SABAH, MALAYSIA | Climbing Mount Kinabalu...AGAIN!!!!

Travel date: Feb 26 - Mar 2, 2009 (5 Days 4 Nights)

Travel buddies: Edan (my hubby), Zati & uyu (my sis), Falee (my brother) and Amin..total plus me is 6

Place staying: 1 night at Bayu Homestay (RM15pp/night), 1 night at Laban Rata Resthouse (RM330pp/night) and 2 nights at Borneo Adventure Center (BAC) (RM55/room/night)

Cost exclusive food: Return flight ticket KL-KK (RM139pp), Land Transportation (RM120pp), Accommodation (RM400pp), Climbing Cost (RM67pp), Manukan & Mamutik Island & Snorkeling (RM50)

Day 1

To make the story short, we arrived at KotaKinabalu Terminal 2 around 12.00pm and shorten after, our driver came with 12-seater van. We were straight away went to Kinabalu Park (KP) after having our kampung style lunch at KK City. A few hours later, arrived at Kinabalu Park and register for the next day climbing. Tonight, we'll be sleeping at Bayu Homestay which located within walking distance to KP. Enjoy the cool 19 degrees celcius, refreshing, windy air at night at Bayu Homestay restaurant while having dinner.

At Kota Kinabalu Airport, inside the 12-seat van and at Kinabalu Park..

Photos of us below at Bayu Homestay restaurant and at the reception..you have to call to make a reservation, no on-line, website what so ever..
Address: Bayu Homestay, Kg. Tinompok, Bundu Tuhan Ranau, Sabah.
Tel: +6088-888385/+6088-889693

Day 2

After warm shower (still cold because the heater is not functioning well) and breakfast, went to KP to get our tag, met our guide (Abg. Jahinin). We all di bekalkan packed lunch (sandwich, apple, mineral water, chicken and soft drink) from the resort. I hate they make my bag heavier.

Then, our driver took us to Timpohon Gate where will start climbing at 10.00am. Taking a group photo in front of the gate with our walking stick.

At the beginning of climbing, as usual always been the hardest for me. After a while when i can adapt to the situation, the climbing became much much easier and enjoyable. The breathtaking scenery never fail to amaze me.

My sisters doing their act on the way to Laban Rata

Finally we arrived at Laban Rata Resthouse (LRR ) around 3-4pm. That's my youngest sister (uyu) showing her peace sign, as always.

Falee and Amin resting in front of

Laban Rata Resthouse entrance.

We have a nice warm rest in the room and nice very hot shower cum sauna before having our dinner at 7.30pm..sleep early for the next early morning climbing from Laban Rata to the peak.

Day 3

Start our climbing at 2.30am in the dark with a small torchlight in hand. I make a mistake by bringing small torch light without a string on it and using the cheapest batteries that i can get and did not bring any extra batteries even though we have many. I should bought head lamp and powerful batteries (energizer perhaps) instead. Five of us were separated along the way, me with other group, my 2 sisters with our guide, Falee and Amin also following other groups. I arrived at km 8 early before sunrise. I planned to wait for my sisters so that we can reach the top together. Snapping self-portrait here..

After a while, saw my sister Zati walking alone in the dark. Wahhh so happy. She was late because our younger sis (Uyu) having problem to climb. After reach Sayat2 (at KM7.5), Uyu was left there to take a rest and Zati continue climbing in a very fast pace alone. She was really tuff, strong and determine..and me, demotivated and frozen here and asked her to pass me and continue climbing to the top...and she climb and climb until no sign of her..arrggghhh i'm so frustrated of myself and regretted a lot for not climbing together with her..now, i'm alone again in the coldest weather i have ever been..i waited there for them to climb down and met Amin and he took this photos..

Bawah ni ada a few photos of my strong sister and brother. I felt so happy for them..my brother waited for zati i think more than 1 hour at KM8.0

On the way down, met Uyu at Sayat2..she looks fine already..pity her for not able to reach the top..

and four of us at Sayat-sayat and down to LRR...

Passing KM6.5, Gunting Lagadan Hut and KM6.0 signboard

Arrived at LRR around 10.15am, took a hot shower and have a breakfast. Start going down at 12.30pm. Going down is my expertise I guess..haha..I walk so fast (almost running) passing many people. Arrived at Timpohon Gate around 3.30pm. I took a photo of Zati reaching the finishing line from Timpohon Gate roof top.

Met our driver and he drove us to KP and have our lunch at Balsam Cafe, KP. Nice cafe but no appetite to eat yet. We were to tired to eat.

and took a photo here again...

After getting our colored certificate except Edan and Uyu, took our bags at Bayu Homestay and straight to Kota Kinabalu to check-in to BAC...at night went to their night market just beside our Lodges..here in the market mostly they sell pearls, sunglasses, hat, t-shirt, hand bag and etc2.


Day 4

Today's plan is to go snorkeling and swimming at nearby islands. We went to the Jesselton Point by local unregistered Taxi (Toyota Avanza), which is only cost RM15 divided by 6.

Below is us at Jesselton Point...

Boat Fare to 1 island is RM17 and 2 island is RM27..we decided to go to 2 islands, Mamutik Island and Manukan Island, other cost is Jetty Fee (RM6) and Marine Park Fee (RM3) and mask+Jacket rental (RM15) or Mask+Fin (RM20) or Fin only (RM10).

Us on 15 minutes boat ride

Photo below is us at Mamutik Island

and at Manukan Island...

spend at Manukan Island until 5.00pm and went back to the mainland arrived 15 minutes later. We walk to Philippines market for dinner and took a photo at this Kota Kinabalu landmark..

and we have our dinner here (at the back of Philippines market), the seafood is absolutely delicious, fresh and affordable and only cost us RM15pp

went back to BAC, play chess, watch tv..Zzzzzz

Last Day

This morning went to their wet market, dry market and Philippines Market (Filipino Market) to buy dried foods (dried squid, dry fish, first class anchovies, dried srimp) and fresh seafoods (i want to cook Tomyam seafood for lunch at BAC) and souvenirs for family and friends.

Check-out at 1.00pm (left our luggage at BAC) and went to watch a movie, HOUSE at Centre Point.

After, met Gond, and she brought us to her work place, Sutera Harbour Resort. She used to be my colleague back in Mara Community College and UiTM but now working as a diving instructor here. The view here when sun set was really magnificent...

Return flight to Kuala Lumpur is at 8.05pm..my sister bought the tiny-winny chess set..

we touch down Low Cost Carrier Terminal (LCCT) 2 hours 30 minutes later..another 65km by Skybus (RM9pp/way) to KL Sentral and Edan's brother pick-us here to my house at Desa Pandan, Kuala Lumpur

If you like my trip, i can arrange everything for you, just go to HERE for more details and for more photos click HERE