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I recently been to Sabah (my first time in East Malaysia even) in hopes for fulfilling a dream and experience to climb Mount Kinabalu, the highest mountain in South East Asia. The trip was planned since end of last year, which gave us a lot of time to train and to get in shape. Mind you, I did train myself to build stamina by playing badminton, swimming laps in the pool and also running the treadmill and bikes in the gym. Some of us also went training in Batu Caves by climbing up the stairs and carrying weights in the backpack to simulate the climb. However, most of our group underestimated how difficult was it to climb, even though we were told that even old uncles could do it without a sweat…yeah right!

Day 1: En route to Kinabalu Park

We (all 16 of us), met at the Kota Kinabalu Airport where we then head to Kinabalu Park. We spent the night in a place called Grace Hostel in Kinabalu Park before we head over to the summit trail the next morning. We arrived there around 3PM as it was raining for most parts of the journey. Mind you, it takes about 2 hours or so from KK airport to Kinabalu Park. Temperature here was around 16 degrees Celsius, which was fine perfect weather. Surprisingly, Grace Hostel is a very nicely maintained place, with nice showers and clean bunk beds. We all expect something a little worse actually. I would recommend anyone to spend the night here if they want to make the climb.

it was foggy on our way up

Reception of Grace Hostel

Hostel living room…not bad eh?

Look..they even have shower gels and moisturizers!

Clean and nicely lit bunk beds

Day 2 and 3: The Climb to Laban Rata and Mount Kinabalu Summit

This is it the day has finally arrive. All that hard work training is for this moment. Well there are 2 trails up to Laban Rata, which is base camp of Kinabalu before the climb up to the summit. There is the Mesilau trail and the Timpohon trial. Mesilau is the longer (6km) but more scenic route, compared to Timpohon which is only 3km. Now if you ask me, for first timers, take the Mesilau trial up, and Timpohon trail down. The Mesilau trail, although longer, has more sceneries compared to just jungle and trees in Timpohon. Mesilau trail is also “easier” as the elevation is not as steep as Timpohon.

I must say, many of us underestimate the climb. All that hard work and training just gone down the drain as we all didn’t think it was this hard. All of us were training on relatively flat terrain like steps, gym or walks in the park. The terrain in Kinabalu consists of uneven rocks and boulders which were slippery and steep. My advice for first timers is to TRAIN and PREPARE properly before climbing. Seriously it’s not easy. We have a few guys in our group who were season athletes, and there was also a person who does triathlons, and even he to mentioned it’s harder than he thought.

Kinabalu trails – click to enlarge

Brandon, Kim, Lianne and I before the climb

The Mesilau Trail

The trail going up to Laban Rata

Us taking a break

This is probably the nicest part of the trail. Seems like you’re walking in the clouds! 

I got to say, I took longer than expected to reach base camp. I was also extremely unfortunate and disappointed that I tweaked my calf muscle in the process. I didn’t feel much pain upon reaching Laban Rata and I thought I would just continue the trail to the summit the next morning (at 2AM). But upon the first kilometer up, I could feel a sharp pain on my right calf which is uncomfortable and at times unbearable for me. Alas, it was rather unfortunate that I didn’t make it to the top and had to come down to base camp to my sheer disappointment. I figured I would rather not risk the injury any further as I still have to make the climb down to Kinabalu Park using the Timpohon trail, which consists of steep steps.

Laban Rata..it’s about 8 degrees Celsius here

This is the view of the sunset at Laban Rata

And this is the view from the summit, taken by Quin…awesome stuff!

Well, as you can see, the view from the top is absolutely stunning. It’s about 2 degrees Celsius at the summit so you actually won’t look weird wearing a ski mask at the top. I waited for the rest of the group to return from the summit to base camp where we then headed down to Kinabalu Park using the Timpohon trail.

This is what we have to endure on the way down…knee height steps!

