SABAH

Located at the northeast corner of Borneo, Sabah was known in ancient times as the "Land Below The Wind" because it lies below the typhoon belt. Sabah's terrain is rugged, with Mt. Kinabalu, at 4,101 metres, dominating the surrounding landscape. It has a wide diversity of flora and fauna, as well as one of the world's largest rainforests. Sabah's people comprise 31 different indigenous groups, including the Kadazans, Muruts, Bajaus, Kedayans, Sulu, Bisaya, Rumanau, Minokok, and Rungus.

International access to Malaysia'a eastern gateway is through Sabah's capital, Kota Kinabalu, which receives flights from Kuala Lumpur, Johor Bahru, Kuching, Singapore, Hong Kong, Manila, Brunei, Jakarta, Seoul, and Taipei. Domestic travel in this vast state is via daily flights between Labuan, Sandakan, Lahad Datu, and Tawau, though large areas are still inaccessible. A rail network stretches from Kota Kinabalu to Tenom, and buses, taxis, and boats are also available.

1)Karamunsing Shopping Centre

Karamunsing Shopping Centre is one of Kota Kinabalu’s oldest shopping centres, but ongoing renovations over the last few years have kept it relevant.The unfortunate irony of these upgrades and renovations was that while they are increasing floor space, tenants and visitors to the centre, parking is reduced every time they build a new extension over what was previously parking space.

Shoppers therefore park pretty much anywhere, blocking lanes and causing what sometimes is Kota Kinabalu’s most annoying traffic crawl around the permitter of the main building.Inside the shopping centre this situation is mirrored by cramming every possible inch of floorspace on the 1st floor with a stall, kiosk or display of some kind, forcing visitors into a single file in most places. The upper 3 floors of shopping are slightly less packed.

Once we fought our way through the traffic crawl and found a parking space (likely on 6th floor rooftop) We will discover Kota Kinabalu’s best IT and computer hub inside.Spread out over the 4th, 3rd and, to a lesser extent, the 2nd floor, is a thorough collection of IT related stores selling everything for netbooks to notebooks, tablets to transmitters and every IT peripheral in-between.

2)Borneo Trading Post

                                               

Borneo Trading Post is dedicated to showcasing the inspiration of the diverse peoples and cultures of the mysterious and exotic island of Borneo. In our mascot and icon, Borneo Bob, we have embodied what we believe to be the nature, spirit and often, rascally personality of the Borneo folk. 

We have created an image of Bob as we envisage him to be in the modern era and have incorporated this icon into the logo of our brand and products. Following Bob’s precepts, we have created an outlet to celebrate the nature, adventure, art and craft of Borneo and, by incorporating his image into our products, have created a talisman to invoke the blessings and guidance of Borneo Bob to all our customers.

In addition to the line of adventure gear and garb inspired by our mascot, we seek to expound the products, wares, arts, crafts, mythologies and beliefs of the tribes of Borneo. We have created an outlet whereby the peoples of Borneo have an opportunity to trade and showcase their wares. On our part, we comb the countryside in search of quality products that integrate and highlight Borneo’s resources while maintaining the deep respect for nature of the indigenous people. At the same time, occasionally, we modify those products to suit the tastes of our discerning customers.

3)Borneo Books 

Bookworms rejoice! Bookstores are abounding in most shopping malls across Sabah. Whether you're looking for bestselling paperback novels, autobiographies, self-empowerment books, spiritual books, or magazines; you'll be spoilt for choice with the vast genre of literature catered to your fine taste.

Discover more about Sabah and Borneo through myths and legends, history, wildlife and culture from a wide range of locally-published books. Available at most bookstores, they are perfect for your reading pleasure or as gifts for family and friends! Look out also for beautiful coffee table books such as Sipadan Mabul Kapalai – Sabah’s Underwater Treasure and Sabah Malaysian Borneo – People & Places - the perfect accessory for your living room!

How to get to Borneo Books

4)Gaya Street (Sunday Market)

Originally named Bond Street, Gaya Street located in the Kota Kinabalu Central Business District has been the centre of business for over a hundred years. The wooden shops with nipah roofs are long gone but here is where generations-old family businesses are still thriving passed down from father to son.

Every Sunday morning, the length of Gaya Street is closed off to traffic to make way for the Fair. Shop for anything under shady trees and over-sized umbrellas, like batik sarongs, fruits and flowers, arts and craft, footwear, antiques and souvenirs, cakes, even pets and herbs!. This is the best place to experience the cross-section of the local population when entire families enjoy a Sunday outing.

The Gaya Street Fair is on every Sunday from 6.30 am to 1.00 pm

Getting There

A short stroll from anywhere around the city or take public transport into town.

5)Tamu

Every Sunday a huge tamu takes place on the outskirts of this small, sleepy town. The market is a congested, colourful and dusty melee of vendors, hagglers, browsers, gawpers and hawkers, all brought together by a slew of everyday goods in a bustle that consumes the whole town each and every week. A smaller version takes place on Wednesday.

Lot of local people's handicraft sold

A tamu is not simply a market where villagers gather to sell their farm produce and to buy manufactured goods from traders; it's also a social occasion where news and stories are exchanged. Sadly tourists now often outnumber buffalo, and the fascinating local Bajau horsemen have mostly moved away from the car park, though some do put on a show for visitors.

Visitors looking for tribal handicrafts and traditional clothing will be disappointed, but the market is certainly lively and you can enjoy a good breakfast here after looking around. The hilly views from the padang may also tempt you to stay a while and do some walking away from the Sunday crowds.