Dora's TravelChat: Sabah Trip Testimonials

Hi, I am Joanne (Dora's daughter). Using my mum's blog for record on our trip to Sabah. This blog post is about our testimonial on how me (and we both) encounter God's lead and protection throughout our whole 10 days Sabah trip.

Testimonial 1 (Cancelled and delayed flight) :

Our Sabah flights were supposed to be on 17/3 (KL-Tawau), 21/3 (Tawau-KK), 26/3 (KK-KL). However, on 16/3 evening (a day before flying), we received a notification that our flight on 21/3 (Tawau-KK) was cancelled and there are no other available flights on that day. Concurrently, we received notification informing our flight on 26/3 (KK-KL) was extended from 12pm to 6pm.

I was worried as we could not make any planning for our trip in KK/Kundasang without our flight from Tawau to KK confirmed. We could not do anything but to wait, hoping that there are new available flights on 21/3 from Tawau to KK. We waited till 19/3, still there are no flights on 21/3. Therefore we extended our stay for one night at Semporna and flew to KK on 22/3.

We thank God that we didn't book any accommodation nor transportation in KK and Kundasang beforehand. Otherwise they could have been forfeited in some way. We thank God also that we got the flight at the same price as what we booked previously, hence no extra charges needed.

(Lesson learnt : Leave everything to God and Trust that He has the best plan. He leads and protects in every single way.)

Testimonial 2 (Delayed Luggage) :

When we arrived at Tawau Airport at 10:30am on 17/3/2022, we noticed 2 out of our 3 luggage were missing. We were very worried as our snorkeling equipment, handphone charger and other important items were in the missing luggage. If they really went missing, it means we literally have to buy everything including mum's 10 days clothing, which will cause us a lot. We blamed ourselves for not locking our luggage thinking that it is only a domestic flight. Suddenly the thought of people stealing luggage slipped through our minds.

Tawau Airport is not as advanced as KLIA. There was only a person in charge for enquiry and complaint. The PIC had to contact KLIA Airport to check if the luggage were left at KLIA or were stolen. While waiting for their reply, I called AIG our flight insurance. We were thankful that we bought flight insurance. However, all these processes took time and both our handphone batteries running low. We went up and down in the airport looking for someone to borrow us their charger. Thanks God I found someone at the ticketing office with the same cable. (Lesson learnt : at least bring alongside power bank with cable or the whole charger. Do not check in.)

After nearly 1.5 hours, we were informed that our luggage were left at KLIA. They informed us the system could not detect bag tags printed from the kiosk. (Lesson learnt : Print bag tags at the counter directly, not at kiosk.) Thanks God they were not stolen and they will deliver our luggage in the next flight. Thankfully, we received both luggage at 8:30pm. Thanks God nothing were missing. Thanks God we took the earliest flight on that day which allowed us sufficient time to receive our delayed items. Thanks God that it was a free and easy day where we don't need to use the swimming equipment. Thanks God it reached just in time for us to change for bed. Thanks God for teaching us a few new knowledge (lock our bags, print bag tags at counter, bring charger alongside, insurance claiming process).

At this time of blogging, we were still waiting for our claims to be processed. Let's continue to pray for a good outcome. If we successfully receive the claims, that will be another testimonial to share on how God bless in a totally unexpected way.

Testimonial 3 (Change of hotel) :

Due to our personality which prefer to clarify everything in advance, we asked about our accommodation in Semporna before paying our tour agent. We were given Neo Paly Hotel (a new and more modern hotel, but without breakfast). As we were early birds and breakfast is a must for us, we changed to Pacific Inn Hotel for the breakfast (at no extra charges).

On our last day in Semporna (where we had an extra day due to the cancelled flight), we walked around Semporna town and encountered Neo Paly Hotel. We were shocked as the hotel is in middle of the busy hustling town. We also found out that there is no lift in the hotel which means my mum had to climb the stairs if we were to stay there. God knows us best. He knows we love peace, ocean and sunrise. Hence, He provides us with Pacific Inn Hotel whereby it is by the sea (more peaceful), facing ocean right at the front of the hotel. We did not Google and made such request except for the breakfast. We were thankful and grateful with God's arrangement.

View from King size room balcony

Testimonial 4 (Bee stung) :

We arrived KK on 22/3 evening. Our original plan was to rent a car ourselves so we could drive in KK and Kundasang. We actually really love doing so as we could take our own sweet time. However, God always has a better plan. One of our friend told us the road to our hotel in Kundasang (H Benjamin Residences) is very steep and dark at night. Concurrently, while staying in Kapalai Hotel in Semporna, we met with a Sabah tour agent whom introduce us to his friend in KK that could drive us around KK and Kundasang at a reasonable price. Hence, we ended up not renting a car but following this agent friend.

After staying at KK for one night, we departed to Kundasang and checked in at Hill Lodge at Sutera Sanctuary Park. They have tour guided trail (Silau-Silau trail). It was the last tour guided trail for the day and we quickly joined, forgotten to spray the insect repellent. 5 mins into the trail and I got stung by a bee. I took it for granted, believing that it will be okay and continue the trail for half an hour. While being asked if wanted to visit a clinic in town, I chose not to as the leg was not swollen back then. At the same time, I would really want to wait till I could see the peak of Mount Kinabalu. As such, I ignored the stung until it started to get swollen at around 8pm. It was too dark to visit a clinic at that hour. We could only hope the swell will ease the next day.

Finally we saw the peak of Mount Kinabalu!

My swollen feet

The peak was so clear in the morning. It was a good night sleep and my leg was still swollen.

Clear view of Mount Kinabalu!

Today our planning was to visit the hot spring, fish farm and dairy farm. At this moment, only I realised why we somehow did not managed to rent a car as per our original plan. God knew in advance that my leg will swollen and I could not drive! True enough, the hot spring and fish farm are all the way in Ranau (half an hour drive for one way). Walking itself is a problem, not to say driving. Thanks God we had someone driving so we could still travel around. Along our journey, we bumped into Klinik Kesihatan and got both injection and medication at only RM1.

Visiting Klinik Kesihatan for injection and medication

Around 5pm, we checked into H Benjamin Residences (another hotel in Kundasang). The road to H Benjamin was a long steep road as informed earlier by our friend. Thanks God we were not driving ourselves as it was considered challenging for first timers. After resting my feet for another night, the swell had reduced and I could finally put on my shoes the next morning (which is the day we were flying back to KL). Thank God we travelled to Semporna before heading to Kundasang. Otherwise it will be another headache. Sometimes I could not be anymore amazed with God's leading and planning. He allowed us to enjoyed the beach and ocean till the max at Semporna, and let us fully chill and rest in Kundasang.

Thank you Sabah. You've been great! And thank you Lord for all your provision, protection and guidance.