KK

In Malaysia there are “KK” and “KL.” “KL” is short for “Kuala Lumpur.” “KK is “Kota Kinabalu,” the capital of ( try saying that fast 3 times)the Sabah Province in Borneo. KK is known for nature and sunsets, although it is a bustling growing town. It is close to China, and there is a large Chinese influence here.

As we were only going to be here for two nights, we decided to splurge a bit, and use some points to book a room at “Le Meridian,” with a sea view. This is a Marriot property. Didn’t know that ahead of time Howard, or we would have looked at friends and family.

It was the most sumptuous room we’ve had thus far, located across from the night market on the shore, with a large room, and soft pillows and comforter. There was a fishing fleet out of our window, and we had a good view of the sunsets.

This must have been one of the hotspots to break the Ramadan fast, as the whole entry area had been reconfigured for the evening buffet. Folks were here in their finest, (as well as a few t-shirts).

The first night we headed out to find dinner and swung by the market on the way.

The next morning we scored free coffee going to the pool bar/resto area for breakfast. Here is Ellen looking thoughtfully out across the South China Sea.

For an activity, we decided to check out the Kota Kinabalu Wetland Ramsar Site, the single remaining vestige of Mangrove swamp in the area that was once almost entirely Mangroves. We saw a lot of crabs, some birds, and many Mangroves.

One would have thought we’d seen enough birds, but then it turns out that there was a rookery of Great Egrets in the trees below our room –

Tomorrow off to Sandakan.