Manila to Singapore Cruise: Kota Kinabalu

In this fourth post of a multi-part series, Bethany enjoys a relaxing day at sea and then explores Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia on her Manila to Singapore Cruise on Crystal.

After a couple of fun and interesting days in the Philippines, I got to relax and enjoy a nice sea day. This gave me a great opportunity to explore the beautiful ship a bit more. The following day was back on land, as I spent the day in Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia (Borneo). Follow along as I explore the ship on my first sea day of the cruise, and Kota Kinabalu.

Manila to Singapore Full Itinerary

Below is the full itinerary for the trip. This post includes details about the first sea day of the cruise and Kota Kinabalu. Looking for info on other stops? Check out the ‘Links’ section at the end of this post!

• February 23-25: Manila, Philippines
• February 26: Boracay, Philippines
• February 27: Puerto Princesa, Philippines
• February 28: At sea
• March 1: Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia
• March 2: Muara, Brunei
• March 3-4: At sea
• March 5-7: Singapore
• March 8: Hong Kong

Sea Day

After a few wonderful days in Manila, Boracay, and Puerto Princesa, Philippines, it was great to have a sea day to relax and unwind. I started my day at sea with a nice breakfast outside. The patio in The Marketplace is my favorite spot for breakfast when the weather is nice…enjoying a fresh breakfast while soaking in the sea air is an unbeatable combination in my book!

After breakfast, I settled in to a comfortable spot in the Palm Court. This is a large lounge on Deck 11 forward. There are many different things that happen here, from dance lessons, to lectures and activities, to afternoon tea, and more. But for me, it is a nice, quiet spot during the day. Today I got started on my next cross-stitch project while enjoying the peaceful views as we made our way to Malaysia.

Around the Ship

I also took some time to explore the ship on this day at sea. I started with a walk around the Promenade Deck, which is a wraparound deck on Deck 7. Many passengers like to use this area to walk or jog. I then headed up to the top deck (Deck 12), with another area for walking or jogging that overlooks the stunning pool area.

Outdoor Activity Areas

Other activity areas on Deck 12 include a pickleball / tennis court and two golf driving ranges. A golf pro is onboard as well, with golf lessons and lectures offered throughout the cruise. There is also a small observation deck up here, which is great spot at the front of the ship for some sweeping views.

Lounge and Entertainment Areas

From the top deck, I headed back inside and down through a few decks to check out some of the lounge and entertainment spaces on the ship. The Palm Court (where I worked on my cross-stitch earlier in the morning) is a gorgeous area on Deck 11. Moving further down, Deck 6 is where you will find Jade Nightclub, The Starlight Theater (which is the meeting place for excursions during the day, but also offers entertainment in the evenings), and the Connoisseur’s Club (an area that offers cigars and cocktails each evening).

Central Atrium Areas

Decks 5 and 6 are the heart of the ship and offer some other interesting public areas as well. This is a great spot to view the entire central atrium area, with its two story waterfall. This is also where you will find The Bistro (coffee, tea, pastries, small snacks) and Crystal Cove (bar and live performers on piano, violin, or guitar in the evenings). The Hollywood Theatre shows current movies twice-daily, and also hosts lectures and religious services. The Lounge is a popular spot for games and jigsaw puzzles, with game instruction and groups often being hosted here. There is also a large and beautiful library on the ship, with a wide assortment of books, puzzles, and games to check out during the cruise.

Dinner at Osteria d’Ovidio

After a relaxing day at sea, I caught a pretty sunset over the South China Sea as we continued on our way to Malaysia. I then headed to Osteria d’Ovidio, one of the specialty restaurants on the ship. There are currently three speciality restaurants available, include this one, Umi Uma, and Beefbar. Each requires reservations, which can be made online before the cruise. Also, each passenger can enjoy one dinner at each of the three specialty restaurants on each cruise free of charge (additional visits are charged $50 per dinner).

Tonight’s dinner:

• Amuse bouche with delicious breads to start
• Starter: Insalata Caprese (Buffalo mozzarella, heirloom tomatoes, basil)
• Soup: Cioppino (traditional fish and seafood stew with sourdough ciabatta)
• Pasta: Tortello di Ricotta e Pera (tortilla filled with ricotta cheese and pear, pecorino cheese, pepper)
• Entree: Black Angus Beef Tenderloin (Gorgonzola crust, celery, Barolo red wine sauce)
• Dessert: Strawberry, Balsamic, Mascarpone (strawberry confit, balsamic from Modena, mascarpone mousse, strawberry sorbet)

A Day in Kota Kinabalu

After a full day and night of sailing, we arrived into Kona Kinabalu, Malaysia the morning of March 1. I enjoyed breakfast on the ship and captured my 42nd flag (Malaysia). We also got another festive welcome in port this morning, with a group of local performers welcoming us with a traditional song and dance performance.

Kota Kinabalu is the state capital of Sabah, Malaysia. It is on the northwest coast of Borneo, the third-largest island in the world. Borneo covers just under 290,000 square miles (748,000 square meters) and has a population of just over 23 million. Borneo is divided into three states: the East Malaysian states of Sabah (where I visited today) and Sarawak, and the sovereign state of Brunei (the next stop of this cruise).

