...in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia.
"So, how long are you going to be in KK?" Sean asked. "Well, it depends on the company's requirement. But I think we will probably stay for 2 years or less before the company post me back to KL." I replied. "You sure? Most people come here, fall in love with KK and never leave." Sean laughed.
This was in mid 2002. I had just been transferred to Kota Kinabalu from Kuching, Sarawak. The wife and I were looking for a house to stay. Sean had just graduated from an overseas university and was helping out with his mother's real estate agency. He had shown us the city and places that were available. Although KK had developed since my last stay in 1979, my impression of the city had not changed.
In 1979, KK town (it was still a town) was relatively backward. The town was dirty with rubbish and immigrants everywhere. Walking in the central market area was like being in another country; there were hardly any locals. Back then, electrical blackouts were a daily occurrence, even in the major hotels. (Then again, there were hardly any major hotels). I remembered we were staying in this hotel and Man U was playing against some team in the final. RTM had it on live telecast. The last ten minutes of the game were exciting and several goals were scored by both teams. For us at the hotel, it was doubly exciting as the power went out no less than three times during the ten minutes. I think we missed two goals. Clean water was a precious commodity as taps were dry most times. Coming from Kuala Lumpur, the food then in KK was hardly palatable and prices outrageous. Service and workmanship was so bad that one could get married and have a newborn before they finish renovating the kitchen. So I was sceptical when Sean said we would fall in love with KK. What is the guy thinking about? Must have had an overdose of homesickness after being overseas for a while. I told the wife so.
The wife, meanwhile, was suitably impressed with KK. The city was awash in colours with flowers and trees in full bloom. Tourists were walking about in the city. The streets were generally clean and litter-free. At the central market, immigrants were still there but locals out numbered them. The air was clear and windy. The sea around the waterfront was blue and boats were busy moving people to the islands. "I think I'm going to like KK." she said. "Wait till you stay a while longer..." I muttered, still pessimistic.
We managed to find an old apartment in a quiet neighbourhood overlooking part of the city at a suburb called Luyang. The place had seen better times, but there were much greenery and air was cool. Also, the sunset view was awesome. Down the slope and across the main road was the Luyang commercial centre with wet market and shops. The city centre was five minutes away by car. Very convenient for the wife.
Over the next few years, the city and Sabah proceed to endear themselves to us. We got used to the wide open space feeling and jam-free roads. We could leave the house at 6.45pm and arrive at the cinema in the city centre in time for the 7.00pm show. People were more friendly and road manners were more civil than most places in Malaysia. With nature practically at the doorsteps, we enjoyed becoming more adventurous. One could drive for an hour from the city and be up in the alpine atmosphere at Mt. Kinabalu. Another hour or so to the south would bring us to whitewater rafting. Further south and we would be in wetlands country. If we prefer the beaches, a 15 minutes' boat ride from the city jetty would find us at one of the nice islands. There are also nice beaches at the city but then, people are spoilt for choice. Needless to say, there is no crowded beaches, even on public holidays. We learned to dive and that open up another world to see. Actually, KK is about the cheapest place to learn SCUBA diving. Tourists come from around the world to get their certified dive training and then proceed to places like Sipadan Island to enjoy the underwater beauty. Yessir, I do believe there are not many places that can rival KK in terms of accessibility to nature, none in Malaysia anyway. We even bought ourselves a house that was being completed. "It will be ready in a year's time. You will be living just next to Sutera Harbour Resort," or so the real estate agent told us.
Of course, not all had changed. Service and workmanship were still slow. (One could still find a job, buy a house and work for four years while waiting for it to be completed). Electrical blackouts were still occurring, though far between. The food was much better and varied but still pricey. Interestingly, fresh seafood and vegetables were cheap. Ah yes, they were really fresh. Vegetables and fish tasted much better. People actually packed fresh seafood back to Kuala Lumpur after visiting KK. There was even a shop at the airport that sold and packed fresh seafood to passengers departing KK.
