[Food] Up2U Cafe, Damai 10th Anniversary on 31st March 2018

Up2U Cafe in Damai Plaza is turning 10 this 31st March 2018!!! 👏👏👏

In conjunction with the 10th anniversary, the cafe is having a RM10 promo on selected classic meals.  Yeap you heard me!  RM10 ONLY.  This was probably the second time I've been here.  The cafe serve simple hearty western food and snacks.  You also can chill and shisha here too.  Serves no pork and serves alcoholic beverages.

[Food] Radha's at the square

 

Radha's banana leaf is now available at KK Times Square.  The former Mr Ho's Fine Food, currently Jesselton Butcher is a fusion restaurant and bar that serves indian and western cuisine.  This restaurant serves no pork and serves alcoholic beverages.  

A good option for people who wanted to carboload is the vegetarian thali set, serves on a thali layered with banana leaf are rice, assorted vegetables, spices, curry and dhal, pickles, dried chili, rasam, payasam, kesari and papadam (mind you, I love papadam, I sometimes buy it from the shops and just eat that like my daily snacks).  Perfect for lunch, full of flavors and taste delicious too.  Just enough portion wise. 

Celcom Harith Iskander #KitaOK Live Comedy Tour 2018 in Kota Kinabalu

This might be a little short notice on my part but, Laugh Factory's 2016 funniest man in the world, Harith Iskander is in town! Woot woot? 

Have you got your tickets yet?

Prouldy presented by Celcom, the live comedy tour kicks off at Kuala Lumpur: Axiata Arena, Bukit Jalil on February 24th and has been to Johor, Melaka, Penang and Kuching.  The Godfather of standups comedy in Malaysia will finally be in Kota Kinabalu: Port View Palace Hall at Hakka Hall tomorrow at 8:30PM!

TAMAHA Food Race 2018

A very good morning evening!  Lemme just get myself caffeinated before I proceed with this post (probably gonna be long) of how my last weekend went.  It's pretty obvious from my current banner updates last Saturday (so orangie now).  Sorry 'bout the massive update, being the designated INTAMAHA (I'm impressed with my updates coz it looked pretteh on my feed) for the mentioned race requires me to check in at every location.

This building will be 100 years old on 16th March 2018

My very first food race with 3 of my friends (2 which I come to know from Sabah Tourism - SabahChats gathering since last year).

Ahang, Evan, me and Gotoh

Sabah Tourism Building turning 100!!!

Sabah Tourism building is turning 100 on 16th March 2018.

Did you know?

"Sabah Tourism building is one of the three oldest building in the city other than the Atkinson Clock Tower and the structure of the former Land & Survey Building, with the building formerly housing a post office."  - Wikipedia

[Cafe] Hello Stranger Cafe, The Walk Riverson

If you're looking for a place to chill, have a cup of coffee, maybe catch up with your friends or have some alone time to read a book, here's a place you might want to consider.  Hello Stranger Cafe, located at Ground level at The Walk Riverson, in the heart of Kota Kinabalu city.  Now, I've been asked on many occasions where The Walk Riverson is located, and I spare myself the explanation by saying it is near Imago (people just do not know where KK Times Square or Glenegles is located 😅). 

Outdoor seating but it can get a weebit hot at times.

[Activities] Mulu Pinnacles (4D3N) Trip 2017 - Part 2

In case you missed the first part of this post, here.

Back to where I left off.  Sorry this took awhile, been having problems with the connection.

Mulu Pinnacles 💜

Day 3: Mulu Pinnacles

Our group

[Activities] Mulu Pinnacles (4D3N) Trip 2017 - Part 1

I've lost count to the number of times I've re-written this post, I can't seem to complete it.  It has been a struggle but I'm gonna make sure I complete this 😂.  To those waiting for this post, I sincerely apologize for the delay.  Post 1 is getting longer hahaha help!

Mulu airport

Where to begin?

If you're planning to do the Pinnacles, it is highly recommended to book in advance since there's limited slots available at Camp 5.  Allocate 3 days 2 nights for this tour.  Minimum 3 person per tour.  But if you're going solo, don't worry, they will group you up with other solo travelers :) I'll include a summarize costing for this trip at the end of Part 2 of this post.
 
The return ticket from Kota Kinabalu to Mulu costs RM295.32 via MasWing and I had booked it early, my trip was 5 days after TMBT.  I don't know what I was thinking when I agreed for that trip but I was excited for it.  I was confident about my recovery haha.  Optimist!

Flight to Mulu

There are 2 available flights to Mulu from Miri in a day and 1 from Kuching.  Flights will transit at Miri for immigration clearance (for at least 20 minutes).

