Roadtrip in Sabah, Malaysia

During our Kota Kinabalu (KK) City Tour we met a taxi owner/driver Vincent, who drove us to KK City Mosque and Signal Hill Observatory Tower. He offered us to drive us to KK's neighboring towns on the next day when he learned our itinerary. To maximize our time we accepted Vincent's offer because bus transportation to and from KK and its neighboring town is a bit difficult for us. So read on to know our route is you happen to visit Sabah, Malaysia in the future.

Up Side Down House (Rumah Terbalik)

Our first destination on that day was the Rumah Terbalik, the first upside-down house in Malaysia. It is located along the main highway leading to Mount Kinabalu in Kampung Telibung, Batu 21, Jalan Telibun, Tamparuli, Tuaran District.

upside-down toilet

Taking pictures inside the house is not allowed but they have other upside-down attractions outside the house like upside down toilet, garage and garden for photo opportunity.

upside-down garage

There's a tour guide for the upside-house who describes each part of the house. Aside from upside-down house there's also a 3D Museum within the same compound. Should I recommend this? If you have a tight budget don't go there anymore but if you want to check it out, click here for ticket prices.

Desa Dairy Farm

Photo from Desa Dairy Farm Facebook Page

Our second destination was Desa Dairy farm that is located  in Kundasang, Sabah near the foothill of majestic Mt. Kinabalu.

Freisian cows that are roaming freely inside the farm

The 199 hectares farm is also the favorite destination of local tourists because of its lush pastures, breathtaking scenery and the cool breeze of Kundasang highlands.

flowering plants are everywhere

The farm also offers feeding the calves with milk and feeding goats with grass that personally I don't find appealing.

feeding a cow

feeding a goat

You can also buy dairy products at the farm but the queues are long so we missed to taste their gelato and fresh milk. We didn't anticipate the number of tourists so if you plan to visit there, visit on weekdays to enjoy the farm more.

lots of tourists' cars parked at Desa Dairy Farm

Ranau pitstop

On the way to to Poring Hot Spring Resort, our next destination we had a pitstop at Ranau town. Ranau town is known as a producer of highland vegetables in Sabah, Malaysia. That's why at the pitstop there are stalls selling flowers, local fruits and vegetables, snacks, honey and many more. We just bought spinach chips and sliced fruits for our snack since it was already lunch time and we were still 1 hour away to Poring Hot Spring. What I loved at the pitstop is the ready to eat fresh sliced fruits.

ready to eat fresh sliced fruits

Poring Hot Springs

Poring Hot Springs Map

Poring Hot Springs is a natural hot spring located at the lowlands of Ranau town. The spring has hot sulfuric minerals that is believe that has healing properties so it is best to go there after hiking Mount Kinabalu relax your muscle pain.

spring source that can cooked an egg in less than a minute

There are public and enclosed or private bath and pool that you can rent if you want to soaked so bring your bath essentials.

public bath

enclosed or private bath

public pool

There are also other attractions in the area that you can visit such us, Orchid Conservation Center, butterfly farm, the canopy walk and the rafflesia flower site. Because of limited time we missed those sites but atleast we have something to visit when we return in Sabah :)

Poring Hot Springs rates

Mount Kinabalu National Park

Mt. Kinabalu Monument in memory of 18 mountain guides and climbers
who died on Mt. Kinabalu during an eartquake on June 5, 2015

The feeling was surreal when we reached the Mount Kinabalu National Park especially when I saw the monument for climbers who died at Mt. Kinabalu during the earthquake on June 5, 2015. As a hiker myself I have a deep sympathy to the victims and their families and I can't believe I made it even at jumped-off area.

The Mount Kinabalu National Park was supposed to be the highlight of our road trip but we didn't have the glimpse of it because it was raining  and freezing when we get there. Even the weather did not cooperate, I was ecstatic to be there and I can't stopped my self not to dance under the rain. Even there are still many places or countries to visit I think Sabah, Malaysia will be one of my favorite destinations and I know Mount Kinabalu is waiting for me :)

Our stress free road trip wouldn't be possible if not for Vincent our driver and instant tour guide. So I would like to once again thank him on this blog. He is a Malay and highly reliable, because of him we've got discounts from entrance fees. If you want to get his contacts, please comment below.

Vincent and his taxi