Azuthai Restaurant in Makati

We finally tried Azuthai Restaurant in Makati.

For appies, we ordered the following:

Shrimp Cake with Sweet Spicy Dipping Sauce / Tod Man Goong (5 pieces) - (Php 325)

This was really good, although a bit pricey.

Chicken Satay with Peanut Sauce and Cucumber Achar / Satay Gai (5 pieces) - (Php 225)

The chicken was okay. The peanut sauce could use a bit of improvement - it might be better if they make the sauce a little creamier.

Fresh Thai Spring Rolls in Rice Paper with Special Sauce / Poh Pia Paksot - (Php 195)

This was the least favorite. The wrap was too thick. Vegetables were bland. Not recommended at all.

Spicy Papaya Salad with long beans, peanuts, tomato, chili and lime dressing / Som Tam - (Php 275)

this was really good!!!

For the main dishes, we had the following:

Hot and Sour Prawn Soup with Lemongrass, Kaffir Lime Leaves, Fresh Coriander / Tom Yum Goong - (Php 345)

 One order serves 3-4 personal bowls.

Panang Beef Curry with shallots, peanuts and Kaffir leaves / Panang Neua - (Php 395)

This was just okay, probably because I had a better one at Mai Yai Restaurant.

Steamed Whole Boneless Apahap with lime, fish sauce, garlic, corriander and chili / Pa Naeng Ma Naw - (Php 895)

We were surprised when we saw our bill. It was very expensive but this dish was worth trying. It was very yummy indeed!!! A must try!!!

Thai Style Fried Chicken with Crispy Shallots and Sweet Chili Sauce / Gai Thod - (Php 695)

The crispy shallots complimented the chicken in every way possible, although the chicken itself was a bit dry.

Thai Style Fried Noodles / Pad Thai - (Php 325)

YUMMY!

Pineapple Fried Rice with Chicken, Shrimp, green beans, cashew nuts, raisins / Khao Pad Ob Saparot - (Php 495)

I will always make it a point to order pineapple fried rice in Thai Restaurants from now on!

This seem to be a great match to all Thai food! 

yum yum yum!

If you're wondering what drinks we ordered, most of us had Thai Iced Tea (Php 95)

One of the best Milked Iced Tea ever!

We had three desserts:

Mango with Sticky Rice / Khao Neaw Ma Muang - (Php 165)

Very heavy! You should definitely share this with someone!

Water Chestnuts with Coconut Milk / Tap Tim Krob - (Php 125)

Do not forget to mix the sweet coconut meat at the bottom. This gives the dessert its flavor.

Home-Made Buko-Lychee Sherbet (2 scoops) - (Php 125)

This is one of their best sellers. Tastes like frozen Buko juice. Best among their desserts to clean the palate.

AZUTHAI RESTAURANT

Ground Floor, Milkyway Building
900 Arnaiz Avenue (Pasay Road)
corner Paseo de Roxas,
Makati City 1200 Philippines
Telephone: 813-0671, 817-6252
email: jgamboa@azuthai.com

Day THREE - Kinabalu Park and Filipino Market

Day THREE - Kinabalu Park and Filipino Market

*read DAY ONE -  Downbelow Kota Kinabalu*

*read DAY TWO - Gaya Sunday Market and Kilas River Tour*

We hired a taxi driver to drive us to Kinabalu Park (RM 150-180)

He picked us up from the hotel around 6:30AM nd drove all the way to the park. 

It took us at least 2 hours to reach Kinabalu Park.

Entrance fee is RM 15/pax

We went to the souvenir shop and information center to ask for maps. 

Unfortunately, the map they gave us was useless.

So we just took more pictures instead

It was better to ask around than use their map.

We decided to visit the MT. KINABALU BOTANICAL GARDEN first since we are only spending a few hours in the park.

You have to be alert to find the sign going to the Botanical Garden.

It is located in the BUS PARKING AREA :)

Opening Hours: 9:00AM - 1:00PM; 2:00PM - 4:00PM 

LAST ENTRY is at 3:40PM SHARP

Entrance Fee: Malaysian (RM 4); Foreigners (RM 5); Children below 18 years old get 50% off

 It was a short and very enjoyable trek :) 

Raspberries were abundant in the area

as well as Pink Maiden berries that turn blue when ripe

(yes, they're also edible)

A river also runs through the lush green park

Did you know that you can also find the smallest orchid in Mt. Kinabalu Botanical Garden?

 

Pitcher Plants were kept in a secured zone inside the garden.

The trip to Kinabalu Park would have been complete if only there were REAL rafflesia plants :p

Our taxi driver drove us back to Kota Kinabalu City around lunchtime.

Our flight back to Manila was scheduled at 8:15PM so we still had plenty of idle time.

We dropped by the FILIPINO MARKET since it is one of the most popular places in Kota Kinabalu.

We went in.... and got out IMMEDIATELY after seeing some rats running around :p

There were a lot of food stalls outside and we tried an iced halo-halo. It was really interesting --- it had MACARONIs inside!!!! hahahaha

The day was scorching hot!!! 

So we just had to get some YOYO Bubble Tea :) (RM 3.30)

We never expected to have loads of fun in KK, and we DID! :)

so, Until Then, KOTA KINABALU :)

Day TWO - GAYA SUNDAY MARKET / KILAS RIVER TOUR

Day TWO - GAYA SUNDAY MARKET / KILAS RIVER TOUR

*read DAY ONE - DOWNBELOW KOTA KINABALU*

We started DAY TWO with a stroll in GAYA SUNDAY MARKET.

