At 6 on a Monday morning, I headed out with my sister to capture some morning shots of the Padang and the Observatory on Signal Hill for inclusion into a book I am currently designing at work. Waking up at six is just horrendous. I can wake up around 7 daily without an alarm clock. 6 on the other hand is like waking up for school.
Signal Hill or locally known as “Bukit Bendera” is one of the highest hills in Kota Kinabalu. Given its obvious name, the hill was used to signal ships approaching the harbour back during the olden days. Today, it is popular with tourists mainly for the spectacular view of the city one can view from the Observatory. It also home to the wealthy who are able to afford a luxury unit at one of the Peak properties. That said, it is also home to my maternal grandparents who own a small piece of land at the foot of the hill.
To be recognised as Kota Kinabalu city’s most exclusive residential area parallel to ‘The Peak’ in Hong Kong is becoming a reality — SBS Corporation’s vision of Signal Hill
What I noticed that morning was not the commercial value of the hill, but merely a pocket of green space. Like how Central Park is to New York. Or South Bank is to Brisbane. A breath of fresh air. I saw a group of elderly people doing their morning stretches at the Padang. I also saw morning joggers. Some running around the field. Some running up the hill. It is a sight that one does not really get to see if one is still in bed at 6am.
“Green spaces should have different levels of control, catering to different levels of the public, basically. Such a tiering system would have an enormous impact on quality of life.” — Alejandro Gutierrez on Green Spaces, Monocle Issue 15
As we pulled over at the Observatory, there was a couple in jogging attire enjoying the view. It was a serene, quiet setting with a dazzling view of the city. There was this bloke in his 40s, who arrived shortly after us. He sat in a corner enjoying the morning with a copy of the daily newspaper and breakfast. What an enjoyable way to start the morning!
When was the last time you were at Signal Hill? Tell me.