After a fantastic day out snorkeling in Pulau Sapi and Pulau Manukan, we just wandered around the waterfront area, trying to sniff out any surprises along the way. At the roundabout near the Central Market in Jalan Tun Fuad Stephen, a giant marlin seems to have leapt out of South China Sea and stays inland timelessly, with Pulau Gaya in the background.
More fish statues adorning the waterfront.
Further down, many fishing boats are docked near the central fish market. The boatmen can balance themselves really well, carrying loads while crossing on such narrow wooden plankway.
There are plenty of local food stalls all over the waterfront area.
I’m a great durian lover but have never seen anything like this before: the thorns are longer and sharper, and the shape of the fruit resembles durian. Yes, it’s durian. The Malay seller told us. She expressed that this kind of durian is not tasty at all and suggested we buy the “regular” durians. While staring at those alien fruits, the lady opened up one of them to eat. The flesh is red!
I was really curious about the taste of red-fleshed durian. We chose the SMALLEST one since the seller said they are not nice to eat, and bought one at RM 3 (RM 6/KG) and another yellow-fleshed durian.
Say “WOW!” after me. The flesh is gorgeously red! Very eager to try it. Then another surprise. After taking one bite of the red flesh, I wanted to spit it out. Is this durian? It’s almost tasteless! I can tell you that I have tasted the worst durian of my life!
Any idea if this red durian is only found in Borneo, or just Sabah? Can I call it Sabah durian? @_@
Maybe NON-DURIAN Lovers will like this kind of red durian since it’s almost tasteless. To me, it has a very slight taste of avocado. Let me know how you find the taste if you ever tried some before!
While in a cab along Jalan Tun Fuad Stephen to 1Borneo Hypermall, we saw this magnificent mosque near the sea. It is Kota Kinabalu City Mosque, the biggest mosque in KK that can accommodate 9,000 – 12,000 people.
From our hotel (King Park Hotel) at the city centre, it costs us RM 30/way to get to 1Borneo HyperMall, the first and largest lifestyle mall in East Malaysia. About the mall, if you need retail therapy, it is the place.
We dropped by a coffee cafe called Borneo 1945 Museum Kopitiam which is located on the ground floor of Borneo Backpackers. It’s run by a friendly Chinese couple. We asked the boss why it’s called Museum Kopitiam. He explained that the cafe does not have a museum in the precinct, it’s just that the location used to be a campsite for the Australian army during World War II.
There are articles and photos displayed on the wall, depicting the early days of Jesselton which is now known as Kota Kinabalu. The capital is also affectionately known as Api Api by the locals.
It’s quite interesting to see antique furniture, old artefacts, and even an old bicycle and a sewing machine displayed at one corner in the cafe.
The boss recommended us hot and cold Borneo White Coffee. They serve good traditional charcoal toasted bread too. A great place to sip in your coffee and relax in this rustic cafe that opens till late night.
*Borneo 1945*Museum Kopitiam.
Great sunset view over the sea. It’s only 6pm!
On the 4th day, we flew back Singapore by Malaysia Airlines. If you are planning for holidays now and searching for good airfare deals, check out MAS website for their special rates.
An aerial photo of Singapore on a cloudy day, unfortunately, else the view could be a lot nicer with tall buildings like paper model buildings all over the tiny island. It’s monsoon season now with frequent afternoon showers.
Read related posts: My first trip to Borneo | Filipino Night Market | Sapi island | Manukan island
The fish statues in Picture 2 are CUTE!
The pictures of durians reminds me of Richard Sterling (famous traveler & food critique). He described durian smell as pig-shit, turpentine and onions, garnished with a gym sock 🙂
I really LOVE to try out those red-fleshed durian (D. graveolens). These durians are known among the Kadazandusun community as sukang or tabelak.
Cheers!
mylo
You must have a good time there as we can see from the photos that looks great too ! I love this series of photos !
If I remember correctly, there is a free shuttle bus to 1 Borneo every hour or so. But I heard the bus is always crowded.
It’s been years now since my last visit to Sabah. Should go there one day
@Mylo: ya ya they are like CNY sponge cakes to me. lol
I heard about that before, as you say, he is just a food CRITIQUE. What a shame! LOL
@Bakeling: Yup! Quite an exotic experience for me since this is the first time I visited Borneo. 😀
@Borneo Falcon: U r the falcon in Borneo alright! 😀
Beautiful photos Eunice! Are they captured with your new camera?
