32. Day / 4th winter trip

4 days at the Gaya Island Resort, even beautiful & relaxing, were the maximum I could do - even V. had enough of 'just beach'. Even we would have had booked longer, we would have left today, I guess.

Even tough the hotel was very nice, especially the private beach - the food created a problem after 4 days. We could not understand how the hotel management could offer such little selection at an island resort, from which you can not escape.

Also our friends, normally not as picky as we are, didn't know what to select from the breakfast buffet. There were, as every day, watermelon, papaya and pineapple, marmalade and coconut jam, two different kind of cheeses, eggs of choice, noodle soup, salad... On the 4th day one no longer know what to take.

Once again up to the villa, luggage on the terrace, Bell-Boy called and down to the repetition, where we settled our bill including about US $ 50 for staying in a national park. Since probably all departing guest wanted to take the transfer at 11am, there were a lot of people on the pier waiting. We really wondered how all would fit in the boat. Luckily we were one of the first, so we boarded, took our seats an watched excitingly - we were safe. After approx. 2/3 of the waiting guest were onboard the vessel, it was announced that the other guests would have to wait for the next transfer - not funny when you have a flight booked.

Because the boat was then fully loaded, the captain informed where we would have to sit - in order to contribute the weight uniformly.


The sea was very quiet, we had a nice crossing, past the illegal housings of the Philippine immigrants (which creates a lot of problem due to missing electricity and canalization - good we only knew after we were swimming).


Actually, for the next days I had reserved a rental by Hertz, but we would have had to take a taxi back to the airport to pick it up - which would have been quite a detour. Since we had we planned any major explorations for the next days (TA showed nothing of interest to the north of Kota Kinabalu), I canceled and got us a 'large' van to our next destination, about 45 minutes north.

The taxi drivers at Jesselton Point called 200 Ringgit, UBER showed 30 Ringgit for the same journey, however in a smaller car. I showed the UBER quote to one of the drivers, who was already rolling his eyes when hearing the word 'UBER'. He asked what I offered, I replied '80 Ringgit'. Big eyes, 'only 80 Ringgit ???' and after little hesitation 'Okay!' - probably I still offered too much. But, unlike UBER, we were able to drive together with our friends in one car.

To load our baggage into the trunk of the 'large' car was problematic, but in the end we managed,


drove via the nicely planted sea promenade. There was serious traffic, everybody was on the road, driving to the Friday prayers. He hoped the driver wouldn't have to perform a sudden stop - because this could have caused our luggage to break necks. Finally we left town, had some beautiful views of Mt. Kinabalu with the peek in the clouds.

After nearly one hour drive, we reached the entrance of our hotel, I had chosen the 'Shangri-La Rasa Ria Resort'.


The hotel consisted of two wings, the older 'Garden Wing' with smaller rooms and balcony and the newer 'Ocean Wing' with quite impressive lobby


where we were allowed to check-in off the hustle and bustle of the larger Garden Wings.


Up to the spacious rooms


with tasteful bathroom,


huge balcony, round sun bed, bathtub (no Jacuzzi!)


and fantastic views over the extremely wide beach.


The Ocean Wing also has its own pool area


and giant Jacuzzi,


including separated beach area.




We changed quickly to bathing tongs and went down to the pool. There was a pool-towel-supply, where one could also spray - because of sandflies - with anti-insect-spray. Even quality sunscreen was available in various degrees of strength for free use.

We got 4 sunbeds with huge umbrella right in front of the beach, first went to the sea.


Unfortunately, swimming wasn't possible due to jellyfish. Too bad!

Walked along the beach, with view of the hotel area


and the beach.




At least we walked with feet in the sea


before we headed back via the more crowded Garden Wing area




to our more exclusive part of the hotel.

After we had seen the Garden Wing area we were happy to have paid the extra charge for the Ocean-Wing, since the pool area of ​​the Garden Wings wasn't only fuller, but also much louder and by far not so well kept.

On the return to our sun beds (with very comfortable rest) there were already two cool boxes with ice and water. We ordered cocktails and coke light, laid down in the half shadow, played UNO.

While we lay there, an employee appeared, offering chilled watermelon. Kind.

We extensively enjoyed the huge pool

and jacuzzi,


went just before 5 to the room, snacked of the welcome fruits and the free minibar (including alcoholic drinks and snacks).

At 17:30 we left the room for the pre-dinner snacks in the club lounge,


searched for a table, ordered wine, Gin-Tonic and Coke Light.


The so-called 'Canapés' were rather a bad joke, for two persons there was exactly this:


A second serving wasn't available on request.

Once again to the room at just before 8pm down to the Indian restaurant 'Naan',


praised in TA as one of the best Indian restaurants in whole Malaysia.

Now I am quite skeptical about hotel restaurants, but decided to give it a try. The interior was kept very cool, modern


- also because it was empty when we arrived. Most guests were seated at the outdoor area, which was located within the hotel lobby area of the Garden Wing.

Anyway, the 'Garden Wing' ... Of a Shangri-La I expect luxury, no matter what Wing. But the 'Garden Wing', however, reminded me more of a bad WESTIN, HILTON or a better Sheraton, far from 'luxury'. I would have been annoyed if I had booked a room there.

Back to the important things, the food: there were a few snacks (pickles) on the table, delicious, very 'Indian', a good start, especially my beloved mango pickles (which for newbies tend to taste like soap).


As starters I ordered a vegetarian- and a non-vegetarian plate,


with little bits of lamb, chicken and fish, potatoes, lentils and onions.

Here V. and I really began to wonder: the taste of the food was top, no comparison to the Indian food we had in Bangkok, really like in India.

After we had finished the starters completely, the main dishes were served (unfortunately, Paneer-Tandoor was not on the menu):


There was Seabass-Tandoor, a western Indian spiced lamb dish, chicken-tikka in gravy, delicious Dal, Naan & Roti.

The Dal was again a surprise, not too liquid, great in taste. Also the rest was a 9/10, especially the really spicy, spicy lamb (which the others left exclusively for me).

Since it was the first-ever Indian meal for our friends, I ordered two desserts, these small round, fried dumplings in sugar syrup (when I wanted to make a photo they were eaten already) and chocolate-cinnamon Kulfi, the Indian half-frozen ice-cream (which wasn't prepared as it should be, far too hard).


For this delicious feast we paid, including beverages, tip and taxes, just US $ 40 per person. For the offered at a 5* hotel really not too much - especially considering we just paid US $ 30/person without drinks at the island for a monotonous buffet.

After this rich meal we needed some exercise, wandered through the beautifully illuminated hotel area, looked at the starry sky and the other restaurants. We had to check where we would eat the next day.

At the pool, a frightened, very thin dog walked across the path. So V. decided to pass the buffet restaurant again, to get some chicken meat to feed the dog.

Back to the room where we ended the day happily on our balcony with a Coke Light from the included mini-bar.