Labuan by road and ferry- Part 1

                 Labuan comes from a Malay word 'labohan' (meaning port) has recorded various historical events since centuries ago.

              We drove our car, Betsy to Labuan via a car ferry from Menumbok and stayed 2 nights at Siang Guest House. It only took one and half hour on the car ferry to reach Labuan from Menumbok. Labuan, also known as Pearl of Borneo is a paradise, with the cheapest booze in the world and cigarettes are cheap too compared to Kota Kinabalu. 

This is our shopping spree in Labuan.

The Smirnoff vodkha of 3 litres only cost us Rm 75! The red smirnoff  vodkha of 750ml  is Rm 28.

A cartoon of Dunhill cigarettes cost Rm 62 & Carlsberg beer Rm 48.

M&M of 430g is Rm 27.50 ;

Cadbury chocolate 220g, Rm 8.50 and Kit Kat chocolates Rm38

It was around 8 am in the morning, Tuesday, 18th June, 2013. We set off our road adventure. The weather was fine and sunny. We took our sweet time driving while enjoying the scenery and weather. It only took us about three hours to reach Meumbok Ferry Terminal. We arrived early around 11 am and the ferry was scheduled to leave only at 1 pm. While waiting, we ordered something to eat and something cool to quench our thirst at the coffee shop as its a hot day. Meumbok town is a very simple town with only one or 2 shops next to the ferry terminal. It was easy to drive to Menumbok from Kota Kinabalu. There were ample signboards every way for directions.

A brief route from Kota Kinabalu to Menumbok and from Menumbok  crossing the South China Sea  by car ferry to Labuan.

Junction from main road: Turn right from here will lead you to the road for Menumbok. Look for road signboard written Kuala Penyu and Menumbok with arrow pointing right.

Road to Menumbok

Menumbok town next to car ferry terminal. It is a small fishing village with only 2-3 coffee shops. I would advised you to have your breakfast in the city before arrival or rather wait till you reached Labuan.

Car ferry tickets are sold inside the blue building after booking has been made via phone.

Our car, Betsy fare was only Rm 40 with driver included and extra passenger of Rm 2.50 each. Contact Marianah +6088-257199 or +60168347542

This is Marianah at Kimanis 1 ferry service. She is very helpful with any information about Car ferry from and to Labuan.

There are 2 companies operating this services, Wawasan Perdana and Kimanis1 but are always full so its advisable to book early before going.

Kimanis1 leaves Menumbok every 8 am and 1 pm.

and returns from Labuan at 10.30am and 3.30pm. We took the 1 pm ferry. We need to be at the terminal 1 hour before departure.

Arrived at Labuan Ferry Terminal @2.30pm

                                                                             

 

      Siang Home-stay in Labuan runs by Mr&Mrs Kok

Family room for 5 people with bathroom en suit@Rm 150 a room per night.

Double room Rm 60 for a couple.

Dorm type room for 5 people @Rm 30 per person.

Our Twin Bedroom @Rm 60 per night. Very clean and comfortable beds that guarantee a good night sleep.

Comfortable spacious sitting hall.

Spacious dinning hall with a sink and refrigerator.

Labuan is a very clean and peaceful state in Malaysia. We drove round the island which is approximately only 48 km. One thing I like about Labuan is its lifestyle being so simple and in slow pace. Even driving is a pleasure. A great change compare to our busy buzzing city lifestyle in Kota Kinabalu.

                 People here are very friendly and always smiles at you even at the coffee shops. Here,the air is so fresh and unpolluted though its very hot. An ideal place for retired couple like us strolling down the beach in our own pace. We looked like roasted lobster by the time we returned home to Kota Kinabalu.
                  We stayed at Siang Home-Stay for 2 nights which only cost us Rm 60 per night and the place is spotless clean. The bed is comfortable with clean fresh bed sheets. The shared bathroom  is also very clean. Anyone who stayed here must try the shower, it's heaven! They also have a family room that can accommodate 5 person and it's the only room that's bathroom en suit. The room rate is Rm 150 per night. Single room is Rm 50 per night while in the dormitory type is Rm 30 per person. We really enjoyed our stay at Siang Home-stay and would like to come back again for a longer stay, at least for 5-7 nights.

Best "Soto Coffee shop in town........

One of the colonial old shops which still remains as it was.

Tourism information center. Get your free post cards here. Post office is next door. Only 50 sen to international countries and 30 sens within Malaysia. 

In front of the Tourism information center is the Museum which opens daily from 8.30 am to 5 pm except on Eid or Haj holidays. Admission : free

According to history, Labuan was owned by England in 1890 and governed by Singapore. (information from the Museum) 

Botanic garden, as once the residence of the Island's Governor built in 1852 before it was destroyed in World War II . Admission : Free

The Chimney is the place where story of Coal Mine begun. Opens daily from 8.30 am to 5 pm except on Eid and Haj holidays. Admission : Free

       

Bird Park is just a few steps from the Chimney Museum. Opens daily from 10 am-4.30 pm but closes on Friday, Eid or the month of Ramadan.

Admission Fee: Adult: Rm 3.50; Student/retiree/senior citizen: Rm 2 ; Disabled/children 6 + yrs : Rm 1 ;
Children below 5 yrs: free; Foreigner: Rm 5

University and college students lining up to buy tickets at the counter.

One of the United Nation Beaches. Clean and unspoiled beach of 'Pohon Batu'.

Palm Beach Resort, sometimes the hotel offers BBQ dinner from 6.30pm -10.30pm at Rm 48.80+ per person. Call 087-418700 for details.

There are esplanades in all United Nation Beaches-

Batu Manikar, Pohon Batu, Pancur Hitam, Layang2 ,Sg Labu, Sg Pagar and Sg Miri. You can walk right to the end of the esplanade and feel the breeze blowing on your face, the smell of sea and the sound of sea splashing against the rocks can make you feel   so good and relax. Picture taken here was about 6pm at Pohon Batu beach.

Peace Park adjacent to Surrender Point , both at Layang2 beach.

An'Nur Jamek Mosque- a unique shaped Mosque. 

Airport

Had a good meal at Mc Donald in the airport before we drove back to Siang Homestay which is only 5 minutes drive away!

Then out again to unwind at Blue Wave Pub. It was a good and enjoyable night. We had a good table outdoor, listening to the band music going on inside the pub while having our cold beer and watching the moon shinning brightly with the stars twinkling away in the dark sky.Lovely!

                  

               

Boarding the ferry at 3.30pm. Bye Labuan but we will be back!

Our car, Betsy snuggled comfortably in the ferry.

Road heading for A2 highway

Arriving at Kota Kinabalu at 7.30 pm 

Home at last and looking at our goodies!

Part 2  was the update of the 2nd trip to Labuan