To get the best out of Sabah and Kota Kinabalu there are a few things that you need to consider.

The weather is hot humid weather.

There is a storm most evenings.

The food is mainly Asian food and it needs to be recognized that Asian food in Asia is very different than that in the High St in the UK and the local Chinese in Australia .  It is unlikely that you will find a meat pie and sauce, fish and chips or bangers and mash.  You will not find any pork products such as pork sausages. There are plenty of Coffee Shops around that are the same as in Australia , USA and UK .  The well known fast food outlets are also obvious.

Always carry toilet paper with you as public toilets usually do not have toilet paper.  You will also find that there is usually a small charge to use a public toilet. Also European style toilets are limited in Public toilets.  Most are squat toilets. Don’t be surprised that public toilets always seem wet; this is because they are regularly washed out. Hotels and resorts always seem to have European toilets in the Rooms and elsewhere.

Generally standards of hygiene are very high.

If out and about, always carry plenty of water.  Remember, it is hot and humid and you will dehydrate if you don’t keep up your water intake. 

Also, make sure you use plenty of sunscreen even when it is overcast.  You are close to the equator and the sun will burn very badly if you are not careful.  Don't let sunburn ruin your holiday. 

Finally, the people of Sabah are very friendly and helpful and  the best way to get the most out of Sabah and Kota Kinabalu is to expect things to be different and SMILE, SMILE and SMILE again.