Special Events Of The Year in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah

Chinese new year

January-February

The Lunar New Year is the single most important festival in the Chinese Festival and Chinatown celebrates it like nowhere else with a series of festivities and dazzling lights up. Dig into mouth-watering goodies and stock up on New Year accessories and decorations.

January-February

Traditional Costume Exhibition

April

January-February

Kaamatan- aramai iti

Miss Harvest Festivals

This is a month long exhibition, featuring colourful attires of the different ethnicities in Sabah. With more than 32 different ethnic entities, Sabah has a rich variety of costume of the coastal  Islamic tribes to the unique bark-cloth outfits, decorated with shell and beads of the interior people.

Tadau Kaamatan Harvest festival Celebrations

May

Kaamatan- aramai iti

Kaamatan is a public holiday unique to sabah where the kadazandusun communities gather for a thanksgiving celebration for a bountiful harvest.The festival is celebrated at district level before concluding at the State Level in Penampang. This is the best time to witness and experience the kadazandusun culture.

Unduk Ngadau-KadazanDusun Beauty Pageant

May

Unduk Ngadau (Miss Harvest Festival) competition is the best traditional beauty pageant in Sabah. This is one of the best times to see Kadazan girls in full traditional costumes.

Miss Harvest Festivals

Sabah’s WireName Crafts Keychain…

I have been making jewelry since April 2008 when I was looking for a personalized gifts to be given to my friends for Christmas. I learn wire name craft technique and become very attached to it ever since.  I have been selling my wirename keychain by word of mouth marketing and online business.

Presents You…

AN IDEAL GIFTS WITH A PERSONAL TOUCH UNIQUELY CRAFTED JUST FOR YOU!!

HANDCRAFTED WIRE NAME KEY CHAIN!  GREAT GIFT IDEAS!!

THIS IS A 18 GAUGE . SILVER COLOUR STAINLESS STEEL WIRE PERSONALIZED JUST FOR YOU!

Dear Friends, I am offering you a PERSONALIZED  wire name KEYCHAIN service

that can be crafted in to your own name of your  loved ones name.

This wire name keychain is a Great personalized gift idea for birthdays,
Christmas, Valentine’s Day, Anniversary,  Mother’s Day etc.

A GREAT GIFT IDEAS with a personal touch will never be the same
again when you add names to them. You will be THRILLED to receive
a carefully hand-sculptured art piece with your or your friend’s name.

Each piece is made from STAINLESS STEEL WIRE and it is both DURABLE and NON-RUST.

Names WILL be customized as a KEYCHAIN.

KEYCHAIN INFO:

(1).  HEIGHT: 1CM (BIG LETTER), 0.5MM (SMALL LETTER) (approximately)

(2).  WIDTH: It will depends on the length of the names

(3).  PRICE: USD10 per unit for up to 6 letters. PLEASE ADD USD1 for every additional letter.

(4).  POSTAGE+HANDLING FEES: USD5.00 (I will POST the item to you using within 1 WEEK after verifying your payment).

(5).  DESIGN: FREE. Every item will have my trademark design i.e Butterfly OR You can request for other design.Available: Love (heart shape),water ‘ripple’  & MUSIC NOTE

(6).  EXAMPLE:

Let say that your name is Ken. The price will be USD10 (Up to 6 Letters).

&

If Your name is Marilyn. There are 7 Letters,

so additional USD1 will be charged for each additional letters.

1. Price USD10+USD1(add. letters)+USD5(POSTAGE+HANDLING FEES).

TOTAL: USD16

PAYMENT

(7).  PAYMENT METHOD: PAYPAL : krafdawai@gmail.com

A Piece Of Art Uniquely Crafted For You!!

P/S: if you’re a Malaysian and would like to learn how to bend your own personalized keychains like the above, please go to www.krafdawai.com and put your name and email in the opt-in box and get my Newsletter FREE.

New 7 Wonders Of NATURE~vote now!!

What made Sipadan Island famous? What is the ONE thing that made this island being chosen as ONE of the Official  Nominees in New 7 wonders of nature search? Sipadan Island is an UNTOUCHED PIECE OF ART!!

