Kota Kinabalu again! (6th March 2010)

Jesselton Point, Kota Kinabalu

After yesterday it was a little difficult to work out a plan, I knew I wanted to go back to KK for the Sunday market and a couple of other things I wanted to see before heading over to the East but did I wasn’t sure if I wanted to do more trails in the park or not, I mean of course I wanted to but it was difficult getting transport to and fro from KK to the park. One of the trails I wanted to do is supposed to take around 6 hours but if I did that then I probably wouldn’t get back to KK today and have to stay another night with my giant moth.

In the end I opted to go back to KK. At the hostel they said I would have to wait until 11am for the express bus to KK, I asked about the minivans that are constantly on the roads and they told me that when they go past the hostel they’re usually full up. It was now 9am and I really didn’t fancy waiting around for another 2 hours so I headed out onto the road. Even though we’re at 1500m it’s still very warm, although you wouldn’t think so to listen to the Ozzy guy in the room last night, anyone would think he’s from Australia or something! :-)

Opposite the hostel is a shelter of sorts so I holed up there and waited and while I did I had my last chat with Mick before he leaves for UK tonight.

So despite the reliable (!) information from the hostel a minivan came by 15mins later and took me back to KK for RM15, a whole ringet cheaper than yesterday.

Once back in KK I decided on a walk up to the Signal Hill Observation Pavilion. It’s around a 30 min walk up to it but apparently so the LP says you get a great view of the city and the islands. Don’t ask me why but for some reason I decided to start out a 1.30pm, only perhaps the hottest time of the day. I did have some water, of course, but you know when you have too much water..............and I don’t fancy my chances of finding one of those up this hill.

I did finally make it to the pavilion which had a toilet but it was locked. Almost straight behind me were two small groups of tourists, it seems I’m not the only crazy one then. The first couple were with a two year old and the dad had carried him up all the way in a baby carrier (now that’s crazy) then there was another couple behind them. I think they were all English. What is it they say about English men, mad dogs and midday sun again??

So the view was good if only they hadn’t built a million high rise buildings, malls and apartment blocks. Between the buildings though you could get the idea!

A very dead lizard on the walk back into town

Back in town after another tour of the very interesting market I headed back to the hostel for a much deserved rest.

In the evening I just headed out to the market again for dinner after a brief internet session. Unfortunately my hostel doesn’t have WiFi so I’ve been making great use of Starbucks! For the price of one cup of tea you can have free WiFi for hours, it’s amazing how long you can make one drink last and it’s funny cause that’s exactly what everyone else is doing! Although as far as Skype is concerned, it’s a good connection but all Keith could hear when we chatted was the coffee machine! :-|