K.Kinabalu Hike

From far it doesn’t look high but wait till you hike, then you know (belum cuba, belum tahu)

Mount Kinabalu is the highest mountain in Borneo, with an elevation of 13,435 ft (4,095 m), it is third-highest peak of an island on Earth, and 20th most prominent mountain in the world. The mountain is located in Ranau district, West Coast Division of Sabah. It is protected as Kinabalu Park, a World Heritage Site. The mountain are among the most important biological sites in the world, with between 5,000 and 6,000 species of plants, 326 species of birds, and more than 100 mammalian species identified. Among this rich collection of wildlife are famous species such as the gigantic Rafflesia plants and  orangutans. Mount Kinabalu has been accorded UNESCO World Heritage status. I went to hike in March 2015 with a group of Money and You members as this is organized by them.

There are about 70 hikers mostly young, me is consider the oldest
We begin at Timpuhan gate at 9.45 am : I really respect this porter can carry 30 over kg of hikers lugage

All hikers waiting at gate to register and been given a tag so upon reaching the summit tomorrow morning, they can confirm the hiker attendance and be issue a Certificate of Achievement.

Arrived 3.5km at 2634 meters : Arrived 5km at 3000 meter

At 5km, I already exhausted, see the expression. But I won’t give up for anything. This really test your mind and endurance, can never gave up or walk back downhill. Another 272 meters to reach base camp Laban Rata. My leg is cram but I tell my mind to go on, slowly step by step, I head up. I have no buddy, either they are hikers above me or below me.

When the going gets tough, the tough get going, long way to go
I made it to Laban Rata, took me 5 long hours to arrive from, start at 9.45am and reach at 3pm, can rest for the day

Located at 3,272 metres above sea level, the Laban Rata resthouse offers climbers warm lodgings and hot meals before and after climbing to the peak of Mount Kinabalu. The compound also consists of several smaller accommodation units such as Kinotoki Hostel, Mokodou Hostel and Lemaing Hostel (Malaysian Climbers only), and Pendant Hut (Via Ferrata Climbers only). I reach at 3 pm while they are some reaching as late as 7pm. Have a good lunch here and rest till 2 am before starting to ascend the peak.

Tomorrow start at 2 am morning to reach the peak by 6am to watch sunrise : Beautiful view from Laban Rata balcony

They are quite a lot of foreigners that came to hike from all over the world, from Europe to US, Australia, Middle East, Asia etc. After my hike in March, there are 2 foreign couples from UK, Canada and Dutch stripe naked near the summit of this sacred mountain in June and the group was blamed for a magnitude 5.9 earthquake happen after their act as the have angered the mountain god. On 5 June 2015 at 07:15am , the area around Mount Kinabalu was damaged by an earthquake. Eighteen people, including hikers and mountain guides, were killed by the earthquake and a massive landslide that followed it. The 18 including ten Singaporeans, six Malaysians, and two from both China and Japan. About 137 climbers were stranded on the mountain but were subsequently rescued. Luckily it happen 3 months after my hike.

I took my best ever shoot, this squirrel came and took power bar from my hand without fear
Reach the summit to watch sunrise, a personal achievement after 2 hard days of hiking up (4095mtr)
Click the above photo to play
Going downhill after reaching summit for sunrise
The picture of rock behind you can see appear at old Rm1 note
Finally a recognition for the hard work and sweating of 2 days
After hiking KK, we went to visit orphanage at Kundasang, do some donation and cheer them up
I am grateful when i could bring smile to their faces, happiness no money can buy

Tip of Borneo, Tanjung Simpang Mengayau 2014

Tip of Borneo is a place you ought to visit if you are in Kota Kinabalu, just 3 hours drive (180km)

The Tip of Borneo or Tanjung Simpang Mengayau is the northernmost tip of Borneo  located in the district of Kudat, in the state of Sabah, Malaysia. The tip marks the meeting point of the South China Sea and Sulu Sea. The tip is one of Sabah’s popular tourist attractions. 

The top most northernmost part of Borneo, I rent a car and drove here in 2014

Within the area, there is a park-like grounds and a large bronze globe which opened since 2004. The bronze globe marks the location of the Borneo Island tip at latitude 7 degrees north and longitude 116 degrees east with a map featuring the island embossed in bronze and laid on a flat surface at an angle with inscriptions to mark the tip. Several infrastructure and public amenities have been erected at the site which including a public rest area with a cafe, souvenir shop. It has become one of the destination to view sunsets and full moons

The last piece of land/rock here, to my back is South China sea and Sulu sea
Visit Maranjak Longhouse at Kudat
You can stay here overnight, it’s a homestay

Maranjak Longhouse Lodge previously known as Maranjak Homestay is one of the Rungus Longhouse in Kudat district (2 1/2 drive from K.Kinabalu) which offering you a breath taking life style and custom. Feed your eyes with a fresh countryside scenery, with the green rice mill view and our majestic Mt. Kinabalu view from Kota Belud wing and some palm oil plantation along the way

Can experience sleeping here for 1 night, its all made from bamboo
The villager sell their hand made goods like necklace beads for souvenirs

Sipadan Diving Trip 2013

I came here for a diving trip, nice beautiful island with crystal clear water but a lot of coral died
About 10 of us ready to dive near Mabul island, there is a German couple too

From the dive we get to see many colorful fishes, like parrot fish, lion fish, sea cucumber, Nudibranchs, starfish, small sharks, pufferfish, stingrays and also turtle, its totally another beautiful world you should explore.

.Puffer fish, stingray, Trigger Fish and Sea Urchin also caught by villager here

That’s all about Sabah, you can hike the highest mountain, go to Tip of Borneo and dive the famous Sipadan island, deep blue ocean here. I have done that all. Feeling very lucky to explored all here….bye