The Procession And A Swordfish

Posted by : foongpc | Thursday, May 14, 2009 | Published in

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After enjoying my walk along the busy Gaya Street, I decided to head over to the Central Market to find that elusive tarap fruit.

If you have read my post on the tarap fruit, you would have already knew my story.

Along the way, I passed by this orange colour building on Jalan Pantai.



It's The Town Inn, a budget hotel for shoe string travelers. The building stood out because of its colour. Its location is pretty good as it's very near to the famous Gaya Street.

Walking towards the Waterfront, I passed by Hyatt Regency Kinabalu, where our Prime Minister Dato' Seri Najib Razak stayed last week during his trip to KK for a walkabout to meet the traders at the Waterfront markets.

From the hotel, I could see the ikan todak (sword fish) in the middle of a roundabout ahead.



This sword fish is a famous landmark in KK. It is located along Jalan Tun Fuad Stephens near the Segama Waterfront.

But, wait! There's a policeman there! What was the policeman doing there?

Only then I realised there was some kind of procession going on along the main road. The policeman was there to divert the traffic.



A marching band!



What instruments were that? I think they were tubas.



I only took photos from the back as I was just too lazy to walk up to the front in the hot sun to take pictures.



There were many policemen in uniforms around. I wondered what occasion was that all about.

Only much later, when I came back from my KK trip, did I googled about the event and found out that it was a rehearsal for an upcoming "Freedom Of Entry To City" event organised by the Kota Kinabalu City Hall (DBKK) and the Royal Malaysian Navy (RMN) on April 18th.

Anyway, I was not very satisfied with the pictures I took of the sword fish. So I went back the next day and took this photo.



The fish looks very much better at this angle, no?

What happened next was a visit to the Central Market to search for the tarap fruit which you would have already read. If not, you are welcome to read it here.

After I left Central Market, I was so thirsty I decided to get myself a drink somewhere. Passing by this coconut stall, I decided to drink coconut water!



This stall was located at the fruit market near the Filipino handicraft market.



This is my coconut drink. It was quite huge and at only RM2.50, I thought that it was pretty cheap! They also provided a spoon for me to scrape at those flesh inside the coconut, but I did not bother to do so. I just wanted to relief my thirst, and boy, was I relieved!

It was close to noon time by then. After all those walking the whole morning, I was hungry. I decided to stop by this Hong Kong char chan teng (restaurant) for lunch before going for my proboscis monkey tour at 1pm.

The Sin Wang Hong Kong Restaurant is located at the ground floor of Warisan Square.

I ordered the sweet and sour fish meal with rice and omelette. And a glass of ice cold Chinese tea.



I thought the food was pretty good! At RM11.90, it was reasonably priced.



After this satisfying lunch, I returned to my lodge and rested for a while before I got ready for my next trip to see the proboscis monkeys. Was my holiday fun? You bet!

Coming up next - My Manukan Island Trip

FIRST COMMENTER

(72) Comments

  1. Monica said...

    chop!

    May 14, 2009 at 12:52 AM
  2. Monica said...

    the coconut is so cheap eh ;-) oh u went to Manukan Island!!!

    May 14, 2009 at 1:05 AM
  3. foongpc said...

    monica, congrats for being FC today! Yes, pretty cheap yes? And yes, I went to Manukan on my last day in KK. It's a must-go place! : )

    May 14, 2009 at 1:09 AM
  4. Monica said...

    yeah that's the most famous island in Sabah I guess; it's beautiful and romantic!!! :-)

    May 14, 2009 at 1:16 AM
  5. foongpc said...

    You can say that again! It's really beautiful. I love it there! : )

    May 14, 2009 at 1:21 AM
  6. Neo said...

    Wah, nice sword fish!

    I wonder can bid for tarap fruit on lelong or ebay? lol.

    May 14, 2009 at 1:27 AM
  7. foongpc said...

    neo, haha! I don't think so, but maybe you can check it out and let me know, yes? : )

    May 14, 2009 at 1:30 AM
  8. ladyviral said...

    Wow really cheap coconut! Was it sweet? RM11:90 :o Ok that is quite expensive imo. But it looks like there was ALOT of fish in it!

