Putra Card

The current monthly pass introduced by Nadi Putra will be phased out in March 2011 and be replaced with a brand new travel card, known as Putra Card.

Putra Card applied the same concept as the Touch n Go card used in the Klang Valley. It is primarily aim at frequent user of the Nadi Putra bus commuting various places around Putrajaya.

The card validity will be based on the available days left on the card, meaning that the owner of the card have limitless travel on that particular day. One will have an option to top up with RM20 for 35 days (student RM10) or RM10 for (student RM 5) 17 days.

To use the card, just put the card on the scanner beside the bus driver and a receipt will be printed out with the number of available days printed on it.

It's still a bit vague as to where the top up machines will be located around Putrajaya as the management itself fail to clarify on this issue.

The Putra Card has a personalized touch to it. It has the owner's photo, name and identification number. If the owner lose the card, the available days left on the lost card can be transferred to the replacement card (there will be a penalty of RM15 for the replacement card).

The downside of applying Putra Card is one need to fill up a form (photo is compulsory) and submit the form at Nadi Putra Depot at Precinct 9. It will take 3 working days to get the card ready and one can opt to collect it at the Depot or Putrajaya Sentral Station.

I been using Nadi Putra bus for a year now and I actually still keep all their previous monthly passes. Kudos to Nadi Putra for the many improvements done around Putrajaya with a clear objective of encouraging the people to use the public transport system here. The Putra Card is another one of their innovation product and I am looking forward to see more coming in the near future.

Kota Kinabalu Salted Fish Market

Salted fish market is another interesting market in Kota Kinabalu. It is just located next to the Handicraft Market.

The market specialized in dry and salted fishes. Almost every traders here seem to sell the same product. There are hardly any price tags so one need some bargaining skill to get the best deal from the traders.

Amplang cracker (fish cracker ball) and kuih cincin are the must buy local snack here. Amplang cracker is especially famous in Tawau. Made of Spanish mackerel mixed with tapioca flour and selected spices to bring out a distinctive delicious taste. The cracker is formed round and is simply crispy.

A pack of these snacks are sold around RM 5-7 where tourists might be overcharged by the traders here.

Kota Kinabalu Handicraft Market

The Kota Kinabalu Handicraft Market was once known as Filipino Market as most of the stalls there are run by Filipino immigrant.

The market is not hard to find. It is basically adjacent to the Central Market on Jalan Tun Fuad Stephens.

This is a good place to shop for Filipino and local handicrafts which are sold in cramped stalls.

They said this is the place to be for cultured pearls to fake gemstones. Its just perfect to hunt souvenirs here than any tourist shops/spots in Kota Kinabalu

Just outside the market is some interesting sight where Filipino tailors can be seen with the ancient sewing machine. They offer cheap stitching services such as patching clothes or jeans.

Manukan Island

Since I had limited time to visit all the islands in The Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park (which consist Sulug, Mamutik, Manukan, Sapi and Gaya Islands), I decided to venture into Manukan Island since it is one of the most developed islands.

Tickets can be purchased from the various boat operators at Jesselton Point. A return ticket will cost a total of RM24.20 (including port tax). The ticket price may varied from each operators but the price difference is minimal.

The journey to the island from Jesselton Point roughly takes about 10 minutes.

The boat ride gives a nice view of the Kota Kinabalu city from the sea.

Manukan Island is easily recognized with its 1km stretch of white sandy beach and pine tree lined shores.

Visitor have to fork out RM3 imposed by the Sabah Parks as the conversation fee before entering the island.

Snorkeling is the best way to see all those colourful fishes close up. Some visitors told me that they got bitten by the fishes as the fishes might had mistaken them as "food". The snorkeling equipment rental service is available in the island.

Some of the bomb shells remnant from the world war is displayed on the island.

It such a beautiful beach and a perfect place to capture some fascinating shots. It offers me the perfect place to enjoy the surrounding while I sip my beer.

I reckon it will be sufficient to spend 2-3 hours here to enjoy the pristine beach. The island can quite crowded during holiday season but this just make it interesting for people watching.

For those interested in hiking, there is a 1.5km jungle trek paved walking path which starts from the base of the jetty to the opposite end of the island.

The island is definitely worth a visit although the shallow water corals have been destroyed by stampeding holiday makers.

Jesselton Point

Jesselton Point is formerly the port authority boat terminal. Located next to Suria Sabah, it is possible to reach here by walking from Kota Kinabalu City Centre.

This ferry terminal had been refurbished and re-branded as Jesselton Point since its privatization in February 2006. Jesselton is the old name for the city of Kota Kinabalu. Jesselton Point Waterfront also offers casual dining, leisure and retail experience with its array of alfresco outlets.

The terminal has been redesign with better tourist facilities for those heading to the beautiful islands in Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park and Labuan. After the refurbishment exercise, every visitor have to fork out the so called "port tax" of RM3 per person per way.

At the main entrance, there is an archway that welcomes everyone to the city.

There are 2 English inspired telephone booths with their recognizable red colour. They are just there without any specific purpose except for the tourists to snap photo with it.

On the wall, there are some photos, mostly taken during the colonial period and early 1900s which depict the history of Jesselton