This year is balik kampung for Kota Kinabalu. Every year, me and my wife will alternate for balik kampung between Kota Kinabalu and Kota Bahru.
For Kota Kinabalu usually we will go for balik kampung for 2 weeks. This time from 2nd May till 15th May 2022.
Usually we took Malindo to go to KK as the flight tickets were reasonable with ample leg room but this year we took Malaysia Airlines (MAS) because Malindo flight were fully booked.
Our Memories
2 May (Monday) – Our flight to Kota Kinabalu, caught by surprise as it was first day of Raya.
going back to KK at KLIA airportflight to KKflight to KK inside the aeroplaneview inside boeing MAS flight
3 May (Tuesday) – Busy preparing for our family open house
4 May (Wednesday) – Our family open house
raya family open house
5 May (Thursday) – Planning for our family holiday. At night went to our favorite cafe house, October cafe.
october cafe chicken sandwich
6 May (Friday) – tried to find soto and rojak restaurant bust most of them still close. Had Friday prayer at Tanjung Aru mosque. All the family watched Dr Strange 2 movie at 630PM.
dr strange 2 with all the family
7 May (Saturday) – Buy Ikan bilis, amplang kuih cincin etc at KK Pasar and buying aqua shoes and goggles for Karambunai.
buying aqua shoes at sport direct
8 May (Sunday) – Go to Nexus Karambunai Resort & Spa for short holiday
swimming pool at pool villa karambunai resort
9 May (Monday) – Enjoying Karambunai beach and Pool Villa
10 May (Tuesday) – Back from Karambunai at had lunch at Ganyang seafood restaurant.
11 May (Wednesday) – Go to Mantanani island
boat ride to mantanani island
12 May (Thursday) – Enjoying Mantanani island.
swimming at mantanani island beach
13 May (Friday) – Back from Mantanani island
14 May (Satuday) – Liesha and Hadien were sick so we just buy hair band for Liesha and had our dinner at Secret Recipe.
15 May – Back to KL
We had little hiccup where the taxi that we booked couldn’t make it and at the end had to take expensive Limo Taxi Alphard for our ride back home.
taxi limo alphard RM232 ride
Y2022 Raya
This year was really packed, and we had our last vacation with our aunty Bongsu. She was able to enjoy Karambunai beach before passing away on 15th May 2022 around 11:20PM.
We stay at Nexus Karambunai Resort & Spa from 9th May till 11th May 2022. It was big family gathering after Raya. We rented 3 Pool Villas and 3 unit of apartments.
It was really wonderful holiday and good memory of family gathering.
Pool Villa
The pool villa unit was big with 2 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms with living hall and kitchen. The master bathroom has big bathub.
It also has small 3 swimming pools in the villa. It is fully furnished with fridge, cooking utensils, aircond and TV and towels and extra blankets were provided by Nexus Karambunai.
Unfortunately one of the fridge not really cold and aircond also not really cold and we faced few small problems like not functioning doors and toilet flush.
We did complain to the Nexus management they did their best to rectify it but some problems they were unable to repair like toilet flush problem and fridge.
Even though we faced all these smalls annoyances we had really good holiday as the villa were comfortable and we really enjoyed the swimming pools.
master bedroom at pool villa karambunailiving room pool villa at karambunai resortswimming pool at pool villa karambunai resortbeautiful view of pool villa karambunai resorthaving delicious sabah honey chicken wings at karambunai pool villa
Karambunai Beach
Price
For the Pool Villa we got it at RM490 per night while for apartment with one bedroom we got it at RM160 per night.
Recommendation
I really like the Pool Villa, it had good facilities and the villa was good for you to enjoy the beach, swimming pool and bathub. Even though we faced small issues but Nexus Management was really responsive and tried their best to solve any issues arises.
We had our holiday at Mantanani Island in Sabah from 11th May to 13th May 2022.
We departed from Magellan hotel lobby to Rampayan Jetty in Kota Belud by bus around on 650AM. It took us around 1 hour 30 minutes to arrive to Rampayan jetty in Kota Belud.
From the jetty, we had our boat ride for 30 – 45 minutes to Mantanani island.
bus departing to manatanani island from magellan hotel lobbyrampayan jetty kota belud to go to mantanani islandboat that carries visitors from rampayan jetty kota beludjetty at manatanani island
Sutera Mantanani Resort & Spa Itinerary
Below is the itinerary prepared by Sutera Mantanani Resort & Spa. Hotel staff is really friendly and helpful.
