1 Borneo is celebrating Christmas this year with the theme Magical Christmas. It is good to see that the management and tenants of 1 Borneo has put in so much effort for this season’s celebrations. Yes, it’s commercial but it does bring the excitement of Christmas to Kota Kinabalu. And the discounts that are being offered at this time of the year is always welcomed.
Wouldn’t you know it, the car park was full today. This had already happen to me on my previous visit. We ended up parking on the side of the road this time, where we also saw a number of out of state license plate on cars, from Sarawak and Brunei.
1 Borneo has taken over as my family’s shopping destination of choice. Mainly, because my daughter really enjoys coming here. It seems like there is always some activities going on here that captures her attention and imagination. Imagine arriving at 1 Borneo and you see some kids riding horses right in front of the main entrance. Then you look closer and see that the ride is free as long as you spent RM80 in a single receipt at any outlet. Judging by the queue and excitement, this seems to have worked well.
This is my daughter’s favorite destination. She likes a good crowd, beautiful and comfortable shopping environment with lots of things to discover. She loves the different restaurants and food that are available, the Christmas trees throughout the mall, the display areas where there are children slides or rides she can go on.
The main Christmas tree and castle in the atrium makes this Christmas truly magical for her. There is music, lights and snow falling from the ceiling. You can have your photograph taken by a professional photographer for RM10 at the castle. Otherwise the area is off-limits. There are also scheduled performances by local singers with their rendition of popular Christmas songs, some of the singers are very young but very good nonetheless.
She is only 2 years old, and keeps asking us to take her to 1 Borneo. And because she is normally such a good girl, we spend most weekends here. Besides, the joy on her face makes it special for us. Even the grown-ups around us seems excited and take plenty of photographs. And of course, Santa Claus and Santarina making their appearances.
1 Borneo is a travel destination by itself. If I was a tourist to Kota Kinabalu, I will make sure I check into one of the hotels here, such as Tune Hotel, Mercure or Novotel. My choice will probably be Tune Hotel. Spend a day or two here, before I go to the Islands or Pulau around Kota Kinabalu, Sabah.
I guess this is how 1 Borneo keeps clean, by using fairies. I would have though elves would be more appropriate by less visually exciting.
If you are a visitor from Kuala Lumpur, or West Malaysia, 1 Borneo has some ways to go before it can compare to Mid-Valley Megamall or 1 Utama. In fact, the interior and layout of 1 Borneo reminds me of Mid-Valley Megamall, just on a smaller scale.
Indeed it was an amazing set up by the management of 1 Borneo and on one particular weekend, I happen to take my family for a movie. As I was coming into the mall from the parking lot, there was a huge crowd at the center podium and of course curiosity arouses. It was snowing in 1 Borneo. My kids was so excited and they’re screaming….Snow! Snow!…and I said to them yes it’s snowing. Of course I knew it wasn’t really snowing cause of the snow machine was blowing out white foam. It didn’t have to be real snow just to create the Christmas Season but it did look like snowing on the decors at the podium. The effect itself is real enough. I think I got some pictures of it but not able to upload it here. My kids enjoyed so as everyone else who was there. I’ll email some pictures in future so you can upload it here.
Cheers and Gong Xi Fa Chai!!!