Middle last year, I, (Aishah) and my close friends, Shara and Anita, decided that we needed a break from the hectic work in KL. After some online research, the three of us decided to arrange a trip to Kota Kinabalu. We chose it because we figured it combined peninsular Malaysia's prosperity with Indonesian Borneo's informality.
With the air tickets and accommodation arranged, we eagerly awaited the fateful day of our flight. Before that, we had researched what kind of activities that we could enjoy. We arrived in Kota Kinabalu expecting the atmosphere of a frontier outpost. In fact, this largest city of Sabah with a population of 200,000 is a bustling and modern with easy access to the world. Kota Kinabalu has a good, though not busy, harbour. It is just a short motorboat ride to islands protected as a national park where there is great birding, hiking, snorkelling and wildlife watching. The weather was not too kind to us when we arrived so we just kicked back in our rooms as we imagined ourselves on a cool mountain slope, at one with nature.
Our 2nd day was a full day visit to Sapi, Manukan, Mamutik and Gaya Islands, a short motorboat ride from the Kota Kinabalu docks. Part of Tunku Abdul Rahman National Park, the islands are thoroughly protected. Although the primal forest is gone, the re-growth is now mature enough to offer a decent habitat to several species of primates, hornbills and many other birds. It is a good place to walk through mangroves and identify their characteristic plants and animals. Crossing a small strait to Sapi Island we felt we had arrived a major beach resort. Lots of people come here to swim, especially on weekends. For us, the principal attraction was the coral reef, which was surprisingly rich in fish and coral. The rental masks were of only fair quality and you may wish to bring your own. Scuba diving is available with advanced notice. The local wildlife, now tourist dependent, included long-tailed macaques and enormous monitor lizards approaching the size of a Komodo dragon!
On the next day, leaving KK early, we decided to board a taxi which cost us RM80 per way to Kinabalu Park. It was a long journey of about 2 hours from KK, but with breath taking sceneries of the countryside. This is a must go place to who love all types of flora and fauna. Many species of birds and animals are now found only within the park. According to the locals, one can see Gunung Kinabalu clearly from the park, but unfortunately, at time when we were there, the weather again did not oblige us. Covered by heavy haze/cloud/mist/, we decided to go to Ranau, famous for its hot springs, canopy walk and butterfly farm. Back in Kota Kinabalu, we had a wonderful visit of the pasar malam or night markets. In the cool of the evening at the waterfront, scores of vendors set up portable charcoal grills and sell freshly prepared seafood. You can buy fish, squid, shellfish, shrimp, eel and a full variety of fresh vegetables, pastries, drink concoctions, sauces and spices. Open-air food courts and ambitious Chinese restaurants invite everyone to feast. Nearby side streets were converted to black markets selling counterfeit clothing, watches, sunglasses, athletic shoes, toys, cosmetics and music.
Finally, it was time for some retail therapy. Gaya market, famous for its handicrafts and traditional Borneo products, we spend almost half day wandering around it looking for good buys. There's a lot of stuff never seen back on the mainland. I bought few curios including a unique miniature drum/gong made of wood, while Shara and Anita were busy looking for textiles/clothes for their loved ones. On the last night, we were told by the hotel operator that of the cheap seafood. We managed to enjoy some dishes and found out that their way of cooking seafood dishes is a little bit different compared to the way its done in Peninsula Malaysia. However, we did enjoy the food a lot.
It was a crazy, fun trip that everyone enjoyed. One thing for sure, if we were given another chance, we would like to explore other part of Borneo which includes Tg Aru Beach, Sipadan Island, Kota Belud and Sepilok.