What to do when in Kota Kinabalu? Climb Mount Kinabalu, of course. But we weren’t about to do that. The fact that we only have nineteen hours in the city, coupled with our abhorrence for anything physically demanding, like climbing the highest peak in the whole of Malaysia, generated vigorous shrugs of heads. No. No. And no.

BOATS ALONG KOTA KINABALU’S WATERFRONT

What we have in mind is something more relaxed. A walk in the city. But with the sweltering heat of the midday sun, it turned out to be not that relaxing either. But its either that or we simply lounge around the pool at Horizon Hotel. Which was quite tempting too, lol.

► CHECK FOR CHEAP HOTELS IN KOTA KINABALU

With the usual flight delays, we arrived at Kota Kinabalu from the Cebu International Airport later than we would have preferred. It was full evening as we drove aboard a van provided by Horizon Hotel. Kumusta po, our driver greeted us. We were taken aback; he then proceeded on talking to us in Filipino throughout the fifteen-minute trip to our lodging. Dino, as we were to learn, is indeed a Filipino, a kababayan born and raised in Kota Kinabalu.

HORIZON HOTEL KOTA KINABALU LOUNGE AREA

From the outside, the hotel isn’t as striking as it is inside—slick angled lines, textured wooden and metal walls, glass panels, and a life-sized shiny black horse sculpture with a kitschy lighted lamp upon its head. The friendliness and warmth of Dino’s welcome extended through the hotel staff. After cordial greetings, we were soon tapping our keys cards on the elevator panel en route to our rooms.

► SEE: KOTA KINABALU WALKING TOUR

The aroma of roasting chicken wafted through the busy hallways of the open-aired market. We were at Kota Kinabalu’s Central Market, and right along our path, a few steps further, we saw the source—an unbelievable sight of skewered barbecued chicken wings. My mouth watered and my hands immediately went to my wallet.

Quickly, my enthusiasm was curbed. It reminded me of pressing matters we had to attend to first—like shopping.

►CRUISE MORE: RESORTS WORLD ONE

Still full from a hearty Malaysian breakfast, I stepped out of the deck and welcomed the morning aboard Star Cruises’ SuperStar Aquarius. The horizon was an endless blue—the Sea of Sulu. A pool rippled along with the waves a storey below, and from afar, I can finally see land. From my estimate, I think we finally crossed over to the Philippines and I’m seeing the tail-end of the Palawan Peninsula.

►CRUISE MORE: RESORTS WORLD ONE