Kota Kinabalu, Borneo

Monday, March 07, 2011: Kota Kinabalu

Another marvelous island in the off the bow as we awoke. And this one we visit.  I had never heard of Kota Kinabalu or the state of Sabah until we came here; although I had heard of Borneo and Malaysia.  Borneo was a British territory until WW II when it underwent Japanese occupation.  In 1963 Malaysia was established included Singapore which decided to become independent. In ’67 Singapore withdrew.

Sabah has fifty recognized ethnic groups with fifty languages.  Originally English was to be the unifying language but that later was changed to Malaysian although English remains largely spoken and taught.  With children learning Malay and English, the local languages are rapidly disappearing.  Sabah is 60% Christian.

  We are in the tropics, and it is hot and steamy again.  Zero wind chill.  Rain is predicted for tonight, but the day has been mixed clouds and sun.  We took a trip to the zoo and saw many animals, mostly local: cloud leopard, proboscis monkey, honey bear, mouse deer, the small, local elephants, emu, barking deer, ring tailed lemur and parrots.

Later we went to the local museum and saw a display of various native dwellings and costumes.  Unfortunately both the zoo and the museum are undergoing renovation.

Back to the ship we headed straight to the bar for beer and fish and chips after which we deemed it too late to go into town.   

Two sea days until Hong Kong.

Tuesday, March 08, 2011

Today was the galley tour and the back stage tour both fascinating.  The stage area, we were assured, is better than that found in many land-based theaters and certainly has an amazing array of lights and speakers as well as fly space and an elevator.  Sets were built on metal frames which John noted would not burn.

The galley we saw was the largest and one of eight.  In two weeks the galleys prepare 90,000 meals.  Ten people order and handle stores.  The dishwasher does a load two minutes.  Items come out super hot and air dry which not only saves energy and labor but minimizes contamination.  The ship cannot carry all the potable water needed and processes about four and half tons of saltwater a day to make more.

Today was also the final concert of Robin Hill, a fine guitarist who will be missed.