Family Trip to Kundasang 2D1N (RM730 for 15 persons)

Kundasang is one the famous tourist attraction in Sabah, or I would say it is the main attraction since it symbolizes the location of mount Kinabalu. I am currently doing my degree in Tourism Planning and Hospitality Management course, so I tried to practice my skill by creating an itinerary for my family trip to Kundasang as well as become their main sponsor lol.

Before that, I do research on internet regarding tourist attraction in Kundasang including places for stay and fortunately I found the best place for stay. If you want to know where, keep reading! Everything I listed here is enough for you to enjoy the whole Kundasang because I ALMOST (just almost) cover all the main and beautiful places there. So did my trip goes according to plan? Let’s find out. 

Alright! After doing research, I listed all the places. So, here’s what I found.

1.     Desa Dairy Farm

2.     Sg. Moroli Fish Spa

3.     Strawberry farm 

a.     Mesilau Mt Retreat and farm or:

b.     Highland strawberry farm

4.     Mesilau Cat Village

5.     Rose and Strawberry Garden

6.     Poring Canopy Walk

7.     Kundasang War Memorial

8.     Kinabalu Park

Next is finding place for stay since this trip I planned for 2 days 1 night. I found a very beautiful place with affordable price which is Alpine D’Bayu Residence. Aaa I forget to mention, all my family member including me are 15 (13 adult, 1 kid and 1 infant). Alpine D’bayu Residence have good reviews and rates, I found their info on facebook. I text the contact person, pay deposit and done! Place for stay is settle. then I search each distance of those listed attraction to our place stay. Why? So I can decide which place to go first. 

Ok now we can start with our itinerary muehehehehe..

Day 1

5:00am - depart from home

8am-10am : poring hot spring – canopy walk

10:30am-11:30am : Sg. Moroli Fish Spa

12:30pm-1:00pm : Kg. Mesilau Strawberry Farm

1:30pm-1:45pm :buy food at Pekan Kundasang

2:00pm-3:00pm : Check-in Homestay and Lunch (self-cook)

3:00pm-4:00pm : Mesilau Cat Village

5:00pm: return to homestay and rest

Day 2

9am-10am : breakfast

10am-11am: take pic and check out

11:30am-1pm: Desa Dairy Farm

1:30pm-2:15pm : Rose and Strawberry Garden

2:40pm – 3:30pm : war memorial

4-5pm: Kinabalu Park

5pm : going back to kk

ABOVE IS WHAT I PLAN! BUTTT THIS IS WHAT ACTUALLY HAPPEN LOL!!

Day 1

9:00am – depart from home [because we woke up late (-,-)]

11:30am-12pm : Kg. Mesilau Mt Retreat and farm (Strawberry Farm)

12:30pm-1:00pm : Mesilau Cat Village (we want to check in its too early so we end up go to Cat village first while waiting for check in at 2pm)

1:30pm-2:00pm : Check-in Homestay and Lunch (self-cook)

3:00pm – stay homestay and rest (everyone got tired and feel comfort at the homestay so we decide just to stay and relax. Beside I am with small baby so I have to cook and feed him)

Day 2

9-10am: breakfast

10-11am: take pic and check out (this place is very suitable for photoshoot)

11:15pm-12pm : Desa Dairy Farm

1:00pm-2:00pm : Sg. Moroli Fish Spa

2:30pm-3:00pm : Floral Market 

3:30pm – going back to kk

Ok so! As you can see, we did not manage to visit 4 attractions from all the listed places because:

1.    Rose and Strawberry Garden (we did not find the right direction to Rose and Strawberry farm so we just stop at nearest floral market on the side road)

2.    Poring Canopy Walk (we already visit poring before so we decide to cancel it since it is 50km from our stay place and I am with baby so it will be difficult since it is a jungle. At first we also planned to cancel to Sg. Moroli fish spa because of the distance but I insist on 2^ndday to go there)

3.    Kundasang War Memorial (it was almost raining so we decide just to skip it since the place is an open place. My cousin already visit this place and she said there’s nothing much to do, it just for picture things. Same goes to :

4.    Kinabalu Park

One more place is Sabah tea. It is near Sg. Moroli fish spa but I didn’t put it on my visit list because based on review the place just have tea farm view with expensive food at their restaurant. I live in KL and I prefer Cameron Highland tea farm view. Beside that time it is already noon so it will be so hot.

