KOTA KINABALU, SABAH

FASCINATING SABAH

IF, it is not because of my best friend Wendy Chu's wedding, I may not have the open-door to visit the capital of Sabah, Kota Kinabalu.

As arranged, together with two other ex-university friend Peet Sei and her husband Hudson, we adjourned for a one week holiday trip to Sabah.

Little did I know much about Kota Kinabalu - this trip is really worth while, as I got to tour alluring destinations namely Mt Kinabalu, Islands of Tunku Abdul Rahman National Park, Filipino Market and villages.

KOTA KINABALU'S WATERFRONT

DAY 1:

Our host Wendy is delighted to take us around the town areas to visit places like Tanjung Aru, Sabah University and the Filipino Market.

TANJUNG ARU

DAY 2:

Of course, Sabah is popular with resorts and a trip is incomplete without staying over in one of its resort. We checked into one of the most amazing resort called Gayana Island EcoResort – nestled in the lush tropical wilderness of the Tunku Abdul Rahman National Park. We stayed for 2D1N – to experience living in a resort where the floor is transparent – offering a good view of fish swimming below our room. The most fascinating part of the resort is the Giant Clam Rehabilitation Centre – where one can the chance to find a coral growth nursery, induced clam spawning and seagrass and coral research carried out here.

GAYANA ISLAND ECO RESORT

 DAY 3:

Apart from islands, we also visited the local villages in Kota Kinabalu namely Papar, Beaufort and Tenom. Just hop on the Sabah rail service, which links Tanjung Aru Station to many small villages along the Padas Gorge to Tenom. The uniqueness of this trail – it is dubbed as the toy-town railcar “cho=choo-ing” across padi fields and orchards. For a real thrill, listen out for the regular cho-choo sounds along the way.

TRADITIONAL CHOO CHOO TRAIN BY PASSING VILLAGES

DAY 4:

First timer to Kota Kinabalu, must not miss out Kota Kinabalu Park to get a glimpse of Mount Kinabalu and take the guided nature walk in the Mountain garden to look for pitcher plants and orchids. For the adventurous soul, can try climbing the 4.101 m Mt Kinabalu, the highest peak in the region outside of the Himalayas and the second tallest in South East Asia. Here, the weather is rather chilly and cold as it is a mountain site. However, one must be able to tolerate the winding cum rocky patch ascending and descending the mountain.

HERE I AM! MT KINABALU

DAY 5-6

Attending the wedding of Wendy & Mr Koh, at the church and restaurant.

DAY 7 – DEPART

WENDY CHU'S WEDDING IN CHURCH

JUNE 30- JULY 8, 2004