IF you agree with what  the late captain Jacques-Yves Cousteau that declared ,” I have seen other places like Sipadan 45 years ago. Now we have found again an untouched piece of art.”  VOTE NOW!.

Go to www.votesipadan.com or www.n7w.com and cast your precious vote. Let share this UNTOUCHED PIECE OF ART with the rest of the earth and let us together appreciate this God given island as an inheritance for our generations to come.

Sipadan is the only oceanic island in Malaysia, rising 2,000 feet or 600m from the seabed.
It is located in the Celebes Sea east of the major town of Tawau and off the coast of East Malaysia on the Island of Borneo. It was formed by living corals growing on top of an extinct volcanic cone that took thousands of years to develop. Sipadan is located at the heart of the Indo-Pacific basin, the centre of one of the richest marine habitats in the world. More than 3,000 species of fish and hundreds of coral species have been classified in this ecosystem.

International voting platform for New 7 Wonders of Nature : www.N7W.com.

Let’s read what Tourism Malaysia Website wrote a review about Sipadan Island.

The late Jacques Cousteau, the world-renowned oceanographer, described Sipadan Island as ‘an untouched piece of art’, while divers around the world voted it as one of the top five dive sites in the world. Malaysia’s only oceanic island, it is very small – only 12ha. in size. A 25-minute walk is all that is required to circle the island on foot. As an oceanic island, it rises about 700 metres from the sea floor, attracting diverse marine life from the blackness of the open sea. Surrounded by crystal clear waters, this crown jewel is a treasure trove of some of the most amazing marine animals. Declared a bird sanctuary in 1933 by the Colonial Government of North Borneo and re-gazetted in 1963 by the Malaysian Government, the dense vegetation on Sipadan Island supports a large variety of tropical birds which include sea eagles, kingfishers, sunbirds, starlings and wood pigeons. Exotic crustaceans including the amazing coconut crab roam the beaches and scurry among the undergrowth. When diving here, encounters with turtles, resident schools of jacks, bumphead parrotfish and barracudas are almost assured around the tiny coral island.

Key Tips

<!– –> Try to be part of an early-morning dive to Sipadan at the famous Barracuda Point. In the early hours of the morning, you are most likely to swim amongst big schools of swirling barracuda…

How to get there

By Air The jump off point to Sipadan Island is Kota Kinabalu or Tawau. By Car Continue the journey by a 1-hour drive to Semporna town. By Sea A 30-minute speedboat will take you to Mabul, which is the jump off point for Sipadan Island explorations.

Who to contact

For more information, please contact Sabah Tourism Office Tel: +6088-248 698 / 211 732 <!–For more information, please visit www.mulupark.com–>

Accommodation Overview

Since last year, Sipadan has been turned into a sanctuary so accommodation is now only available on nearby islands like Mabul. <!—To book travel packages, click here –>

Read more

Manukan Island Resort

Manukan Island Resort is situated just off the coast of Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia Borneo. Manukan Island is the 2^nd biggest island in the Tunku Abdul Rahman National Park (Pulau Gaya, Pulau Manukan,Pulau Mamutik, Pulau Sapi & Pulau Sulug). It is run by Sutera Sanctuary Lodges and offers an island holiday destination with comfortable lodging options. You can gain access to Manukan Island through Sabah Port Authority Jetty , Sea Quest Jetty at Pasific Sutera Jetty and etc.

Manukan island is easily reached by boat from the city of kota kinabalu from Jesselton Point (kk central ferry terminal) or from Sutera Harbour Resort Jetty (handled by Sea Quest ). I go to Manukan Island on a weekly basis and I usually take boat ride from Sutera Harbour Resort Jetty. You can arrange for a day trip to Manukan Island with the local boat operator as they have hourly boats that transfers tourists to and from Manukan island .

Manukan has good stretches of beaches on the southern shoreline. The best stretch is on the eastern tip of the island. The water is clear and is a superb spot for sea-sports, swimming, snorkeling, and seashells assortment. There are coral beds on the eastern and western reefs and vibrant coral fishes in the environs of Manukan Island. Btw,Barbecue Lunch is served at noon.

