Bersantai di Karambunai.
Guide for cheapskate Malaysians going to Nexus Resort.
T'was my first experience for two things; to East Malaysia and to ride on a 'bas udara' (airbus, Air Asia's).
The taxi ride to the hotel is already RM65 (you can't haggle coz the tickets must be strictly purchased from the taxi ticketing counter). That's for a 25 minutes ride to the destination.
Instead of eating the famous RM8 per pack Nasi Lemak Air Asia (Ini nasi lemak betul punya bukan nasi lemak tuuu..) we decided to get the airport limo to stop us tengah jalan so we can try out their local food. It proved to be a worthwhile idea, economy rice at Sempelang town is served with very fresh seafood. Pile up your plate, don't worry about the costs, it's worth it.
It was a slow, peaceful drive to Nexus Resort.
Picture reused: Belongs to helinmatkat.
What we saw in the pictures prior to the trip was what we got. But you gotta know this, something we really didn't expect:
Transportation rate from Nexus Resort to Kota Kinabalu town (you must buy return ticket):
By taxi: RM80 per taxi
By shuttle bus till 7pm: RM24 per head
Transportation rate to airport:
By taxi: RM90 per taxi
No shuttle bus service to airport
Transportation rate to Seafood restaurants [Salut or Gayang]:
By taxi: RM80 per taxi
Seafood for two at Salut or Gayang is cheap but can reach up to RM50 per head. Who's not a savage when you're on a holiday!
Cheapest food in the hotel:
Chicken rice, Cantonese Fried Noodles: RM30 per head.
Nasi Ayam paling sedap kat 5 star hotel kat KL pun baru RM18 per plate kut.
Buffet dinner is at RM65++ per head.
Breakfast, it's the same spread everyday.
Phewwhhhh!!! There goes the Steam train ride plan we had earlier.
As soon as we took ourselves for a resort appreciation tour around the resort though....
Pictures: Maine Ideas.
we understood why they say this is a place for the honeymooners and the foreigners instead of adventure seekers like us. There're so many colourful birds flying and singing around. Small little lakes in secret corners with breathtaking landscapes. Japanese tourists brought their high speed lens cameras to capture the pictures of the birds, especially the Kingfishers.
Horses bathed in the morning. Fireflies right outside our room!
T'was my first experience for two things; to East Malaysia and to ride on a 'bas udara' (airbus, Air Asia's).
The taxi ride to the hotel is already RM65 (you can't haggle coz the tickets must be strictly purchased from the taxi ticketing counter). That's for a 25 minutes ride to the destination.
Instead of eating the famous RM8 per pack Nasi Lemak Air Asia (Ini nasi lemak betul punya bukan nasi lemak tuuu..) we decided to get the airport limo to stop us tengah jalan so we can try out their local food. It proved to be a worthwhile idea, economy rice at Sempelang town is served with very fresh seafood. Pile up your plate, don't worry about the costs, it's worth it.
It was a slow, peaceful drive to Nexus Resort.
Picture reused: Belongs to helinmatkat.
What we saw in the pictures prior to the trip was what we got. But you gotta know this, something we really didn't expect:
Transportation rate from Nexus Resort to Kota Kinabalu town (you must buy return ticket):
By taxi: RM80 per taxi
By shuttle bus till 7pm: RM24 per head
Transportation rate to airport:
By taxi: RM90 per taxi
No shuttle bus service to airport
Transportation rate to Seafood restaurants [Salut or Gayang]:
By taxi: RM80 per taxi
Seafood for two at Salut or Gayang is cheap but can reach up to RM50 per head. Who's not a savage when you're on a holiday!
Cheapest food in the hotel:
Chicken rice, Cantonese Fried Noodles: RM30 per head.
Nasi Ayam paling sedap kat 5 star hotel kat KL pun baru RM18 per plate kut.
Buffet dinner is at RM65++ per head.
Breakfast, it's the same spread everyday.
Phewwhhhh!!! There goes the Steam train ride plan we had earlier.