Day 1
10:00AM: Free & easy
10:30AM – 11:00AM: Snorkeling
12:00PM: Check-in
12:00PM – 2:00PM: Lunch at the Restaurant
2:00PM: Drone photo session
3:00PM – 5:00PM: Activity Time (ATV / Kayak / Volleyball / Frisbee / Kite Flying)
4:00PM – 5:00PM: Tea time at the Restaurant
7:00PM – 8:30PM: Dinner at the Restaurant
8:30PM: Blue Tears night tour
Day 2
7:30AM – 9:30AM: Breakfast at the Restaurant
9:00AM: Check out
9:00AM – 10:00AM: Activity time
10:00AM – 10:15AM: Depart from Island to Rampayan Jetty
11:00AM – 12:00PM: Arrival at Rampayan Jetty
Rooms
The room has safety box, aircond and hot water. Sutera also provides lots of mineral water in the room.
We took three unit of premium chalets with number 57, 58 & 59.
sutera mantanani chalet 2 storeysutera mantanani island premium chalet verandasutera mantanani island premium chalet living room queen bedsutera mantanani island premium chalet with 2 single bedssutera mantanani island premium chalet living roomsutera mantanani island premium chalet toilet with hosesutera mantanani island premium chalet showersutera mantanani island premium chalet toiletsutera mantanani island wardrobe providedsutera mantanani island premium chalet with shelfresting at the balcony premium chalet
Foods & Beverages at the Restaurant
The foods were delicious. Sutera provided 5 main dishes, soup and either one or two desserts. For drinks they provide cold water, hot black coffee and tea.
At one dinner Sutera didn’t provide any chicken, when we raised our concern the hotel staff cooked chicken dish just for us.
Sutera Mantanani Resort & Spa provides breakfast, lunch, tea time and dinner every day.
restaurant at sutera mantanani islandlunch buffet at restaurant sutera mantanani islandsutera mantanani restaurant soupsutera mantanani restaurant dessertsutera mantanani island – delicious foodssutera mantanani specially cooked chicken dish
Mantanani Beach
The beach has clear and beautiful sandy beach. Be careful though as the beach is quite steep especially when you see different shades of water.
sunset view at manatanani islandmantanani island beach viewsutera mantanani beach steep
Activities
You can do snorkeling, ATV (free for 30 minutes), kayak, blue plankton view at night if you are lucky and others.
activities in sutera mantanani islandsutera mantanani island ATV activityswing at mantanani island
Surrounding the Resort
sutera mantanani lepak areasutera mantanani island viewing towersutera mantanani island signagesutera mantanani island jettymassage and spa at sutera mantanani islandrelaxing chairs at mantanani islandchalets in mantanani islandmermaid statue at mantanani island
Island Map
manatanani island map
Price
The price I got during my trip as below.
Return ticket for bus from Magellan Hotel Lobby to Rampayan Jetty at Kota Belud: RM75
Premium Chalet per night for 2 persons inclusive of breakfast, lunch, tea time and dinner: RM490
Additional RM170 with single bed full board F&B per night for kids for 12 years old and below.
Additional RM255 for kids above 12 years old.
Mobile Coverage
The mobile coverage is not that good in the island. Wifi is provided near the lobby but the speed also not that good.
Celcom – can get 4G most area in the island
Unifi Mobile – Edge only
Digi – Edge only
Good discovery for a private beach and island with not so many tourists. You can complete the whole activities within one day so one night stay is enough if you want to have fast holiday.
We stay at one of Airbnb unit at Meridin Medini from 27th January date to 1st February 2022.
Check In Process
It is standard in most airbnb unit where you need to pick your access card at mailbox. Thanks to not so many visitors so check in and check out process were smooth.
airbnb meridin medini drop offairbnb meridin medini check in via mailbox
The Unit
The unit had 2 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms with one king bed and one queen bed. Comfortable floor mattresses were provided.
Overall unit was OK but unfortunately the fridge was not cold at all. Aircond also not cold. I had to clean up the aircond filter only after that it started to be cold. Shampoo and shower bath are low quality.
Sofa was also felt so rigid not comfy. TV was small, I think it was around 40 inch.
Surprisingly the unit was not that hot even though outside was hot. What I like the unit had good WIFI and Netflix.
I love the facilities even thought it was standard facilities in any condominium but there was no one or nearly no one who were using it. So the place was not crowded.
Besides it was easy to get lift as there were not so many visitors.
airbnb meridin medini gym with nice viewmeridin medini condo gym at level 5hadeef hadien at gym meridin medinimeridin medini swimming pool view at bandar medini iskandar johor
Rates
We were paying RM160++ per night. For me it was reasonable price but disappointed couldn’t use the fridge, sofa not comfy and aircond not functioning well.
Location
It was near to Legoland Johor which took only 5 mn drive to Legoland and 10mn drive to Puteri Harbour.
Latitude Longitude: 1.421212066934808, 103.62979159916857
Lego instructor will explain that you need to do 2 tasks which are:
Setting up communication channel
Launch the rocket
You have to do the programming to make sure the robot do those two tasks correctly. It is simple programming for the kids. Just like a flow where you need to change the robot movement configuration.