The island is well equipped with facilities like souvenir shop, restaurant, sundry shop, washroom with shower cubicles. A popular buffet lunch is run by the restaurant daily. Many outdoor tables and seats are provided free for use by the visitors. There are also a few chalets (20 units) for rental and booking can be done at the Sutera Sanctuary Lodges at Wisma Sabah. Price starts from RM320 per unit.

Managed by Sutera Sanctuary Lodges, the accommodation and restaurant facilities caters to the discerning traveler, honeymooner, families and group incentives.

From the luxurious setting of the Hilltop cabins, with ocean views and surrounded by the tropical jungle, to the Beach lodges perched near the edge of the beach and the South China Sea just beyond.

For the avid diver, the reefs at Manukan Island shimmer below crystal-clear water with beautiful corals. For those who want to enjoy the scenery, a nature trail awaits or simply laze by the long stretch of beautiful beach.

All chalets overlook the South China Sea, while spectacular sunsets colour skies. Stay overnight and lose yourself in the romance of a tropical island paradise.

Tourism Directory

SABAH TOURISM DIRECTORY – Directory Listing
Sourcehttp://www.sabahtourism.com/sabah-malaysian-borneo/en/directory/

1. Night Spots&Lounge

a. Shenanigan’s Beer Garden Kota Kinabalu (Capital City)
Phone:+60 88 225972
Email:hyatt.kinabalu@hyattintl.com
Website:www.hyatt.com
Category: Night Spots&Lounge
b.The Cottage Kota Kinabalu (Capital City)
british pub
Phone:+6016 8257086
Email:harry@thecottagetavern.com
Website:www.thecottagetavern.com
Category: Night Spots&Lounge

2. Leisure & Activities

a. Beauty Borneo Connects Kota Kinabalu (Capital City)
Phone:+6088 438300
Email:info@beautyborneo.com
Website:www.beautyborneo.com
Category: Beauty & SPA

b. Borneo Divers & Sea Sports (SABAH) Sdn Bhd (KKKP 1510) Kota Kinabalu (Capital City)
Phone:+6088 222226
Email:information@borneodivers.info
Website:www.borneodivers.info
Category: Diving (Licensed Operators)

c. Borneo Sea Adventure S/B (KKKP 1776) Kota Kinabalu (Capital City)
Phone:+60 88 230000
Email:bornsea@tm.net.my, bornsea@streamyx.com
Website:www.bornsea.com
Category: Diving (Licensed Operators)

d. Corporate Treasures Travel Services Sdn Bhd (KPL 4608) Kota Kinabalu (Capital City)
Phone:+6088 265393 / 016 8321925 (Mr. Vun)
Email:info@malaysiapass.com
Category: Golfing

e. D’Touch Beauty & Reflexology House Kota Kinabalu (Capital City)
Phone:+6012 8272107 / 012 8282848
Email:Flanesh2107@yahoo.com
Category: Beauty & SPA

f. Dermsense Kota Kinabalu (Capital City)
Phone:+6088 260949
Email:rebecca@skinfitness.com.my
Category: Beauty & SPA

g. Downbelow Marine & Wildlife Adventures Sdn Bhd (KPL 5472) Kota Kinabalu (Capital City)
Phone:+6088 232375
Email:info@divedownbelow.com
Website:www.divedownbelow.com

3. Category: Boat Charter, Tourist Informations Services, Licensed Travel Agents, Licensed Tour Operators, Handicraft & Souvenir Shops, Event Organizer, Diving (Licensed Operators), Adventure

a. Explore Asia Tours Sdn Bhd (KKKP 2941) Kota Kinabalu (Capital City)
Phone:+6088 230006 / 254723
Email:mabul@po.jaring.my / mabul@streamyx.com
Website:www.sipadan-mabul.com.my / www.mabulwaterbungalows.com
Category: Diving (Licensed Operators)

b. Great N Famous Tours & Travel Sdn. Bhd (KPL 5173) Kota Kinabalu (Capital City)
Phone:+6088 474246
Email:foongkh@pc.jaring.my
Category: Diving (Licensed Operators)