Mari Mari Cultural Village

I then headed off to my excursion, a day at Mari Mari Cultural Village. This is a traditional village that showcases the unique homes of Sabah’s indigenous ethnic groups. Each dwelling is crafted by the descendants of the tribes they represent. The tour took us through each of the different tribal areas, where we visited the different houses and got demonstrations of the vibrant customs and daily life of the residents.

Dusun

The first area we visited was the Dusun Tribe. Here we got to see the interior of a traditional home, with separate living, sleeping, and cooking areas. Inside, we were also given a sample of a local rice wine to taste.

We then headed outside for a cooking demonstration. Linapak is a chicken and rice dish, seasoned with onion, ginger, and pepper, wrapped in bamboo leaves, and cooked to perfection. We got to sample some, and it was absolutely fantastic!

Rungus

We then visited the Rungus tribal area. This is the fourth biggest tribe in Sabah. Here we sampled some of the sweet local honey (with lots of bees swarming around us!). Inside one of the buildings, we saw a demonstration of how to make a fire.

Lundayeh

Our third tribal visit was to the Lundayeh tribe. We were greeted with the imposing crocodile made of sand and rocks outside! Inside, we learned more about the traditional way of life in this tribe. We also got to see a demonstration of how rope and cloth are made out of tree bark.

Bajau

The Bajau, the second largest ethnic group in Sabah, was our next area to visit. We got demonstrations of how two different snacks are made. Both start with a similar batter, something akin to a thin pancake batter. One is drizzled into hot oil and worked into a small, crunchy triangle. The second is made more like a traditional pancake, cooked in a hot cast iron pan. Both were very delicious! We also got to sample some of the local Pandan drink, a delicious hot tea.

Murut

Our last tribal visit was to the Murut tribe. This is the third largest ethnic group in Sabah. They are also known as “headhunters.” Before our tour started, our guide asked for a volunteer to represent our group as our “chief” as we entered this tribe. Of course I volunteered! I had to align our group into a single-file line as we approached the entrance. Then I was met by tribal leaders, who asked me to put my hand on a pole and answer some questions (who were we, where were we traveling from, do we pose any danger…you know, the typical questions you ask visitors to your home!). I apparently passed the test, and our group was permitted to enter.

Once inside, we got to enjoy a sample of some local coffee. We then saw a demonstration of a competitive game played by the tribe. Two tribe members bounce on a suspended area of the bamboo floor (similar to a trampoline), and compete to see which one can touch one of the prizes suspended from the ceiling.

Traditional Performance

After visiting all of the tribal areas, our tour ended at the pavilion. A colorful, lively, and interesting performance of different traditional songs and dances was fascinating.

A Local Lunch Experience

The excursion ended with a bountiful and delicious buffet lunch in the Cultural Center. There was a wide variety of fresh, local food available. Main dishes included fish, chicken, and pork. Side dishes include rice, beans, and vegetables. There was also some soup and dessert available, along with more of the local Pandan drink (tea). It was all very delicious.

In and Around Kota Kinabalu

Before and after the main excursion at Mari Mari Cultural Village, we also got a chance to see some of the more modern landmarks and architecture in and around Kota Kinabalu. On the way to the Cultural Village we stopped briefly at a large, modern office building that the locals call the “Battery Building” because of its similarity to AA batteries. On the way back from the excursion we got to see two different mosques.

Back on the Ship

Once back on the ship, I enjoyed some passionfruit gelato out on the pool deck. Luckily I was sitting in an area covered by the walking deck above, because a rain storm quickly rolled in! I am happy to report that neither me nor my gelato got wet.

Even though I missed the actual sunset this evening, I did manage to catch a few last glimpses of color in the sky as we set sail from Kota Kinabalu. Crystal’s tradition is to play the Louis Armstrong version of “Wonderful World” every time the ship sets sail. I stood out on the Promenade Deck just outside of my cabin, while Louis crooned away, and soaked in the glorious colors…a pretty perfect way to end a day.

I then headed back to the main dining room, Waterside, for another fantastic dinner as we sailed from Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia to Muara, Brunei. After dinner I enjoyed a glass of champagne in the Starlight Lounge before the evening’s show.

• French onion soup
• Black Angus Cote de Boeuf with oxtail marmalade, braised onion, roasted parsnip, truffle beef jus
• “After Eight” dessert: mint Panna Cotta, chocolate cremeux, chocolate ice cream

Conclusion

A well-timed sea day (the first of three on this cruise) was a perfect opportunity to relax and recharge a bit after the first few days of the journey. I always enjoy exploring the ship, and this day at sea was a perfect opportunity to do so. I then got back into the swing of things with a day in Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia. This was another fabulous day of cultural immersion, learning a bit more about the local traditions and cultures of the area.

Links

Check the main page for this cruise to read more about my adventures:

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Note: I fully funded this trip on my own and received no compensation or any other benefits from any service providers I used along the way. The opinions expressed here are my own and I am not being compensated by any service providers.