Amazing Kota Kinabalu! (Fourth and Final Part) : The Museum, The Marina, The Islands, The Pontoon and The Mari Mari Cultural Village!

There's no complete trip to a country without going to their museum. It's a more concise way of understanding who they are, and what they are as a people. Photos were not allowed inside which I understand because you probably would skip this trip if you've seen everything in my site (and YOU shouldn't!), but I'll tell you about Muzium Sabah. 

Muzium Sabah

It was raining that afternoon but we still wanted to see this gorgeous structure and what they have inside. You will be greeted by several tables, chairs in whimsical designs. The roof over the tables were reminiscent of what the tribes men and women wear on their heads. There were also huge wicker bags that are native to farmers. When we got inside, we saw a huge skeleton (approximately 18.6-meter long) of what they call a "Bryde's Whale". The remains was discovered in the same area as The Pontoon (which we'll see in a bit) and has been regarded as one of the most well preserved specimens in Asia. I was really at awe on how huge it was and reading off the information inside the Muzium Sabah educated me how much we need to preserve nature. There were also other animals shown in glass cases in other parts of the museum all clad in Taxonomy form. I didn't even know there was a rhinoceros or huge cats in this part of the globe. There's a cute elephant, and some wild birds endemic to the region too. You should never miss visiting this because you would easily understand the other places in Sabah by just spending a few minutes here.

As for the tribes of Sabah, they have almost all of them represented in the front part of the structure. It's lined with several real deal clothing. Some of the displays are also for weddings, so intricate dresses were on display. From warriors, to headhunters, to prince, princesses and even horses, they were shown proudly by they museum and it was really a learning experience! You can also shop on a nearby souvenir shop if you prefer to do that early. You'll be tempted because they almost have everything there; some small items may be good. I suggest you shop in malls instead because it's way cheaper.

On Our 2nd Day...

 

Our second day started with something awesome and it was so near that I already took a glimpse of it the day before. Our hotel The Pacific Sutra had kept one of the nicest things in Kota Kinabalu. At the back of the hotel, you just walk a few meters and you'll see a place called the Sutera Harbour Marina and Country Club.

MARINA Oysters * Seafood * Grill: 25 Years of Great Ilonggo Specialties!

Marina has been a very memorable place for me. Ilonggo cooking is pretty close to home since my family hails from Bacolod. A close friend of mine who I always meet in their MOA branch years ago passed away already and when I hear their name, I honestly remember the times we drank a couple of rounds of beer in this awesome restaurant. 

Locally known for the best Oysters in town, this aphrodisiac friendly place is just something people have frequented in the last few years because of what they have in store. The usual isn't really what you think it is because you have to see it, taste it before you can pass judgement on the dishes served in this restaurant by Ross and Madame Marina Luz Gorriceta. This is the 25th year since the restaurant was established and the longevity proves why they have been patronized.

The Food

Kare Kare done their way is quite different. The peanut sauce on this version is actually okay to go even without the addition of shrimp paste. This and the unlimited rice they have plus bottomless ice tea is just amazing! Doing so would also be nice because they manage to ship things from Iloilo. Raw ingredients or condiments, they all got that taken cared of. Without you having to go to Iloilo yourself.

Sinigang na Hipon isn't just Sinigang in their books because they don't use powder. They don't even use Sampaloc because as in Iloilo we actually use a different thing to do that, the "BATUAN". The batuan is like a fruit but it provides more of a fruity kind of sourness and not that sharp kind that tagalog sinigang usually has. You've got to try this!

They ship these guys every day to replenish what they have in store. These are fresh Oysters and they prepare these in different ways. Baked, steamed or just fresh it's something everyone loves on their menu. Guess what they will be doing on their 25th year... if you order this dish on OCTOBER 25, they will only charge you 25 PESOS for each plate (limited to 2 plates per table). THIS IS NOT A JOKE! So if you are around a MARINA branch near you make sure you drop by on this date and be with them to celebrate 25 YEARS of MARINA OYSTERS * SEAFOOD * GRILL.

HUGE and TASTY this slab of meat isn't really meat but a slice of heavenly BLUE MARLIN. Marina will be the next big thing to serve these ocean giants presented as is but marinated with their own secret concoction and grilled to perfection on both sides. 125 per 100 grams, isn't that just amazing?? Now you can have it your way, visit any Marina branches nationwide to get this one on your plate as soon as you say FISH!

For meat lovers like me, something like Crispy Pata won't spoil our day. The crunchy skin and meat on vinegar is just bliss! I just asked mine to be Ilonggo Sinamak which is our own kind of spiced vinegar and it's one of the things they use in cooking. Just ask for it and they'll gladly do it for you!

  

This ginormous fish which is dwarfing my phone (so you can see how big it is) is called the MANAGAT. It's something that drawed oohs and ahhs because of obvious reasons. Had a taste of it and this together with sweet soysauce and some local sinamak over hot steaming rice is just oblivious!

