What kind of emotions would be provoked by the word “Muslim”? Awed, respect, curious, perhaps a little disgust combined with some fear?  Out of curiosity, we paid a short visit to City mosque at Likas Bay.

Built on a man-made lagoon, this Islam-style building seemed to be floating above the water. Although I am not one of the worshipers, I couldn't help but admiring its beauty.

The dress code in a mosque could be roughly translated into: No part of your body (especially female) should be exposed in public. Looking at the skirt and short pants we wore, we definitely needed to change our clothes if we didn’t want to be dragged out of the door. We lingered outside for quite a moment, but no one came to greet us. Finally Zhou plucked up enough courage to go inside and find a Muslim for help. Reluctant or not reluctant, he was kindly to bring us some robes to change. I could understand why they were not so keen on the visitors. For them, we were nothing more than the intruders.  Mosque was supposed to be the sacred place where they recite Alkoran and pray to their God----the place where they could find inner peace. But we, knowing nothing about their religion, came there boldly just to satisfy our curiosity.

Actually there was not much for us to see except a big, empty room. Still with some imaginary, I could catch a glimpse of Muslim’s life.

After we left, they closed the door. Outside, city mosque was still pretty under the blue sky.

 We chose Shangri-La Tanjung Aru Resort hotel to stay because it could offer us the legendary view of sunset at Kota Kinabula, and we were not disappointed.

The room was very comfortable.

Around 6:00pm, sunset ceremony started and the torch was lighted one by one. Nothing could be more heavenly than sipping cocktail while enjoying the most fantastic sunset view at sunset bar.

With the one you loved, you could easily lose yourself in the spectacular twilight in rocking chair.

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The huge golden orb of the sun was sinking into the water, turning the sea to flame. But it was not the end of the legend.

Several minutes later, I was stunned by what I had seen.

What’s in the deepest of the light and the shadow? Another world? Or the Gate to the heaven? I didn’t know, all I could do was to hold my breath, to watch, and to feel. Time seemed to stand still for this moment.

My almost perfect vocation came to an end. I went back home and everything went back its old routine. However, the image of Sangrila's sunset, Manukan's fish would be imprinted on my mind forever.  

 ---The End