Ok lets move on to the budget. I expect it to be more than RM700. So I prepared RM800.

Accommodation: 1 cabin (Acacia Cabin) RM250/night

Food: RM100 (we buy food at Bataras market)

Transportation gas/oil return: RM70 (Proton Waja : my brother car) RM80 (Unser : brother-in-law car)

Entrance fees total for 13 Adults 1 kid 1 infant

Mesilau Mt Retreat and farm (Strawberry Farm) – (RM3x13) + (RM2x2)=RM41

Desa Dairy Farm – (RM5x13) + (RM3x2) =RM71

Sg. Moroli Fish Spa – RM5x13=RM65 (below 3 years = free)

Cat Village – RM4x13= RM52

Total= RM729

Ok done with my failed itinerary. It is my first time though. So I would say it is fine. What important is my whole family enjoy it. Its FREE! Of course, they enjoy it lol.

Acacia Cabin

view from above balcony 

Mount Kinabalu

Flower Landscape

Alpine D’bayu Residence pedestrian 

Ok now move on to review. First, I want to review about Alpine D’bayu Residence. Guysss! You would not believe this place. It is so breathtaking and cheap for 15 person lol with only RM250 (weekdays). I choosed Acacia cabin because it is the only cabin which have clear view back and front. Another cabin is hidden by 1 pine tree at the middle. It is 2 story cute house/cabin with 2 rooms, 1 toilet, 3 single beds with 1 queen and have a cute balcony. The landscape is full of flowers and you can see mount kinabalu at the back view. They are not allowing non-halal food and have full kitchen equipment (gas, stove, rice cooker, plates, freezer and utensil). It has tv complete with asro, dining table, 1 sofa with 1 table. The morning view is very peaceful with sound of water flowing under the small bridge and smell of fresh flowers with beautiful weather. The place is very suitable for photoshoot location. And yesss! We 15 peoples fit in the cute cabin! Btw. This cabin is near to another homestays. One of them is Kiram Village which also have a beautiful landscape with small lake and affordable place but I prefer Alpine D’bayu Residence.

Kiram Village

Kiram Village

Ok next Kg. Mesilau Mt Retreat and farm (Strawberry Farm)

It is very unfortunate for us because when we went there, there was no ripe strawberry. All was still raw. The farm was small, and it was a little bit difficult for us to go there because of bad road condition with many patholes. Thankfully it was not raining otherwise we might not make it because the road might become muddy and it is hill. But from Alpine D’bayu Residence to this place, you will pass Mount Kinabalu Golf Club which is worth picture snapping so make sure to stop there to snap some pic alright?

Mesilau Mt. Retreat Farm entrance

Mesilau Mt. Retreat Farm

Mesilau Mt. Retreat Farm 

Mesilau Mt. Retreat Farm

Mt. Kinabalu Golf Club

Mt. Kinabalu Golf Club

Move on to Mesilau Cat Village. This place is typical. Small place but have beautiful flower and cute cat houses. All of their cat are stray cats, just some are foreign breed. When I was there, I saw an American curl breed. The road to this place is very narrow and gravel, also poor road condition. We did not go to rabbit village because we like cat more than rabbit lol. But these places are near to each other.

Mesilau Cat Village

Mesilau Cat Village

The famous place in Kundasang is Desa Dairy farm. This is the place where people keep saying New Zealand versi sabah because it is indeed like New Zealand. Pine tree, Holstein Friesian Cattle cow, the symbolic fence and mount kinabalu. There is café selling pizza, dessert, dairy products and there is also restaurant. Don’t miss out the chance to taste their symbolic ice cream and milk ok?

Desa Dairy Farm

Second last is Sg Moroli Fish Spa. This place is 50km estimated distance from Kundasang and it have small café and bazaar selling sliced fruits, food and beverages. If I wasn’t mistaken, 15 minutes per group inside. They will announce when you can enter and go out based on your number. The fish will eat your dead skin on your feet. The feel is itchy but fun, it is such a wonderful experience. 

Sg. Moroli Fish Spa

Last but not least is floral market. As I mentioned before, we try to go to Rose and Strawberry garden because my mother love Rose and we all want to see the strawberry but unfortunately, due to weak range, the waze and maps failed to show us the right direction. We end up go to floral near the road side and there’s one more but I forgot the shop name sorry. 

side road floral market

Flower Nursery

I suggest you to visit the places I listed below at once because the road is hill which is going up. So, if you go more than one time, you will waste gas and kinda torturing your vehicle. Going down is fine though but going up is little bit difficult.

