Wednesday, August 29, 2012

The KK Diaries: Mistaken Identity and the Sunday Market Madness

Day 3 - Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia

Dear Diary,

I woke up alone inside the room. Everyone's already up. The aircon was still running, making it more difficult to wake up. I was *THIS* close to go back to bed and sleep the entire day. But I tried to muster enough strength to carry my body; my weight triples every morning and I still don't know the science behind it.

Sunday Market Jalan Gaya at Kota Kinabalu
Jalan Gaya - closed every Sunday to give way to KK's Sunday Market. Opens from 7AM 'til 1PM.

After splashing my face with icy cold water, I went to the lounge, only to find the caretaker putting some fresh fruits on the table. I sat, grabbed a few oranges, prepared a glass of cold water and turned on the TV. While watching NatGeo Wild, the caretaker poked me and asked in pidgin English, "Want some more? You can drink coffee here."

"Oh, how thoughtful of you. Thank you! But I prefer drinking this," I politely replied.

"Don't be shy, okay? Just help yourself!"

"Alright, thank you!", I chimed.

Why she's talking in English to me, diary? Well, I wasn't sure. Maybe she's Malaysian. Or whatever.

As I went to the water dispenser to refill my drink, I peered at the window and was surprised to see numerous blue tents along the street. And I remembered what Brenna told us yesterday that every Sunday, the whole stretch of Jalan Gaya is closed in order to give way to the Sunday Market.

After a few rounds of toasted bread and Facebook breaks, Brenna and I decided to explore the innards of KK's Sunday Market.

Like any other street markets, KK's Sunday Market offers a lot of goods - herbs and spices, vegetables, fruits, sunglasses, keychains, souvenir shirts, food and drinks and even puppies and cats! Hence, the place was really crowded and I honestly hated it. But you know what? As much as I hate squeezing my scrawny self in the crowd, it made me miss my country. Well, nothing beats Manila's notorious rush hour - you need to literally rub your shoulders and knees and hips and butt (WTF?) to everyone!

Sunday Market Jalan Gaya at Kota Kinabalu

Sunday Market Jalan Gaya at Kota Kinabalu

Sunday Market Jalan Gaya at Kota Kinabalu


Nah, so much for that madness. I just hate crowded places. That's all, tinkyubirimats.

After touring the whole stretch of Jalan Gaya, I managed to buy a fake Ray-Ban Wayfarer shades. Original price was 30 ringgits but managed to buy it for only 27 ringgits. I should have asked for a lower price though. #noob.

I had a quick chitchat with the Filipina caretaker when I got back at Sensi. In the middle of our conversation, the other caretaker, whom I thought was Malaysian, overheard us and was stunned.

"Hala, Pilipino ka pala! Dapat hindi ako mag-English sa iyo! Akala ko kasi Turko ka!" (Oh, you're a Filipino! I should not speak English to you! I thought you're Turkish!)

I smiled. I have not shaved for like three days already and my five o' clock shadow had got thicker. Pwede na pala akong maging spy ng CIA nito. My beard allows me to hide my true identity. What the. HAHAHA that actually made my day.

Sunday Market Jalan Gaya at Kota Kinabalu


Sunday Market Jalan Gaya at Kota Kinabalu


Later that day, we planned to explore the City Mosque located at the northern part of the city, the Aquamarine museum near Universiti Sabah Malaysia and wait for the beautiful KK sunset at the Waterfront ('coz we missed yesterday's sunset).

Stay tuned.

Adios!

____________________

Read more of my Kota Kinabalu adventures here!

17 comments:

  1. <3 the new blog theme.

    We're disheartened to see cats and dogs in cages. Kaka awa sila.

    Waa, buti pa diyan merong Pasar Pagi (morning market), d2 sa peninsular mostly night market lang.

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    Replies
    1. Talaga? Although feeling ko mas masaya ang night market! :D Gonna explore West Malaysia soon!

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    2. ...naks, did i hear west malaysia? dami ngang pasar malam dito :)

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    3. Oh yes, Doc Gelo, balwarte mo! :))

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  2. Ay, Pilipino ka pala? Kala ko rin Turko ka na nagtatagalog lang :P

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  3. ha ha ha ha I remembered when my mom & I went to Bangkok in 2009, I bought bottled water in a convenience store and the staff was talking to me in Thai and I just smiled back. When I finally paid and said thank you they laugh and asked me "no thai ... no thai" I answered no I'm Filipino (proud pinoy) he he he he

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    Replies
    1. Sir Ricky! Chinito ka kasi! Kaya napagkamalan ka na Thai. Hehehehe

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  4. Just when I finally have the time to do some catching up with your blogs, I find out that you went to Kota Kinabalu. Whaaaaatttt! Avid reader of your blogs from Kota Kinabalu here! Glad to know that you enjoyed the whole trip. Can't wait for Day 4!

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    Replies
    1. Hi Katrina! Still have to blog about Day 3!!! Stay tuned. And oh, I really enjoyed KK, will definitely go back there!

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  5. miss the sunday market in KK. sulit na sulit ang pera mo dahil ang dami mong mabibili specially yung fruits nila. baon namin yun nung nag island hop kami hehehe

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    Replies
    1. Hahaha! oonga eh! Buti nalang nasa Jalan Gaya ang Sensi... kaya madali lang puntahan ang Sunday Market.

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  6. "Pwede na pala akong maging spy ng CIA nito. My beard allows me to hide my true identity." -- natawa naman ako. looks like you did have a lot of fun in KK! :)

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  7. Hahaha. Ayyy..Turko ka pala! Pa-56 ka naman. LOL

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