Saturday, August 27, 2011

Markets and sunset at Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Borneo

Hi and welcome.

This is my last posting of our trip to Borneo. On Sundays there is a market in Kota Kinabalu so we are going for a walk to see what it has to offer. There's a few other shots from random moments. Finally as this is the last of four episodes it seems only fitting to finish with a few sunset shots just before the sun goes down. I hope you like the photos.

I'm not sure where the coral and the shells come from. I hope from a sustainable source. There were quite a lot of stalls like this and we were not impressed by the coral in the marine park






















Perhaps a bit boring for a young
girl with not much to do?
















Prickly products and delightful pair of togs!
















Cute, fluffy and in need of each other
















Fresh veggies, healthy as you like
















Local delights in a packet, all that's missing
is a customer

















Hard work at the market so a rest is most welcome,
but watch that posture!






















Just can't make up my mind!























Waiting for a good home






















Now he seems like a nice little boy.
Perhaps he'll take me home and
look after me
















Yikes, forget that!

















Important to be comfortable at work






















These, believe it or not, are bags.
They even have a zip at the top.
Doubt you'll see them in Gucci shops.
Something about the design that sucks.....
















This gentleman seems to be enjoying shopping
........for twigs!
















When I take photos of people I like to show
them the photo. A good way to interact with
them. Thanks to Daniela for catching
us here
















You can take my photo but don't expect a smile
















Oh, OK, but this is the best I can do
















The best masseurs
















Shall I get a parrot, a fish or a plant?
















Young volunteers enjoying a light moment






















Taken at Jesselton Point
















This is what benches were made for
















An old Singer but a young seamster
(is that the male version of seamstress?)
















It's a two-person job working an ice crusher!






















Night market of foodstuffs
















And so to the sunsets
















This, and the previous photo, were taken from
our room. We had a room with a view!












The last three were taken during an evening
stroll














Do people still take strolls?
















Or am I showing my age?

Thursday, August 04, 2011

Sapi and Mamutik - Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park Islands, Borneo

Hi and welcome. This is the penultimate posting on Borneo. Today you will see photos of two islands that are part of the Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park

We visited Sapi and Mamutik. One of the main reasons for going to KK was to snorkel. There were lots of fish but the coral was disappointing. We were treated to the beautiful colours typical of small tropical islands. Enjoy the photos. This is Sapi. From Kota Kinabalu, Sapi is just a 15 minute boat ride. 15 minutes that take you from the city to a tropical paradise
















Sapi is easily accessible from Kota Kinabalu.
You can take the ferry from Jesselton Point.
KK used to be called Jesselton
















Here's Daniela, just after we arrived






















Sapi is one of the smaller islands
in the marine park
















You can do a half day trip and be back in KK
for lunch
















Looking across to Gaya Island. A sand-bar
connects
Sapi Island to the largest island in
the TAR Park. It is possible to walk across in
shallow water at very low tides

















Not just sand, the island also has some rocks
to explore
















and provides other photo opportunities
















Looking back towards the beach
















A pretty sea snail
















Gaya Island's lush forest is the richest of the five
islands in wildlife. Long-tailed macaques, pied
hornbills, wild boar, and monitor lizards
can be sighted there















But we found our own monitor lizard on Sapi.
Perhaps he walked over for a change of scenery
















Setting off to Mamutik island. The second building
on the seafront, set back slightly, is the Hyatt Regency
where we stayed
















The south of the city. You can see the State Mosque
















A typical "ferry" boat
















Inland, looking toward the cafe
















The jetty
















There is quite a lot of natural shade






















Mamutik is the smallest of the
five islands in the park
















It has an area of 60,000 square metres and
has a triangular shape






















The sand, the sea and the sky
















Daniela taking pictures of her feet!
















Wouldn't you like to be there now?
















It was a little windy and choppy which made
the air very clear. Perfect for photography
















A horizontal tree makes an interesting photo
















Daniela admiring the gorgeous view
















Final picture of the beach before we drag
ourselves away
















Looking back as we reach the jetty to go back to KK
But just one more photo..... of the author cum intrepid
snorkeller, a bit washed up!

















Thanks to Daniela for this shot. Next time the
Sunday market in KK