Kg. Mesilau Mt Retreat and farm (Strawberry Farm)

Cat Village

Desa Dairy Farm

Floral Shop on the side road (Chinese name flower nursery shop) lol

Rose and Strawberry Garden

Or go to Sg. Morolis Fish Spa first then to poring and finally to above listed places or vise versa.

Ok people. That’s it. Hope you enjoy my review and good luck with your upcoming holiday. Ma’asalamah

update 31 january 2022:

There is many new attractions in Kundasang which me, myself have not visit yet, and also the price might have change.

pengalaman pertama kali bermain Salji, Murree Pakistan

Assalamua3laikum readers… Alhamdulillah today we are still breathing and thanks to Allah for everything. So today I would like to share my vacation to Murree, Pakistan. 

Disebabkan suami saya ialah orang Pakistan, maka berpeluang lah saya untuk melawat negara ini secara percuma lol. Itu lah salah satu kelebihan kahwin orang luar. Kedatangan saya ke pakistan bukanlah kali pertama tetapi kali ke-2. 1^sttime datang pada tahun lepas hujung bulan April 2018. Stay sana 14 hari sahaja sebab terpaksa balik Malaysia untuk menghadap exam kahkahkah.

Murree merupakan salah satu tempat yang famous di Pakistan sebab tempat ini setiap kali musim sejuk akan turun salji yang menjadikan pemandangan jalan dia MasyAllah sangatlah cantik SubhanAllah. Masa datang Pak hari itu ada pergi Murree juga tetapi waktu itu musim panas so salji tak ada, cuacanya yang sejuk sahaja ada. Sejuk dia 5x ganda sejuk Cameron or Genting. Tapi, Alhamdulillah kedatangan saya yang kali ke-2 Allah beri peluang bukan sahaja untuk melihat salji tetapi saya juga diberi peluang untuk melihat salji turun SubhanAllah. Rasa nikmat dan syukur itu memang tak boleh cakap.

Perasaan saya masa first time pegang salji hari itu rasa seronok sangat. Gembira, terharu, teruja dan macam-macam lagi perasaan yang positif. yalah, namanya juga first time kan? of course lah perasaan bercampuk aduk sebab saya sendiri tak sangka yang kejadian itu betul-betul terjadi. Rasa bersyukur sangat dapat melihat ciptaan Allah yang indah SubhanAllah.

Sebenarnya tak ada apa pun dekat Murree. lebih kurang macam Genting Highland juga, ada mall, hotel dan sewaktu dengannya. Cuma bezanya Murree ada salji di musim sejuk dan seperti yang saya nyatakan awal tadi, pemandangan kiri kanan jalan ke Murree itu cantik sebab dipenuhi dengan Pine tree and Pine tree itu pula disaluti oleh salji macam dalam filem or lukisan fantasy SubhanAllah. 

Tetapi, cantik-cantik pemandangan dekat Murree ini ada bahaya nya juga sebab jalan dia licin and sempit. Lagi satu kena hati-hati dengan salji atas pokok sebab kalau jatuh boleh membawa maut Nauzubillahiminzalikh. Salji, walaupun nampak fluffy, ia sebenarnya berat so memang kena sangat berhati-hati. Masa lawatan kami ke sana pun tersekat di tengah jalan sebab jalan dia 1 saja tapi 2 way and pada hari itu jalan menjadi 1 way sebab tepi-tepi jalan itu penuh dengan salji tapi Alhamdulillah tak ada apa yang terjadi. 

In Shaa Allah kalau umur panjang nak datang lagi and kalau diberi peluang oleh Allah, saya teringin nak pergi Hunza dan Kashmir In Shaa Allah. Kenapa saya nak pergi tempat ini? kalau pembaca-pembaca sekalian pernah menonton movie Bollywood, scene hero dan heroin menari berlatarkan gunung ganang dan pemandangan-pemandangan yang cantik itu salah satu tempatnya adalah di Kashmir dan Hunza. Sebenarnya Pakistan ada banyak tempat semulajadi yang menarik macam gunung ganang, padang bunga, sungai dan sebagainya. Tetapi yang paling terkenal adalah Hunza dan Kashmir. kalau tak percaya boleh lah google. Nanti kalau dapat pergi saya akan kongsi lagi pengalaman alright? JMa’aslamah.

