Borneo Family Holidays - Rediscovering Sabah on a 2 weeks road trip. (Part 4 of 4)
(Written by: Itisha Ismail)
Day 13 to Day 14 (1 night), D’villa Borneo, Kundasang
Monday 27 July 2020 to Thursday 30th July 2020
Our road tour route: Kota Kinabalu – Panampang - Tambunan - Kundasang.
After 3 nights of city life, we were ready to hit the road once again and this time we headed to Kundasang to visit Wilson and his family who are based at D’villa Borneo. We took the country road from Kota Kinabalu to Tambunan passing through beautiful landscapes paddy fields before reaching Kundasang.
The fruit shops in Tambunan where one can get tropical fruit such as the dragon fruit, guava, tarap, durian and petai or stinky beans.
In Tambunan, we stopped for king of the fruit- Durian. This durian was small with just a few pieces inside. It was super delicious – creamy, sweet and buttery.
About 1 year ago, Trek Finder Tours took over the management of D’Villa Borneo previously known as D’Villa Rina Ria Lodge. D’Villa Borneo is strategically located about 500m from the Kinabalu Park in Kundasang making it the place for the Mount Kinabalu climbers to stay before and after their climb.
The accommodation at the lodge consists of 19 units mix of private rooms, family rooms and dormitory. The price is affordable and offers the convenience of a restaurant and mini shop. If you are a chili lover be sure to try Siti’s amazing hot and spicy sambal!!!!
The family room we had was spacious with 1 queen sized bed and 1 single bed, clean and comfortable with a balcony that opens up to amazing panoramic view! It was raining when we arrived and the temperature was very cold!!!! When Olivia stepped out at the balcony she called out “Emelyn come here!!! Smell!!! It smells like Switzerland!!!”. The cold breeze indeed transported us back to Switzerland in some ways.
Only this time we were without any warm clothing which was much needed here! It was the restaurant’s yummy hot and spicy tom yam noodles that was my savior! Managed to keep me warm before I retired for the night.
The scenic view from our balcony at Dvilla Borneo Kundasang
Olivia and Emelyn were happy to meet their newfound friends - the Chin Twins Kor Kor and Didi, sons of Wilson and Siti.
Day 14 to Day 16 (2 nights), Sabah Hotel, Sandakan
Friday 31 July 2020 to Sunday 2 Aug 2020
Our family road tour route: Kundasang – Ranau (Arnab Village and Cat Nature Park) - Sandakan
We could have easily stayed another night at D’villa Borneo but they were fully booked for the night of 31 July 2020 as it was the Public Holiday for the Aidil Adha celebration. It was the first since we started our Sabah Family road trip that we witnessed an accommodation receiving full occupancy during this trying time. So well done to the team at D’villa Borneo!!!
Just getting to know one another and we had to leave :-(. But will be back to D’villa Borneo in Kundasang. And the next time we will be sure to take our warm clothing here.
We stopped by the Kundasang Farmers Market. I was hoping to get some basil seeds to plant back in Lahad Datu but this was not available. I was also hoping to get some locally produced cheese and ice cream from Desa Dairy Farm in Kundasang but they were still closed during this recovery period.
This public holiday has clearly seen that people wanted to go out and play. It is a positive sign from the tourism perspective to see the locals supporting local businesses. They loaded their car with durian, rambutan, vegetables. Due to social distancing, limited space and other SOPs, people were lining up to dine in at different restaurants. Families and friends were seen taking selfies with the Mount Kinabalu as the backdrop. Kundasang was buzzing! A sign of hope for tourism industry at that point.
Olivia and Emelyn, playing tourist at Kundasang.
After playing tourists at Kundasang, we proceeded to Arnab Village in Ranau. The signage to Arnab Village rabbit place was clear until perhaps 3-5km before reaching the destination. All the while it was Arnab (rabbit) and then rabbit signages were gone. Instead the Cat Nature Park sign dominated the sides of the road. Don’t get confused like we did. There are a few different parks in one location. So, there’s the Arnab Village, The Cat Nature Park (a building filled with different species of cats), hamsters (in cages) and outdoor photo studio. The concept is like a petting zoo which brings so much joy to our two little girls. It may not appeal to everyone but for families with young children, this is a good recreational spot to visit.
