Sabah Road Trip : Sabah Tea Garden

My husband, two kids and I recently took a road trip in Sabah. This was our 1st road trip and we may have another one to Tawau. This one was Sandakan-Ranau-Kundasang-Kota Belud-Tip of Borneo (Kudat)- Kota Kinabalu and back to Sandakan. We started on Saturday morning and came back on Tuesday night. We crammed in as much as possible as my hubby had to get back to work and we couldn't take extra leave. We rented a Hyundai Matrix from Hertz. Their website is www.simedarbycarrental.com or you can find their counter at the Sandakan or Kota Kinabalu Airport (Terminal 1).

So, I shall be sharing the beauty of Sabah as I saw it and also my take on with various services and places. We are currently staying at the Best Western Hotel in Sandakan and so we first had breakfast there in the morning before leaving.

I just had to share this photo of a piece of toast that was buttered for me by my 2 year old girl. If you are planning to take a drive from Sandakan to Kundasang, here are a few snapshots of what you can expect.

On the way be sure to stop at Taviu Hill just alongside the road as the view is beautiful. We didn't get out of the car for obvious reasons; it would be dangerous! Well, our next stop was Sabah Tea Garden which is about 199 kilometres from Sandakan. You have to get off the main road and take a gravel road (very bumpy!) for about 3kilometres. First you will need to cross this bridge.

Finally! The much awaited Sabah Tea Garden!There is a little souvenir shop at the entrance that sells handicrafts and most importantly; organically grown pesticide free tea.
Think they are reasonably priced? I do..Some are packed in wooden boxes and are priced at RM50 per box.Here are some interesting takes on tea as shown in the following photos.

Sabah Tea with Tongkat Ali

Sabah Tea with Geranium

Sabah Tea with CinnamonSabah Tea with Misai Kucing (Cat Whiskers; a herb with flowers that look like a cat's whiskers)

Sabah Tea with GingerSabah Tea with PandanSabah Tea with Lemon Grass

They make great gifts or you can buy them for your own use. Each have their own benefits and medicinal value. The Sabah Tea Garden Restaurant is not much to look at. However, the view is beautiful and they have friendly helpful staff.

When my husband suggested we have our lunch here I was hesitant but it did seem like the best plan. I was pleasantly surprised by the food. Everything was delicious. We bought a plate of Sabah Tea Butter Chicken (RM15), a plate of Prawn Sambal (RM15), a plate of Mixed Vegetables (RM12), two plates of white steamed rice, a glass of fresh pineapple juice (RM6) and a glass of Sabah Tea with Geranium (RM4). The bill came to RM61 after service charges and so on.You can even opt to stay here at the Sabah Tea Garden.I would definitely recommend adding Sabah Tea Garden to your travel itinerary...

My Coca-Cola Relationship

My relationship with Coca-Cola (which hereafter will be known as CC) began with the power of imagination. All I would have to think about was a glass full of CC and ice cubes.....and I'd crave for a 'date'. However, it rarely happened and was controllable. Fast forward my teen years to during my first pregnancy... I've heard of all sorts of bizarre cravings such as some mothers eating paper, ashes and even moss! Yikes! When looked from that angle my craving did not look so bad.. However, whatever I consumed would affect my little one so I managed to contain this renewed rush of 'love and longing' for CC.

Now two pregnancies later, I have to say I'm head over heels in love with CC. If you were to ask CC though, it would consider itself a trophy in my life. Why? I only crave for it if we've run out of it! Yup, talk about appreciating something only when it's gone! And here I am, doing it bottle after bottle. I do like Pepsi too. My apologies as I know there's a feud or more like a war between the fans of these two brands but hey monogamy is for marriage not for carbonated drinks... So, I usually have a sip or two most days but the moment we've run out, regardless of the time my darling husband always finds a way to get me some..even at 3a.m..ain't he a sweetie..So, there you have it my sugary relationship with Coca-Cola..Bottoms-up y'all!!

Blast from the Past: Ep 3

Episode 3: When Is Enough Enough?
Soon Cupcake will be reaching her 6 month marker after which she should be starting on solids. Being an avid reader, I just can't seem to get my hands (and eyes, of course) on enough materials to read on this subject. What should I give her and how should I make it? I know they may seem like pretty simple questions when you put it that way but I feel it's a big step in her life and mine, too. Therefore, no matter how much I read it still feels insufficient. I still keep reading about sleep routines and bath time when in fact most of the information is already embedded in my mind. Nevertheless, a mother's quest, and definitely a father's too, of what is the best that they can provide for their child is never ending. I've been scouting around for the best highchair that is safe and suitable and wallet friendly. After much thought, we decided on a highchair from IKEA in Damansara. The model we chose, as you can see in the photo, is ANTILOP. It comes with a safety belt and cost RM49. To make it more comfy, you can purchase a BARNSLIG supporting cushion that comes in a somewhat funky design which is RM29.90. The ANTILOP highchair tray cost RM15 and comes in only one colour; white. It's safe, sturdy and easy to clean. (Prices are as quoted on 18/02/2012 although we bought ours in 2010) why? because I can't remember how much we paid : )

Blast from the Past: Ep 2

Episode 2: Yet Another Milestone

Today my dearest 4 month old baby girl, whom I shall refer to as Cupcake, kept kneeling and pushing herself about. She has been doing this for some time now but today she did it more often. I truly feel that you feel the passing of time in leaps and bounds when you see the growth of a child. I'm sure you've had those moments when you see a child after some time and go 'oh my! look how you've grown! The last time I saw you, you were this tall' (all grins n gestures) with the child in question wondering, 'what did you expect? For me to stay frozen in time?"

Well, my little Cupcake is growing too... Soon, she'll be crawling, walking and then running around but I'm getting ahead of myself. As exciting and marvelous that it is that she is growing, I think I'll just enjoy every second of it one day at a time...

Blast from the Past: Ep 1

Episode 1: Setting Up My Blog

I wouldn't call myself tech savvy but then again I'm not computer illiterate either. Then why do I feel apprehensive about my blog? I guess we all feel that way when venturing into something new. I was chatting with my cousin, Anna, the other day and she suggested I blog. I'd already been contemplating this matter and so when she mentioned blogging I decided to try my hand as a blogger.

God has blessed me with a wonderful husband and a lovely daughter..of course before that I was blessed with my dear family members. (see..I haven't forgotten all of you!!)

I was just getting the hang of married life when I got pregnant, which was about a month and a half after our wedding. I love cooking and my mom is a great cook and I thank God a 'lil of her magic was passed on to me. (thanks amma!) During the first four to five months of my pregnancy, not only did I experience morning sickness but I used to have nausea in the afternoon, evening and night! Basically, it was at all times. Even now when I think of those times, I feel a fresh bout of nausea creeping back.

Through the course of my blog, I will also share a lot with you about the greatest blessing in my life; my family.

Second Chances

We are always hearing about second chances and how we should give others the benefit of doubt. I do believe in second chances however I also believe that it does not include everything. Thus, there are grey areas on some matters.

However, there is one area that I strongly believe deserves a second chance and that is...blogging!! Yes, when you fail to keep up with one blog, don't give up, try again.. On January 20, a Wednesday in the not so long ago 2010, I started a blog. Sadly, after just 3 posts I stopped. That was 4 months after my daughter was born. Now, it's been 7 months after the birth of my second child, my son. The timing is not lost on me. I wondered aloud to my husband if this was a delayed postpartum phase that I go through..well only time will tell...

My next 3 posts will be the 3 posts that I saved from my previous (and deleted) blog.. Here's to second chances at blogging!!