Filipino Market, Kota Kinabalu

Walking through markets in a new city or town are the best way to experience local life and customs. It also gives you a chance to interact with the locals. The colors, textures, sounds and smells are at times overwhelming, but the experience is just fabulous.

In Kota Kinabalu, we were staying at the Le Meridian hotel which is right across the famous Filipino market. On both nights that we were there, we walked through the market after dinner while it was buzzing and full of action. The market or pasar as it is known in Malay, is located right on the waterfront of the city. Divided into different sections, the market is not very big and you can easily walk from the wet section, through the vegetable and fruit section to the eating area.

There was an amazing array of vegetables on sale. There were so many that we couldn’t identify. The vendors are friendly and don’t object to being photographed. At most they just turn away!

After the food section is a handicraft market, where you will find every possible Malay souvenir! So if you are looking at gifts to take back for family and friends, this is a good market to visit. We managed to visit it at our 3rd attempt, as the market starts to close by 6:00 p.m. The easiest way to find this market is to look out for tailors who sit right outside the makeshift structure doing alterations.
Right across the market, adjoining our hotel were rows of stalls selling jewelry, shoes, clothes and other knick knacks. Malaysia is an Islamic state and most local women wear a Tudung (meaning cover) or Hijab. Its fascinating to see most women coordinate their clothes with matching Tudungs and accessorize them with bejeweled pins and brooches.

Do you always visit local markets when you travel?

14 Comments

  • Reply
    Mridula
    March 16, 2015 at 5:53 pm

    Night markets are even more fun! The place looks lovely.

  • Reply
    Datta Ghosh
    March 17, 2015 at 2:36 am

    The place is bustling with life and colors…thanks for the share :)

  • Reply
    Indrani
    March 17, 2015 at 3:24 am

    Those jewelry pieces made me sit up. 😛 :)
    Great pics

  • Reply
    Chaitali Patel
    March 17, 2015 at 4:09 am

    Glad you enjoyed it Datta!

  • Reply
    Chaitali Patel
    March 17, 2015 at 4:09 am

    I know! The best part was that it was right across our hotel, so we could walk in and out whenever we felt like!

  • Reply
    Chaitali Patel
    March 17, 2015 at 4:10 am

    They really are so pretty… I kept looking at them wondering how we could use them. Later struck me that we can wear a brooch on saris as well.

  • Reply
    R Niranjan Das
    March 17, 2015 at 6:30 am

    Seems like a lovely place. Glad to know bout this.

  • Reply
    Charukesi
    March 17, 2015 at 7:57 am

    Sounds like you had fun! Markets are the best way to explore any new place – I remember doing this in Langkawi she I went to Malaysia. I discovered so many new local foods.

  • Reply
    dharmaraj hallale
    March 17, 2015 at 9:23 am

    amazing, congrats !

  • Reply
    Chaitali Patel
    March 17, 2015 at 5:07 pm

    This comment has been removed by the author.

  • Reply
    Chaitali Patel
    March 17, 2015 at 5:08 pm

    Thanks Niranjan!

  • Reply
    Chaitali Patel
    March 17, 2015 at 5:09 pm

    Markets truly are fascinating! I get excited seeing foods that I have never seen before… just makes you realize how different everyone in the world is!

  • Reply
    Chaitali Patel
    March 17, 2015 at 5:10 pm

    And at times how similar…

  • Reply
    Joyful
    March 21, 2015 at 10:03 pm

    I do try to visit the local markets when I travel. They are always interesting and full of colourful things though at times I do find the crowded areas a little much, even here at home. I do love the colourful array of foods and other offerings at market though. Even if one doesn't stop to eat, the sights are a feast for the eyes. Have a wonderufl weekend.

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