c. Ka’andaman SPA @ Mabul Semporna
kaandaman spa
Phone:+6089 797070
Email:info@kaandamanspa@com.my
Website:www.kaandamanspa.com.my
Category: Beauty & SPA

d. Ka’andaman Traditional Healing Garden Kota Kinabalu (Capital City)
kaandaman spa
Phone:+6088 721008
Email:info@kaandamanspa.com.my, kthgspas@streamyx.com
Website:www.kaandamanspa.com.my
Category: Beauty & SPA

e. Kasa’avan Reflexology & Theraphy Hub Kota Kinabalu (Capital City)
kasaavan spa
Phone:+6088 270991
Email:kthgspas@streamyx.com
Category: Beauty & SPA

f. Kinko Reflexology & Therapy Centre Kota Kinabalu (Capital City)
Phone:+6088 256282
Category: Beauty & SPA

g. L2 (Lifestyle II Reflexology & Beauty Theraphy) Kota Kinabalu (Capital City)
Phone:+6088 383424 / 262874
Email:lifestyle@gmail.com
Category: Beauty & SPA

h. Layang Layang Island Resort (KKKP 2992) Kota Kinabalu (Capital City)
Phone:+60 88 257898
Email:layang@pop.jaring.my
Website:www.layanglayang.com
Category: Diving (Licensed Operators)

i. Mantanani Paradise Sdn Bhd (KPL 5092) Kota Kinabalu (Capital City)
Phone:+6088 728702
Email:mantananiparadise@hotmail.com
Website:www.mantananiparadise.com.my
Category: Diving (Licensed Operators)

j. Mountain Torq Sdn Bhd Kota Kinabalu (Capital City)
Phone:+6088 268126
Email:enquiry@mountaintorq.com
Website:www.mountaintorq.com
Category: Adventure

k. Neobayu Spa Kota Kinabalu (Capital City)
Phone:+6088 216648
Email:neobayu@streamyx.com
Category: Beauty & SPA

l. North Borneo Dive & Sea Sports Sdn Bhd (KKKP 3467) Semporna
Phone:+6089 919196 / 919128 / 784788 / 781788
Email:diving@northborneo.net
Website:www.northborneo.net
Category: Diving (Licensed Operators)

m. Scuba Paradise Sdn Bhd (KKKP 3884) Kota Kinabalu (Capital City)
diving snorkelling island
Phone:+60 88 266695 / 256695
Email:scubadiv@tm.net.my, info@scubaparadiseborneo.com.my
Website:www.scubaparadiseborneo.com.my
Category: Diving (Licensed Operators)

n. Seaventures Tours & Travel Sdn Bhd (KKKP 2639) Kota Kinabalu (Capital City)
Phone:+60 88 261669 / 251669
Email:info@seaventuresdive.com
Website:www.seaventuresdive.com
Category: Diving (Licensed Operators)

o. Sipadan Dive Centre Sdn Bhd (KKKP 2372)
Phone:+60 88 240584
Email:sdc@sipadandivers.com
Website:www.sipadandivers.com
Category: Diving (Licensed Operators)

4. Spa In Sabah

a. spa
Phone:+6088 272606
Email:jennlee@jarijari.com.my, sales@jarijari.com.my
Website:www.jarijari.com.my
Category: Beauty & SPA

b. The Reef Dive Resort & Tours Sdn Bhd (KKKP 3826) Tawau
Phone:+60 89 770022
Email:sales@mataking.com
Website:www.mataking.com
Category: Diving (Licensed Operators)

c. Travelmate Holidays Sdn Bhd (KPL 5535) Kota Kinabalu (Capital City)
Phone:+6088 432967
Email:travelmateholidays@gmail.com / borneowavehunters@yahoo.com
Website:www.travelmateholidays.com
Category: Adventure