Tips for pumping breastmilk efficiently

Assalamua3laikum readers..

I've been pumping for almost 1 month and I figure out some tips that I tried which is really work in helping me pumping efficiently.

1. Massage

Before pumping, I would massage my breast in circular motion to stimulate the milk for 1 minute with coconut oil.

2. Coconut Oil

I would rub some coconut oil on my areola and on the flange cup as lubrication so that my breast wouldn't be hurt while pumping because sometimes the areola area will feel burning after pumping due to dryness. I would not recommend other oil because the only oil I know which is safe to be consume by babies are coconut oil (in a small amount of course) as many mothers used it to treat nipple crack. 

3. Breastmilk

If you don't have coconut oil, you can use your own breastmilk as lubrication. Simply press your breast until the milk out and apply it on your breast.

4. Change position

After applying all the tips above, I would start pumping. Every 10 minutes of pumping, I will change position of the FLANGE and the pressure on my breast. First 10 minutes, I will put it in normal position and the next 10 minute I will press the flange more to right side of my breast and another 10 minutes for left side. I will also play with the pressure. I will press the flange a little bit  towards me and then release it to normal. If you notice, your milk will stop after sometimes while pumping in same position, but by doing this, your milk will keep coming out because changing the flange position and playing with pressure is like massaging your own breast while pumping.

5. Changing Mode

My breast-pump have 2 modes which is Stimulation and Expression. It will first stimulate for 3 minutes before changing to Expression mode till the time is out. I will change the mode to Stimulation each of 10 minutes as it will stimulate my breast to produce more milk.

6. Oats and Water

As you know, water is good for health. As breastmilk is a form of liquid, I drink plenty of water minimum 1 glass before and after pumping. I eat oats every day for breakfast as it help increase my breastmilk supply. 

I hope this tips will help increase your milk supply. Have a good day :) 

Natural Skincare Homemade Ingredients

Assalamua3laikum readers…

I have a very sensitive skin. I’ve used only two skincare products in my life and that’s even because my mom asks me to. I did not even manage to finish those two products my mother bought for me because I am very very very lazy person lol. My skin is not friendly with any product. Even the so-called Natural Ingredient product. Or maybe I have not YET found the right skincare for my skin? Just maybe. Thus! I choose to make my own skincare product from a really natural ingredient where you can get it from your kitchen. Named it, tomato, potato, vinegar, etc. 

1.    Sunburn

Mix 1 spoon of rice flour with aloe vera gel (plant). make it a mask. Don’t make it too watery, but make it thick instead so when you put on your skin it will not drop. Once you put it on your face, wait till it get dry and hard then can wash it. 

Optional ingredient to add

-       Honey

-       Coconut oil

-       Olive oil

-       Milk

I once have a really bad sunburn. I used rice floor mask for 3 days straight and PAP! Its gone! No kidding. 

2.    Toner and Long Hair 

Soak 1 or 2 spoons of raw rice (any type of rice) in a cup/bowl/jar with 1 cup of water. But first you have to wash it till the water is finely clear. Put it in a temperature room minimum for 2 hours then you can use the rice water for toner or hair. For your information, the water will have weird smell and don’t worry because its fine. If you don’t like the smell, add some lavender, lemon or any fragrance oil you desire. Keep it in a chiller for long lasting. I usually keep it for 1 month only and make new one. If you keep it in room temperature, better to use for 1 week only. For long hair purpose, I used the rice water for the last rinse and not washing it with water. 

Toner: 2x day. Morning & Night

Long Hair: 3x week.

You will notice the changes after 2-3 weeks minimum based on my personal experience and observation.

3.    Moisturizer

I used coconut and olive oil as moisturizer for myself and my son. Don’t forget to apply on your eyelashes as well because it will make it thick and long.

4.    Strong hair

Before taking shower, apply coconut oil on scalp and massage it for 2 minute minimum. Let it stay for 30 minutes – 2 hours and you can wash your hair as usual. You will notice your hair fall decreasing after 2x used. Apply it 3x a week.

5.    Acne and Glowing face

I use banana skin to glow my face. Just simply rub it on your skin until the white part become dark. Let it dry and wash it.