alaninsingapore: Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Maylasian Borneo

Sunday, July 10, 2011

Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Maylasian Borneo

Welcome to my blog. Two weeks ago we went to Kota Kinabalu (KK) for a break. It was very relaxing. I will post 4 separate issues.

1 The City (this issue)
2 Tunku Abdul Raman Marine Park
3 The Orang Utans
4 The Market

These first three photos were taken early in the morning, from our hotel room, which faced the sea. I miss that view now! In the first photo to the left as we were looking out to sea, you can see some of the islands of the marine park. The smallest one is Mamutik. You are looking out at the South China Sea

This one, looking to the right, shows Gaya Island
and the fishing village

And this is looking straight ahead. It was
fascinating to watch the constant traffic of
small and larger boats moving across our view.
The smaller boats have powerful outboard
engines and ferry people out to and back
from the islands of the marine park

Next to the hotel on the waterfront
is a roundabout with this swordfish.
I apologise for cutting off the tip of
his nose! I was trying hard to avoid
cars appearing in the photo, but as
you can see, not completely successfully

Now for a walk. We saw a marquee
with local handicrafts. Here's Daniela
practising her musical skills with expert
supervision

Boat builder. All boats in dry dock

A street with some of the official government
buildings. Kota Kinabalu, formerly Jesselton,
is the capital of Sabah state in Malaysia. The
city is located on the northwest coast of Borneo
facing the South China Sea

This is the City Hall

A mosque

Does anyone know the significance,
if any, of the different hats? Do
leave a comment if you do

Jesselton Hotel. Jesselton was razed
by the retreating British early in World
War II to prevent it from falling into
the hands of the Japanese. It was finished
off by the Allied bombing at the end of
the war and there were only 3 buildings left
standing

One of the buildings is this one in Jalang Gaya,
our favourite street. It housed the Post Office
for a long time. Now it is the home of the
Tourism Board

Singer sewing machines are very popular.
You can see people repairing and making clothes
in the streets and shops

Atkinson Clock Tower.
Also one of the three original
buildings that survived the war.
It was built in memory of the first
district officer of Jesselton, Francis
George Atkinson. He died of
"Borneo Fever" in 1902 at the
age of 28. The clock was originally
lit up at night and acted as a beacon
for shipping