From Craters to Critters, Sabah's got it all
Last holiday, we went to travel around malaysia, more specifically Sabah. We went on a road trip from Panaga to Kota Kinabalu. It was a long journey and certainly an exhausting drive, where we saw much of the remainder rainforest beauty around Borneo. We then arrive at the Kinabalu National Park, where we stay over and rest in the Kinabalu Rainforest Resort for the night. We had a long and wonderful afternoon nap, before we head off to the main hall for briefing of tomorrow's activity: Climbing Mt Kinabalu.
I thought I could use the challenge of walking 6 km uphill, I thought I would really enjoy this 'walk'. Little did I know that I have altitude sickness. My head became more and more dizzy as we ascended. But in the end, I managed to pull everything together and was really mesmerized by the view. It was very beautiful. As soon as we arrive at Laban Rata (the check point), we checked in to our room and head for another long afternoon nap. I'm not the kind of person who sleeps 24/7 but I was extremely exhausted and needed all the rest I could get. I got out of bed at around 6pm, where the sky had slowly darkenned. We went to have our dinner, where we met many other climbers. As I step into the patio, I could see this amazing view as the sun begins to disappear. We took a few pictures before we head back to our room. It was an early night sleep for everyone, as we all wanted to get ready for tomorrow's climb.
Although we have reached Laban Rata, we were not finished. Early before dawn at 2, is the time we were advised to wake up. We began our journey to the top at 3 am. It was extremely early so we can catch the sunrise. It was a painstakingly long journey and rather adventorous, where we had to climb our way up, only with the aid of the rope. It was quite scary as it was still very dark and the rocky wall was very steep. I was afraid to slip and fall. As we reach th eheight of 3000m, my feet began trembling, they were too tired. My hands were shaking, my fingers and toes were going numb; it was colder than i expected. At the check point we were greeted by some other climbers and decided that we would rest for a while.
Then we continued our climb, I could almost see the top of the mountain. We kept walking and walking until we reached the point of our limitation. From my head to toe, my body felt like it had been frozen. I couldn't move anything. I decided to stop, such ashame, little did I know I was very close to the very top. We took a few pictures as we watch the sunrise. It was certainly an amazing view. We were told to head back to Laban Rata before 8, so at around 7.30am we began our descent. We returned to the resort at Laban Rata at around 10am. We went straight to our room and took another nap. I thought that after this rest, I would feel much more refreshed; but instead my head became more and more dizzy. I had such a terrible headache, that I couldn't even be bothered to climb down.
After several panadols, I managed to get my head round the path and started walking our way down. As I descended to a lower altitude, my head felt much lighter I could see things much much clearer. I felt a lot better that me and my sister started walking ahead of our parents, resulting us reaching the bottom 40 minutes before them. Although we got down before our parents, we still had to wait for them as the transportation will only deliver as back as a whole family. So we had some snack while waiting, and eventually we could see our parents.
After we are all set, we went back into our car where we head to the city of Kinabalu. We stayed over at a hotel near the airport for the night. Finishing any final packings before we head to our next destination: Sipadan
Although we have reached Laban Rata, we were not finished. Early before dawn at 2, is the time we were advised to wake up. We began our journey to the top at 3 am. It was extremely early so we can catch the sunrise. It was a painstakingly long journey and rather adventorous, where we had to climb our way up, only with the aid of the rope. It was quite scary as it was still very dark and the rocky wall was very steep. I was afraid to slip and fall. As we reach th eheight of 3000m, my feet began trembling, they were too tired. My hands were shaking, my fingers and toes were going numb; it was colder than i expected. At the check point we were greeted by some other climbers and decided that we would rest for a while.
Then we continued our climb, I could almost see the top of the mountain. We kept walking and walking until we reached the point of our limitation. From my head to toe, my body felt like it had been frozen. I couldn't move anything. I decided to stop, such ashame, little did I know I was very close to the very top. We took a few pictures as we watch the sunrise. It was certainly an amazing view. We were told to head back to Laban Rata before 8, so at around 7.30am we began our descent. We returned to the resort at Laban Rata at around 10am. We went straight to our room and took another nap. I thought that after this rest, I would feel much more refreshed; but instead my head became more and more dizzy. I had such a terrible headache, that I couldn't even be bothered to climb down.
After several panadols, I managed to get my head round the path and started walking our way down. As I descended to a lower altitude, my head felt much lighter I could see things much much clearer. I felt a lot better that me and my sister started walking ahead of our parents, resulting us reaching the bottom 40 minutes before them. Although we got down before our parents, we still had to wait for them as the transportation will only deliver as back as a whole family. So we had some snack while waiting, and eventually we could see our parents.
After we are all set, we went back into our car where we head to the city of Kinabalu. We stayed over at a hotel near the airport for the night. Finishing any final packings before we head to our next destination: Sipadan