    Hmm by chance you can tell why the swordfish is the landmark of that place? hee~

    May 14, 2009 at 1:33 AM
  9. foongpc said...

    ladyviral, yes coconut really cheap! Cannot find this price in KL!

    The dish RM11.90 is comparable to similar dish in KL except that in KL, the portion will be smaller.

    Err.. not sure why the swordfish is used as the landmark there. Too lazy to find out... Haha!

    May 14, 2009 at 1:40 AM
  10. Robo said...

    Foong,
    Now I'm only realize that the fun to travel alone! Look at the nice trip you have at KK. Honestly, I miss KK....and also the fish noodle at Gaya street...:)
    Cheers!

    May 14, 2009 at 1:47 AM
  11. Mariuca said...

    Long time edi no chop here Foong! :(

    May 14, 2009 at 2:45 AM
  12. Mariuca said...

    The pictures look really clear Foong! Not to mention yummy lol! :)

    May 14, 2009 at 2:48 AM
  13. Mariuca said...

    I can see MD here Foong. The paid ads will appear on your ec on top of the usual ec ads like MD today. They take turns appearing on the widget. :)

    May 14, 2009 at 2:51 AM
  14. Pete said...

    Would love to fish one of these sword fish one day!

    May 14, 2009 at 2:54 AM
  15. Ayie said...

    That sword fish is a remarkable landmark! Good thing you took some more pictures with a better view.

    I love fresh coconut (can finish 1!), and you didn't eat the meat? Foong, that's the best part! Oh well, you're just thirsty and perhaps...lazy! lol

    Your meal looks yumyum, now I'm thinking of cooking that! Oh yes, later for dinner!

    May 14, 2009 at 3:57 AM
  16. Tekkaus said...

    Still can't find the enigmatic Trap fruit heh? ha :D

    What you went there again to snap the swordfish photo? Wow! You are full of zest huh? very pro wor.

    May 14, 2009 at 4:49 AM
  17. Tekkaus said...

    War...coconut so big just RM2.50? You should buy a few and bring one back for me mah!

    You holiday fun? I bet? RM50?

    Haha :D From your blog, you surely had a ball of time huh!

    I wonder when I can go on a trip alone. But my wife won't let me to. =/

    May 14, 2009 at 4:51 AM
  18. Angie Tan said...

    Sabah looks like a pleasant place to visit.

    Nice pics by the way!

    May 14, 2009 at 6:28 AM
  19. ladyviral said...

    lol. Well, near my office there is this guy who sells coconut for RM2.50 too. A Whole coconut!

    Yes, KL food expensive and less >_<.

    May 14, 2009 at 8:03 AM
  20. lina said...

    how to chop if you post in the bewitching hour. Sleep oredi! :D

    Why is the Todak fish put at the roundabout? I want to know the story!!!

    May 14, 2009 at 8:26 AM
  21. Anonymous

    I echo Lina's comment..hehhe. And what's the story with the Todak fish?

    I can't view the images right now (fr office) :(

    Over in Sandakan they have animal statues in roundabouts too. It must be an 'in' thing in East Msia.

    May 14, 2009 at 8:35 AM
  22. Superman said...

    What a leisure morning you had there. Nice to walk around the town. Eat and drink whenever you wanted to.

    May 14, 2009 at 8:55 AM
  23. khengsiong said...

    Never know of the swordfish.

    Regarding the swordfish pictures, I think it looks better if the background is the sea rather than shops.

    May 14, 2009 at 8:58 AM
  24. nic

    hi foong foong.. ooo.. the swordfish very gaya~

    May 14, 2009 at 9:10 AM
  25. Che-Cheh said...

    Ohmygod now I miss KK even more.

    Can't wait for your Manukan trip. Wonder whether you island hop or just Manukan.

    May 14, 2009 at 9:23 AM
  26. LifeRamblings said...

    the swordfish looks gorgeous.

    and i want the coconut drink to quench my thirst too. aisehman, you only bought one? :(

    May 14, 2009 at 9:36 AM
  27. JL said...