Looks like a very rewarding trip for you eunice!
I’m also a durian lover. The so called ‘sabah durian’ looks good but I’m really wondering why would anyone want to eat if it is not tasty?! Or rather I should say why are there people selling it?!
Anyway thanks for showing us so many pictures!
now i miss seeing vintas! ill be in singapore from jan 6-7. excited to see the places that you’re posting.
@Cecil: Nope! I just bought Pentax KX (white!) last evening. 🙂 Still figuring out how to use it. 😛 Those shots above r taken using a compact digital camera + photoshop which plays a big part of it! lol
@dong ho: wow cool! Do let me know if u need help in planning for your itinerary in SG! What is vintas?
Hiya Eunice,
Love the Marlin Pic you have there. Every time I pass this little roundabout, I’m just headed to Kinabalu Park. Also, I have to say KK has one of the best sunrises and sunsets around Malaysia. (Yes, I should get cracking on my KK Postings….. gosh I’m so slacking this time of the year)
Regards,
David
The photos are spectacular. I haven’t even tried eating durian though we have it in the Philippines too. One of my girl friends loved it. But I do not like the smell eh.
@free: I read that the locals have some ways of cooking the red durian, like frying it with some condiments. I do see some patrons (who look like locals) eating them by the roadside. Also, curious tourists like us may want to try them too! LOL
@David: U often go KK? Agree that KK has beautiful sunset views. Ha! ya time to clear your backlogs!
@Marly: Er.. for the red durian, it’s tasteless to me! That’s why I thought non-durian lovers may like them. LOL
I used to in the last couple of years, many times without a camera too. Well, I should start again next year 🙂
David
I love eating durian! When I went home to the Philippines 3 months ago, I ate lots of them. This is the first time I’m looking at a red durian – so surprised! I’d be interested in eating this variety one day.
Nope, I have not even seen the real deal, let alone tried those red-fleshed durians.
finally—-a durian I can eat. too bad I have to fly to Borneo just to taste it.lol
ahhh… so u made it to 1Borneo, how was it? retail therapy? or maybe just look at ur wallet and say it’s ok to not buy anything… haha. Just went there for movie and food. That’s all…
So u found the kopitiam, really miss that place a lot… used to be my hangout place with my best buddies.. now they changed owner already but hopefully the taste is still unchanged.
Well, there are plenty of great spots away from KK… if u need any help for ur friends or urself for ur next sabah trip. Just let me know, there’s a lot of ppl i know that can assist u 🙂
@Davidjr: I c…
@Nomadic Pinoy: eeew I don’t like red durian. It doesn’t taste like durian at all.
@J2kfm: It was the first time I saw red durian too, that’s in KK.
@Antonio: haha so you don’t eat durian.
@henry: ha didn’t buy much… cos they aren’t cheaper than Singapore’s malls haha.
Huh you mean that museum cafe owner is a new one? cos it sounds like he has been running the cafe for a long time. The bread and coffee are good.
Thank you for all your KK tips!
omg.. red durian? i first time seeing that…
tasteless durian? haha… a big NO NO for me….
still love the thick taste durian… YUMSS…
hi eunice, thanks for sharing on KK – a place i visited a while back but especially keen to explore more of east malaysia. the red durian caught my interest – with it being tasteless, does it mean it doesn’t have the strong smell of normal durians too?
sabah durian looks interesting ..
Nice photos! I’m a Sabahan and i hate red durians! My favourite still goes to the ordinary durian. So yes, not all Sabahan eat “Sabah durian”..:)
hahaaa……those red durian indeed for making tempoyak…… a local permented food that we usually eat with rice(must freshly hot steam) and chillies……or fresh prawn cook with this tempoyak altogether big onion, chillies. once you taste it, you will never forget it….
Put watermark at the center of photo and reduce the opacity. People are stealing your photo.
@Prem: Yep I just did. Saw my photo on ‘Only In Malaysia” FB fanpage. I told the admin to remove it and I wonder if he will do that. Watermark was cropped away, no credit link to my blog … just put my name only after I told him it’s my photo.
wa nice^^ tq info.