Gaya Island Resort, Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Eastern Malaysia, Borneo

Photo 1-3: the lobby area. Photo 4: view from a higher elevation. Photo 5: the library. Photo 6: the gym on the 2nd floor and ground floor is the day bed suites. 7/8: the lawn and the corridor. 9-16: various villas. 17-19: something for leisure. 20: the jetty pier.

Arriving at Gaya Island Resort, Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Eastern Malaysia, Borneo

When Dragon Air first launched its services to Kota Kinabalu, I got to come across with this name Sabah, Borneo. My uncle's family was from this big continent. I recall I used to help my aunt to write letters to them and write the address to this place. Finally I could be here.

YTL hotel group (a Malaysia's high end resort and hotel group) recently opened a resort in Gaya Island (15 minute boat ride from Kota Kinabalu city. On the arrival at the airport, I took a taxi to their reception office in Sutera Harbour for a jetty to the resort. Before the jetty ride, they helped the guests to check in and makes sure you will be escorted directly to the villa smoothly. Service-wise, they are pretty professional and attentive too. To be continued......

In the trees

Amazed at how all these tall trees getting reaching out to the sky. They are all in different shapes and some look like an animal (photo 2).

a big lizard checking around in the pond

a 4-5 feet long lizard swimming under the bridge

The swimming pool, Cape Dara hotel, northern Pattaya, Thailand

This swimming pool "looks" not bad and especially with such a good view. However, the water wasn't too clean and the water filtering has some problem. Some big negligences were noted. First the tiles on the pool entrance are very slippery. Saw someone got injured quite seriously. Even though the pool attendant noticed it, no assistance was given. Another fault was that there wasn't any nearby restroom or changing room. Guests need to go a long way to the lobby hall for the need.

Breakfast at Cape Dara hotel, northern Pattaya, Thailand

Though the services and the hotel facilities were pretty disappointing, the breakfast was not bad. At least the bread and pastry and the chef made some pretty nice omelette, and very fresh fruit too.