    You must have planned for this trip quite carefully. I think all the swordfish pics were ok, it depends on what subjects you want in the pic.

    May 14, 2009 at 9:41 AM
  28. amei79 said...

    swordfish found one at labuan airport too. fren keep asking me if wanna join them...climb the KK mountain end of Aug09...still thinking ^ ^

    May 14, 2009 at 11:16 AM
  29. iamthewitch said...

    We can get coconut drink in Penang for RM2.50 too! :) If you're lucky, even RM2 is possible. :) Oh I'm looking forward to your Manukan Island post. I went there almost 9 years ago. I wonder if anything has changed. :)

    May 14, 2009 at 11:51 AM
  30. HEALTH NUT WANNABEE MOM said...

    What fun with the coconut drink and huge swordfish. So jealous that I could not be there to see it myself:)

    May 14, 2009 at 1:00 PM
  31. Anonymous

    Now I can view your photos..hehe. I like the 1st angle better. The food looks yummy :)

    The animal statues in Sandakan are sponsored by local tour operators coz lack of funds from the local council.

    May 14, 2009 at 1:02 PM
  32. Merryn said...

    wow... the swordfish kan.. if a bird accidentally flew its way there, sure die one! dangerous! LOL!

    May 14, 2009 at 1:40 PM
  33. Perky said...

    Man... after reading about your holiday trip, I pun gatal wanna take off from work & go vacation :P

    The coconut pic made me drool coz it's super hot & bright right now that a coconut would be yummy to quench my thirst. lol!

    May 14, 2009 at 2:24 PM
  34. fufu said...

    yeah..nice!! i just back from kk last mth... already miss kk very much now

    May 14, 2009 at 3:30 PM
  35. [SK] said...

    sure you have fun.. nice place, nice view, nice food, nice people.. what else you ask for?? hehe :p

    May 14, 2009 at 3:42 PM
  36. Ciela said...

    The place is very impressive as can be seen in those striking photos. The food looks great too! Yummy!

    I really wish to be there someday!

    May 14, 2009 at 4:33 PM
  37. DC said...

    There are more veggies than fish meat~ but looks nice to eat...

    May 14, 2009 at 4:52 PM
  38. Anonymous

    wow nice orange building!! haha..
    marching band? yeap, the back line consists of tuba players.. haha..
    woo..the food...yummy! =D

    May 14, 2009 at 6:41 PM
  39. Anonymous

    eeshh..
    you make me feel like traveling now..haha.. =D

    May 14, 2009 at 6:42 PM
  40. Borneo Falcon said...

    The swordfish still look in good condition after all this years

    May 14, 2009 at 7:14 PM
  41. jam said...

    You took it really well, Foong!

    May 14, 2009 at 8:09 PM
  42. Bengbeng said...

    looks like i have to cheat to b first commentor. next time sms me immediately after u post hahahahahahahaahhahahaahah

    keep up the KK posts. enjoying it

    May 14, 2009 at 8:34 PM
  43. lina said...

    bengbeng,
    or better still, ask him to send SMS when he is about to press the publish button. LOL

    May 14, 2009 at 9:06 PM
  44. foongpc said...

    robo, thanks for dropping by! Why don't you go visit KK again since you miss it so much? : )

    mariuca, thanks! Oh, so the paid ads and member ads take turns to appear on a given day? OK, that's not so bad then : )

    pete, haha! But be careful of the swordfish - heard it can kill! : )

    May 15, 2009 at 12:03 AM
  45. foongpc said...

    ayie, I normally eat the coconut flesh too but not that time. Just wanted to cure my thirst!

    I always like sweet and sour fish dish! That's why I ordered that dish. Hope you cooked one for your dinner! : )

    May 15, 2009 at 12:12 AM
  46. foongpc said...

    tekkaus, actually I'm not so full of zest lah. Just that the next day on my way to take the boat to Manukan Island, I passed by this swordfish again. Haha!

    Bring back coconuts to KL then travel to Melaka to give to you? Too much work, lah! haha! Besides, I'm sure you also have coconuts in Melaka selling at this price, no? From what I know, food in Melaka is quite cheap compared to KL.

