I stayed in the apartment all day while Sharon and Mahani went shopping at the Central Market along Jalan (Road or Street) Gaya. I had previously seen the Jesselton Hotel, the city's first hotel, and the Atkinson Clock Tower. I slept most of the day, nursing my sun burn.
Mahani picked us up around 7:30 where we then went to a hotel for a large dinner. The dinner was sponsored by a fish marketing coop in aid of a home for single mothers. As the minister had to bow out at the last minute, Mahani gave the keynote speech. She spoke for at least 15 minutes without any notes and very definitely had the attention of the audience. She is a very eloquent speaker with superb delivery. Her whole body reflects the emotions she is feeling. Her facial features add emphasis to her delivery and her use of her hands adds to her delivery. And all of this without notes and prepared at the last minute! Very impressive!
We were sitting at a table with Amissa, a long-time friend of Mahani's since her school days in Kundasing when her father was the District Official. Amissa was a political secretary to the Ministry of Sports & Culture for the Kundasing - Mount Kinabalu area. She had previously met Sharon in Canada back in 1981 on a trip with Mahani to Canada. She struck me as being a very capable person.
During and after supper, we were entertained by karaoke music. There were a lot of singers from the audience. Amissa got up to sing a very traditional song and Mahani was up twice. Annie's young son got up twice. Obviously, she was a very proud mother.
We were back home around 10:30.
