First of Many: Kota Kinabalu

We made it! Our first international trip together! Haha. Daut and I were lucky enough to get a roundtrip ticket for Clark-Kota Kinabalu for only P1,305 thru Airasia. Half the price of Cebu-Manila ticket! Mwahaha!

Weeks before our trip, we had to go thru some hassle process so that we could travel. As a government employee, I had to get authority to travel from the City Mayor. And since Daut is still rendering his service obligation to DOST (Department of Science and Technology), he needed to post a cashbond = P51,300 in order to get a clearance. Thank God for Jongy and Jay Ann for helping us out. Shoutout also to Norbs for dealing with the Bureau of Immigration. The universe has conspired and we made it to Malaysia! :)

 Feb 4, 2012
Since we arrived in NAIA airport from Cebu, we had to commute to Clark for about 2 hours. Here's the cheapest way :D
1. Taxi to Five Star Terminal (p75)
2. Bus to Dau Mabalacat Terminal (p141)
3. Jeepney to SM Clark (p8)
4. Jeepney from SM to DMIA (250/Jeep) - we were willing to wait for other passengers but a Korean was in a hurry to catch his flight. The driver made Daut and I pay P125 so that we could go.

Notes:
-Travel Tax = 1,620 PHP
-Terminal Fee = 600 PHP
-1 Ringgit (MYR) = 14 PHP *tip: selling rate in Inervest (DMIA) is P13.80*

***

5ish pm Touchdown Kota Kinabalu. From the airport, we walked about 1 km to the main road and waited for the city bus. Two European backpackers came to us and asked us for directions thinking we were professional backpackers. Naks!!! They were surprised to know that it was also our first time in KK. And that's how we made new friends in another corner of this world. We figured our way together and shared a taxi to Lavender Lodge. Seri Selara was our choice for dinner but the backpacking couple said it was complicated and expensive. And they were right! We saved a lot by eating in some small restaurant owned by a Muslim. The waitress was a very friendly Pinay who even gave me a Malay dictionary for free. Good vibes all around KK. We exchanged stories with the "Real" backpackers and they had really nice to things to say about the Philippines. Meet Hynek and Nina from Czech Republic. Oh I wish I can quit my job and travel too!

Notes:
-Dunkin Donuts = RM 4.80
-Last bus ride = 6pm
-Taxi from airport to Lavender = RM 15
-Dinner = RM 24.50

I find it really safe to walk around town at night. We had late night drinks at the waterfront. And again, the waiter is Filipino. A lot of those people working in KK are Filipinos and talk in Tagalog. It was fun chatting with them and it made me feel very much at home.

So yeah, I turned 26. It takes a long time to grow young. And my birthday deserves a separate post! :)