    Your wife won't let you or you don't want to leave your wife? Aiya, bring her along for the holidays lah! : )

    May 15, 2009 at 12:12 AM
  47. foongpc said...

    angie tan, thanks! It's indeed a lovely place for holidays! : )

    ladyviral, really? Where in KL? Is the coconut as big as the one I had in KK?

    lina, haha! Sorry miss chopping my blog. There are times when I post in the morning, so you will always get your chance lah! Want to know the story of the ikan todak? Go google it! I tried but could not get anything. Maybe we should ask our KK friends : )

    May 15, 2009 at 12:22 AM
  48. foongpc said...

    mei teng, must be the 'in' thing to have animals statues in the middle of roundabouts there! I hope to visit Sandakan one day! : )

    superman, yes I enjoyed myself! : )

    khengsiong, I guess you are right, that's why so many tourist brochures have photos with the sea as the background. Well, maybe it's better I take from another angle otherwise it'll be the same as those photos in brochures! : )

    May 15, 2009 at 12:27 AM
  49. foongpc said...

    nic, haha! No longer on Gaya Street lah! : )

    che-cheh, no time to island hop, so just went Manukan which was the most recommended island to visit : )

    life ramblings, drink one coconut enough to quench my thirst lah! How many you want me to drink? Too full, cannot eat lunch lah! : )

    May 15, 2009 at 12:30 AM
  50. foongpc said...

    JL, well not really. I plan as I go along. But of course, doing nothing in the plane flying from KL to KK, I used that time to plan what I want to do in KK. Though I already have a rough idea where I wanted to visit weeks before the trip : )

    All the photos of the swordfish is OK? Well, actually the subject I want in the photo is the swordfish! LOL!

    amei79, there's a swordfish at Labuan Airport too? I think you should join your friends to climb Mt Kinabalu as long as you are fit enough or else you start training yourself now! : )

    May 15, 2009 at 12:36 AM
  51. foongpc said...

    iamthewitch, wow! coconuts so cheap in Penang? No wonder Penang is a food paradise! Haha! You've been to Manukan 9 years ago? That's so long ago! Will be posting about it soon : )

    health nut wannabee mom, start planning for a holiday in Malaysia and you can stop being jealous! : )

    mei teng, did you by any chance, took photos of those animal statues in Sandakan?

    May 15, 2009 at 12:40 AM
  52. foongpc said...

    merryn, haha! I think the birds are smart enough to avoid that deadly "sword" of the swordfish! : )

    perky, go for a holiday! Yeah, the coconut drink is what I need now too!! : )

    bluedreamer27, thanks for the award! Will check it out! : )

    May 15, 2009 at 12:43 AM
  53. foongpc said...

    fufu, you just came back last month? About the same time as me! Yes, I'm missing KK too : (

    SK, haha! Maybe I should ask for a not so hot weather, then it'll be perfect! : )

    tita beng, it's a nice place and the food is nice. Well, come over and visit Malaysia! : )

    May 15, 2009 at 12:47 AM
  54. foongpc said...

    DC, it tastes as good as it looks! : )

    kenwooi, you play musical instruments? Seem to know the name. Well, why don't you go travel? Then blog about it - I would love to read about your travels! : )

    borneo falcon, well maybe they take care of it and maintain it well. They have to as it is a famous landmark, right? : )

    May 15, 2009 at 12:51 AM
  55. foongpc said...

    jam, took what really well? Oh, do you mean the photos? Thanks! I'm still a novice at photography. So will need to learn from professionals like you : )

    bengbeng, haha! You just gotta try your luck. I can't play cheat like this, otherwise everyone will ask me to sms them before I publish a new post! LOL! Btw, glad you enjoy my KK posts. I enjoy all your posts, but I have to admit you post so many in one day, I have serious trouble catching up! : )

    lina, haha! I think that would take the fun out of this FC game! : )

    May 15, 2009 at 12:57 AM
  56. Ayie said...

    Hi foong, wasn't able to cook will save it for the weekends. I also love that dish, we always order that in chinese restaurant and mom cooks that too. Had to go to carwash and we ended up eating in fastfood. =D

    May 15, 2009 at 3:51 AM
  57. iWalk said...