My flight was originally scheduled for a 55 minutes flight but somehow it was cancelled (without notice).  Thankfully, friend had informed me earlier (around August, mind you) I had sort it out with Malaysian Airlines.  So, that's about an extra 30 minutes to Mulu.

Le Meridien Kota Kinabalu Chinese New Year 2018 Buffet Promo

Who's excited for Chinese New Year? ME

Chinese New Year is all about the reunion and gatherings of families and friends; it's also the day in a year where you get to enjoy the holiday's special meal.

Salmon Yee Sang.

Celebrate this lunar new year at Latest Recipe, Le Meridien Kota Kinabalu with a spread of delicious feast prepared by Executive Chef, Fahdrul Bin Hj Abd Malek and his culinary team.

[Activities] Climbing the highest mountain in Malaysia

Akinabalu

Have you climb the highest mountain in Malaysia? It was my third climb.  Why stop at one?

I have always thought that I'm an adventurous person growing up.  I would climb trees and was active in sports (running short distance mostly).  I had, though, probably gone through a phase growing up and shut myself out from the world somehow.   I hated everything then.  I guess things do change, for the better.  I've discovered myself  again and have started opening up to the world.  

Whenever I wanna try something new, I'll overthink and  would probably find ways to avoid it.  Not unless I have paid for it, then it would be impossible to back out.  That was the first time I climb Mount Kinabalu in 2012 via Mesilau Trail.  I never knew booking a slot/slots was that tedious (especially for a big group) till I did the booking myself.  I've also climbed in 2013 via Timpohon - Summit Trail.

[Events] Tomei 50th Anniversary: Xi Fu Wedding Collection Fashion Walk 2018

Tomei is celebrating their 50th anniversary this year and I happened to be showing my sis a photo of Tomei's new Majestic Celebration collection 2018 (this is so pretty, I kid you not, but it wasn't available for showcase yet.  Maybe will be arriving this week) which I thought looked cute on Instagram 4 days ago and she directly called her contact at Tomei Suria Sabah to check it out, found out about an event happening on Saturday and RSVPed when I said I can bring her.  It's the Luxe Heritage: Xifu Wedding Collection Fashion Walk, showcasing Tomei's sets of gold and silver with diamond wedding collection, and life bridal's wedding dresses.

Program listing

[Activities] Murug Turug Eco Resort

It's funny how social media plays a major role in our daily life.  Like how much time a person spent being online?  I know how it feels like not being online for 4 days (Mulu trip, Digi! YUDo this? I survived, will try to finish writing about that, it's in my draft since last year). 

You know that feeling of seeing something so beautiful and wanting to be there?  I have seen a lot and this is one of the places in my bucket list of places to visit.  I also love following food bloggers/instagrammers hehe.

Been so grateful with having people who share the same sentiment about exploring nature and  totally enjoying the moment.

Weekend Buffet at Avangio Hotel Kota Kinabalu

Once in awhile, we would wanna pamper ourselves with a good meal.  Having a good diet is important but imagine having the same meal with the same portion everyday of the week, how boring.  (I was on an oat diet for a year before, and the thought of oats just makes me sick now ).  I try to workout at least 4 times a week and not feel guilty with food consumption (I have gone through a strict diet regime before, I just don't have the same mindset anymore).  Lemme just EAT HAPPY!

I remember having 2 times a month cheat day and it always falls in the weekend ❤ you know how we love the weekend.  Here's an option to enjoy your weekend.

BUFFET!

This is the first time for me here at Mercato Restaurant, Avangio Hotel Kota Kinabalu.  Their current buffet promotion:

Promotion starts 20th January 2018 and available every weekend.

Time: 6:30pm to 10pm (Saturday) and 12 noon to 3pm (Sunday).
Price: RM48 nett for adults and RM38 nett for children (aged 6 - 12 years old.

And you can enjoy buffet for the price of 4 when you dine for 5!
      
For reservation and enquiries, feel free to contact: 088-536888.

[Activities] Bukit Bongol, Kota Belud

Hiking has been the in thing since last year with the numbers of spots that you couldn't have imagine exist.  Kota Belud alone probably have over 30 spots to explore.  I have been to certain parts of Kota Belud, for hiking and camping (Kowatuan and Mt. Minodtuhan) but have yet to visit every single one of these places.

Recently, I'd planned a day trip with friends to the famous Bukit Bongol.  Now you must be wondering why this hill in my bucket list, it has been my bucket list since last year for hills to climb.  Not because it is challenging (the dog made it!) but how it will look like in a photo, we all know how everyone love beautiful photos 😂.  There are 10 peaks in of Bukit Bongol.  Yeap, you heard me, 10!!! Imagine multiple camel backs.

