4. Architecture and landscape
One look after stepping out of the plane will have you wondering whether you actually left Manila. The streets are lined with mid-rise infrastructures; a mix of urban and rural settings. Comparing it to the more developed cities of Penang and Kuala Lumpur, KK’s built environment is reminiscent of Old Manila, a harmonious blend of historic buildings and a few incongruous skyscrapers that tell of the ongoing attempt at industrialization and development. I’m positive they’ll be catching up to their more urbanized neighbors in time.
3. Seafood, street food, and ihaw-ihaw
If you love binging on cheap fried food, do yourself a favor and bring yourself to Melaka night Market and indulge in street food heaven! Similar to what we have in Manila, food stalls and finger foods served on sticks can be found here. Dine in the fancy restaurants but dedicate an evening to appreciate cheap thrills like this! Because of its proximity to the ocean, KK is also swarming with seafood of all kinds — you can’t go wrong with that.
It doesn’t end there… Kota Kinabalu makes you experience life outside of Manila as well..
2. Explore Visayas and Mindanao
Want to experience the exhilarating white water rafting in Cagayan de Oro and cruise through the scenic Loboc river in Bohol in just a day? Is that even possible? In KK, these attractions are only hours away from the city. There are many spots that offer white water rafting, just ask around. The Klias Wetland River Cruise is a scenic sunset cruise similar to what they have in Bohol. Take yourself back, 10 years ago and bring out your inner Jennifer Lopez while preparing for Anaconda attacks! Just kidding. Expect only Proboscis monkeys, Water Buffaloes and maybe fireflies in this trip.
And don’t forget…
1. Beaches
Our country is world-famous for its pristine white sand beaches and a tropical country like Kota Kinabalu’s landscape won’t shy away from ours. Just a 15-minute ride away from the city, their prided Tunku Abdul Rahman park boasts 5 gorgeous islands, home to diverse marine life. If you’re in the city, Tanjung Aru Beach is a great place to spend the afternoon watching the sunset with a few drinks, which is a lot like the Station 2 strip in Boracay.
It’s a fact that Kota Kinabalu and Manila are two very different places, culturally and geographically so don’t take this piece literally. I know that many will contest my points but it was amusing to find plenty of similarities between the two, which could probably be the reason why it’s not a very popular tourist destination for us, Filipinos.
But yeah, basically, if you want a taste of the Philippines with just one plane ride (and a cheap one if I might add) book a trip to Kota Kinabalu and be mesmerized with the environment, the culture, and the food! Convinced yet? Check out this article to kick-start your journey.
