Day 7 - 22nd Dec 2007

It's time to go home.
It has been a wonderful trip, all thanks to the guys actually.
Been travelling with different people for 80% of all my trips and it was always good to travel with guys.
For one thing, they are very flexible and not too calculating. They will accommodate as much as they can. They are not petty and they are very gungho. And best of all, they are not crazy about shopping. hahahhaha
I love travelling with this group (erm...minus ...erm...)
Thanks for the memories, guys..you have been wonderful.

Basically, to go to KK or to scale Mt K is very achieveable if you want to do it on your own without the help of any travel agencies. We would have saved lots if we could do it ourselves, I believe. You just need to plan way in advance, secure your lodging at Laban Rata and the rest is pretty much simple. Book your lodging here. The accommodation is pretty much controlled by them (for the climb).
http://www.suterasanctuarylodges.com.my/index.shtml

Scaling Mount Kinabalu - it's worth every pain and sweat. Go for it.

Day 6 - 21st Dec 2007

Today's activity was Water Rafting.
Actually it was more of a on the road activity - we spent hours on the road.
Set off to Beaufort Railway station for our VERY SLOW train ride. We needed to get to Pangi Station which would take us 2 hours. The ride was slow and stuffy but it was quite an insightful experience. Made me think of my train ride during my Silk Road trip.
Had safety briefing before we set out to do the rafting. Erm....it was really quite a mild one. And before we knew it, it was over and we had to rush back for our BBQ lunch at 3pm before hopping onto the train again for our ride back.
The journey was going to be very boring (and so I thought) until Carl and I started to chat. Sometimes talking nonsense can be very fulfilling :p

Day 5 Pics

Day 5 - 20th Dec 2007

Today's agenda? Poring Hot Spring.
It was Hari Raya Haji and so many locals came to this area.
We got ourselves a private room and soaked in the water. I didn't expect the hot spring to be like this, all thanks to the images from Japan Hour. This was FAR from it. Anyway, no complaints.
The trio then went for the Canopy Walk (thanks guys for accommodating! hehehhehe) while Jason went for the Butterfly Farm.
At 2pm, we started our transfer to KK town again.
It's good to be back!
EK and I checked out the Thai massage (De Lanna @ Warisan Square C-02-02 Block C, 2nd Floor - RM94 ) which was absolutely wonderful.

Day 4- 19th Dec 2007

The morning that we had been waiting for finally arrived.

It was 2.30am and we got ourselves ready with our full gear and set off at 2.45am.

We trekked in the dark with our head lamps on. This time round, I was able to maintain my breath and trekked steadily without stopping ever so often.

The wind was really strong and at some points, I was thrown off balance and while trying to catch a grip of myself, I twisted my ankle. Sigh!

At 5.09am, I reached the peak. Where's the guys?

So I waited in the cold until EK came up and subsequently Carl. Where's Jason?

Carl and I, picture taken by EK.

The crowd came on and we decided that we had to decend. It was cloudy and the sunrise was not particularly spectacular.

Descending was painful to the knees and it was inevitable that we slipped. By the time I reached the dorm, it was 7.45am. The guys came back and we proceeded for our breakfast at Laban Rata (ex!)

Had to descend again and by the time we reached Timpohon Gate, it was around 4pm.

To Poring we went.

Attacking the food, doing justice to our bodies.

Tired! *_*

Day 3 - 18th Dec 2007

We got ready by 7.30am to settle for the trek up. Went to the information counter and paid for the guide and porter (RM 18/kg). The porter was a 15-year-old girl and the guys were so amazed by it.

We took the Mersilau trail which was estimated that we would take 8 - 10 hours to reach Laban Rata. As I compared with Timpohon Gate, this was rather tedious because it is a longer route. Jason was lagging behind while the three of us retained our pace. Carl and EK still had the energy to fool around. But it was fun having to see the two grown-ups playing. :p

We finally reached Laban Rata at around 5 plus in the evening before we had our dinner which was expensive!

The night at the dormitory was COLD. I had layers of clothes and I still felt terribly chilly. Carl lent me his windbreaker and EK tucked me with his extra blanket and jacket and it was still not enough! Didn't manage to sleep at all because of the coldness. Arghh....I hate cold weather!

Day 2 - 17th Dec 2007

We had to transfer to Mesilau Nature Resort today.
So we had a lazy morning and an easy breakfast, rotting at the coffeeshop next to our accommodation.

Then it was a 2 1/2 hours ride to our destination. Along the way, the driver stopped for us to take photos.

By evening, we reached the resort. The air was cool and crisp.

Getting ready for the climb tomorrow! Ganbatte ne!

Day 1 - 16th Dec 2007

Could hardly catch a wink before I woke up and got ready to set off. Mom sent me and EK to Rochor and we met up with Jason to take the cab to Senai Airport. We paid S$50/cab for the trip and because it was so early in the morning (3.30am), it only took 45 min to reach Senai Airport.

Had an early breakfast while waiting for the time to pass. We were supposed to meet Carl, another traveller who joined us.

At 5.30am, we checked in and bummed around while waiting for Carl to surface. He reached, only to inform us that the flight will be delayed for 2 hours. Man! But this was nothing new and so we just had to continue our waiting game.

Had a good chat with Carl and realised that we had similar background which allowed for common topics to be discussed. : ) At least, the wait was not so boring with interesting people.

EK, Carl and Jason

At last, we board our plane at 10 plus and reached Kota Kinabalu (KK) at noon. Jimmy came to send us to City Park Lodge which he owned. We settled, had our lunch before we roamed the streets of the town.

It was tiring, considering the fact that we did not have enough sleep. We were on a mission to look for the museum and after walking for hours, having got lost and getting into some funny jokes about Shell's staff, we finally found it! But bad news! My camera was not in working order and I had to be contented with my camera phone. What 'good' timing! :(

In the end, we could not stand it and took a cab back to our accommodation.

Had dinner before we retired for the night.

Ok Set!

A few more hours to go before I leave on a jetplane.

I brought along 3 reads.

1st - a manual for my camera. It is definitely idiot-proof but I gather I should really read more to get the most out of it.

2nd - Triathlete Magazine. To inspire me for 2008

3rd - Some articles on my profession so that I can write a paper upon my return.

OK....Now I am signing up for the half marathon.

2 more days to go

2 more days to go for Mount K and I have not really gotten all the stuff that I need. Was not very sure of the temperature over there right now but hope I will be able to survive all right. EK reminded me to buy travel insurance. All the while, I was not into the habit of purchasing one but this time around, I reckon it would be more dangerous and well, I have to buy! Following is the list given to me by Li-Er and additional ones that I think I would need to pack into my 28L pack.

Clothing
Short S T-Shirts (dry-fit)
Quick-dry towel
Thermal Wear
Wind Breaker

Underwear (disposable n others)

Jacket
Headwear

Pants (x2), shorts

Socks
Toiletries

Slippers/Sandals

First Aid
Deep Heat Ointment
Tissues
Panadol

Medicated Plasters

Plasters
Swipes
Purifying tablets

Others
CAMERA
Whistle
Sun block (optional)
Plastic Bags (ziploc and normal)
Sunglasses
Hat (optional)
Headlight
Poncho

Gloves
Water bottle
Charger