  

Marina has this, Marina Seafood Soup. It had everything you love in it. The thick soup was reminiscent of clam chowder. This would be perfect for rainy days and cold nights. Something you definitely should try.

To end the meal, I had 2 scoops of Gold Rush which is sweet Vanilla Ice Cream with caramel. This was quite nice. There are different flavors, just ask for the Ice cream flavor menu and they have almost every basic ones plus some fancy selections.

 

Two words, Leche Flan. Loving all the choices and the various items in the menu. Plus this thing to end the meal is just super! The only thing is, their specials for OYSTERS for 25 PESOS will only be on OCTOBER 25, so if you guys don't get that deal that they are offering just for that day it'll be your loss! 

Another one is their BLUE MARLIN steak which they will cut 50% off every Monday until November 26. It's all out there, you just have to choose to go at your nearest MARINA branches nationwide!

For more information about their promos

Like them on Facebook!

MARINA Oysters Seafood Grill

Or visit their branches!


Market-Market
Marina Market! Market!
Fiesta Market, Market! Market!
Fort Bonifacio Global City, Taguig, Metro Manila
Contact Person: Ms. Josie Salontoy
Mobile No.: 0922-879-6744
Tel. No.: (02) 729-0344
Metrowalk
Marina Metrowalk
G/F Metrowalk Mall
Meralco Avenue, Ortigas Centre, Pasig City
Contact Person: Mr. Arman Unisa
Mobile No.: 0922-879-6732
Tel. No.: (02) 687-2881

MOA
Marina SM Mall of Asia
116-117 Veranda North Wing
Entertainment Building, SM Mall of Asia
JW Diokno Boulevard, Pasay City
Contact Person: Ms. Mauriel Tattao
Mobile No.: 0923-280-0800
Tel. Nos.: (02) 556-4224 / (02) 556-0718
 

SM-Sky
Marina SM Sky Garden
SM City North EDSA, Q.C.
Contact Person: Ms. Hope Dayaday
Mobile No.: 0922-8796741
Tel. No.: (02) 332-3462


Timog-Panay
Marina Timog-Panay
No. 79 Timog Avenue corner Panay Avenue
Barangay South Triangle, Quezon City
Contact Person: Ms. Maileen Balanquit
Mobile No.: 0922-879-6735
Tel No.: (02) 332-4174
 
Magallanes
Marina Magallanes
Oakridge Plaza Block 4 Lot 7
Paseo de Magallanes, Brgy. Magallanes
Makati City
Contact Person: Mr. Dan Espinola
Mobile No.: 0922-8796755
Tel. No.: (02) 851-4204

 
Forum Robinsons
Marina Forum Robinsons
Level 3 Food Loft, Forum Robinsons
Boni Avenue EDSA, Mandaluyong City
Contact Person: Marjun Pama
Mobile No.: 0922-879-6751
Tel. No.: (02) 569-8099
Marina Iloilo
Marina Iloilo
Diversion Road
Mandurriao, Iloilo City
Tel. No.: (33)320 1230

Singapore, Singapore!

It was another tiring day today and as I said in my previous posts I'll get some of my shots published here. Since there are some required shots for a photographer while in Singapore I'll show you some of them now. These are all long exposures which lasts around 20 seconds for a single shot. I hope you like them!


Now remember these are not high resolution copies so it is a little degraded (because I uploaded them on standard rate in FB). I post processed it just now so please spare me the humiliation if you are a photographer too LOL. Anyway here's Orchard Road at around 12:30 AM. Yeap I was there at this time because I didn't want to stay around the hotel that much!

This is Marina Bay Sands. See that platform on top of it? It's actually a park where you can roam around the 57th floor of these three buildings. It's one of the most greatest architectural wonders in Singapore so you kinda get why a lot of people take shots of this one. Pretty awesome huh?! My niece Marie works there at the reception so if you ever are around, I don't care LOL!

This is the Fullerton Hotel (as it also says on the top of the building). This is where the famous Merlion of Singapore is found. There is another one in Sentosa but this is pretty much the most photographed since it stands by the river. This is just opposite the Durian looking theater so if ever you are in one side you can take shots of the other one on the other side. Get it?!
This is the famous Esplanade. This is the durian looking theater on the other side of the bay. This is also quite near the Singapore flyer which I'll show you in a bit. They are quite close probably because this is one of the tourist spots in Singapore. From what I've learned, Lea Salonga already performed here among many artists that are from the Philippines. Singapore hasn't got that much artistic people so they always get them from other countries like ours. They have art schools but no one seems to be interested in most of them. They all want to go to Universities in Australia because it is quite expensive to study here.

This is the Esplanade + The Singapore Flyer. The middle part of that is where you can eat a lot of Singapore's best cuisine. I was on a diet that's why I ended up eating 15 chicken wings just for starters. Did I tell you I was addicted to Water Chestnut? I literally am not drinking water anymore because of it. I always buy them outside our hotel when I go out. I also take them in when going back. I wish there was some way I could put up a business entirely made of drinks like what they have. As for the food, I'll show you some more later!

Behave so I'd show some more photos okay?! =)