There's Memories Behind : Bonding with Gaya Street, KK :)

On and off I read the term "Bonding with Gaya Street" weeks before the event held, however I did not have any interest towards "Bonding with Gaya Street" until I actually did. :)

One evening, while I was reading the Sabah's magazine in meatball's car, I saw the advertisement about "Bonding with Gaya Street" and read further on the short description stated, and that's how I understood more about the interesting and yet remarkable event for young generation and non the less a memory for the old. It was held from 10th February - 12th February, 2012 at Gaya Street and Lintasan Deasoka.

And here are photos that I have captured on Saturday and Sunday afternoon.

Sunday (12th)

An unexpected visit at Gaya Street after our road trip from Tuaran/ Tamparuli, we brought friends from WM for afternoon tea at Kak Tini's and before that we visited the happening event at Lintasan Deasoka and Gaya Street. I saw majority of elderies from the 50's or earlier, my parents' friends and others were there reading the timeline presented. Various stories I heard from my dad, mom and even the uncles I've met at Gaya Street and listened a short story pointed with some of the images shown.

- The Timeline : Year 1657 - Year 2012 -

Well organised by participated organisations and volunteers.

From there, we read the timeline of Pre and Post British Colony Era, whereby Sabah still being called as North Borneo.

- Api - Api/ Jesselton/ Kota Kinabalu back in those days -

 - The former Cinema -

国泰戏院 "Guo Tai Xi Yuan" (Middle top) which once located at current ground of Horizon Hotel. I saw the movie title named "The Ten Commandments". And you know what? Mom told us that they were once enjoying their movies at outdoor before and before Milimewa Superstore was there, that was where the dry and wet market was there before. Furthermore, my dad even shared that he went to the market with my late grandfather to sell the fresh fishes after they came back from fish catching.

- I saw Elderies - 

Shall I say most of them are older than me and not much of young generation that interested with it like I do. The uncles both in white and checkered ones seems reading wisely when I saw them.

 - Vintage Photographs -

Artists once lived and some of them still living in KK. More over, some of them were recognised by my parents too.

 - Vintage Car and Malaysia Monument -

Malaysia Monument is to commemorate the Independence of Sabah and the joining of the Federation of Malaysia on 16th September, 1963. In short - Remarked the Year 1963 when North Borneo joined Malaya and formed - Malaysia.

Back in the 60's, when both of my  parents were studying secondary education, they have attended the most historical event of the era to remember the independence day of Sabah.

- A fruitful day at Bonding with Gaya Street -

I took an Art Catalogue for collection and bought a book with a discount by the author and the book also been signed by the author - Tina Kisil. I will read that book for sure! :) The long art piece by local artist is beautiful and it shows the current faces of Gaya Street.

Saturday (11th)

The rain was drizzling on and off since morning. No matter what, the drizzling rain can't stop us to pass by the venue with A CAR that day! :D We drive through Gaya Street from the entrance of that large pillar with Chinese words hanged on it opposite Lintas Deasoka.

 - North Borneo War Memorial -

I managed to take some quality photo while stood out from the car in the middle of the rain and fortunately there were no vehicles behind. :)

North Borneo War Memorial - the former location of the war memorial and currently moved to a park opposite City Council. It was to commemorate the 13 soldiers who lose their lives our of the 79 from North Borneo who enlisted in the British Forces during World War I.

 - North Borneo War Memorial Replica  -

The handmade North Borneo War Memorial replica made of bamboo which participated party located it at the actual ground where the original pillar was located previously.

And you know what? My mom (as the second generation since her father as the first who came from China) ever told us that, when she was a young girl guild back then, they will visit the war memorial on yearly basis in memory of those who lost and told us other interesting stories too. Hence, it caught my attention since I never been to/ was not born during the Jesselton Era before.

 - Old Shop along Gaya Street -

With photographs that collected from kind people in town, those were attached at the glasses of outlets along Gaya Street. *The car was moving and I can't take a clear picture of it. :(

From what I have understood, there were only 2 rows of shops which located at Bond Street/ Dunlop Street (currently named as Gaya Street) back in those days and those photos I shared here are actually the shop lots. :) FYI, my mom's dad (my late grandfather)'s tailor shop (Chu Chu Tailor) was once located at one of the shop at Gaya Street before they moved to Kg. Air. ;)

 - Street Arts on the surface of Sun shields -

Another way to show others how talented are Sabahan artists are! :D Hand in hand, artists, volunteers, organisation, authorities and other person in charge made it happened. I bet the event was a success and great job to all. :)

 - Photography of Spectacles advertisement back then -

 - Before (canvas) and now -

  - Before (canvas) and now -

 - Street Arts on the surface of Sun shields -

 - Street Arts on the surface of Sun shields -

I felt happy that I managed to witness part of the event yet a remarkable one which.....

I know more about the origin of Kota Kinabalu. I could share my "stories" regards to my hometown "Kota Kinabalu" to readers, the history, the foods and non the less, the interesting places which we could visit here in Sabah. :) That's how I love my City. :) I would like to share all my photos here, but it would too much, click the link at the bottom to view them.

Anyway, besides what I saw, through their Twitter I read their updates one by one and such an enjoyable on going programs held in Kota Kinabalu today. It was a bless to have such event in town to all.

To remember and to share about the past to others and the most important, the young generation of our future and their future. :) 

Hope this post of the day won't bored you. Good day all! ;)

Official Website : Bonding with Gaya Street
About Bonding with Gaya Street - About BGWS
More photos from my page - Bonding with Gaya Street, #KKCity.