We should say well done on getting home after eleven miles but in truth, it’s more well done on getting home with both ankles intact!! Like a lot of places around the world, pedestrian comfort is well down the list of priorities, if it even factors at all.
After a quick breakfast on our balcony, and it is super quick because the sun is beating down on us, at six degrees of latitude there is no mercy, we disembark and head off into town. We first came to Malaysia in 2006 on honeymoon, but not here, just the mainland. We came to Borneo in 2009, indeed this exact city.
Borneo is a bit like Saint Maarten, Ireland or Hispaniola but a LOT bigger – it contains two countries – although in this case the Sultanate of Brunei adds a tiny complication. Ignoring this minor detail we’re on the Malaysian part of Borneo, the other 3/4 are Indonesian. Its almost four times the size of Great Britain.
Kota Kinabalu is a half-million sized city and we’re walking from the docks into town past a dance reception. As mentioned this is not without peril, although apart from the pavement it’s easy. People are so lovely, each time a local sees us they want to say hello or good morning in perfect English. Of course English remains a common language for historical reasons and we do seem to have been forgiven for our past actions, perhaps because we also did good here?
Our path first takes us though the Sunday Market which I cannot believe I’m admitting to, but I really enjoyed walking through. Admittedly there were kittens, puppies and bunnies, I don’t know if these were pet stalls, and many many other items from knock-off Air Force Ones (under £30) and international perfumes in litre jiggers ready to be syringed into smaller ones, but the vibe was wonderful.
Moving on we stop for the clock tower and then it’s a schlep to our furthest destination. A long part of our walk is by the side of a klong (canal) and we spot several birds and some hefty lizards. We talk to several people, and pass various statues, the Great War and ANZAC monuments.
The Al Kautar Mosque is not necessarily magnificent but the area is fascinating, a stilt town where all the houses are out over the water. Here are some quite basic houses mixed with some smart modern ones. Again the people are so friendly.
At the mosque we firstly wander around, within minutes we are are getting a private tour. Our self-appointed guide suggests we go further towards the Shangri La so we do but fail to navigate the golf course so don’t actually get to the hotel.
On our return we visit a Catholic Church which has just turned our after service. As usual the people are so friendly.
Next we commence our return, navigating to the Sutera Harbour Country Club where we stop for a beer. Not Singapore prices but close enough, very welcome, and far more classy! We marvel at the crystal clear waters in the marina.
Sutera is reclaimed land and as well as the country club has two hotels and a golf course. We retrace our steps as there is only one road into the complex, and then continue along the klong we have been following for some time.
We divert to the water’s edge road and follow this back to the ship. On this route we pass several huge market areas, one for dried goods including dried fish, the next a rabbit warren of jewellery and niknaks, and then one for fruit & veg. Finally we come to the night market which is of course closed, and a marlin in the middle of a roundabout.
As we return we walk though another huge shopping centre just to avoid the heat for a few minutes. Once back onboard it’s lunchtime.
Our afternoon is quiet until we are in the jacuzzi with four Auzzie ladies who are a complete blast. I’m Leon because they just couldn’t say Neil. They are travelling as a group of 22 so guess it’s a party when they are all together!
Pre dinner we head to the World Stage for the second show of violinist Jake Gacang. Unfortunately his show just isn’t doing it for us. Although clearly talented he is overindulgent tonight and neither of us likes the timbré he is creating. We leave early and head for our last Pinnacle Grill. I get to try a new Asian style sauce on my steak, it’s very good.