5. Local Authority

a. POIC Sabah Sdn Bhd Kota Kinabalu (Capital City)
palm oil investment
Phone:+60 88 272261 / 230196
Email:inquiry@poic.com.my
Website:www.poic.com.my
Category: Other Government Agencies

b. Sabah Parks Kota Kinabalu (Capital City)
Phone:+6088 211881 / 212719
Email:sabahpark@sabah.gov.my
Category: Other Government Agencies

c. Sabah Urban Development Corporation S/B Kota Kinabalu (Capital City)
SUDC
Phone:+60 88 251144 / 224226 / 239145-6
Email:sales@sudc.com.my
Website:www.sudc.com.my
Category: Other Government Agencies

d. Sandakan Bulkers Sdn Bhd Kota Kinabalu (Capital City)
Phone:+6088 270430
Email:info@sawitpoic.com
Website:www.sawitpoic.com
Category: Other Government Agencies

e. Tourism Malaysia Sabah Kota Kinabalu (Capital City)
Phone:+6088 211732 / 248698
Email:mtpbbki@gov.my
Website:www.tourism.gov.my
Category: Other Government Agencies

6. Transportation

a. Adaras Rent-A-Car Sdn Bhd (KKKP 1701) Kota Kinabalu (Capital City)
Phone:+60 88 211866 / 252280
Email:arackk@streamyx.com
Website:www.freewebs.com/adaras-rent-a-car
Category: Car Rental

b. AHSB Rent A Car Sdn Bhd (KKKP 4396) Kota Kinabalu (Capital City)
Phone:+6088 266616
Email:sales@borneocar.com.my
Website:www.borneocar.com.my
Category: Car Rental

c. Air Asia Kota Kinabalu (Capital City)
Phone:+6088 538746
Category: Airlines

d. Bimaz Tours & Travel And Rent A Car Sdn Bhd (KKKP 3958) Kota Kinabalu (Capital City)
Phone:+6088 767214
Email:bimaz_tours@yahoo.com.my
Website:www.bimaztours.com
Category: Car Rental

e. Borneo Express Rent A Car & Tours Sdn Bhd (KPL 3960)
Phone:+6016 8028333
Email:borneoxpresscar@yahoo.com
Website:www.borneocar.com
Category: Car Rental

f. Borneo Tall Ships Sdn Bhd (KKKP 4492) Kota Kinabalu (Capital City)
boat yacht charter service sailing adventure
Phone:+60 88 228599
Email:info@rajalaut.com
Website:www.rajalaut.com
Category: Boat Charter

g. Downbelow Marine & Wildlife Adventures Sdn Bhd (KPL 5472) Kota Kinabalu (Capital City)
Phone:+6088 232375
Email:info@divedownbelow.com
Website:www.divedownbelow.com
Category: Boat Charter

h. Extra Rent-A-Car Sdn Bhd (KKKP 2266) Kota Kinabalu (Capital City)
Phone:+60 88 218160 / 251 529
Email:admin@e-erac-online.com
Website:www.e-erac-online.com
Category: Car Rental

i. Far Eastern Air Transport Kota Kinabalu (Capital City)
Phone:088 260088 / 263585
Category: Airlines

j. Great N Famous Tours & Travel Sdn. Bhd (KPL 5173) Kota Kinabalu (Capital City)
Phone:+6088 474246
Email:foongkh@pc.jaring.my
Category: Diving (Licensed Operators), Licensed Tour Operators, Boat Charter, Bus Service, Car Rental, Taxi

k. Kinabalu Heritage Tours & Car Rental Sdn Bhd (KPL 5189) Kota Kinabalu (Capital City)
Phone:+6088 318311 / 220311 / 226311
Email:sales@travelborneotours.com / info@travelborneotours.com
Website:www.travelborneotours.com
Category: Car Rental

l. Kinabalu Rent A Car Sdn Bhd (KKKP 1212) Kota Kinabalu (Capital City)
Phone:+60 88 232602
Email:chrisho@kinabalurac.com.my
Website:www.kinabalurac.com.my
Category: Car Rental

m. KMT Global Rent A Car S/B (KPL 3872) Kota Kinabalu (Capital City)
Phone:+6088 223022 / 261389
Email:info@kmtglobalrentacar.com
Website:www.kmtglobalrentacar.com
Category: Car Rental

n. Malaysia Airlines Kota Kinabalu (Capital City)
Phone:+6088 239113
Category: Airlines