…and this shot was taken on the way down, looking back

Day 4: A Day In Kota Kinabalu

When we got back down, we headed to KK town where we stayed at Marina Court Service Apartment. I got to say, for about RM750 per night for 8 people in a room (we had 2 rooms for 16 people), it’s a place really worth staying at. Its right smack in town, and it faces the sea front where shopping for souvenirs and fresh seafood is convenient. We didn’t had much time to walk around KK town as everyone was exhausted (and injured) and decided to just chill at the apartment until we head home. We did however squeezed in some time to do some shopping for gifts and memento to take home. We also did manage to go for a nice seafood lunch before our flight.

A view from of KK from the plane

This trip was a really good experience for me. It showed my capabilities, my fitness level and how far I can go to push myself but at the same time exposed my weaknesses and what I have to do more to keep myself in better shape. Do I regret making the trip? Hell no! It’s definitely one hell of an experience for me. Made a bunch of new friends who are both crazy and fun…something all of us forget to do every once in awhile…to have fun. Would I ever go again to try to make it to the top? Well, at this point I would say NO…but ask me again in a year or so and I might give you a different answer. :)

Photo Credits: Quin & Mike Lian

OMG! It seems I’ve been neglecting this blog for a very long while. This time for real, it’s not because I was too lazy to update, but I seriously hadn’t the time. It’s been a long 3 weeks or so with so many things happening at the office. It was a really crucial week last week, as there were some multi-million ringgit sign-offs which we required from the client, so a lot of preparation and convincing was needed to get the client’s signature. It can be really dramatic I tell you. But alas, it was done. Then again, that’s only the tip of the iceberg as there are more stuff in the pipeline in the coming months. With the World Cup fast approaching in June and July, a lot of my projects need to start soon. Everyone wants to cash in on the World Cup, and with my client saying things like “We want to do BIG THINGS” and “We want to DOMINATE” would give you an idea as to why I said it’s only the beginning. So if you don’t hear from me cum May to July, chances are you can find me pitching up a tent in my office.

Ok, since I’ve been out of touch with you guys for awhile, I’ll just summarized a few things of what happened

A New Love
In case you didn’t know, I finally bought a new Nokia N97 Mini and retired my 4 year old dinosaur N80. Yea, 4 years is the longest I ever hold on to a phone. I remember I used to always switch to the latest model every time something new came out. I once only owned a phone for 6 months before selling it off to get an upgraded version. I was that gung-ho back then.

baby I love you…

Anyway, this phone is a real gem. It does everything I want it too and can do everything any other phone can too. Why not a Blackberry or an iPhone you ask? Well, I was contemplating this phone and the Blackberry Bold 9700. I guess I made my choice under the assumption that everyone will get the Blackberry and I wanted to be different. iPhone? It was never in my list to begin with…don’t let me start about how I’m on the anti Apple camp. :)

A Goodbye
Goodbyes are always hard. Especially if it’s someone so close and dear who you have known for ages. My dear friend Sylvia is finally moving to the States with her husband Jason. I’ve known Sylvia since we were both in secondary school, together with her twin sister Sheila. We go to the same church, gone for camps together and we’ve kept in touch even after all these years. 

Sylvia, Jason and I @ WIP, Bangsar

Can you believe it’s been 16 years? Even when she is working in Penang, she never fails to call me and go out every time she comes back here for a visit. You can say she is one of my BFFs. Sylvia, I will definitely miss you loads…heck I already miss you now!! All the best to ya! *hugs*

A Goal
YES! I’ve finally paid for my flight tickets and accommodation to Sabah in July to conquer Mount Kinabalu. There is NO TURNING BACK already! Die die also must climb and get that cert. I’ve been wanting to do this for sometime now, but didn’t really take the initiative until my ex-colleague Mike decided to gather a few people to go. It will be my first ever visit to East Malaysia.

Mount Kinabalu, Sabah

Some people who have climbed up told me that you require to train for endurance in order for you to make it to the top. Then again, there are some who said you don’t really have to train and that even old aunties can climb. I would like to believe it’s the latter. It’s all in the mind I tell you. But anyway, my “training regime” has already begun. But let’s see what happens on a closer date.

