Kota kinabalu Day III

Decided to take things easy and sleep in and have breakfast later, since I observed that when we left the hotel at 9am the day before, the cafe was pretty empty.

I was right, the crowd seems to ease off as the morning progressed. The cafe was barely half full.

We asked reception their recommendation for a place to get local handicrafts. Tey gave us a map. Discovered to our surprise that Sinsuran Complex, was pretty near Centrepoint, where we were at the night before.

Planned and plotted and finally decided to take the shuttle to Centrepoint again and walk to the Filipina handicrafts market and Sinsuran Complex.

The shopping centres have not fully opened yet when we were dropped off. Made one round circling Centrepoint and still could not see a Sinsuran Complex. Decided to just cross over to where a more major building stood.

Nopes. Not Sinsuran. Asked a passerby and she pointed us back across. So went back across. Asked a security guard for confirmation. He pointed up ahead.

So up we went. No complexes about. But rediscovered the crafts market that we'd wanted to visit our first night here. Went round and round and saw no Sinsuran Complex although it was so clearly marked on the map.

Ended up at KK Plaza instead. Got a badly needed drink of cool water. Walked around and ended up with some clothes for ourselves.

Went back to the handicrafts market and finally made purchases for those back home. There were some interesting stuff but not "portable" enough considering I need to get quite a few stuff for colleagues. SIGH.

Asked one of the salegirl regarding Sinsuran Complex. She gestured to the shophouses across. SIGH. I KNOW the area is Sinsuran, but where the heck is the Complex?? Had read in a magazine that they have a specialty handicraft store which seemed interesting.

We debated on whether we should walk straight to Wisma, but instead went back to Centrepoint to wait for the hotel shuttle. Got ourselves another drink then walked around the departmental store near the exit. We did not miss the hotel shuttle this time round.

Driver brought us to Wisma. It's smaller that Centrepoint, but tehre's quite a number of shops packed together. We decided to go way up then wrok our way dow.

There were a lot of beauty shops around, but none which offers a manicure for us to relax a while. After more walking, though, discovered a shop which offered nail-art. Cool. Only at RM$20.



The girl doing our nails was pretty chatty. Made us clarify why we can't pray if we use nail polish. Then made us explain why we are doing our nails then. LOL.

Further conversation revealed how though Islam is not really dominant in Borneo, those professing it there can be more "strict". I think it's more a matter of close-mindedness such that some were picky even of those they interact with.

YV, apparently had stayed in Singapore for quite a while doing her Ns and Os. She disclosed she had quite enjoyed herself there, living pretty near the town area, though she was periodically homesick. She had since given up her PR, having found someone to settle down with at KK.

MD and I did some more walking around, before settling down at CoffeeBean to have our lunch. Was a treat to be able to eat absoloutely anything and everything from CoffeeBean.





MD remarked how much I seemed to love Italian food judging from my choice of lasagna, and spaghetti the night before. LOL.

Hung around for quite a long time. Then gave ourselves an hour for last-minute shopping before the hotel shuttle pick us up. Finally grabbed some stuff I could give my colleagues.

Was smitten with a tunic-dress, but didn't have enough cash left and the shop didn't accept cards. Made so many rounds but couldn't find a Cirrus ATM. Finally "bumped" into a Maybank Cirrus ATM while trying to find a moneychanger! Duh!

MD also got tempted into getting a handbag for herself. Haha. Also remembered at the last minute that although she had remembered to get wrapping paper for the gifts for our Bruneian hosts, she did not have any scotch-tape to put it together! Hehe.

We went out the designated exit and found to our disappointment that the drizzle was turning into a heavy downpour. We had wanted to take pictures at near the seaside just across the road from Wisma.



Fooled around taking pictures of ourselves until the hotel shuttle finally arrived. Was trying to figure out what to do for the rest of the evening. Decided to walk over to Kalamunsing Palaza from the hotel if it was no longer raining after we shower down and if we still felt like it. Hehe.

After the shower was feeling pretty lazy though. Sorted out our purchases and began packing. Then decided to just order in room service for dinner.

Dinner took so so so long though. Was cold when it finally arrived!



MD didn't feel too well after dinner. Tried to get reception to get us a doctor, but can't even get through to reception. When I finally could, the doctor took like forever to come.

Was feeling helpless what to do meanwhile to make MD feel better. Still felt helpless when the doctor came, coz he seems so bumbling! Couldn't even get his bag opened, then proceeded to spill its contents all over!

Made sure I got his full contact details as I showed him out. Just in the case we needed to clarify whatever he did.

MD was feeling a bit better after the jab, but was still having trouble trying to get to sleep.

I was having some trouble myself, getting calls with some sad news with regards to a friend's dad, and subsequently news from Bro that Sis was being admitted to the hospital.

Wished I was back home, or at least on my way there.