Monday, January 14, 2008

MONDAY-14TH JANUARY 2008-GAYA STREET SUNDAY FAIR STILL ATTRACT CROWDS

Gaya Street Sunday Fair still attract crowds

KOTA KINABALU:

The Gaya Street Sunday Fair has not lost its appeal despite being held for about 20 years and in fact, it is still attracting visitors from far and near. Every Sunday, visitors will start coming to the Sunday market as early as 6am to get the best bargains and products. An array of food, drinks, handicrafts and even pets can be found at the weekly market, which is a must for foreign tourists visiting Sabah. Those who have the cravings for traditional food and cakes will not be disappointed as a variety of Malay and Chinese favourites can be found at the Gaya Street fair, and visitors will be spoilt for choice. Sariah Sulaiman, 25, who has been selling ‘kerepek’ at the Gaya Street fair for 12 years, said the homemade local favourites are made by her family in Nabawan and they make the weekly trip to the state capital to do business at the street fair. Hamrah Hassan, 28, from Pekan Nabalu near Kundasang also makes a weekly trip to the state capital for the last 10 years to sell his fruit products, including the popular highland pineapples from the area. Lovers of Tenom coffee can be seen converging around a stall which offers the aromatic local coffee, grounded right in front of their eyes. For those with a sweet tooth, they can satisfy their craving at the stall selling cotton candy which is popular among children and youngsters. According to a student from Sarawak, Mohammad Nuruhisyam Mahdi, 22, he visits the Gaya Street fair frequently to look for bargains for jewellery, especially those made with pearls. “I’m looking for something special to present to my mother when I go back home,” said Mohammad Nuruhisyam who is studying at a higher learning institute here.