Kota Belud Sunday Market

(Entrant of the Market)

In Sabah, weekly market is one of the main interest of the local people. The market only happen once a week. Different town have different day in a week they have their one day market. The most famous day of all is Sunday. There are three places in the west coast of Sabah has a market on Sunday. Kota Kinabalu, Tuaran Town and Kota Belud. Kota Kinabalu Sunday market located in Gaya Street where the street will be closed for traffic just for the market itself. That will be start from 6am and then end at 2pm. In Tuaran town where located about 30km North from Kota Kinabalu also start almost the same time as in Gaya Street. Tourist that stayed in Shangri-la's Rasa Ria can go to the market in Tuaran either by taxi or even they can cycled on a bike which is will take them 30minute. The third place is Kota Belud Sunday market, located about 45km North from Kota Kinabalu. Kota Belud Sunday market is the famous one among this three places. There even a tour can be organize by many Tour Operator to this Kota Belud Sunday market.

(making Traditional Pan cake called "Panjaram")

All three places sell almost the same thing or goods. But the market in Kota Belud is more traditional where there is still many people wearing traditional clothing especially the elderly folk. As for my experience I would prefer to go to Kota Belud as because of photo opportunities is so good. There many different tribe will be there and there is mix between old and new trend.

(Bajau women Selling anchovies)

The Sunday market in locally called "Tamu" as its mean meeting, because the Tamu is a meeting place for many different tribe which is been practiced for many years. Sunday is the for the people in Kota Belud area to meet, to exchange goods and as well as to update them self with a latest news. Kota Belud area has more than ten different ethnic people and all of them doing different thing for a living.

(Selling Traditional cakes and pan cake)

The Bajau doing Fishing and also farming and the Dusun doing farming on the hill area where they grow few different crops like hill rice, pineapple, bananas and sweet corn and few other tribes doing different things. So the Sunday market is the place where they can meet each other and trade their goods where it used to be barter system and now currencies is used most for the trading in the market.

(Traditional food made from coconut sugar and rice flour also called "Kuih Cincin")

So if you are planning visiting Sabah, make sure u had some time to visit the Sunday market. I would most recommend for any photographer who like taking picture of people and culture.

(Anchovies)

Wifi Upperstar KK

Upperstar Kota Kinabalu is one of a coolest place to hang around.
Its open from 5pm - 1am. You can order drinks like soft drink, beer, liquor and coffee.
If you want to use your laptop here, the password is: upperstar2222
See you there!

Monsoon

At the moment monsoon season is in Sabah but most likely
the amount of rain is less than some certain time of the year.
it is advisable to bring along rain coat or an umbrella when
ever going on a tour or outdoor program. You will experiencing
warm rain during your stay in Sabah(for European).
It is nice to cool down after having a hot day. but of cause
not during the tour. Have a nice day.

Kinabalu Park

Start from hotel in Kota Kinabalu at 0730am, drive to the park which take 2 hours journey. Make few stop along the way for photo stop (if weather permitting) and also stopping at the Nabalu Market for toilet and souvenir shopping. Then proceed to Kinabalu Park and visit the exhibition hall for little bit info before visiting the rest.
Join the guided walk conducted by the park ranger at the Mountain Botanical garden, where visitors can see some rare collection of orchid, medicinal plant and a rare pitcher plant (1 hour). After lunch watch a video show at the visitor center then back to hotel.

A combine tour of Kinabalu Park and Poring Hotspring can also be arrange but this tour will be a little bit rush due to limited time available for day trip. At the Hotspring, usually visitor will experience the canopy walkway and also the hotspring bath(time permitting).

Backpackers

To get to Kinabalu park, travelers can get a bus that going to Sandakan or Tawau that depart from Kota Kinabalu. Make sure to tell the bus conductor to stop the bus when arrived at the park. Fare around rm10-15.
There are hostel inside the park and also few low budget lodges can be found around outside of the park.






Rungus Longhouse Tour

Rungus is a tribe belongs to the largest group of Kadazan/Dusun ethnic. They mainly found in Kudat and Bengkoka Peninsular (North Sabah). The tour normally starts from the hotel around 7am and drive to the north of Sabah about 3 hours. Normally there two longhouse can be visited, the Longhouse that people still live in it (little bit modern) and the Longhouse that visitors can stay overnight (original building material). The Longhouse is a good place for picture opportunities. Few other places will be visited is the Gong Making Village, Honey Bee Farm Village. Lunch usually at the local restaurant near by. After lunch proceed to the Tip of Borneo (optional) drive about 45 minute. Beach at the Tip Of Borneo is the beautiful beach in Sabah where white sandy beach and crystal clear water. Drive back to hotel another 3 hours and arrived around 5pm.

Overnight Trip

People can stay overnight at the longhouse where there will be a cultural performance by the villages itself at night. Dinner and breakfast is included in the overnight package









Kota Kinabalu City Tour

The tour begin with a visit to the signal hill for a bird’s eye view of Kota Kinabalu City and also the marine park just in front of the city. Then drive to Likas area where stopping at the Sabah Foundation Building located right the end of Likas Bay (photo stop). Visiting Likas area including a photo stop at the city mosque then proceed to Chinese Temple visiting for about 15 minute. Finally the last place is the State Museum. Then back to the hotel.

::Duration 3 hours::

Backpackers

(To Museum)
Follow a mini bus that going to Penampang from City. Stop at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital bus stop.
Return back City, just follow the bus going back city from other side of the road.
Fare usually around 70 sen – Rm1.00

May 2007 (Sabah Tourism)

Event Listing

Tabin Wildlife Photo Hunt May - July 2007 Tadau Kaamatan (Harvest Festival) May 2007 Sabah Fest 2007 – Cultural Extravaganza 03 - 04 May 2007 3rd Sabah International Folklore Festival 05 - 15 May 2007 Patterns and Colour of Sabah 10 May - 04 June 2007 Sabah International Fishing Tournament 2007 10 - 13 May 2007 Harvest Festival for Kota Kinabalu City 13 May 2007 Sabah World Museum Day 2007 18 - 23 May 2007 Harvest Festival (Sandakan) 19 May 2007 Harvest Festival Golf Tournament 20 May 2007 Harvest Festival Regatta 2007 26 - 27 May 2007

Climbing Mount Kinabalu

Few things need to prepare..Passport, torch light, extra cloth,chocolat bar. What to pay is climbing Permit rm100(foreigner) Rm30(M'sian), guide rm70(can be shared with other climbers in the group), insurance rm7, transport rm15 and most important accomodation at rest house price (TBA) . It is best to climb between month of Jan-march..For between month of April-July usually very windy and cold(rain).