I worry either my money or food will dropped into the water but hey, I guess these people are professional, right? 

#4: Drinks served in unique and cute clay pots

Majority of the food and snacks are halal and suitable to the Muslim visitors. Price wise, it cost roughly around 10 baht to 30 baht which I think it's pretty affordable. Among all the stalls, the most outstanding is where the drink served in unique and cute design clay pots, instead of using plastic bags. My friend and I couldn't help ourselves but bought the drink which came along with the clay pots. Of course, you could actually bring back as a memento for sure.

#5: Variety of local Thai food and snacks

#6: Foodstalls

Besides the floating market, there are number of foodstalls and souvenir shops set up for more shopping experiences. The food and snacks sold are more or less the same as the one selling in boats, just that it's less crowded.

#7: Anyone dare to try this?

#8: My loots from the floating market 

Honestly speaking, I prefer this Klong Hae Floating Market than Damnoen Saduak Floating Market simply because few reasons; less crowded, cheaper food and more interesting things than the latter on.

Follow me on Twitter | Instagram | Dayre | for more of my travel adventures and journey !

We Eat, Shop & Sleep in Hatyai: We Eat Shabushi @ Lee Plaza Plaza

Date Visited: 21st June 2013

Right after we checked out our hotel room in Centara Hotel Hatyai, both of our stomach were growling and rumbling and by when we looked at the time, it was 2.30 pm. Straight from the airport directly to the hotel, we didn't have anything yet and hence, we instantly cleaned ourselves and went out for the late lunch.

As Lee Garden Plaza situated right in front of our hotel, we decided to go in to look for any restaurants were still open at this odd hour. After ventured almost the whole area of this shopping mall, we decided to try this Shabushi located on the ground floor, which was easily noted right we went in from the entrance.

#1: Shabushi located on ground floor of Lee Garden Plaza

Shabushi is a Japanese restaurant serving shabu-shabu and sushi in a buffet style. With the price of 345 baht (approx. to RM36) for a pax, we can eat as many as we want, which my friend and I thought it was reasonable and affordable, seeing that we didn't have anything earlier.

#2: Our own personal hotpot

As for the soupbases, there are few choices to choose from such as Tom Yam soup, chicken soup and more but for me, I definitely select Tom Yam soup cause spicy is always my ultimate pick when come to food.

#3: Just grab anything u want from the kaizen belt

From the kaizen belt, there are variety of fresh raw foods being served such as chicken and pork meat, fish fillet, prawns, fish cakes, mushrooms, vegetables, eggs, noodles and more to choose from. 

#4: Tempura and sushi

Besides for the raw foods, there are also readily cooked meals served at the corner side such as tempura, gyoza, fried chicken, fried rice and more. But the main highlight would be the unlimited of colourful sushi. Honestly to say, I prefer the sushi section than the shabu-shabu one.

#5: The fried section - I love the gyoza especially.

#6: The unlimited sushi bar

#7: Not just cold beverages, they do served hot one as well.

#8: What would a buffet be without ice-cream?

Overall, I personally think the food served in Shabushi is fairly good and I quite satisfied with it cause at that particular moment, my hometown doesn't have this kind of themed restaurant available yet. Plus, with the price for only 345 baht, I can eat as many sushi as I want (I'm freaking love Japanese meals) without worrying that it will burn a big hole of my wallet. 

Just bear in mind, each patron is given 75 minutes to enjoy their meal, or else additional cost will be charged.

Accommodations I Stayed Before

LATEST UPDATED ON 27.08.2015
 
List of the accommodations I stayed before:
(This list will be updated from time to time)

MALAYSIA
Sabah 

• Grandis Hotels & Resorts, Kota Kinabalu

Johor

• 11@Century Hotel, Johor Bahru
• KSL D's Esplanade Residence, Johor Bahru
• Tune Hotel Danga Bay, Johor Bahru

klia2

• Capsule by Container Hotel

LCCT Airport

• Tune Hotel LCCT Airport (No longer available as they moved to KLIA2)

