On the trails of World's UNESCO Sites

Lok Kawi Wildlife Parkg

Actually, we meeting real life orang utan were our main itinerary on this trip. But, the best place to meet one is in a forest reserve that requires another domestic flight plus some treacherous tracking up hill. Of course subjecting my 73-year-old dad to this task would mean a selfish daughter. So, we compromised with a visit to Lok Kawi, hopeful that the visitors bay were not that far off from the beloved primates.

Sheltered walkway, how thoughtful.

A canteen with a wide to the pygmy elephant camp.

Mom, dad taking a rest.

Malaysian sun bear.

Ever heard of 'bear cat'? No? Me too. Here is Malaysian bear cat. Looked like a wolverine to me.

Finally, we met the orang utan, alas, it was 20-feet away. And sad-looking. Who wouldn't, if stayed confined in day in and out, right.

Meet the Malayan Prosbocous monkey.

It was actually a small aquarium cum marine cultivation cum swamp forest preservation educational center. This place usually comes up top in google search for KK top spots, and i think its a good place to include in your itinerary if you ever visit KK.

The humanized-instinctive sting ray eating from the hand of its handler.

The cheeky and very domesticated greenback turtle. Oh, by the way, this handler is a young and pretty girl.

Say hi to this gentle breed of giants of the sea.

Horseshoe crabs. And to all Chinese, it's not for food please.

The guide adamantly championed saving the marine exotic species from the Chinese dinner tables. I couldn't agree with him more: don't let your daughter marry the guy who fancies grand chinese 8-tier menu that has sharkfin in its course.

Touch the star fish, if you dare.

A walk amidst the manmade swamp forestry.

And take in an educational trip with the fresh water fin-species.

Spectacular life coral cultivation. For your information, it takes more than 10 years to grow a coral to 10cm. So have a care for our seas, Malaysians.

What to eat in KK? Of course it's seafood, seafood and seafood. This is Medan Selera, just a 5-minutes walk from our hotel. We didn't know; took a taxi that charged RM10 for it.

The coconut custard was the best desert.

Wow! my first ever 7-star-grouper - literally in Cantonese - steamed.

Aaaaand.... my first lobster! Texture? Ar, chewy. I'd prefer prawns.

These are not just oysters, but super size oysters. The largest i've ever eaten. And it quite pukey to eat it raw...excuse me.

Our taxi-turned-charttered guide recommended this fish noodle. Full-house @ 9am. Imagine!

My verdict: Just like fish head meehoon in Kuala Lumpur, just different assortment of fish parts.

Our cheery Muslim-Chinese guy also recommended this pork noodle place. Very surprised then. He was such a liberal guy whose attention his customer's comfort came first. My verdict for this noodle: too much lard. Bad for the heart. Ok for once in a long while.

But this chicken rice is fabulous to the eyes.

Stuffed tau-fu puffs. Verdict: great. Very homey taste.

A seafood restaurant by a lake; our last stop after being turned away by 5 over-booked and over-crowded restaurants. No kidding. Seafood restaurant business in KK city is a buzz.

Quite disappointed with this restaurant because all they have was a ridiculously short menu of 4 styles for each dishes. Despite its luxury ambience, food was below average.

2011 parent's day was the cheery, sunny morning when i sat in a Firefly plane - that surprisingly, took off from KLIA - with my hubby and my dearest mom and dad on the journey to Kota Kinabalu - the only place mom and dad have not visited in Malaysia.

Wow! the smallest hotel we'd ever tumpang - KK Cititel.

But i like it. It's contemporary, visible efficient planning at every corner without sacrificing basic fundamental. It even provides ironing & hot-cold water dispenser.