AIST goes holiday!

Last Wednesday, AIST had its first family day in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah for 3 days (16-18 Jan)<< mcm company besar je;). We planned this 4 months earlier, so we managed to get AirAsia tickets for RM150 only (2 ways). Though, I'm not the official staff, but hey, I'm the BOD so I should go;)


As for Husna, this was her second time travel by aeroplane. The first one was the time when AIST conducting PHP Training in Langkawi. She was not a year yet, so I wasn't facing a problem at all. But this time, I was so nervous to think what she's going to behave in the flight (2 1/2 jam beb) plus I get air sick easily:(( Alhamdullilah, Husna was just fine, and boleh tido lagi. Papa took care of her all the way...while the big boss was busy holding the airsickness bag.Phew!

Tourist guide? Hehe, ada, His name is Sumardi - tak bertauliah tp 'boleh la' (translated: cannot expect to much) sbb free;) We arrived KK around 2pm, Sumardi and his father brought us to one of the kedai makan near Sempelang for lunch. I had a nasi goreng ayam, and 'pau' some Gado-gado Sabah from Muza. It's quite same with rojak in Semenanjung but the sauce is much 'cair' than what we have here. Sumardi's father had reminded us that Sabah's time is 1 hour+ earlier than Semenanjung, which means, Subuh is around 5am and maghrib is at 6.20+pm. What a important note! Anyway, Sumardi, thanks for the lunch!

Then, we headed to our apartment. We stayed at Seamaiden Holiday Apartments - a strategic location in KK. The apartment cost only RM400 per night which I think it was perfect for us with 2 families (+ Pauzi & family) and 2 org bujang: Muza & Salimie. It has 3 bedrooms - 1 master room (king size) & 2 bedrooms of queen size, fridge n etc. Papa was most tempted of the free WiFi access, definitely perfect la for him, who is addicted to internet. Everything was just perfect except:

1) no Qiblat sign (mujur ada astro's disc;)
2) no shampoo (tp ada sabun)
3) cannot cook ( the gas is not provided eventhough the stove is there-takpelah, bukan aku nk masak pun!)

After lepaking and enjoying the view, Sumardi fetched us to his house (Kg. Unggun, Menggatal) for dinner. We felt so welcome as his parents were so friendly and kind. We were served with the delicious udang, ikan and sotong bakar,
even Husna and Syakir (Pauzi's elder son), sempat membuat 'kuih' there. Serasi sungguhlah!

Thanks again, Sumardi & family - we are really appreciate with the hospitality.

Second day, the guys had been influenced by Sumardi & his father to go to Kinabalu Park and Poring's hot spring. So we headed there after he managed to rent a suv, Toyota Gaia. Macam sardin jugaklah, sbb 7+3 persons. Practically, it was NOT a good idea to go there with 3 children. Perjalanannya sungguh mencabar dan penuh dgn muntah..haha. Husna was the first person who vomitted. Sian anak mama. Dia mabuk, tade tempat duduk betul2. To mamas out there, bring more plastic bags + extra cloth for your kids;)

Well, aku tak puas hati sangat with this trip, selain dari the fresh air, the cold breeze, the fog and clouds, it was just OK. I even got no chance to see the mountain:( Mungkin sebab 'tourist guide'nya pun tak tahu sangat tempatnya (Madi, kami maafkan;), so tak byk exploring. We had lunch at Balsam Cafe then we went to Botanical Garden.

It was raining so we bought raincoats(rm4) and we 'sort-of' jungle trekking there;) Husna was so excited because she could play in the rain-she never done that!

Something I noticed, the park management should make a good sign board for tourists!

Ohh, Salimie n the boys had chance to be heroes to some cute girls who were stuck in the rain, as their car could not climb the hill...hehe, macam2. Dah tu, mintak no.phone pun takut..aparaaa!

Then, we went to Kundasang's market. Papa bought some mangosteens and 'buah salak'. Muza and I bought the 'Sabah pakis'-we dont know the name (blame the tourist guide-asyik tak tahu je;). Kak Azie bought some keropoks. Later, we drove back to KK. The trip to Poring had to cancel cause the rain was getting heavily:( The trip back was challenging too. More clouds, many lorries and more puke! Sampai apartment, memang gila penat. Papa ordered Pizza je.

Next morning-last day in KK, we went to Filipino Market - bought some pearls. Then, we went to the next market (lupa nama dia), which sell salted, dried fish, squid, shrimp and etc. I bought some too. Next, we went to Warisan Square, but had lunch at the food court in Centre Point (sblah je). I tell you, the price was so damn expensive! Lebih baik makan fast food je! Later, we planned for shopping, unluckily at the moment, Husna started to crank. Her cold was getting bad. So, kami tak membazir duit (lucky us:), only papa got his new Nike brand laptop bag and we went back to apartment. Tido.

7.00pm we checked-out, headed to airport. 9.15pm departure. In the flight, Husna was cranky all the way and I puked all the way back:(( Around 12am we safely arrived LCCT. John fetched us - thanks bro. Unfortunately, Husna had fever, her temperature rise up to 38 celcius. I didnt sleep that nite..cooling her down with cold towels. After her temperature turned down, I slept then. We took Husna to clinic nearby early morning. Evening, when she looked ok, we drove back to Melaka.

Again, many thanks to AIST, my sayang - Amran, Sumardi & family and last but not least to my new shoes;) KK - we will come again!