Souvenirs at LCCT Kota Kinabalu 2 Sep 2011

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Issac and Annabelle were asking Daddy to buy souvenirs as a remembrance of this trip to Kota Kinabalu. Finally, both also choose turtles as their favourite presents!

Sabah State Museum & Heritage Village 2 Sep 2011

Just off Jalan Penampang and surrounded by lush gardens is the Sabah Museum Complex, comprising the Main Building, the Science and Technology Centre, the Heritage Village, Ethno-Botanical Garden and the Sabah Islamic Civilization Museum.

We did not expect Sabah State Museum compound is so big, once we entered, we had been attracted with the exhibitions of the antique vehicles and the water features at the entrance area.

The Main Building is designed after a traditional Rungus longhouse. There was a huge ‘basket’ displayed outside the building, as it is really a big attractions.

In the main building, inside are the Ethnography, Natural History, Ceramics, Archaeology and History Galleries that showcase the rich and diverse culture and history of Sabah. The Main Building also houses the Marble Hall for temporary exhibitions.

The Science and Technology Centre houses three exhibitions: oil and gas production in Sabah, broadcasting in Sabah and a North Borneo Railway in Sabah. We did not enter and see the exhibitions of these. As we were more interesting and eager want to see the Heritage Village outside the compound area because we had limited time as we need to rush straight to the air port after this to catch our flight.

The Heritage Village is situated within the Ethno Botanical Gardens in the Sabah Museum Complex. The Heritage Village allows guests a chance to view several traditional houses of Sabah within a small area.

Among them are a Bajau House complete with a wedding dais, a Murut longhouse with a lansaran (trampoline), a Chinese farmhouse with earthen floor, a Bamboo House and a House of Skulls.

The Ethno Botanical Gardens are comprising of commercial, medicinal, ritual and food and ornamental plants make up the well-planned gardens of the Sabah Museum.

A Montane Garden also graces the grounds of the Museum.

Well, it was a fun outing too for us on the last day at Kota Kinabalu. After the visit, we drove straight to the LCCT for our flight back to Kuala Lumpur.

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Sabah State Mosque 2 Sep 2011

Initially Sabah Sate Museum was our destination, but during our way to there, we saw the State Mosque, it looks outstanding and unique and we were attracted by its architecture. That is why we stopped our car at the roadside, and have a closer look on it at the side. We did not go in.

Sabah State Mosque, located at Jalan Tunku Abdul Rahman, Sembulan, Kota Kinabalu, is the state mosque of Sabah. Construction of the mosque began in 1970 and was completed in 1974. Thereafter, interior details such as engravings, mosaic, electrical systems, etc, took 1 year to complete.

The design was inspired by the architectures of other mosques such as Al Aqsa in Palestine, the Blue Mosque in Istanbul, Jame In New Delhi and Lahore.  The 215 foot minaret was inspired by Masjid al-Haram in Mecca and Masjid al-Nabawi in Medina.  The mosaic gracing its main dome and the 16 smaller domes were imported from Italy and the entire building is covered with marble.

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Occupying 14.5 acres of land and strategically located between Jalan Mat Salleh and Jalan Sembulan of Kota Kinabalu City, the Mosque can accommodate up to 5,000 worshippers at one time. There is also a special balcony exclusively allocated for Muslim women during prayer time, with room for up to 500.

It is a beautiful mosque after all…

Afternoon at Tanjung Aru Beach 1 Sep 2011

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Both Annabelle and Issac were telling Daddy, that they wanted to come to the beach to swim and play water, ever since the first day we were at Kota Kinabalu. After we checked in to the hotel, we felt so excited because our hotel just next to the beach. We can see the sea once we just walk out from our hotel.

Finally, they have their turn to have fun and play water here in the afternoon.

Tanjung Aru Beach is located at the end of Jalan Tunku Abdul Rahman and is approximately 6 kilometres from Kota Kinabalu city. It is the Tanjung Aru Beach which has a special place in the heart of every local.