    When you are looking for something, You always can find more interesting things on the way. :)

    Very interesting trip, foongpc.

    May 15, 2009 at 10:35 AM
  58. Faisal Admar said...

    i love coconut... a lot! the food is tempting :)

    to me marching is boring but if they are models... then it might be different haha :P

    May 15, 2009 at 11:16 AM
  59. Anonymous

    Foong, I didn't photograph those statues as I was in the moving vehicle passing through the roundabouts. They have a croc and orangutan and something else which I have forgotten..in Sandakan town.

    May 15, 2009 at 11:37 AM
  60. Irenelim said...

    I am now so tempted to taste and try that mysterious tarap fruit... but can't get anywhere else other than KK, how la...???

    Help help, I want TARAP FRUIT!

    May 15, 2009 at 12:21 PM
  61. eastcoastlife said...

    RM1.90 for that plate of rice! That's economical.

    I also want to try tarap fruit.

    May 15, 2009 at 3:47 PM
  62. Johnny Ong said...

    a blogger is a blogger. everything in details and nothing's too small for a blogger ... incl a coconut

    May 15, 2009 at 10:17 PM
  63. bluedreamer27 said...

    it might be weird for you but i never had a chance to see a live swordfish
    but i love their taste
    and your right it was good for a sweet and sour dish
    yummy
    just dropping by here again have a great day and happy blogging

    May 16, 2009 at 1:36 AM
  64. Tekkaus said...

    It's me again! You guys FC right? I wonder if they'll come up with LC? Last commenter? Because I always can't be FC so be LC I believe I have more potential! Ha :D

    May 16, 2009 at 2:55 AM
  65. HappySurfer said...

    RM2.50 for a coconut is cheap. Over here, it's no less than RM3.50 now. I love fresh coconut and the flesh that comes with it. Yum!

    May 18, 2009 at 1:37 PM
  66. HappySurfer said...

    Foong, noticed the additional stories widget you have at the end of each post. Great for driving traffic as well as giving new readers a chance to read your archives. But noticed that the earlier posts do not carry this feature. Is it not auto across the blog?

    May 18, 2009 at 1:41 PM
  67. HappySurfer said...

    Yep! Better picture of the swordfish. Effort not wasted. LOL!

    May 18, 2009 at 1:43 PM
  68. foongpc said...

    ayie, well, next time then : )

    iWalk, I think you are right. When we look for something, somehow we'll find other more interesting things along the way : )

    faisal, yeah the coconut and the food are nice! So marching models are OK with you? : )

    May 19, 2009 at 12:04 AM
  69. foongpc said...

    mei teng, I see. Interesting! : )

    irenelim, haha! I think you can find tarap fruit in a lot of places in Sabah, not just in KK. But my friend told me it's harder and harder to find tarap fruits because they are being replaced with palm oil trees which yield better profits.

    eastcoastlife, you read wrongly. It's RM11.90, not RM1.90! Wow, if only it's RM1.90! I would eat double. Haha!

    May 19, 2009 at 12:07 AM
  70. foongpc said...

    johnny ong, haha! I guess you are right! : )

    bluedreamer27, you've eaten swordfish before? Gosh, I haven't! How does it taste like? Ooh, I love the sweet and sour fish dish - absolutely yummy!

    tekkaus, haha! I don't think there'll ever be an LC (Last Commenter) cos all the earlier commenters would try to comment again so that they appear to be the last commenter. LOL!

    May 19, 2009 at 12:11 AM
  71. foongpc said...

    happysurfer, I like to eat the flesh whenever I drink the coconuts too, but not on that day.

    Regarding the additional stories link at the end of the post, yes they appear on every post, even the older posts. You just got to wait for a while for them to appear.

    Glad you like the last photo of that swordfish! : )

    May 19, 2009 at 12:17 AM
  72. Caroline said...

    hahahaha! tarap fruit lots eh at my grandma's orchard. ;p btw u went to which place for proboscis monkey? klias thr? the coconut at jalan tuaran thr cheaper and u can taste the coconut pudding as well. ;)

    March 25, 2010 at 4:16 PM