There are 3 known starting point to get there:-
via Pirasan
via Kinasaraban
via Kg. Mandap

[Activities] Arnab Village Ranau

A continuation from my previous post.  We left the camp site and proceeded to Arnab Village in Ranau.  What seems to be a short trip became long due to traffic condition heading towards Ranau.  Not too sure what happened, probably an accident?  We were stuck longer than expected (like a 25 mins trip took us more than an hour, whyyy??).  Thank god we have snacks in our car.  Almost lost it.  We had a funny live video on Facebook 😂. 

Every now and then I see a familiar location (race route, KIBBAS!!!) 

Parking spots are available around the area but a bit muddy due to rain.  Entry to the rabbit village is RM5 per person.  There's also a cat room but we didn't go check it out.  

[Activities] Polumpung Melangkap View Camp Site (PMVCS)

This year, I thought I'll get back to blogging.  I don't know how often I will write but I guess it only happens when I have good "free" internet connection and when am overflowing with ideas or when I feel like it.

Neways, recently, I'd planned for a trip for the new year's with the gang.  It's our first camping trip I reckon after few years of celebrating it at a friend's house steamboating, well not really in the wilderness but at a camp site where you don't have to worry about digging a hole everytime you gotta do your no. 2 😂.

Our destination: Polumpung Melangkap View Camp Site, Kota Belud.

It's easy to book and you also get fast reply via WhatsApp (012 871 5576/ 012 828 7376 / 016 824 6529 / 014 650 4122).  More info via their FB and IG.

How to get there?

We set off after having breakfast at Menggatal Ngiu Chap at Inanam around 9:30am and gathered at Kota Belud Town after grabbing some extra stuff that we needed.  I think it was fear of hunger that we had a lot of food especially meat options with us.

Got myself some fried chicken from Sugarbun, so tasty!  I feel like eating this again coz it's so good.

Also bought some sweet corn (this is so good, the stall is just along the road) for RM5 and watermelon for RM7.

Point of entry, parking available

Arrived the camp site around past 1:30pm.  Registered and got the stuff we had reserved prior.

Cost breakdown not inclusive the food that we brought with us.

TMBT Ultra Trail Marathon 2017 - My first 100km trail marathon

After 2 years of going haywire from the blogging world (maybe less coz I blogged for The Borneo Blog), I have decided to blog about my first 100km ultra trail marathon experience.  Initially wanted to do it via Instagram but I have reached the maximum number of characters that I had to cancel my post entirely.  I also thought blogging would be easier to backtrack just in case I wanna go back and reflect to the crazy things that I had gone though in life 😅

If am gonna start with my preparation and costings this would take awhile to finish, so am just gonna go straight to race day.  Here goes nothing.

Pre-race: 15th September 2017 (Friday)

I was definitely feeling the pressure, my condition before race day;

1. I fell on my butt the week before race day.  Actually I fell a couple of times at Bukit Padang before.  WHY?!? 😕
2. I was on and off of sickness (flu, fever, cough, sore throat) for a month or so, had hives all over my body (every time I feel heaty), was allergic to everything, on antihistamine every 3-4 days.  Had to go gluten and dairy free for few days.
3. I twisted my right ankle after my B2B training (roughly 50km total) and was still recovering.  Went to chiro to fix it, after 5 days, I started running, slowly.  Went to the sports doctor to check my legs, apparently I still have minor swelling on my right ankle (there's minor pain but that's manageable). 
4. Had issues with my lower spine few years back and still managing that 🤣 (manageable with stretch).
5. Diagnosed with plantar fasciitis on my left foot maybe a year ago (manageable with splint and stretch).
6. Had an allergy on my right eye, was off contact lens for a week.  Blurry vision everyday.

I was also on and off running for a month.  The panic OMFG!  Tried to clock in as much mileage.

Had the hardest time to sleep after I packed and checked everything.  I didn't want to take antihistamine but was itching so badly, I would wake up and rub ice all over to cool my body till it's finally time to wake up.  That's when I realized that both my eyes were swollen, popped a pill *sigh.

Race day: 16th September 2017 (Saturday)

Funny friends.  Lucu ko mond.

The early risers.

I swear I remembered that the bus transfer to the starting point leaves at 3am.  I was at Avangio around 2:10am.  So early.  I could have slept longer if I know it actually leaves at 3:30am lol.  Bummer.  Thanks Pame for getting me buns and mineral water 😘.

Photos before the the journey.

The bus left at 3:36am and I managed to get some shut eye. 

