My Sabah

When you fly to Sabah its like going to another country, because its so far away (from KL). Heck, its farther away than Thailand, Indonesia and Singapore! But I'm glad Sabah is a state of Malaysia, although I see it more often written as Sabah, Borneo than Sabah, Malaysia. Anyway, whatever, I love Sabah, bah!

I have been to Sabah only three times. I wish I could visit it more often, but the distance means you fork out a bit more to get there. This 'land below the wind' has everything to offer - the highest mountain in Southeast Asia, the deep blue seas, the beautiful islands and of course, the most interesting peoples.

My first visit to Sabah was with B & A in 2003. We have friends there who had earlier transferred to Kota Kinabalu from Pulau Pinang. Penelope and family made our visit most memorable, taking us all over and showing us the attractions in the state.

Sister sister at Donggongon Market, KK (CNB 2003)

Kota Kinabalu (KK), named after Mount Kinabalu in 1968, started as Jesselton town in 1951 (so KK is as old as moi). Now most of KK is built on reclaimed land. It is home to peoples from all over Sabah - 30 ethnic groups with over 80 different dialects.

On the famous Jambatan Tamparuli (AH 2003)

When in Sabah, Mount Kinabalu is a must-see if not a must-climb! Husin, Penel's husband, kindly drove us in his 4WD to the Kinabalu Park (83 km from KK) to get the feel of this fabled mountain, highest in Southeast Asia at 4,095 m/13,435 ft, and Malaysia's first World Heritage site. On the way we stop by Tamparuli, gateway to the Kinabalu Park. And of course, we have to walk that bridge made famous by the eponymous song Jambatan Tamparuli.

At the foot of Mt Kinabalu, Penel and me only managed the 0.5 km hike, while Husin and the girls went slightly further up to the 1 km Kandis Shelter.


With Penelope and friendly shopkeeper at the Craft Market
near Mt Kinabalu (AB 2003)

B, Penel, A and me at the Timpohon, Mt Kinabalu (AH 2003)

We stayed a night at the Shangri-La's Rasa Ria Resort. While there, A adopted an orang utan called Mambo at the resort's nature reserve. (Unfortunately a few months later, Mambo died, the victim of some murderous disgruntled resort employee/s who speared all the orang utans to death. May beautiful Mambo rest in peace in orang utan heaven). We also stayed at the Shangri-La's Tanjung Aru Resort, on the edge of the South China Sea, 6 km away from KK.

Mambo is very manja with his keeper/ranger (CNB 2003)

Me, A & B with Shangri-La's Rasa Ria Resort nature reserve
ranger and Mambo (2003)

At the Pantai Dalit (beach) in Tuaran (BB 2003)

The next day B was not feeling well, so she stayed back in the resort. A and I, accompanied by FF went to the Kadazan showcase of its culture, the Monsopiad Cultural Village. Located in Penampang, the intriguing village was built and is currently managed by the 6th and 7th generation of the descendants of Monsopiad. There were dance performances, magical masks, skulls from the head hunting days, beautiful beadwork, tuak and much more.


The Sumazau dance at the Monsopiad (CNB 2003)

Learning how to dance the Sumazau (FF 2003)

The last day of our stay in Sabah, we visited the Handicraft Market, more popularly known as the 'Filipino' Market at Jalan Sinsuran, for some souvenir shopping. Penel took us to her favourite shop for fresh water pearls, where we bought enough to keep as mementos.

The 'Filipino' market in KK (CNB 2003)

It was hard to say goodbye to Sabah, Penel and family. We certainly will cherish their kind hospitality forever.                                                                                                            May 2003