EATING OUT AT GAYA STREET

Gaya Street is the famous venue for the Gaya Street Sunday Market where every Sunday morning the whole street is closed for traffic and instead stalls upon stalls with their arrays of food, handicraft, antiques, attire,souvenirs, pets and the list goes on are on colorful display.

However, on normal days, Gaya Street is an attraction on its own with its varieties of food selection.  Not sure what to eat in Kota Kinabalu?  Go no further.  Just drop by Gaya Street and you’ll find something to your liking.  Below are some good selections:

View Full Album

The photos are self explanatory and choices are just yummy.

KAAMATAN IN SABAH

Kadazandusuns, Muruts, Rungus, Lundayeh celebrate harvest festival or as they called it “Kaamatan” during the month of May.  All districts throughout Sabah will hold their own celebration on different days of the month.  The normal activities during the celebration includes traditional sports competition, singing competition, the Unduk Ngadau “Beauty Queen” contest, traditional dances performances and just merry making with flowing rice wine continuously………..

View Full Album

The Sabah State level celebration is held on 30th & 31st May every year at the Kadazan Dusun Cultural Association  Penampang.  This year, I brought 2 bloggers and another guest to the event and we had a cultural extravaganza which I bet will linger in our mind for a long time to come.

We went visiting some of the stalls which showcased the traditional food, desserts, cookies, etc and the  several traditional houses with traditional dances performances, rice wine tasting..…..

Inside the main hall, there were singing performances, traditional dances and the appearing of “Unduk Ngadau” from the various districts.  Wow, really a handfull and not enough time to do so much.

The grand finale falls on 31st May with the closing “Magavau” ritual performance by the High Priestess “Bobohizan” and also the “Unduk Ngadau” Contest and final.  I actually had my buttocks glued to my seat from 11am right until 5:30pm!  What a day!

It was definitely an eye opener for my guests as they witness the unique multi racial harmony during this special festive occasion when hundreds of all walks of life converge at this venue for merry making.

THE LEGEND OF UNDUK NGADAU
Legend had it that the Kadazan Dusun God, Kinoingan had a beautiful daughter, Huminodun.  During a famine, Kinoingan had to sacrifice Huminodun with her consent and changed her body parts into various food so that people has food to eat.  Her hair was changed into padi, head – coconut, knees – yam, fingers – maize, etc.

During the harvesting of the padi, Huminodun’s spirit appeared and instructed the Priestess to perform a ritual so that the people will have a bountiful harvest the following year.  The ritual was to take 7 best stalks of the padi and tie them at the end a bamboo and put it in the centre of the field during harvesting.  After harvesting, the bamboo with the 7 stalks of padi was to be placed inside the rice/padi container. 

It was till this day, the ritual continued and the people choose among the fair maiden among them to represent this iconic Legendary Huminodun.

Drop by to witness this unique Kaamatan and schedule your visit to coincide with this auspicious event to enjoy a cultural extravanza at its best the next time you come A VISITING SABAH!

Le Meridien Hotel

 

Looking for a very nice 5 star hotel in an excellent location and yet affordable?  Look no further……..

Le Meridien is located along Jalan Tun Fuad Stephens and is directly facing the Handicraft centre, the food night market and also the South China Sea as well.

Two shopping centres, Warisan Square and Centre Point is just opposite the road at the other side of the side road. 

It is also within walking distance to the central market and the famous Sunday Gaya Street Fair.

Price  :  For the normal twin bedded/Double room  :  RM360
             Executive room  :  RM500

Capital Hotel

This hotel is situated in an excellent location along Jalan Haji Saman and directly facing Wisma Merdeka, a well known shopping centre.

Food is not a problem at all with the famous ‘Little Italy’ at its ground floor, lots of coffee shops behind at Jalan Pantai and Jalan Gaya!  And if your stay falls on a Sunday too, the Gaya Street fair is just behind too!

It is also within walking distance to the handicraft centre, night markets and central market and not to forget to catch the fantastic sunset at the water front.

The hotel though old, had recently been refurbished and is clean and yet comfortable enough for those budget conscious travelers.

The cost :  RM159 - RM180

Heritage Walk + Gaya Street Sunday Market

 

Was doing the KK Heritage Walk yesterday with the above couple and they love the Walk……..plus of course they got the chance to stroll along this oldest street in the history of KK on a Sunday!  As the Sunday Gaya Street Fair was on, this couple has a nice chance to browse around and got something for themselves at a good bargain.

This Sunday market has become a tourist attraction of late and whenever time permit, this is one of the must visit place when in Kota Kinabalu.  And, of course, to visit it at the same time while doing the KK Heritage Walk is truly an added bonus !

Remember to do it with the KK Heritage Walk.  You’ll never forget KK and this unique Sunday Market.

LITTLE ITALY - Authentic Italian Food

When dining there the other night, I thought I was in Europe! I was literary surrounded by Europeans at their table enjoying their dinner. They must be really craving for some really good western food after all the local Asian food they have tried! :)
this nice little restaurant is very easy to find, as it is centrally located in the city, ground floor of Capital Hotel and facing Wisma Merdeka, a well known shopping centre.