Kota Kinabalu 3 Nights 5 Days Trip Day 1-2: Arrival in Malaysia Full of Excitement
My first overseas trip in a long time was filled with excitement right from Incheon International Airport. Arriving around 4 PM for our evening flight, I checked in and had a light meal at the lounge. I also had a beer to help me sleep comfortably during the approximately 5-hour flight. The beautiful lights of the night flight and the star-filled night sky were so magnificent that they couldn’t be fully captured by a camera.
★★★ Malaysia Arrival Card Submission is Mandatory! ★★★
To enter Malaysia, you must fill out the ‘Malaysia Digital Arrival Card (MDAC)’ at least 3 days before your arrival. The process is not difficult, so please refer to the photos below and prepare in advance.
You can easily fill out the personal information section by translating the page.
It is important to accurately enter the entry and exit dates and accommodation address.
Our arrival at Kota Kinabalu International Airport was delayed due to an unexpected flight delay. We arrived past 1 AM, but had to wait again due to the number of people going through immigration. I realized that a disadvantage of package tours is that they can sometimes be a series of waiting.
We checked into the Grandis Hotel, located about 15-20 minutes from the airport, almost at 3 AM. This is where we would be staying for our 3 nights and 4 days in Kota Kinabalu. The room was spacious and comfortable. Exhausted, I briefly admired the night view before going straight to rest.
The next morning, I went for breakfast early, but unfortunately, there were no dishes that could be called particularly delicious. It made me miss the pho I had in Phu Quoc.
Mamutik Island Island Hopping Tour: A Thrilling Experience in the Emerald Sea
The first item on our itinerary, the start of our main trip, was an island hopping tour. We headed to Mamutik Island by yacht from Sutera Harbour Marina, located behind the Hyatt Centric Hotel across from the Grandis Hotel. It was a place with clear, transparent waters and impressive palm tree scenery.
The sea was so clear that we could see sea urchins with the naked eye even from the pier. My anticipation for snorkeling grew even greater.
After getting our tickets, we boarded the yacht! The yacht was faster than expected, and as we felt the cool breeze, it felt like riding a thrilling amusement park ride.
Upon arriving at Mamutik Island, we settled into our designated seats and listened to the tour explanation. In addition to basic snorkeling, various marine sports were available for an additional fee. We chose parasailing.
Parasailing, done in pairs, took us much higher than expected. It was a bit scary at first, but the feeling of the cool breeze and the blue sea spread out below me felt wonderful. It was an indescribably magical experience.
Falling into the sea while playing in the water was also thrilling. I was surprised at first, but the seawater was so salty that I made sure to keep my mouth shut afterwards. 😅
Lunch was a local seafood BBQ buffet, but the taste was below expectations. I vowed to find a delicious place for dinner.
After lunch, we enjoyed snorkeling again. I even had an experience of being bitten by a fish, and I screamed in surprise at the stinging sensation. Fortunately, it didn’t bleed, but it became an unforgettable memory. (Note: Beach towels can be rented at the Grandis Hotel lobby.)
After enjoying the water activities to our heart’s content, we reluctantly left Mamutik Island.
Shopping and Relaxation: Number One Mart and Suria Sabah
On the way back from the island, we stopped by Number One Mart without even washing up. This place is known for being a good spot to buy souvenirs. I bought mango jelly, coconut jelly, and kaya jam. (I visited again later and bought more souvenirs.)
After that, we moved to Suria Sabah, a large shopping mall connected to the Grandis Hotel. We came here to shower at the hotel, look around, and get a massage.
We got a massage at a shop we found on Google Maps. The massage itself was decent, but the continuous burping sounds from the masseuses made it hard to hold back laughter. 😂
After the massage, we decided to have dinner at a restaurant in the mall. We had trouble choosing a menu and ended up going into a place called ‘Chicken Rice Shop,’ but most of the desired items were sold out. We ended up ordering chicken soup and grilled chicken legs, but the taste was ordinary. We decided to go to KFC the next day.
Finally, we bought some snacks and beer from a convenience store on the B1 floor and returned to our room. I was so tired that I couldn’t even drink the beer and fell asleep immediately.
