As most of the readers and twitters that followed me, you will know that on Friday 2nd April 2010, I will be off to Kota Kinabalu again. This time will be the 3rd successive year going there. Though there won’t be any mountain to climb this time. What a day because it’s going to be a company trip, and my flight is at 1040am later.

Yes, I can’t wait to splash once again in the island of Sabah, East Malaysia. I love the nature there. Somehow the nature over there can’t be compared over here.One of the island is Pulau Manukan.

Wonder what changed this year? I’ll be live blogging from here and yes, do keep track with me on this blog and on my twitter.

Adios. Gonna finish packing. Next trip after that? Where?

It was a pity, it all had to end so fast. Well, finally after what seemed to be more of a trilogy of events in Kota Kinabalu, the part has to end with us leaving the mountain. Yes, on the way down I took a feel of doing panaromic shots of a mountain from the view of Villosa Hut. What view to be seen though?

Of course if you didn’t catch my previous post regarding this trip, here they are.

Part 1 – Flight To Kota Kinabalu Sabah
Part 2 – Pulau Manukan Exploration
Part 3 – Kota Kinabalu Exploration Day
Part 4 – Kundasang War Memorial and Poring Hot Springs
Part 5 – Expected Climb Up Mt Kinabalu

By the way it was stitched together with Adobe Photoshop CS3.

Click on image to view a larger image.

This post will be more of a personal type. More group photos to commemorate the time the group had together.

Alright, I lied. It’s more for me to show how did Daniel trekked down the mountain. Noticed anyone else familiar in this photo? I bet some of you would know. By the way, the weather was bad when we trekked up in the middle of the night. Raining and strong wind. But did we made it?

What does the cert says? Ya, Daniel made it this time, to the 8km post but not to the top. Don’t have anymore photos of the peak to see, since the weather isn’t good. It’s all dark and not as bright as my previous climb. If you want to catch a glimpse of what’s at the top, do refer to my old post a year ago.

So to not put our hopes down, we still pose with our cert.

Don’t be fooled, they are not as normal as they seem to be. Look what they did to ME.

ARGHHHHHHHH~~~~~ Seee, I was innocent all the time. I can’t believe I was even in the same group with them. Such barbarians.

Heck even the friendly turtle in the pond NO EYE SEE us already. Drop my water face.

So will I make another comeback next year? I think I will, this time with my brothers and another group.

ps : I actually just came back from another trip. That explains my lack of updates these few time around.

That day has arrived, everyone gearing up to go up the mountain. I wished I was in bed though and the journey started later, but No~~~

Guess where did I sleep? The upper bunk or the lower bunk?

But then how can I start a journey so troublesome without an energy drink? Hmmm.. think Tongkat Ali? Red Bull? Nahhhh, it’s Ginger Tea ‘O’. Those who are mamak kakis would know it’s Tea with sugar with ginger essence. But little did I know it’s a bit different here.

OMGoodness, it’s a ginger in the tea. Amazing. I’ve never tasted something so original such as this, I must say, do try it if you are there though. Well, other than the plain old Coffee and Tea, take something like this. Helps to clear the ‘wind’ in your stomach.

So then we finally reached to the base of the track. Rather we’re taking the Mesilau trail up, which is another extra 2km walk. There are a total of 10 of us. Well, some of us are bloggers while some are my ex-colleagues.

A big group photo and also another SS (‘syiok sendiri‘) small group photo consist of 2 big 2 small.

From left : David, Aaron, Daniel & Mouse

Now do you get by what I say 2 Big 2 Small. Hahaha!! Pose in front of the Mesilau Nature Resort Site Plan Board. Armed with our walking sticks and DSLR, we are ready to face our challenge.

As most of you know, I’ve climbed the mountain last year and this time I am prepared, so I had Mouse followed me on the trail together. Well, so far he was the only one who can keep up with my speed. I was very tired and the rain came pouring for awhile.

That explains why I was wearing a sweater, or a sports sweater. Whatever you call it. Still got time to pose eh? Of course though, my friend Mouse would complain if he wasn’t given the chance to pose himself too. Well, what can we say, partner in SS crime of climbing this mountain at the 6km mark.

Just another 2 more km to reach the base camp at Laban Rata.