o. Mount Kinabalu Adventurous Travel Sdn Bhd (KKKP 1188) Kota Kinabalu (Capital City)
Phone:+6088 266226
Email:sales@mtkinabalutravel.com.com
Website:www.mkat.com.my
Category: Licensed Tour Operators, Licensed Travel Agents, Airlines, Boat Charter, Bus Service

p. Penerbangan Sabah Sdn Bhd Kota Kinabalu (Capital City)
aerial sightseeing flight charter
Phone:+6088 484733 / 484372
Email:enquiry@sabahair.com.my
Website:www.sabahair.com.my
Category: Helicopter Tours

q. Tawau Hotel / Tawau Lotus Travel & Tours Sdn Bhd ( KPL 1134) Tawau
Phone:+6089 771100 / 772429
Email:tawauhtl@tm.net.my
Category: Airlines

r. Taxi Service / Khidmat Teksi (Labuan) Labuan F.T
Phone:012 8436639
Email:Za-Company2002@yahoo.com / 0128436639@mail.maxis.net.my
Website:www.taxiserviceslabuan.tripod.com/taxiserviceslabuan
Category: Taxi

Map Of Kota Kinabalu

Map Of Kota Kinabalu

INTERESTING PLACES

3A Central Market
3A Fish Market
4B Governor’s Palace
3F Kota Kinabalu International Airport
5B Likas Sports Complex
3F Prince Philip Park
3E Race Course
4D State Mosque
4D State Museum
4D State Secretariat Building
2F Tanjung Aru Golf Club

2F Tanjung Aru
2F Yacht Club

SHOPPING & ENTERTAINMENT
4C Shopping Complexes

BUS, TAXI, RAILWAY STATIONS,
RAILWAY, POST OFFICE,
3B Bank Negara
3B General Post Office
4E Railway Station
3B Sabah Park Office

HOTELS
4B Berjaya Palace Hotel
4D Borneo Resthouse Hotel
3A Capital Hotel
3B Centrepoint
4B Century Hotel
4C Hotel Deleeton
3A Hyatt Regency Kinabalu
3A Jesselton Hotel
3C Karamunsing Hotel
3A Kinabalu Daya Hotel
3B Promenade Hotel
4C Shangri-La Hotel
2F Shangri-La’s Tanjung Aru Resort
3B Tang Dynasty Hotel
3A Wah May Hotel
3B Winner Hotel

TOURIST INFORMATION CENTRES
4A Sabah Tourism Promotion Corporation

Casero Inn~ Close to home…

Casero Inn is located in the central commercial building of Asia City, Kota Kinabalu.It is within walking distance to shopping complexes, restaurants, entertainment centres,Cinemas and bus station.

The cozy atmosphere of Casero Inn coupled with clean and comfortable rooms at affordable prices, plus their exceptional friendly service has made it a popular choice among domestic and international travelers.

It’s a newly renovated budget hotel and I highly recommend it for your stay in Kota Kinabalu. you will leave with the fondest memories of your stay and will want to come back again to Kota Kinabalu, the gateway to Mount Kinabalu.

FEATURES

- Hot & Cold Shower
- Toilet attached in each room
- Tour Info
- Cable Tv
- WiFi & Internet
- Located at Asia City which is 10 minutes drive to/from airport.
- Walking distance to all major shopping malls/centre, food courts,cinemas & restaurant
- 24 Hours reception
- Cozy & Comfortable stay

ROOM RATES:

-RM88
-RM78
-RM68

ADDRESS:

Ground-2nd Floor, Lot 17, 1st Floor Block B,Jln.Singgah Mata, Asia City, 88900, Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia
Tel: +6088-258485
Fax: + 6088-237670
Website: www.Casero.com.my

Fun In Kota Kinabalu

How time flies when you are having fun,you would say. The past few years after coming back Sabah, I must have been having a ball of a time. I don’t even realize that 5 years has passed by and I’ve gone to so many places.

My days were packed with lots of actions and adventures, I went to many places and met many people. Life in Kota Kinabalu is certainly not as laid-back as most people would think. For me, living in Sabah is a BLESSING. We’re blessed with so many attractive and beautiful places. And we’re getting recognitions from all around the world. And when we talked about Sabah, one of the many things that would come to people’s mind is our Mount Kinabalu (among other things).