When one is enjoying it, time passes too fast. Three and a half years after I arrived, we had to leave to go work in Kuala Lumpur. The wife was not at all pleased to leave KK. There were plans to retire in KK. What happened to them? Can't we stay a little longer? The house that we bought is going to be ready. But it was time for me to move on. Things were not going as planned for me in the company. Besides, the new company at KL promise a career advancement in my profession.
"Perhaps someday, we could come back to stay in KK," I muttered as the plane banked left and flew over Gaya Island on the way to KL.
The wife, meanwhile, was suitably impressed with KK. The city was awash in colours with flowers and trees in full bloom. Tourists were walking about in the city. The streets were generally clean and litter-free. At the central market, immigrants were still there but locals out numbered them. The air was clear and windy. The sea around the waterfront was blue and boats were busy moving people to the islands. "I think I'm going to like KK." she said. "Wait till you stay a while longer..." I muttered, still pessimistic.
We managed to find an old apartment in a quiet neighbourhood overlooking part of the city at a suburb called Luyang. The place had seen better times, but there were much greenery and air was cool. Also, the sunset view was awesome. Down the slope and across the main road was the Luyang commercial centre with wet market and shops. The city centre was five minutes away by car. Very convenient for the wife.
Over the next few years, the city and Sabah proceed to endear themselves to us. We got used to the wide open space feeling and jam-free roads. We could leave the house at 6.45pm and arrive at the cinema in the city centre in time for the 7.00pm show. People were more friendly and road manners were more civil than most places in Malaysia. With nature practically at the doorsteps, we enjoyed becoming more adventurous. One could drive for an hour from the city and be up in the alpine atmosphere at Mt. Kinabalu. Another hour or so to the south would bring us to whitewater rafting. Further south and we would be in wetlands country. If we prefer the beaches, a 15 minutes' boat ride from the city jetty would find us at one of the nice islands. There are also nice beaches at the city but then, people are spoilt for choice. Needless to say, there is no crowded beaches, even on public holidays. We learned to dive and that open up another world to see. Actually, KK is about the cheapest place to learn SCUBA diving. Tourists come from around the world to get their certified dive training and then proceed to places like Sipadan Island to enjoy the underwater beauty. Yessir, I do believe there are not many places that can rival KK in terms of accessibility to nature, none in Malaysia anyway. We even bought ourselves a house that was being completed. "It will be ready in a year's time. You will be living just next to Sutera Harbour Resort," or so the real estate agent told us.
Of course, not all had changed. Service and workmanship were still slow. (One could still find a job, buy a house and work for four years while waiting for it to be completed). Electrical blackouts were still occurring, though far between. The food was much better and varied but still pricey. Interestingly, fresh seafood and vegetables were cheap. Ah yes, they were really fresh. Vegetables and fish tasted much better. People actually packed fresh seafood back to Kuala Lumpur after visiting KK. There was even a shop at the airport that sold and packed fresh seafood to passengers departing KK.
When one is enjoying it, time passes too fast. Three and a half years after I arrived, we had to leave to go work in Kuala Lumpur. The wife was not at all pleased to leave KK. There were plans to retire in KK. What happened to them? Can't we stay a little longer? The house that we bought is going to be ready. But it was time for me to move on. Things were not going as planned for me in the company. Besides, the new company at KL promise a career advancement in my profession.
"Perhaps someday, we could come back to stay in KK," I muttered as the plane banked left and flew over Gaya Island on the way to KL.
Good job daddy!!
ReplyDeleteIts your first post!! Congratulations!! And I definitely enjoyed reading it. I look forward for the foreseeable posts ya. =)
Uncle Gan!!
ReplyDeleteI totally agree with LiEan. Really enjoyed reading your post. Reminds me of my 2-week stay with you guys in Jan 2005. Hopefully I will be able to enjoy your gracious hospitality again in the near future! =)