A mural of a sun bear caught in a forest fire can be found on the Vanishing Wall. — GISELE SOO/The Star
Kota Kinabalu in Sabah has always been on my list of places to travel to. So, when the opportunity to visit the city during a work trip came along, I was more than happy to volunteer.
The beautiful coastal city was unlike anything I had ever imagined; there was something to be discovered at every turn of the corner. From exotic islands to local street art – and not forgetting the vibrant food scene – there were just so many things to experience in KK. Suffice to say, I relished every moment of the trip.
We stayed at Hyatt Centric Kota Kinabalu, one of the newest hotels to open in the state; it is also the first Hyatt Centric range from the international hotel brand in South-East Asia.
Our group arrived just in time for lunch at the hotel. Everyone was treated to various delicious dishes, prepared by the hotel’s head chef, Ho Jun Yip.
Seafood is cheap and fresh in KK so it’s no wonder some foodies love coming here. At the Sinsuran market near the hotel, you can even choose your pick of fresh seafood and have them cooked in whatever way you fancy. In fact, there are numerous seafood restaurants in the city where you can do this.
The hotel features many artworks, like these framed papercuts of butterflies that are hung at the ON22 restobar. — RAKU INOUE
Local snacks like amplang (fish crackers that come in the shape of balls, similar to cheese puffs), kuih cincin, kuih lidah and latok (sea grapes) can be found at the Handicraft Market, known to the locals as the Filipino market. Just a short walk away from where the snacks are, you can find plenty of stalls selling a variety of items like clothes and pearls. These are real cultured pearls, cultivated in either freshwater or saltwater. Vendors will tell you the differences between the two pearls if you ask them – saltwater pearls are more expensive, in case you’re wondering.
Like several other states around the country, Sabah also has its own local tea and coffee industry. Sabah Tea is made from tea grown in the highlands in Ranau, while coffee comes from plantations in the Tenom district. “Kopi Tenom” is popular in KK, and is freshly roasted and ground at the markets.
The Sabah Tourism Board (STB) building – a heritage building that is more than 100 years old – is located on Gaya Street. Along this stretch you can find lots of stalls selling souvenirs as well as numerous kopitiams and restaurants. If you need some help with directions or recommendations on where to go, just pop into the visitors’ centre at STB. The souvenir shop in the building has some beautiful traditional handicrafts that you may want to check out, too.
On our second day in KK, I woke up before dawn because I was too excited for the day’s activity: a private cruise in the South China Sea. Jesselton Point is the city port where most of the chartered and private-hire boats are docked. These are the passenger boats that will take daytrippers to the nearby tourist islands: Mamutik, Manukan and Sapi. The port is a five-minute walk from our hotel – and about 10 minutes from the middle of the city – so it’s convenient for tourists and locals, too.
Hyatt Centric Kota Kinabalu is the first of its kind in South-East Asia from the international hotel brand. — Hyatt Centric
Our cruise was on the Party Boat KK, and it is one of the many experiences recommended by local tour guides and, well, travellers on social media. Apart from swimming and snorkelling, Party Boat KK also allows passengers to enjoy a bit of kayaking on its transparent vessel.
I was in awe of the emerald green sea, and the creatures that swam along with me. With the cool sea breeze on my face, I felt my stress slowly melt away.
Some in the group decided to try their hand at fishing too. Fishing is truly a test of one’s patience, as you have to wait – sometimes for hours – for your bait to be bitten. I did not have that patience so I spent most of my time just lounging around on the boat, eating snacks and taking pictures of the beautiful place.
If the party boat or island-hopping are not your thing, then take a drive out of the city centre and hit the local beach, Tanjung Aru. If you go in the evenings, make sure you reach the area before sunset (between 6.10pm and 6.40pm, depending on the season). There’s a spot on the beach where it is said you can enjoy the dreamiest sunset. Tourists and locals love taking pictures of sunset here, though, so the place may get a little crowded, especially on weekends.
Amplang, a must-try local snack in Sabah. -- GUNAWAN KARTAPRANATA/Wikimedia Commons
About half an hour away from the hotel, there is another great spot for taking pictures of the sunset: Kokol Hill. Here, you can get a panoramic view of KK and see the horizon in the distance.
We got our view of the sunset from the hotel’s rooftop pool, which was also quite beautiful. For dinner, we sampled some of Ho’s South-East Asian delights at the duplex restobar ON22 and ON23, while sipping on cocktails especially crafted for us by Kenneth Klassen, the bar manager. This dining spot is one of the most gorgeous spots in the hotel with its floor-to-ceiling windows, and if you sit outside you will get a view of the sea.
The hotel was designed by renowned Japanese architect Kengo Kuma, who designed the Japan National Stadium in Tokyo, among others. Kengo and his company are known for their sustainable building innovations and the architect’s penchant for using local resources. Interior-wise, traditional Bornean motifs infused with modern designs can be seen everywhere, from the artworks to furniture to uniforms.
Have an al-fresco dining at ON22.
On our last day, we were introduced to Jared Abdul Rahman, an independent artist in Sabah who took us on a street art tour around the city. This tour is part of the hotel’s mission to help break the negative labelling attached to street art and to give the area a new lease of life.
Jared took us to see the Vanishing Wall, located just a short walk from the hotel. The wall showcased a series of graffiti art that highlighted some of today’s social issues, and he talked about each mural along the way.
A mural featuring a sun bear caught in a forest fire was among the artworks that caught my eye. It made me ponder about our lackadaisical attitude towards the environment. We have truly taken nature for granted.
There were plenty of other murals to check out around the area, which largely illustrated Sabah’s rich biodiversity and unique culture – the very essence of the state.
The infinity rooftop pool overlooks the magnificent South China Sea. — Hyatt Centric
Check out the artwork of the local artists on Vanishing Wall.