It is exciting for kids who have passion in programming or robotics.
mindstorm lego at johor legolandMindstorms Lego Cosmobot lego set
The Completed 2 Tasks Results
Mindstorms Lego – Dr Hearbeat
Mindstorms Lego Dr Hearbeat
This is the second Mindstorms workshop available at Johor Legoland. This time, you have to do 2 tasks:-
Injecting a need to the patient
Dispensing pill to the patient
Dr Heartbeat bit more complicated than Cosmobot but it follows same concept where you have to program using a flow of configurations.
Mindstorms Lego Dr Hearbeat – hearbet lego setMindstorms Lego Dr Hearbeat – instructor giving explanation
We have very good vacation for 7 days (Johor) + 2 days (Genting Permai). We have full of activities and walk a lot which is good for our health.
Day 1 (7/12/2021) – Arrival check in at hotel around 330PM and go to 7 Spice, an Indian fine dining restaurant. The foods are really delicious.
jen hotel room we stay 1312 & 13147 spice indian restaurant at johor bahru
Day 2 (8/12/2021) – In the morning, go to Johor Premium Outlet JPO because Wednesday Legoland is closed. Visit Puteri Habour and fly Hadien’s drone and ride electric n motorbike in the evening around 6PM. Then around 9PM, having good coffee at Starbucks.
johor premium outletelectric scooter and electric motor bike for rent at puteri harbour johorstarbucks at puteri harbour
Day 3 (9/12/2021)- Legoland theme park and sealife
legoland theme park took picture on same spot like in 2016legoland sealife johorlegoland sealife together the whole family
Day 4 (10/12/12) – Legoland Waterpark and have our dinner at JB City Square. Then again have a good ride on electric scooter and motorbike at Puteri Harbour at night.
Legoland johor waterparkDeef and Lish at Legoland waterpark
Day 5 (11/12/12)- Midvalley South Key buy our iPhone 13 and have lunch at Nando’s
Day 6 (12/12/2021) – Legoland theme park, watch Lego movies and Legoland Tower view
my kids posing every time stay in a hotel Y2021
Day 7 (13/12/2021) – Departure and arrive KL around 5PM then test drive Hyundai Starex. Around 9PM arrive home at Shah Alam then by 11PM go up to Genting Highland.
test drive on hyundai starexgenting permai night fog
Day 8 (14/12/2021) – Having a rest at Windmill Upon Hills, Genting Permai
windmill upon hills our visit after legoland johor trip
Day 9 (15/12/2021) – Go back to Shah Alam and finally have a good rest of our vacation.
It was really good holiday trip even though it was tiring.
We had our year end holiday of 2021 at Johor Bahru to visit Legoaland.
We decided to stay at Jen Hotel Puteri Harbour thanks to its location near to Legoland and affordable room rate especially for long stay. We stayed there from 7th till 13th December. Our stay was for 6 nights and 7 days.
Its cost us around RM3,000++ without breakfast for our stay.
This is our third day stay at Jen Hotel.
Rooms at Jen Hotel
We booked 2 connecting rooms, one with king size bed and another room with 2 single beds. All rooms comes with sofa bed.
jen hotel room we stay 1312 & 1314Jen Hotel Puteri Harbour with sofa bed roomJen Hotel Puteri Harbour roomJen Hotel Puteri Harbour with bathtubjen hotel bathroom mirror
Jen Hotel Puteri Harbour connecting roomjen hotel puteri harbour 2 single beds with sofa bedjen hotel bathroom
Few Attractions Near Jen Hotel
Puteri Harbour
puteri harbour view at nightputeri harbour view at night full of activitieselectric scooter and electric motor bike for rent at puteri harbour johor open till 12am every night
Good Restaurants
Mana Cafe – 5 mn walk from Jen Hotel. We like to eat breakfast there. Satay and soto were delicious.
Restoran TKR – 5 mn walk from Jen Hotel. Roti canai was very good.
Starbucks – 5 mn walk if miss your favorite cafe.
mana cafe 5 mn walk from jen hotelmana cafe foods puteri harbour johorrestoran TKR at puteri harbour
Legoland
It was only 10 mn drive from Jen Hotel to Legoland.
Jen Hotel Puteri Harbour Review
I give 4 out of 5 stars to Jen Hotel. Overall stay was very good, nearby amenities, affordable rates and near to Legoland.
But feel disappointed because we stay for 6 nights didn’t get any free breakfast. Fortunately nearby have good restaurants.
This new year 2021, Genting has so thick fog from night till morning. It is really pleasant view for anyone who rarely experience this kind of thick fog.
Happy New Year 2021! This year, unfortunately no fireworks. But it has beautiful thick fogs surrounding Windmill Upon Hills at Genting Sempah.
At new year eve, at first you can see Geo 38 Residence but around 930PM the fog became very thick and couldn’t view Geo 38. This happens even till morning of 1st Jan 2021.
new year 2021 eve, fog around 9pmnew year 2021 eve, thick fog around 930pm
