Kota Kinabalu (KK) is a city on the move with the 21st century, but its old-world charm and history are very much alive. The city may not immediately overwhelm you with its beauty, but you’ll soon notice its friendly locals, breathtaking fiery sunsets, blossoming arts and music scene, and a rich culinary spectrum bringing street food to high end. KK’s rich ethnic makeup has birthed one of the most diverse culinary scenes in Southeast Asia. You will notice the diversity of culture and see swanky new malls and expensive condos alongside markets stocked to the gills with sea creatures, pearls, and busy fishermen shuttling about the waterfront.
By the waterfront, KK’s Central Market is a feast for the eyes, if not the stomach. Hawking everything from exotic tropical fruits to prawns the size of small lobsters, this wet and dry market is open all day, every day, and makes for great photo opportunities. Wander south, and you’ll hit the colourful Handicrafts Market – perhaps the best place in Sabah to pick up inexpensive textiles, pearls and other souvenirs.
Some of our highlights while we are in KK will be our visit to the Mari Mari Cultural Village which offers a fascinating insight into traditional tribal life via a tour of traditional dwellings. The hands-on guided tour includes a chance to sample delicacies from each ethnic group. Night golf at the popular Sutera Harbour Golf Club and Dalit Bay’s superb championship golf course and of course our trip to the rain forest.
We will visit the Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre, the best place in Borneo to get up close to island’s critically endangered orangutans. Journeying along the winding Kinabatangan River,
we keep an eye out for pygmy elephants, silver leaf langurs, and other tree-dwelling rainforest animals. Ten primate species inhabit the Kinabatangan area, most of them found only in Borneo.
Then off to Kuala Lampur for a brief visit before returning home, to see the sights and play some more golf in a pristine locale.