With Pame and the other 100km participants, sorry pacer 🙈

Arrived Lingkubang at slightly before 5am (that was fast) and settled the drop bag before crossing the hanging bridge (that took awhile, traffic jam).  Mind you, I had my glasses on and had to switch to contact lens.

Scanned my timing chip and stretch a bit.  That sudden moment when your back suddenly in pain 😟 maybe it's just nerves.

Group photos with group of peeps! 💜

It was so crowded and there were too many people, sorry if I didn't spot some of my friends. 

[Running] X3 Challenge - Night Run 21

Now, for starters, actually don't know what I was thinking when I registered.  Okay maybe I do and wasn't satisfied with my BIM HM timing but you know how when you run so often that whenever there's a race, you tend to register on impulse?  I think that was the case.  So I did, exactly on the closing date which was on the 7th May 2015.  Registration fee was RM100 for normal fee, cheaper for early bird.  I thought my registration didn't get through but surprisingly it did.  And I got the confirmation in an instant.  Anyways, before I forgot to mention, this race is organized by AsiaXtreme.  This particular race, the X3 Challenge is a 3 day event, with a marathon (in this case, a half marathon) on the first day, a duathlon on the second day and triathlon on the third day.  Mind you, I have been getting some bad reviews about race organized by this organizer but I am still optimistic.  You won't know unless you experience it right?

Training was as usual, but instead of hiking, I would just run loops at Bukit Padang.  But I'm not always in a good condition to run.  My back pain occasionally will come back to taunt me.  I also thought I would just do long runs one the weekends but my car decides to fail on me a couple of times.  In this case, 3 times.  So, even if I did manage to run, I still think it's not a good enough training. 

[Review] Fitbit Charge HR

I had a lot of stuff to blog about but never did.  Procrastinating.  Today decided to blog about Fitbit Charge HR.  I don't recall as a kid that I have sleeping problem but I know for a fact that during school days, mum would come into my room and have the most high pitch voice you could imagine, telling us to wake up.  I'm experiencing childhood trauma, it's like I'm in this black hole loop.  Exaggerate!  But you get my point.  I didn't care about how many hours I would sleep in a day but I never have noon naps.  As I grew older, not sleeping becomes a habit (gamer's problem, you just can't get your hands off the keyboard or mouse), soon it became a problem.  I barely get enough sleep these days, I would blame it on age.  *chuckled.

So while I was trying to find a fix for this problem of mine, I went to see a doctor to seek medical help.  I was given sleeping pills but I stop taking em after few tries cause I didn't like how it made me feel in the mornings and just sleep whenever I could.  Brain too active maybe?  Neways, to cut story short, and Internet being your best friend, I went and research about gadgets/apps that could get me to track my sleeping patterns.  That's how I first came about Fitbit.  I know it was founded in 2007 but I wasn't sure when came to know about it.  I was sad cause Fitbit wasn't available in Malaysia then.  It was then known for tracking your steps, like a pedometer.  Correct me if I'm wrong, I'm recalling by memory, and it's somewhat vague at this moment.  Now you might think that you could just use that traditional pedometer that you hold and press as you walk.  That thing tires the thumb.  Few years later, I came to use this phone app called SleepBot.  It was good at first, but once they updated it, I got irritated with the updates and removed it.

[Activities] Padas River White Water Rafting via Tenom, Sabah

How long has it been?  *brushes off dust and spiderwebs.

The thoughts of blogging is always there but I can never take the time to sit in front of the computer (I actually could) and type it out (and my nails are so long that typing on a keyboard is a bit slow, ain't gonna sthap meh).  Actually, I was busy (yes I'm making excuses, I have so many japanese words to memorize.).  On a happier note, I am somewhat fully recovered from my back injury and got another injury after that (will blog about it next time).  This time, I'll be blogging about the above mentioned title hee~.  I'll try to summarize this post.

One of my bucket list.  Now mind you, I used to be the type that's always scared of everything.  Every time I wanna try something new, I would over think (like over 9000 *exaggerate.  It's usually more than 10 times repeated in a loop.).  This time around, I've decided to just DO IT!  I'm not getting younger, though I look kinda young (*vomits).  I was contemplating joining this trip cause I haven't been swimming and I'm scared that I might drown.  Mind you, this is my first time.  I never even been to the one at Kiulu.  Grade III - IV for Padas River Water Rafting while Kiulu is Grade II, correct me if I'm wrong.  One day when we went for our weekend run, my pacer brought up the topic and somehow a decision was made.  The friend who organize the trip was running with us at that moment.  I would make a note in the future not to respond to people when running *sweats.