It’s certainly a FUN thing to live in kota kinabalu, the gateway to one of the world heritage site ~Mountain Kinabalu. So Sabahan, rise up! don’t take this for granted. We’ve gotta keep what God has blessed us with by taking care of it.

What do you think we can do as individual to keep our heritage in tact?

What part are you willing to take? what sacrifice are you willing to make?

Spend Your Best Time In Sabah

To get the best out of Sabah and Kota Kinabalu there are a few things that you need to consider.

The weather is hot humid weather.

There is a storm most evenings.

The food is mainly Asian food and it needs to be recognized that Asian food in Asia is very different than that in the High St in the UK and the local Chinese in Australia .  It is unlikely that you will find a meat pie and sauce, fish and chips or bangers and mash.  You will not find any pork products such as pork sausages. There are plenty of Coffee Shops around that are the same as in Australia , USA and UK .  The well known fast food outlets are also obvious.

Always carry toilet paper with you as public toilets usually do not have toilet paper.  You will also find that there is usually a small charge to use a public toilet. Also European style toilets are limited in Public toilets.  Most are squat toilets. Don’t be surprised that public toilets always seem wet; this is because they are regularly washed out. Hotels and resorts always seem to have European toilets in the Rooms and elsewhere.

Generally standards of hygiene are very high.

If out and about, always carry plenty of water.  Remember, it is hot and humid and you will dehydrate if you don’t keep up your water intake.

Finally, the best way to get the most out of Sabah and Kota Kinabalu is to expect things to be different and SMILE, SMILE and SMILE again.

History Of The Land Below The Wind

The people of Borneo were not in the habit of keeping written records and as such, the earliest history is known through verbal tales passed down through the generations via songs and stories, supported by archelogical finds. So, for instance, it was discovered that as early as 640 AD, Chinese traders had plied the coast of Borneo for, presumably, spice trading.  Based on relics found, it was established that the Chinese traders had used their ceramic wares for trading.

Back then, Borneo was centered around the Sultanage of Brunei.  Ever since that early history, many foreigners had their fingers in the Borneo pie. First the Chinese, several centuries later the Spaniards, the Dutch, a few chapters with the Phillipines and in the 1800’s, briefly, even the Americans.  The Americans sold a 10 year lease to an Austrian based in Hong Kong, but eventually ’owenership’ fell to the British who established the North Borneo Chartered Company, who in turn established a trading post and consequently set on fire the development of North Borneo, as it came to be known.

But, as early as the 1940’s, Kota Kinabalu, then called Jessleton, was little more than a few traditional bamboo & timber houses, built on stilts over the shallow waters of the tranquil bay.  Restored photos from this era can be seen in the Magellan Club area of the Magellan Sutera at the Sutera Harbour Resort, as well as on the wall at the recently refurbished public jetty,  Jesstleton Point.

At this time, it was also not the capital of Sabah, and only later replaced Sandakan as the state capital.  During the Second World War, Sabah was invaded by the Japanese, the British put up minimal resistance and Kota Kinabalu was, nevertheless, virually flattened by Allied bombers and the rest was burnt to the ground in the retreat of the Allieds  Only 3 structures remain today. A Japenese war memorial can be found towards Luyang, frequently visited by Japanese, whilst an Australian War Memorial is located some hours drive away in Kundasang.  Other traces of the occupation is evidnent in the Japanese style of hot baths found at Pouring Hot Springs.

After the War, Kota Kinabalu was rebuilt into the fairly modern city it is today, renamed and around 1949 become the state capital.  Sabah was only officially named Sabah in the 1960’s when they joined the Malaysian Federation of States, and if you seek, you will find there are many more historical references to Sabah and her inhabitants, the Sabahans.

Today, Kota Kinabalu is rapidly, and at times, rampantly, developing and is the sleepy town of yesteryear no more.

source: http://www.tripadvisor.com/Travel-g298307-s203/Kota-Kinabalu:Malaysia:History.html