Sarawak en Sabah

© Dirk Deckx (1995)

8. KOTA BELUD

...is very popular because of its 'Tamu', one of the biggest markets in Sabah, weekly on Sunday. The tiny and modest village suddenly turns into an immense colorful event. Especially vegetables, fruits, spices and medicine are traded here, but also cattle. Souvenir hunters will be disappointed because, in spite of hundreds of tourists, there are no handicrafts. Still some may show some interest in the manually made knives and swords in every size and weight. Buyers will have to bargain hard to get a good price. Prices should be between 30 and 90 RM.
It's a good idea to leave early in the morning because at 11 AM most stands close. At Sundays lots of minibuses leave from KK to Kota Belud. The meeting place is behind the cinema and the trip only costs 5 RM. The first ones leave at about 6.30 AM. The route is dominated by the impressive Mt. Kinabalu and crosses beautiful valleys (1.5 hour).
If you want to return to KK, you should go to the village center. Many minibuses leave here when they are full. The entire trip takes about half a day.