But isntead of just walking up the steps, why not show a little bit of the flaura and fauna life along the trek. At least something to feast your eyes upon if we even bothered to look. I mean, it’s a wonderful creation out there and best we don’t miss it.

A unique leaf

A wild pitcher plant or some call it the Monkey’s Cup

Yes, you can see these stuffs along the way, but if you look hard enough, you might see life walking/ slimying about.

Aside from the normal flora, there are fauna or rather animal/living being spotted.

Yes, a peculiar Weird Looking Slug.

Lesson Time : Slugs are just like snails without the shell.

Also the friendly neigborhood Kinabalu Mountain Squirrel.

Though I think we spoilt it as we’re feeding it Ferrero Rocher chocolates.

What did we do after that, it was time we reached Laban Rata and checked in into our designated rooms. The thing is that though, there aren’t anymore photos at Laban Rata due to the tiredness everyone of us felt. It’s time to get some rest before the next summit climb at 2am in the morning. Yes… 2am. More will be revealed and hopefully it will finally end all the delayed post.

It’s getting late over here and I guessed it’s time for me to hit the sack. So be prepared for a super fast update in the days to come. Till then, Adios.

There are many places that one can be while on the way to the peak. Well, since we’re on the way to the peak. The places that one can visit is the Kundasang War Memorial Park and the Poring Hot Springs. Well, it’s not that I haven’t been there before but it looks like this the last time I went. Though previously I wasn’t as good a photographer as now. Well, here’s a photo I took last year.

Now imagine this. This was taken last year. Now how about this year?

Well, we started by of course, going thru the entrance.

Well, not as beautiful, but nevertheless since this is a memorial park, things should be as simple. Also they charge us RM2 per entry (Malaysians only price). Well, understandably it’s needed so they can continue maintaining the place.

Well, this place really is beautiful that my friend here Mouse Law even gave a very high rating for it. He praise it till I just need to snap his photo.

Hmm… what victory? Basically this Kundasang War Memorial is to remember the Australian soldiers that served in the World War 2 in Kundasang. Why Australia? Look at the next piece of photo.

Now lookie here. Doesn’t it look like the Australia continent engraved onto the grass. Well, it sure does to me. No one are allowed to step on the grass though, so lucky to have my zoom lens with me.Well, I am sure this is one beautiful well taken care of memorial park.

Compared to the photo I took last year, this year’s photo of the memorial park is way way different. Well, I think it’s more of an improvement.

But I guessed you people must be thinking that there is too many photos about the Memorial Park.

Well, to cut the long story short, a fast trip to Poring Hot Springs the following day. Now Hot Spring is really hot spring. Well, where am I? I should appear right? That’s where I am.

Where there is hot spring, that means that there is water. Where there is water, means I will get wet. Ho ho ho… But this time I will be informative a little bit and tell you stuffs about the Poring Hot Spring. Well, being in the hot spring, unlike the hot spring I had in Sungai Klah, this one is a bit too modern to my liking. Imagine getting hot water from taps. Rather this place in Sabah is more like a bath tub where you can turn the tap and hot water flows out. Kinda spoil the fun for me though.

Other than that, since there is natural hot spring, there is bound to have mountain water flowing and you guessed it there are waterfalls. There is also a bat cave situated way inside, but since time is limited, I can only go to the waterfall. Well, not everywhere is man made structures, there are also the flora and fauna life if you were to track even deeper. This reminds me of a bug that suddenly landed on the other side of my palm.

Now lookie here. The bug on my hand seems harmless. Well, I find it so weird, it’s just a beetle though. Though I hoped to find out what species and what is it’s full name. 4 yellow spots on it and yes, it’s not ticklish or anything, or rather maybe Daniel just have thick skin that he doesn’t mind insects walking on him.

Though there is something else that could be seen while walking towards the waterfall. Imagine the shocking faces of people around when they saw it. I can’t believe it though.

Well, yup. This photo shows how little water was flowing down the supposed lots of water waterfall. I was shocked. But then that’s not the real reason. Something lurks in the background and in the water. I decided to take a quick shot and to my horror… there’s something there. Something really there.

Oh my goodness? Incredible Hulk? Mr Malaysia? Not really, it’s just some handsome young man doing kungfu poses in the waterfall. Wow! Who is that young man down there?

