Welcome to the second episode of my vacation in Kota Kinabalu.

This is actually my second visit to the city since 1998. That's exactly 10 years ago.





Obviously that time, there's no 1Borneo. Just some ordinary shopping centres.

I can't remember much of my previous trip to KK before as I was only Primary 2 that time!

So if I have over-reacted at some point in this entry, please forgive me for my sakai-ness.





Opened recently, 1Borneo is the biggest hypermall on the island of Borneo at 4.8 million square foot.





It is reputed to be the new era of lifestyle, fashion and entertainment for Borneans, it has everything from accessories, electronics, fashion for men and ladies to cosmetics as well as home deco and furnishing.





Not everything is completed yet though but according to a website, it will be before their official opening in the first half of 2009.

The 1Borneo Seaworld is still under construction. The underwater park is a walk-through aquarium which promises to showcase over 5,000 species of marine life.

Again, according to a website, I heard that they would be bringing in penguins.





It houses some of the most internationally and regionally-recognised brands such as French Connection, Calvin Klein, Mango, G2000, Esprit, Salabianca, Roxy, Guess and so on.





And what's great is that there are discounts all over.

Hey, it's the Malaysian Grand Sales! But too bad, I didn't buy any shirts. =(





Already making a huge success, another project called '1Sulaman' is gonna be set up as well.





Now that's really cool.

Truthfully, I haven't heard much about 1Borneo before I even went there.

I've read from advertisements about it in the newspapers before but still have no idea what it's like.

When I saw the real thing, my expression went from -.- to O.O!





From my arrival, already, I noticed 4 hotels there - Novotel, Mercure, Courtyard Hotel and the everything-also-have-to-charge Tune hotel. They are all quite decent and prestigious really, unlike Palm Garden and Riverview Hotel.





The Christmas decoration here is top class.

Already, from the outside, we saw giant Santa.





And then, walking to the center atrium, where events would usually take place, the christmas deco is even more fascinating.





All the Christmas trees here are huge! All the bright and colorful ornaments makes the Christmas trees there even more fancier.





There's no wonder why so many family came here to take picture of their kids with the Christmas decorations as the background. It's just like NBT.

Other than that, the toilets are spotless clean as well but you have to pay RM0.30 to enter.

I also realised that there's a small LCD screen on top of every urinal at the men's toilet. Who would've thought we'd be able to watch something while taking a piss, right? So high-tech.





Luckily what's featured on the LCD screen are advertisements. If porns are featured instead, I guess there's much more things to do than just taking a piss.

Now you know how fierce advertisements in KK are compared to Brunei.





Me and my family went there from 9.30am. At that time, most of the shops weren't open yet. We were stunned to see so many 'franchised' eateries and fast-food restaurants.

We first ate at The Chicken Rice Shop. Not surprisingly, only 1 or 2 tables were occupied that time as it was still early.





There are so many different meal sets at the menu. And they don't cost a bomb.

There's this Honey BBQ Chicken which is terrific.





Almost every meal set comes with this thing called Pai Tee.





And I don't even know what it is.

Normally when you go to a chicken rice shop, chicken rice is always the highlight of the menu, but here in The Chicken Rice Shop, almost everything are equally tasty.

Like this Pak Choy with Oyster sauce.





I didn't eat very full because there are other foods I would like to try as well.

There's this place inside called China Town selling some Chinese arts, calligraphies, some 'made in China' products and so on.





The place is quite deserted when we were there.

The workers there were just playing around with each other since there's no customers yet.





That place is huge really. It is divided into so many sections, from the cheap phone dangles to some expensive chinese arts.

The good thing about this place is that the staff or shopkeepers don't follow you everywhere you go, which means I am free to take as many pictures I want, touch as many things I like, or accidentally breaking some stuff without anyone noticing.





I'm really impressed by this China Town. It's so big inside and there is a China 'feel' inside that place. Get what I mean?

I found this wooden scroll lying around. Inscribed on it is some very very meaningful poem. After reading it, I guess I've found my true self, and finally understood the principle of life.





There are several spelling mistakes in the inscription. After days of finding the rightful meaning and spelling, I've finally figured it out.

The last few sentences must have been this: "What's the best thing in the world? Your family and our friends' ass are most reliable. Just do things properly with the same tempo and must have good humor. Then you can love yourself, and don't worry."

Anyone thinks my ass is reliable?





Out of the ordinary, I found Predator in China Town!





I have no idea what he is doing here in China Town anyway.

I also found out Singapore's very own Bee Cheng Hiang is here in 1Borneo as well. This is the shop which has truly made me go WOW!





I went to the shop happily hoping to buy home some BBQ pork strips, but too bad, it has all gone out of stock. Must come here during the end of the month. =.=

My second meal of the day is at Manhattan Fish Market.





I heard this is a very well known fish & chips eatery, but it seems like business wasn't so good on that day, because there's no customer or perhaps it's 3pm already at that time.

I ordered the Pacific Dory Fish & Chips.





I would say the fish is very fresh, but somehow, I don't find it so delicious. At RM16.90, still, it's worth a try though.

After that, I saw my brudder at the Nike shop.





Hmmm.. He's seems so happy that he had forgotten to layan me.

On the top floor, the Malaysian cinema-chain Golden Screen Cinemas is there as well.





And there are 8 theatres altogether. Isn't that a lot?

And also not to forget, there's also Tune department store, selling household items are relatively affordable prices.

We then decided to go Warisan Sqaure and left 1Borneo at around 5.30pm.

On the way there, I saw a orange Lamborghini!





But too bad it is driven by an 'uncle'.

I didn't take much pictures at Warisan Square.

I found out Fratini is there as well.





Didn't know Fratini is that successful.

Also, I tried cakes at Secret Recipe for the first time.





This is the Chocolate Cheese cake I ordered. It was goooood!

Why isn't there any Secret Recipe in Brunei yet?

I also wanted to try San Francisco Coffee, but I was too full to try their coffees that time.



San Francisco Coffee changed name to An Ancisco Coff.

Unfortunately, I didn't stay in KK very long. I only had 1 full day for shopping.

It feels great to have been to 1Borneo already, but my overall regret is that I didn't buy any shirts. Actually I did bought 1, but I guess it wasn't enough.





So you see, it is clear that 1Borneo and Warisan Square is heaps better than any shopping mall in Brunei.

If a lifestyle shopping mall is gonna open in Brunei, what's it gonna be called?

1Brunei?
___________________________________________________________________
:: Posted by DENCORPORATION at 12:31 AM |

<< Home