Mount Kinabalu - Day 2 Up, up to Laban Rata

Well, well.... it was climbing day finally. The day that I have waited for 11 months. Gosh... Anyway, we got everyone down at the park reception after breakfast. Then a few things to do:
1. Excess luggages were left behind at the park for RM10 per piece
2. Renting of hiking pole for RM10 per piece (no more walking stick)
3. Weighing of bags for the porter cum guide to carry up for RM8 per kg
4. Giving out name tags
Once done, we were driven for another 2 km or so to the entrance where the start of the climb was. Briefing, checked our names at the counter and then off we for our adventure! Our destination for the day - Laban Rata where we will put up for the night. Almost 6km from entrance at Timpohon to Laban Rata. Do enjoy the pix taken along the way.

We went by the Timpohon Trail, this was the starting point.



Kuinten, one of our guides, giving us a briefing.



At the start of our climb, going downwards? How lovely!

Hardly! Up you go!



Marker at every 500m. Those were genuine smile (for the 1st km).


 
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<><><><><>Look at the big bundle of bags! We were happy with our

                                                  little ones.

Continue with the climb please... What lovely lush green forest!



Still a long way to go... Mt KK looming beyond...



Love this tree! Looked as if it came out from a fairy tale.

Different landscape. You get lots of yellow stones.

Misty-misty.. weather can be erratic too.

When you start seeing rocks, means you are nearing Laban Rata.

Laban Rata finally. Time for the legs and heart to rest

The eating place where we will have our meals.

The way to the peak. That would be tomorrow's story.



Beautiful daisies smilling at the sun. Lots of them!



Above the clouds

Gorgeous sunset!

Ooppsss... what a mess! But our sleeping quarters for the night. Lights off at 7.30pm. Alarm at 1am. Good night...

 

Mount Kinabalu - Day 1 to Kinabalu Park

Can't believe that it has been more than a week since I came back from the trip. My second attempt since I didn't make it to the peak last year. This round, different group and bigger group too! I was very determined, but some things were beyond control - altitude sickness, weather. Armed with loads of positiveness and tonnes of encouragements, I took the step forward..

Arrived Kota Kinabalu airport on 29 April 2012. There were 2 groups, one flying in from KL and the other group flying in from Singapore. Lucky our flights were not too far apart. While waiting for the other group, we were dropped off at one of the local shopping malls for lunch and also some shopping. Yes, shopping for our climb necessities, ie isotonic drinks, buns, chocos, etc...

Once everyone has arrived and done with their last minute shopping, we hopped into 2 vans that will bring us to the "base camp" ie Kinabalu Park where we will stay over for the night. On our way, we couldn't resist but de-toured to "Rumah Terbalik". http://www.upsidedownhouse.com.my/

After that, off to our destination and settled in for the night. We retired early around 830am. We wanted a good rest, and be ready for the climb.

Welcome to the Upside Down House! No photos inside the house.



Even the Kancil was parked upside down.





Please get your tix here!



The way to our beds.... at Rock Hostel

  


Simple but comfy. Towels & toiletries provided too!

 

Balsam Cafe - food tasted extra delicious in the mountains!

 


Studying the trail diligently



Dreaming of Mt KK. Can I reach the peak?

 

Welcome 2012!

Another year! Time flies... and it's already Feb... One year older too, hopefully one year wiser! One of my aim is to reach the peak of Mount Kinabalu. Had a go last year but only half way to Laban Rata. So, this year I want to climb all the way to the peak. Good weather, please...



That's where I want to be.. and more..



For more photos, please visit the one who went up all the way: http://thrilltoshare.blogspot.com/

Inner Mongolia to Tianjin - Snap shots here and there

We visited some other places of interests as well at IM. We left Hohhot via a night train to Beijing. My first overnight train ride and it was very comfy coz we took the soft sleeper. For more info on the trains, you can check out this website : http://www.beijingchina.net.cn/transportation/train/from-to-hohhot.html  We got our tour guide to buy the tickets for us. Hassle free! From Beijing, we took a bullet train to Tianjin, where we board our flight back to KL the next day. We took some time to walk around Tianjin too.



A replica of Potala Palace (Wu Dang Zhao)



Nestled in the valley of greens, the other buildings of the temple



One of the temple buildings - lots of windows



One of our meals at Inner Mongolia. My favourite dish - cherry tomatoes

This is Rudolph's distant cousin. Not as fortunate as Rudolph. It's a reindeer.



At the deer farm, where they slice off the antlers for medicinal use.

Entrance of Ganges Khan Mouseleum. The pillar is really gigantic compare to the tiny person.

Local craft factory.

Mini keychains. Lots of them everywhere!

Tibetan Temple with katas hanging on robes

Contrasting colours

This guy was working at the railway tracks at the desert. Scorching hot!

Our friend always have time for good looks!

Nicely framed

Trying my hands on potraits

Dinasours at the Museum! Was awe struck!!

Our overnight train from Hohhot to Beijing. That's the walkway.

Having a cuppa in the our little compartment.

It's double deck. Only one person can walk in and out at one time. But the sleeper is comfy!

That's the bullet train. Took the train from Beijing to Tianjin, only 30mins.

This is the Ancient Culture Street at Tianjin. Lots of souvenier shops. And the architecture is like it's name - ancient.

Syrup drawing. Once it is done, the whole shape is lifted up and stuck on a stick. Then we eat it.

This is the famous "Gou bu li" bun. Since it is so famous, we had to try it. But ermm... so-so for me.

Another snack found at the Ancient Culture Street. Didn't try this one.

This is the market near our hotel in Tianjin. Guess what we found at the market - a little dental clinic! The one with the red cross.