*snickers*

Well, that wraps up the end of the waterfall and the hot springs. Night came and everyone had their dinner and the guys are gearing up what was supposed to be the hardest climb in South East Asia the following day. So with everyone had their fill, it was time to get a group shot.

The guys having their last meal before their gruelling climb up Mountain Kinabalu.

Stopping right here now, I will update my blog a little more frequent. Been missing some time and thanks to all those who read my previous post before this. Thanks for the wishes and your kind words

It was finally the second day of our trip in Kota Kinabalu where I will meet the rest of the group. Weird thing though is that this is the event before the island trip to Pulau Manukan. The weather wasn’t fine thus I took limited shots.

Here are the past episodes in case you dropped here via search engines.

Part 1 – Flight To Kota Kinabalu Sabah
Part 2 – Pulau Manukan Special

So walking on at Kota Kinabalu town, we stopped at what we called the KK Street Market. Hmmm lot of things to see, though none I would buy. I am impressed though with some of the collections.

This feels just like Petaling Street in Kuala Lumpur where there are tonnes and tonnes of souvenirs and handicrafts. Of course one thing that amazes me is a Top or a “Gasing” locally made. How does it look like though?

Now who would have thought of playing a “gasing”/top using this method. The funny thing though, this top produces sound because they punctured a hole in the center. The peddler was demonstrating the way to play the Top over and over again. Well, I was fascinated and my first time seeing this type of design.

Now then after what seemed fascinating, then the group of us had our breakfast which is seafood noodle that was supposingly famous there called New Man Tai. Of course the way it was arranged is a LITTLE BIT WEIRD. Then after that you will now know that we gone to the island hop which was the previous post in Pulau Manukan.

After the island trip, we came back to the Jetty and yes walked the way back to the condominium. On the way saw a few native fishing boats.

What a wonderful sight living just beside the sea. Well, you can hardly see these kind of atmosphere in the coming future, so why not cherished it by taking some photos so that when the future comes, people can see what a sight the past holds. After like minutes of walking, finally reached the desired destination. The Marina Court Condominum.

Having stayed in this condominium before, of course it is to no wonder why I chose to stay there a second time. First of all, it’s just facing the sea and security wise, still good. Of course they have a swimming pool (though I didn’t get to use it). Well, to think about it, it’s also feasible to go clubbing (if you’re a club kaki) since the club is just situated on the opposite side of the road.

What about the interior? Well, you cannot say it’s not nice, just look at what one of my friends did when she saw the bedroom.

Janice can’t wait to touch the soft soft bed and most probably to sleep on it. Hahaha!!! Well, too bad though, we only get to spend one night here first before embarking on the next day towards the mountain. But it sure was comfortable. So to commensurate the staying there, a few of us went shooting at the top of the condominium.

So this is the result. Though if the clouds weren’t there, I would have waited for sunset at the horizon. Just too bad though. But to tell the truth none can compared with the scenery I took a year ago of the same location where the sunset lights were so much nicer.

Night falls and all can’t seem to wait for the following day. Of course me and a few of us went out to have dinner, and occasionally the bunch I am in are all hungry people. So what to do. EAT then.

Now back to condo and everyone had a good night rest. (Of course the same can’t be said of my stomach though.) The following day all getting ready for the long hour van ride.

Moving on, we drove to a certain place where there is this watch tower. We can go up and take photos of the peak. Compared to last year, this year the peak is visible. Of course, seeing the peak there DanielCtw would love to take a picture before starting my journey.

Okay, please skip this photo. Not worth looking at. I know T_T

Knowingly the dry season, it was very hot and the weather in Malaysia which is also humid, made me sweat a lot. Though there are occasional breeze here and there.

It was so hot until some of us have to cower to look for shade and away from the sunlight.

OMG!! See what I told you. It really was a HOT HOT DAY!! That’s my other friend who came up with me a year ago, on a mission to conquer the mountain for the second time.

Since we’re already here and already checked into a Cabin called the Rose Cabin, the next trip is to the Poring Hot Spring.

Poring Hot Spring – a place where I don’t fancy the hot water. Hmmm.. then what do I fancy then?

ps : I am sure some of you must be wondering where are the other photos for this place. Well, I didn’t upload any in Flickr yet until I finished my Kinabalu journey posts. So sorry, but remind me if I didn’t do it. Though I must say lots of them I haven’t put up even a year ago.