 *read our GAYA SUNDAY MARKET experience here*

Then we went to a nearby mall to have lunch.

Malaysian foodcourt - plenty of food to choose from. 

Mostly Singaporean and Malaysian food :)

Yummy Rojak

did a little shopping...

Then went back to the hotel to freshen up before our driver picks us up for the KILAS WETLAND RIVER TOUR.

 It was an experience to see proboscis monkeys in the wild!

*read our KILAS RIVER TOUR experience here*

 We were starving when we came back from the tour so we went to a nearby BAH KUT TEH restaurant.

SIN KEE BAH KUT TEH was one of the best BAH KUT TEH restaurants in Kota Kinabalu. 

This was also highly recommended by the locals.

Servings cost from RM 9 to RM 27

This was the best bah kut teh I've ever tried!!!

What a way to end DAY TWO :)

**DAY THREE - KINABALU PARK and FILIPINO MARKET

KILAS RIVER TOUR: PROBOSCIS MONKEYS and FIREFLIES

We started Day TWO with a stroll in GAYA SUNDAY MARKET, which was just across our hotel.

***read DAY ONE***


and then we did the KILAS RIVER TOUR: PROBOSCIS MONKEYS and FIREFLIES (RM 200/pax) after.


"This wonderful day trip takes place in Garama Village - Garama River, Sabah - located about 130km (approx 1.5 – 2 hours road trip) from Kota Kinabalu.
The highlight of this tour is of course, seeing the remarkable Proboscis Monkey in the wild! Being able to watch these wonderfully strange looking monkeys in their natural habitat within the mangroves is a truly wonderful experience.
In addition there is also the possibility of seeing many other species of wildlife, tropical birds, macaques, silver langur, crocodiles and water buffalo inhabit the region.
Included on this great value trip is a delicious Malaysian style Buffet Dinner at the (MONKEY TOPS SAFARI). After dinner, guests can experience the fabulous natural light show of the Fireflies lighting up the Mangrove Jungle." - DOWNBELOW 


We left the hotel around 2pm and reached MONKEY TOPS SAFARI around 4pm.

It was a rainy day, but we didn't let our spirits down :)

Refreshments were served before we started our river tour

We even met the owners of the MONKEY TOPS SAFARI. Too bad I forgot their names :(

They were really nice and we even chatted for sometime. They're (2nd guy and 3rd girl from right) both Malaysian-Chinese :)


While waiting for the other guests, we roamed around first and saw the fish spa, which is still fairly new in Malaysia.

 We were not excited about this because we have this is Manila and ours is way cheaper :)

KILAS RIVER CRUISE 

We're still hoping to see a lot despite the bad weather

Yehey! we saw plenty of monkeys - proboscis monkeys, silver langur and long-tail macaques :)

 

It was hard to take pictures because it was raining and we did not bring "super zoom" lens :p

Bring your binoculars if you have one.

Yes, it is literally like this - SPOT THE MONKEYS!

It was getting dark already so we all headed back to the lodge for a local Malaysian buffet dinner.

We were one of the fortunate groups who got back early  (whew!) or else we would not have been able to eat anymore because the food they prepared were not enough and they did not even bother to refill the buffet trays :( 


After the dinner, we got back to the boats to watch the spectacular Fireflies in the Mangrove Jungle.
There were plenty! It was like seeing Christmas lights all overt he place.

We were not able to take good pictures though :p

The tour ended around 9:30PM and it is wise to bring snacks because the ride back home is another 1.5 -2 hours :)

Things to bring (as advised by DOWNBELOW): 
Sun screen, insect repellent, extra clothes, towel, camera, sunglasses and loads of curiosity!



Monkey Tops Safari 
Borneo Starcruise Sdn. Bhd. 
Tel Numbers: 6088-381196 or 6087-881012. 
http://www.borneostarcruise.com

Gaya Sunday Market

We started Day TWO with a stroll in GAYA SUNDAY MARKET, which was just across our hotel.

***read DAY ONE***

"Every Sunday morning, the length of Gaya Street is closed off to traffic to make way for the Fair. Shop for anything under shady trees and over-sized umbrellas, like batik sarongs, fruits and flowers, arts and craft, footwear, antiques and souvenirs, cakes, even pets and herbs!. This is the best place to experience the cross-section of the local population when entire families enjoy a Sunday outing."

- Sabah Tourism Board Official Website

It was very much similar to Divisoria in Manila, Philippines.

Here are a few of the things you can see and buy in GAYA SUNDAY MARKET:

Accessories, trinkets, Batik Sarongs, Scarves

Locally made bags and "I ♥ Kota Kinabalu" Tshirts

Arts and Crafts were abundant!

Jars, jars and more jars

sketches of orangutans and paintings of proboscis monkey

Antiques, ancient items such as old metal irons.

Different types of shells

 

Local Fruits - Lanzones, Mangosteen and Rambutan

Plants and souvenir items like magnets

 

Personalized wooden door hangers, beggars and other items for display

Blind musicians and masseuse

Coffee beans and ground coffee 

PETS!!!!

Yes, they sell animals in the GAYA SUNDAY MARKET

Fishes were sold in plastic bags

Rabbits, cats, ducks,and more

More Cats and Dogs

Can you believe they also sell turtles???

If you plan on visiting the GAYA SUNDAY MARKET, please be reminded that The Gaya Street Fair is only open every Sunday from 6.30 am to 1.00 pm.