As soon as we took ourselves for a resort appreciation tour around the resort though....
Pictures: Maine Ideas.
we understood why they say this is a place for the honeymooners and the foreigners instead of adventure seekers like us. There're so many colourful birds flying and singing around. Small little lakes in secret corners with breathtaking landscapes. Japanese tourists brought their high speed lens cameras to capture the pictures of the birds, especially the Kingfishers.
Horses bathed in the morning. Fireflies right outside our room!
Try horse riding along the beach till the end of the coast at dusk.
Oh yes! We saw a group of whale sharks on the third day feeding on prawns near the shore.
Awesome experience!
Pictures: Maine-Ideas.
I recommend holiday goers to practise going for jungle trekking with any hotels that offer such a service. It always promises panoramic experience. In Nexus they call it the Nature Park Trekking, priced RM15 per head. Tapi macam masuk ladang Tongkat Ali, you'll see this aphrodisiac (Eurycoma) plant everywhere while trekking.
Pictures: Maine-Ideas.
I recommend holiday goers to practise going for jungle trekking with any hotels that offer such a service. It always promises panoramic experience. In Nexus they call it the Nature Park Trekking, priced RM15 per head. Tapi macam masuk ladang Tongkat Ali, you'll see this aphrodisiac (Eurycoma) plant everywhere while trekking.
You'll get a breathtaking view of Mount Kinabalu and also the horizon at the end of the sea facing the resort. Do spray lotsa mosquito repellent, I have 25 bites on just one leg and became one kg lighter.
Picture: Maine Ideas
Sidetrack regarding Jungle Trekking in Malaysia:
The best is still Awana Kijal Resort, Trengganu.
Tips for resort Jungle Trekkers:
It usually takes not more than 2 hours. Have your hotel breakfast after the trip.
Moral of the trip:
If you plan to stay in Nexus, just stay in and enjoy everything they have to offer within the resort! Go out only if you want to visit the Gaya Street market on Sundays or to eat seafood till you drop at Salut while viewing the sunset from the restaurant itself.
Bring instant food and drinks from outside, it is worth it. There's so much activities but there's only two posh places to eat in the resort.
You are crazy if you leave your camera, tripod and binoculars behind!
Shop at Phillipino market for your pearls on your way back, the foreigners are smart, they bought shuttle bus tickets to town, shop at the market, then get a taxi at RM15 to the airport. That's when you can really exhaust all your cash balance on gifts for friends and family.
And for the local adventure seekers, this is not the place to stay. Check out Jesselton, Sutera Harbour, Capital Hotel or Le Meridien instead okay.
Next on my wishlist is to explore Sungai Kinabatangan before visiting the islands such as Sipadan and Mata King.
Picture: Maine Ideas
Sidetrack regarding Jungle Trekking in Malaysia:
The best is still Awana Kijal Resort, Trengganu.
Tips for resort Jungle Trekkers:
It usually takes not more than 2 hours. Have your hotel breakfast after the trip.
Moral of the trip:
If you plan to stay in Nexus, just stay in and enjoy everything they have to offer within the resort! Go out only if you want to visit the Gaya Street market on Sundays or to eat seafood till you drop at Salut while viewing the sunset from the restaurant itself.
Bring instant food and drinks from outside, it is worth it. There's so much activities but there's only two posh places to eat in the resort.
You are crazy if you leave your camera, tripod and binoculars behind!
Shop at Phillipino market for your pearls on your way back, the foreigners are smart, they bought shuttle bus tickets to town, shop at the market, then get a taxi at RM15 to the airport. That's when you can really exhaust all your cash balance on gifts for friends and family.
And for the local adventure seekers, this is not the place to stay. Check out Jesselton, Sutera Harbour, Capital Hotel or Le Meridien instead okay.
Next on my wishlist is to explore Sungai Kinabatangan before visiting the islands such as Sipadan and Mata King.
I'm definitely coming back and will update you guys on the real jungle escapade.
posted by Maine at 10:34 AM
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