Better known as KK, the capital of Sabah state. Famous for the climb of South-East Asia highest peak 4095m Mt.Kinabalu – Malaysia’s first Unesco World Heritage that attracts the most tourists in Sabah. I didn’t plan to climb the mountain due to my knee problem.
The bus system in KK was a little confusing and frustrating. Most of the places are a few km apart, sometimes walking could be faster than wasting time on waiting for bus.
It had strong influence of Philippines, seafood was cheap, numerous restaurants, several shopping malls and many hotels. The city was touristy. Best of all, the beer was cheap! I stayed every evening at Beach Street for a few drinks while enjoying the live band performance. The Filipino market was lively at night, plenty of food stalls serving grilled seafood, mostly having the same menu and the prices were standardized… of course a little negotiation might grant you further 10% discount.
Sabah Museum was not really interesting, except some photos of the last century, with a small exhibits of contemporary paintings but not my preference. The Heritage Village displayed several real size house models of different tribes. Not much excitement.
Mamutik, Manukan and Sapi Islands, mostly within 20 min boat ride from KK, have white sand beaches and large scores of fishes, pleasent for swimming and snorkeling, good places for a day trip. Facilities on the island were well established but slightly expensive. Sadly the environment was not well kept, rubbish still could be spotted here and there.
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| At Filipino night market, bbq chicken wings, delicious, RM1.20 each. |
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| Plenty of grilled seafood for your choice, all stalls displayed the similar items. |
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| My first dinner in KK, delicious big clamps RM12. |
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Akinabalu B&B, the spacious living room. At good location, plenty of restaurants around, merely 50m walk to the Beach Street.
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| Clock tower. |
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Arch at one end of Jalan Gaya. Many budget hostels in this area.
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A new shopping mall - Suria Sabah.
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A view of floating village opposite to the promenade.
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Local sea transportation.
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Promenade at the water front, Kota Kinabalu.
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Not sure they were filling up fresh water or diesel.
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| Dry market, clean and organized. |
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| Unloading at fish market. Excellent spot for photographing but was dirty to wade through the stinky water. |
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| Souvenir market. |
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| Street tailors outside the souvenir market. |
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| Powerful spotlights on the fishing boats, to attract fishes in the night. |
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| Fruit market, mainly local products. |
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| Sabah Museum, entrance fees was merely RM1 for locals, a few sections were closed for renovation during my visit. |
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| City view. |
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| Sabah Museum - Village Heritage displaying the dwellings of different tribe people. |
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| The environment is too clean to be realistic. I don't see any poultries running around. |
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| Bidayuh house. |
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| Iban longhouse. |
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| Iban longhouse, common area for the residents. |
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| Bengkawan - house to keep the skeletons. |
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| Vintage cars, only for display. |
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| Alfresco at Jesselton Jetty. |
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| Boats at Jesselton Jetty. |
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| Jesselton Jetty - depart from here to the nearby islands. |
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| Jetty at Sapi Island, a small island but the best location for snorkelling. |
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| Tiny fishes. |
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| Mamutik Island |
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| Colourful fishes below the jetty at Manukan Island. |
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| Should not feed the fish in the national park. This lady must be feeding otherwise the fishes wouldn't come close no matter how pretty she was. |
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| Beach on Manukan Island. |
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| Beautiful chalets on Manukan Island. |
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| Underwater motorbike... only for fun adventure. |
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| Huge crowd of tourists from Europe. |
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| Navy base. |
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| Superb ocean view from the food court of Suria Sabah, but the food here was so-so. |
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| This dessert was a disappointment. |
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| Graffiti on the columns. |
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| Art For All!! |
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| Graffiti. |
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| I stayed here (Beach Street) every evening for a drink. |
