Kota Kinabalu is the capital of Sabah and sits under the imposing 4,095M high Mount Kinabalu. I first went there in 1996 to climb Mount Kinabalu. To climb the mountain involved an overnight stay near the summit and getting a permit at National Parks in downtown Kota Kinabalu just over the road from the fish markets. I couldn’t get a bunk in Laban Rata guest house so I stayed the night with my porter at the old mountaineering hut much higher up. Kota Kinabalu was originally known as Jesselton and was set up by the British North Borneo Company. The name was changed to Kota Kinabalu in 1967. The fish market in the middle of town is always a hive of activity. An amazing range of fish and other seafood is always available and you can also get fresh cooked seafood. From the fish market you can take a 10 minute boat to a village on stilts over the water named Kampung Gaya. While walkin around town I came across some guys playing sepak takraw. Hard to describe the agility and acrobatics kicking a ball made from rotan over what looks like a volleyball court. It is like volleyball but using your feet not your hands.