Captivating Tanjung Aru Sunset and Reunion

Our friends from Vancouver, Daniel and Carol, were back in Sabah for their holidays this August/September. When asked to choose a venue for our long-awaited get-together, they once again picked Tanjung Aru - the very same spot where we had gathered exactly a year ago (Read here). True to its reputation, Tanjung Aru remains the undisputed gem for its breathtaking sunsets and serene ambience.

For this reunion, I was delighted to bring along Peter Tsen, who had not seen some of our friends since 1970. The evening was filled with laughter, reminiscence, and heartfelt conversations as we traced the journey of our lives - from carefree student days, through singlehood and parenthood, and now into the chapter of grandparenthood.

A special moment unfolded when, without any prior planning, the four of us who first met in Sandakan during the BCCM Youth Fellowship Convention in 1970 instinctively posed in the same formation for a group photo - recreating a memory after 49 long years!

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Our gathering continued with a second meet-up, this time at the UMS campus without Peter joining us. Having cycled there regularly since 2017, the place has become quite familiar to us, and we knew our guests would enjoy it too. UMS is not only a popular leisure spot for locals but also a draw for foreign tourists, with reports saying that on sunny days the campus welcomes up to 1,000 visitors - contributing a healthy revenue stream to the university. Daniel and Carol were equally impressed and gave glowing remarks about the campus’ beauty and vibrancy.

Visitors normally start the tour with a video
presentation about the campus at the
information center.

The seafront next to the jetty is a key attraction
of the campus.

At the Chancellery.

At the garden next to the Chancellery.

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From UMS, we made a spirited dash to Kokol Hill, eager to catch yet another stunning sunset over Kota Kinabalu. Unfortunately, a massive traffic jam along the way delayed us, and by the time we finally reached Kokol Haven, night had already descended. All that remained was a faint streak of orange on the horizon, the sun having long slipped away. Still, the charm of Kokol Haven more than compensated for the missed sunset. Its cool air, peaceful setting, and magical atmosphere left Daniel and Carol - the Voo’s - thoroughly delighted.

Sunset of KK viewed from Kokol Haven.