Mundain supports KKK...

I'll admit it, I supported the K... in KK.

Kentuckyfried Kota Kinabalu 

Malaysians love to shorten names whenever possible, Kuala Lumpur becomes KL, Johor Bahru is JB, Singapore morphs into S'pore and of course KK is abbreviated for Kota Kinabalu.

Mundain says "Ima FOB aka CB via BC no BS"


Before we began our adventure, Mundain, being the reverse snob that I am, told our friends that I wanted to "live like the locals", experience everyday life in a genuine manner, not from the unrealistic viewpoint of a typical tourist.

Nope, no 5 star, Western style hotel/resorts pour moi.

You know what I discovered? Five Stars > Backpackers.

I will never again deride anyone who chooses luxury accommodations...c'mon go ahead...pamper me like the Sutera Harbour Spa and Resort...

...a quiet stroll on the resort grounds

...to the marina

...then onto the seawall

Wanna swim? Will that be in the Olympic pool...

...or one of the many other pools...

...or maybe jump off the boardwalk into the lagoon
or head down to the beach?

...gaze upon beautiful sunsets

... that take your breath away

When you've had enough of the "five star" lifestyle and tire of hotel food, the resort offers a shuttle into the city center where you can broaden your gastronomical horizons...

everyone in Asia loves food courts...more that just
places to eat but places to gather and socialize
...the pubs of Asia

...this one happens to overlook the ocean

...choose from independently operated stalls,
each offering their specialties

such as simple dumplings in soup,
(a welcomed change of pace from institutional buffets)

or delicious prawns and veggies in egg sauce over fried noodles

...maybe steaming bamboo baskets full of dim sum treats

or vats of simmering goodness...
braised brisket, steamed chicken, laksa sauces, curries

or your choice of noodles...
in soup, fried,  tossed with soup on the side

...then, walk off those calories

...but don't forget your umbrella...
rainstorms are sudden and torrential but mercifully short

Walking about town you'll notice that KK "meter maids" operate differently than in North America. In KK parking is free unless the parking ladies write you up.  The trick is to figure out where the parking lady is in her route so that you can park, do your business, then leave before she comes around.

This means that the parking ladies are furiously writing parking tickets. I'm just kidding about the "furious" part...nobody rushes in Malaysia...so you have to be really unlucky to get a parking ticket.

KK parking lady writing up cars in a parking lot

victim rushes back to his vehicle

...but too late

payment in cash only,  on the spot

Although by now, well into our travels, I had explored many local markets, the KK wet market was one of the largest and most impressive...

 

... unexpected, pedal powered Singer sewing machine

...fish monger prepping his products

...may I chop it up for you?

...fresh caught tuna, portioned into steaks

...or filets

...holy mackerel...can you say sashimi slab or what?

oops! ... not for sale

The local waters are truly bountiful...so many species of seafood...

 

Now that you have an idea of the local abundance of fresh food...

  let's move onto the amazing selection of cooked foods...

We munched our way through this market enjoying fresh fruits and

 cabbage stuffed roti cooked upon order, enough for the two of us, for the equivalent of  a mere 25 cents 

Back at the resort and not being a golfer, I did not take advantage of the resort's 18 hole course. However, island hopping was offered through their marina and we took an excursion to Manukan Island, one of the many small islands off KK where one can hire a tender or speedboat to drop you off for a day on the beach...

...at the resort marina,
we boarded a tender for Manukan Island 

the Mundains...bound for Manukan Island beach 

leaving the marina

...blazing our way to the islands at 50 knots

...arrival at the jetty...Manukan Island

a post card perfect day

...Muslim women snorkeling...fully attired

...walking the beach to claim our spot 

Mundain says "Life's A Beach"

...not a care in the world

Mundain says "What can this muscular body do for you?"
OK, I have to credit my 13 year old nephew David for that pickup line.

...see ya ...wouldn't wanna be ya

When you're bored of the sandy beaches and warm waters, wander through the streets and you'll notice...grafitti...we saw a lot throughout Asia...seems that tagging and street art are universal...

...someone has it right

...well, it's time for the fat lady to sing
Mundain is truly a winner...I got a taste of what KK has to offer...
and as someone once said..."I'm hungry for more".

Mundain out.