On Day 8 of the Tour, we traveled from Kuching to Kota Kinabalu in Borneo’s other Malay state, Sabah.

The State of Sabah in the north of Borneo is also known as the “land below the wind”. Renowned for its rich biodiversity, it features Mount Kinabalu – the highest peak in Southeast Asia, tropical rainforests, coral reefs, and indigenous cultures, with Kota Kinabalu as its capital.

Human settlement in North Borneo can be traced back to 20,000–30,000 years ago. The state has had a trading relationship with China starting from the 14th century AD and came under the influence of the Bruneian Empire in the 14th and 15th centuries. The state was acquired by the British North Borneo Chartered Company in the 19th century. During World War II, North Borneo was occupied by the Japanese for three years and became a British Crown Colony in 1946. In 1963, the newly-renamed Sabah was granted self-governance by the British.

On the way to Kuching International Airport, 10 kms. from the Waterfront Hotel, we stopped for lunch at the Panda Thai Delight restaurant, specializing in authentic Thai cuisine and known for its variety of salads, soups, rice, and noodle dishes.

The Malaysian Airlines flight from Kuching to Kota Kinabalu took one hour and thirty minutes.

In addition to Selvam, our excellent main guide, a local guide met us at the Kota Kinabalu airport after we cleared immigration and collected our bags and drove us the 8.5 kms. to the Horizon Hotel, a 4-star, centrally located hotel in Kota Kinabalu, with 2 outdoor pools, 2 restaurants, and a fitness centre. The hotel is within walking distance to the Gaya Street Market – a popular, open-air market held every Saturday evening and Sunday morning and the waterfront. It has modern rooms with city or sea views, and a daily buffet breakfast.

We had a briefing by the local guide in the hotel bar before dinner.

A bottle of 2021 Montagne Noire Syrah by Cazes family of Chateau Lynch-Bages fame was uncorked. It was a 100% Syrah from the Languedoc IGP Pays d’Oc in the Minervois region, between Carcassonne and Narbonne and has had 12 months in French oak. It was deep red in colour but had dumb nose, lacked fruit and balance and was immensely forgettable! The ABV was 13%.

Despite light rain, the Saturday evening Gaya Street Market across the road from the hotel was in full swing.