The Tanjung Aru Beach took its name from the casuarinas or aru tress that surrounds the sandy beach. This is the place for people to get the best seats for viewing the greatest sunset on earth every evening when the sun slowly sets into the horizon. And, we were not so lucky to see that, as the days we were here, the sky started drizzling whenever approaching evening.

We can see a lot of hawker stalls, restaurants and cafes along the Tanjung Aru Beach. The beach is divided into three sections, beach 1, beach 2 and beach 3. There are plenty of places to eat at Tanjung Aru Beach. Foodstalls here serve food and drinks till late at night. From enjoying a simple meal of coconut and sugarcane juice with chicken or beef satay to a full-course dinner at the seafood restaurant can be found here.

There is also a park here which is called the Tanjung Aru Beach Park. It was formerly known as the Prince Philip Park but we did not manage to go as after the water play, it started to rain.

Puh Toh Tze Temple Kota Kinabalu 1 Sep 2011

The Puh Toh Tze temple is a Buddhist temple located off Tuaran Road. It is  located a bit far off from the city. After the Central Market, we were heading to the temple.

Built in 1980, the temple stands out with its traditional Chinese roofing and structure. Ten large statues of deities adorn the temple with the Goddess of Mercy, Kwan Yin, standing tall at the main entrance of the temple to greet us.

The temple itself is really large. We just had a walk inside the temple, passing through the main hall and there were several praying halls. There was a huge grand bell with its stand too at one of the corner of the temple. Some interesting sculptures, statues and figures too.

We understand that it have its own kindergarten in the temple compound for the nearby families children.

Well, it is an relaxing walkabout for us too…

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Kota Kinabalu Central Market 1 Sep 2011

We woke up very early and we went to the Water Front area. We were just curious how is it would look like during in the morning. There were not much, except the fishing boats at the back of the Central Market.

Birds were looking for their food along the sea. Cats and dogs just wondering around the Wet Market areas hoping to find their source of food today. Pigeons were having their morning walk here too ^^.

The Central Market of Kota Kinabalu is popular amongst many tourists. Prior to the development of supermarkets and their chains, the Central Market was and still is an important place as many people buy vegetables, fruits, seafood and other such foods here.

It is still one of the busiest places in Kota Kinabalu and many locals get their foods from here as these are freshly supplied in the market.

We can find dozens of varieties of fruits such as bananas, prickly rambutan, and the ever present (and smelly) durian. There are also grains, rice and a variety of hot sauces, all made locally.

Behind the Central Market is the Fish Market where a variety of fish and other sea foods are available for purchase. At Wet Market, where we saw all manner of creatures from the sea - so fresh, some are still swimming. These include prawns, snappers, bill fish, barracudas, marlins, Ham Keong crabs and groupers.

Continue along the waterfront to discover local crafts at the Kota Kinabalu Handicraft Market, (formerly known as the Filipino Market).

In front of the market we can watch tailors work on beautiful old pedal-powered sewing machines. Inside is a treasure trove of jewellery, clothing and other local crafts.

It was quite an eye opening morning for us as we can see so many people at here busy buying their daily food here.

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Kampong Air Tanjung Aru Kota Kinabalu 30 Aug 2011

We were driving around Kota Kinabalu town after Tun Mustapha Tower. We had been to 1 Borneo Hyper mall and Centre Point Sabah, but not much to see and I guess all the major shopping malls either at Peninsular and East Malaysia are more or less the same.

While we were on our way back to our hotel, we were seeing some floating wooden houses on the sea. It really look interesting to us, especially at the rays of the sunset.

Wooden houses floating on the surface of the sea, with each sure have a small boat or fishing boat attached to the house. Some of the house can see the ‘Astro’ satellite disc as well. Each house connected by the timber boardwalk or concrete walkway. Tiny kites can be seen from far on the sky.

We just walked to the jetty which was made from the timber, and enjoy the sea breeze and the sunset. Both Issac and Annabelle were so happy sitting on the wooden deck and watching the beautiful scenery. Daddy was busy taking some photos on the beautiful sunset views.

It was really an enjoyable and relaxing evening ^^.

 

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