Olivia and Emelyn – very happy to feed the bunnies at Arnab Village in Ranau
To be honest it was not just the girls who were happy to be surrounded with rabbits. I love rabbits too and as a child we used to have lots of rabbits at my grandparents’ home in Ampang. Being at the Arnab Village in Ranau definitely takes me back to my childhood days.
Olivia and Emelyn - though they love encountering new cats and kittens. They are so loyal to our cat back in Lahad Datu named Sayang. “This cat is cute but Sayang is cuter!”. It was also the girls first time seeing a pure Persian cat. Olivia asked out loud “ohhhh Mummy, what happened to that cat’s face???”
Playing tourists outside the colorful house at Arnab Village in Ranau
After all the petting, we played tourists at the Arnab Village. I can’t remember the exact name to this place but refer to it as the Arnab Village outdoor studio. A place for one to strike a pose. Our two girls requested to take their photo at each and every prop at the outdoor studio.
Playing tourists at the giant chair at the Arnab Village in Ranau
Playing tourists at the giant shoes at the Arnab Village in Ranau
Sabah Hotel Sandakan
Not ready to go back to Lahad Datu just yet. We decided to unwind from our family roadtrip and make 2 nights stop in Sandakan. Here, we stayed at Sabah Hotel and was blessed to be able to use the huge pool facilities. We had a spacious room that consisted of two sets of seating areas – one for the family to lounge whilst watching tv and the other corner to enjoy coffee/tea whilst reading cookbooks.
On the second day at Sabah Hotel whilst having breakfast we were pleasantly surprised to see our dear friends Lina and Irfan walked into the hotel’s coffee house. Everyone was indeed taking advantage of the long weekend to getaway. Lina and Irfan were already at Sabah Hotel for two nights. They were supposed to leave on the day we bumped into them but decided to extend their stay so we all could go out for a nice steak dinner.
We would have love to go to Ba Lin Rooftop Bar & Restaurant but upon calling to check, we were informed that the restaurant was closed on that day. So, we tried a new (well at least it was new to us from Lahad Datu) place called Rusteak Grill Bistronomy and Café
Happy to be reunited in Sandakan even though we all live in Lahad Datu! Great steak for the adults and macaroni and cheese for the kids from Rusteak Grill Bistronomy and Café. Ohhh this picture was taken at Yellow Bar located just next to Rusteak Grill Bistronomy. Rusteak was full and we had no reservations. However, the team from Yellow Bar was quick to approach us to let us know that we could order food from Rusteak and dine in at Yellow Bar provided that we order drinks from the bar. Brilliant suggestion and we are all so impressed with the waiter’s proactiveness!
Day 16 Back Home in Lahad Datu – Contented and remain hopeful.
Sunday 2 Aug 2020
Our family road tour route: Sandakan - Lahad Datu
It was the last day of our Sabah Family Holidays. Rediscovering Sabah in 16 days led us back home to Lahad Datu on Sunday 2nd Aug 2020. We packed our luggage, checked out and waved goodbye to the friendly team of Sabah Hotel in Sandakan.
We may not have a lot but our hearts are full. That 3 and half hours drive from Sandakan to Lahad Datu (we made a few stops) makes me realize that traveling may not seem relevant/a non essential need / not a priority at this stage - all thanks to Covid-19 and the consequences that comes out of it. But traveling is really important for our mental health, body and soul. Traveling is a way to spend quality time with your loved ones; to discover or rediscover yourself and or a place. Traveling opens our eyes to see beyond our comfort zone back home. Traveling guides us gently to open our minds, hearts and hopefully humbles us and makes us more sensitive with our surroundings.
Till the next travel and hopeful for more #memorableadventures whenever that would be.