Jesselton Hotel

(front of Jesselton Hotel)

(view from room 208)

(me with friends and the doorman)

(along the walkway at the wet market)

(with the hotel maid... isnt she cute?)

The flight to Kota Kinabalu from KLIA (Kuala Lumpur International Airport) was delayed for an hour. My husband and I finally boarded the aircraft (MAS) at 8.30am, Thursday 16th December 2010. We reached Kota Kinabalu International Airport (KKIA) two hours and 45 mins later.

From the airport we took a taxi to Jesselton Hotel, which is at the corner of Gaya Street. We were welcomed by the doorman who dressed up as a British hunter. So cute!! We stayed in room 208 (2nd floor). Our room has the usual amenites like most rooms we stayed during our travel, but the rooms at Jesselton Hotel has this colonial feel.... So...English... We love it!!

We then had our prayers (we jamaq and qasar Zuhur and Asar prayers) and then we got ready to 'paint' Kota Kinabalu town. Since we knew we had to do a lot of walking, we wore our running shoes and left the hotel around 3pm that day.

We went to Wisma Sabah to enquire about renting a car, when hubby suddenly suggested that we rent a motorbike instead. I totally agreed. We rented a Suzuki VS150 (Plate No.SAB3116D) which cost RM37 a day. We wanted to rent for 2 days...

From Wisma Sabah, we walked along the waterfront to the Filipina market, where we could buy souvenirs, especially key chains, pearl and crystal bangles and so many handicrafts made for sale. You have to be good at bargaining here.... If the sellers refused to budge from the lowest amount you have bargained for.... do not bother to try the other stalls.... They too will not budge. We guessed all of them have agreed to a fixed amount when selling their product.

We then had dinner at one of the restaurants along the waterfront. Grilled fish and fried vegetables with white rice. After that, on our way back to the hotel, we bought grilled prawns (medium and large) and grilled squids. All so fresh at the night market along the waterfront.

We arrived at the hotel, safe and sound, and was greeted by the doorman. On our way to our room, we bumped into this hotel maid. Wow... she was dressed like a British maid!! So cute!!

BTW, free wifi is available at the hotel lobby. OR can piggyback using Oldtown white coffee wifi, but must eat/drink there first (to get the password... heheehee..)