Mount Kinabalu Hello All!
Julie and I have loved Malaysia so much, that we've overstayed our "planned'' date, by 3 weeks! It's been amazing and exhausting!
Singapore was beautiful, I can't wait to return with a bit more money in my pocket! Last Friday, we flew to Kota Kinabalu, the Capital of Sabah (Borneo). We were up at 6am to catch a 2 hour taxi to Mount Kinabalu, where we met our "German Brothers" and prepared for the climb. Mount Kinabalu is the tallest Mountain in South East Asia, 4095 Meters high. We started our climb, with our guide Julius, at 11:30 AM. Although it is said that it is an "Easy mountain climb", it was definitely a challenge. The weather was beautiful for the first 3 KM, but then the sky opened up and it poured for the next 2 1/2 hours. The climb was a mixture of steep steps, rocks and slippery granite. We took a few much needed breaks during our 6KM climb. Our guide said that we were 'Very Fast Pace', and Julie had him convinced that I 'ran mountain marathons'....which he knew was a flat our lie after about 4 KM. With only 500 meters left, I really didn't think I had anything left in me. No Energy, my legs were shaky and I was really nauseous...but adrenaline kicks in and I pushed on. It took us 4hours, made it to the 'lodge' at 3:30.
We were all soaking wet and freezing cold, huddled together in our dorm room drinking Hot Chocolate and waiting for a hot shower. We were in bed by 7Pm, and I haven't slept so well in weeks! The alarm went off at 2:45am, and tiredly we all got out of bed and dressed in warm clothes (although most of them were still wet from the day before) for the rest of the climb (3KM). Most of the groups left between 2 am and 3 am. We were the last group to leave, at 3:40...and kept a really good (slow but steady!) pace to the summit. This climb was much more strenuous and relentless. We climbed the slippery and steep granite, in pitch black, using our head lamps to guide our way. There were ropes set up to help us up the 'tough' parts. It was so neat to look up and see a slow moving line of flash lights, snaking their way to the summit. Sunrise was at 6:30, and we were able to make it with a few minutes to spare. All of the pain, nausea and exhaustion disappeared. It was incredible, pictures just don't justify the beauty and feelings of pride and happiness to be sitting on this summit at that very moment. It was freezing, below zero, at the summit, and the Sunrise was all too quick... but it was worth it!
The next few hours were beautiful and relaxing. We let the 'crowd' of other climbers head down, while we took our time and watched the clouds roll in. We made it to the lodge to collect our things in a few hours, and Julie and I laid down and fell asleep instantly, for 1/2 hour before we continued to the bottom. Unfortunately it rained the entire 6 KM to the bottom of the mountain, but we carried on, all in high spirits!
We made our way back to Kota Kinabalu, had a much needed nap time. That night we celebrated the climb with some whiskey and beer. Saying goodbye to our German Brothers the next day, Julie and I woke up and did NOTHING. We could barely walk, so decided to have a relaxing day.
Tuesday, we took a 6 hour bus ride to Sipolok. Our bus driver stopped the bus in the middle of nowhere, pointed at us and said "There- 10 minutes"...what? So we got our bags and walked...and eventually found the "resort"....Basically a deserted 15 acre guesthouse...ghost town...with nothing to do, we went to bed early excited for the next day....
Orang Utans!! We went to the Orang Utan Rehabilitation Centre, only 1 of 4 in world. The Sanctuary takes in orphaned Orang Utans (which means Man of the Forest) and teaches them to survive, climb trees, hunt ect...before letting them go back into the Rainforest. We stayed for the day, watching two feedings and Julie and I did an few hour hike through the jungle. They were the most adorable things with incredible strength and each with his/her own personality! Loved it! Julie would have given ANYTHING to be able to be one of the guys doing the feedings.
The next day we made our way to Simporna, where we would be diving/snorkeling at the nearby Sipidan Island. Snorkeling was Incredible! I have never experienced ANYTHING like it! I was swimming along side Sea Turtles (bigger than me...not joking). I saw at sharks (eek!!), Giant Clams, Barracuda's, and swam for hours with thousands and thousands of different fish, (Some were enormous, also bigger than me). It was unbelievable, and makes me really want to get my SCUBA certificate...one day...when I have a bit more money!
Well, that's that. The only 'downer' I can think of is that I was attacked by mosquito's the other night. My whole body is covered and swollen. I counted yesterday, and I have over 75 bites (that I can see). I'm incredibly itchy...but hell, if that's the worst of my problems, than life is OK!
I will try to upload more pictures later on, this computer is too slow to do it now.
Hope everyone is doing well! Email me and let me know how you're all doing!
-Muah!
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