Kota Kinabalu is just another Asian city. It has bad traffic, is an infinite construction site, and there is not a lot to do. Yes, there are vibrant and sprawling markets heaving with locals selling delicious sea food and fresh fruit, but not much else. KK city is a stopover from which to explore the rest of the wonderful Malaysian state at the top of Borneo that is Sabah.
Unfortunately, my stay was too short and I did not have time to explore the magnificent reefs of Sipadan or the Orangutan Centre in Sandakan. There are islands a short boat journey away, and a river cruise from which to see wildlife, but all of this is weather permitting.
Lucky me, the week I chose to visit KK was a week of storms and torrential tropical rain. On my first day, no boats were going to the islands as it was too dangerous, and everything to do near the city was outdoors. Consequently, I was trapped inside.
I did not let my time be completely wasted, however, and booked onto a river cruise. A bus picked me up and we journeyed away from the city into the rural and agricultural green that lies beyond. High rises were replaced by fishing villages along the river, propped up on stilts for protection against the floods. After a few hours on the bus, we boarded a river boat and spent hours watching the lazy Proboscis moneys eat leaves and swing from tree to tree. Their movements were hypnotising as they seem to float in the air for an impossible moment before successfully grabbing onto a thin tree branch. Their movements were perfectly elegant.
When night fell, the monkeys disappeared, and were replaced by flashing fire-flies. They lit up the trees like blinking fairy lights. They looked like magical sparks of electricity, buzzing around like miniature flies. It was a breathtaking sight.
Equally, I did manage to make it to the islands. The sea was so churned up that a lot of rubbish had found its way to the beaches. Therefore, swimming was not pleasant and snorkelling impossible. Also, the boat journey over was uncomfortable on the choppy seas and the skies were moody. However, a white sandy beach and 30 degree heat make any situation better, and although it was a brief visit, cut short by another storm which caused our boat drivers to whisk us away at top speed, allowing their boat to smash down on the waves, it was pleasant enough.
Sabah is a spectacular place though, if visited at the right time. I also climbed Mount Kinabalu, and although my view was not what it could be, it was an incredible experience. My visit was a glimpse at what Sabah could be, and there is of course so much more to explore.
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