Malacca

• Equatorial Hotel

• The Explorer Hotel, Malacca 

Penang

• Old Penang Guesthouse 

Perak

• Le Metrotel of Ipoh 

Putrajaya

• The Everly Hotel Putrajaya 

Sarawak

• 360 Urban Resort Hotel, Kuching

CAMBODIA
Siem Reap

• Motherhome Guesthouse 

CHINA
Shenzhen

• Sofitel Dongguan Humen Oriental

HONG KONG

• Disney's Hollywood Hotel  

INDONESIA
Bali

• Jocs Boutique Hotel & Spa 

Bandung

• Sensa Hotel Bandung

Jakarta

• MaxOne Hotels.com 
• Ibis Jakarta Mangga Dua

JAPAN
Osaka

• J Hoppers, Osaka 
• Hotel Consort Osaka
• Remm Shin-Osaka

Tokyo

• Tokyo House Ikebukuro
• Best Western Kyoto 

PHILIPPINES 
Manila

• Friendly Guesthouse 

SINGAPORE

• V Lavender Hotel
• Hotel 81 Dickson 
• The Southbridge Hotel
• A Beary Good Hostel

SOUTH KOREA
Jeju

• Jeju Hiking Inn 

Seoul

• Namsan Guest House 

TAIWAN

• Taipei, Taichung & Jiufen (2013)

THAILAND
Bangkok

• The Period Pratunam Hotel of Bangkok
• Centre Point Pratunam Hotel of Bangkok

Hatyai

• Centara Hotel

Phuket

• Loveli Boutique Guesthouse  

Disclaimer:

The reviews of all the accommodation above truly based on my own personal experience and are my genuine and honest opinion of this hotel, and that I have no personal or business relationship with those establishment.

We Eat, Shop & Sleep in Hatyai: We Sleep @ Centara Hotel Hat Yai

A trip to Hatyai, Thailand is an impromptu one after I decided to cancel off the 10 days trip to China & Vietnam with a group of awesome travel bloggers due to my own business and work commitment (click here).  

At that moment, I realised that I seriously need another short getaway after didn't travel anywhere for more than two months. Coincidentally, a friend of mine who travelled together to Bangkok also need another short break from her hectic life too and ended up, both of us chosen to go Hatyai. It was indeed kinda last minute plan and luckily we bought cheap and affordable airfares less than two months ahead when we saw the promotion from AirAsia and Malaysia Airlines. How much we bought then? A trip to Hatyai with AirAsia for only RM161 return and as for my ticket from Kota Kinabalu to Kuala Lumpur, a return airfare for only RM136 - including 30kg of baggage allowance and in-flight meal. What a great bargain as we bought less than two months beforehand! 

#1: We're welcomed by mini bronze mermaid statue in Hatyai International Airport

From the airport, we took airport taxi directly to the hotel we're staying for the next four nights. Our hotel, Centara Hotel is situated right in the heart of city center of Hatyai. The location of this hotel is perfectly strategic as it was surrounded with plenty of street stall vendors, night markets, eateries, massage parlours and more. Even the infamous Lee Garden Shopping Mall is located right in front of this hotel.

#2: The elegant hotel lobby located on the 6th floor

Formerly known as Novotel Hotel, we were surprised when we found the hotel lobby is situated in 6th floor instead on the ground floor. Not until when we came to their lobby, I just recalled that I stayed in this hotel 10 years ago with my family when we went Hatyai for the very first time. This hotel is quite popular among Malaysian especially , hence the check-in process may took some time especially during the weekend.

#3: We requested twin beds room but was given a queen bed sized

Although this hotel has been more than a decade, but the room has never disappointed us. The room seems to be newly renovated with a cheerful and bright environment. This fairly spacious room is well-equipped with mini fridge, tea and coffee making facilities, LCD television, safety box and most importantly, there is a free WiFi internet connection within the room.

#4: Complimentary drinking waters were given

#5: Working table to cater not only the leisure traveller but also for business purposes.

#6: Toilet amenities

As for the bathroom, not just hot water is available but it comes with rainfall shower. This is one thing I love recently whenever I stayed in hotel. Thought of installing this for my future home someday cause it's really cool especially after back from daily hectic life with tired body.

#7: Outdoor swimming pool

As for other facilities such as sports and recreation, there are gym, outdoor swimming pool, kids club, sauna and spa is provided within the hotel. It's funny how eventhough my friend and I were in Hatyai for 5 days, but we never have the time to utilise all these.

#8: Breakfast

Breakfast wise, it's still acceptable although some of the meals seems to be repeated. Like I mentioned earlier as this hotel is very popular among Malaysian visitors, hence don't be surprised seeing this hotel served Malaysia famous cuisines such as nasi lemak and roti canai.

Date Stayed: 21 June - 25 June 2013 (4 nights)

Rate We Paid : RM192.10 per night for a superior queen room inclusive breakfast (Booked via Agoda.com)

Disclaimer:
This review is truly based on my own personal experience and is my genuine and honest opinion of this hotel, and that I have no personal or business relationship with this establishment.