Coming up next..

There are a few things coming up, later half of the year. Since I know I might be pretty busy in the coming months (and might not update this blog), maybe I’ll just let you guys know some of my travel plans and in case any of you want to tag along.

May
Weekend over Singapore (tentative) - I always go down Singapore for annual visits every year…so we’ll see

July
Mount Kinabalu (confirmed)

August
Bali, Indonesia (Dates confirmed. Yet to book flights and accommodation) - The whole purpose for this trip is because we’re celebrating a few birthdays together since they are a week apart from each other. So rather than having a birthday party every week, we decided to go big and have one massive birthday party. Brilliant isn’t it?

October
Melbourne, Australia (Dates confirmed. Yet to book flights and accommodation)- My pet sis Zara is having a garden wedding by the Yarra River on 10-10-10 (that’s 10th October 2010) after 10 years with her boyfriend. Now to have the wedding ceremony at 10:10AM with 10 bridesmaid. How can I not go for this??

Nov-Dec
A short shopping trip to Hong Kong or Dubai since my cousin keeps insisting I come visit. Let’s see if I still have left over funding for the year to pull off this trip.

Ok, there you go…some updates on the things that has been going on. I really hope I don’t have to keep doing these mass update posts and find more time to update this blog to keep you entertained…haha…until then..

This girl by the window, one of the sweetest things I’ve ever seen. Seeing her from a distance, listening to music, seeing her pouty lips mumbling the lyrics, and grooving ever so gently to the beats hoping others won’t notice. I stared up at her for awhile, and when she noticed she gave a little smile. Who is she? I will never know. For she went away after I took this picture. I regretted not going up to her when I had the chance. Oh well, it was good while it lasted…for what its worth..she did make my day.

P/S: In case you’re wondering, this picture was taken at “That CD Shop” display window along Scotts Road, Singapore.

I was in Singapore again last week, mainly to meet up with my friends and party because the last time I was there (just a week before that), I only stayed for less than 48 hours. Well, I manage to meet up with Joyce and her friends and she took me to this place call Howl At The Moon. It’s located at Peranakan Place, along Orchard Road (specifically along an alleyway right next to CenterPoint Shopping Center). I’ve got to say I haven’t come across such a place back here in KL, and it would be great that they do open up a franchise.

“..Howl at the Moon takes the term "piano bar" to heights, with the piano players offering up witty discourse while encouraging the audience to "sing-along" to songs almost everyone knows by heart. Anyone who delights in good music will have a wonderful experience." - Howl At The Moon Tampa

If you want some fun having a guys/girls/group night out in Singapore, this is the place to be. There are performances from a band that entertains the crowd through a unique mix of music, comedy and sarcasm. What I like about the place that it has a “Phrase of the Night” board for the highest bidder. So, if you want to put up a quote or something quirky, all you have to do is to pay more that the specified price on the board and your quote will be up for all to see. They even have a “High-Roller” column, where bidding starts at say SGD$20. It’s really an ingenious way to get the crowd participate and to also generate income for the place…brilliant!

I just have to take this “Phrase of the Night” :P

I really had fun together with Joyce and her friends. If you know Joyce, you know how wacky she can be at times…

Joyce & I

The ladies

Joyce & I fooling around…

Juliet & I

The group shot..

I ended up super tipsy by the time I took the cab back to my hotel (it was around 330AM). The amazing thing was..the cab driver didn’t know where my hotel was exactly, so I told him to stop me somewhere nearby and I walked back (2 streets ok!)…not bad right?  Thanks Joyce for a really awesome night. It was really good catching up with you again. It was my first time there that night, and I can already tell you that I would want go back there again.

*Click here for more photos

This is about my trip to Tioman Island last weekend. It’s my first time there so I didn’t have any expectations whatsoever. To my surprise, the place is simply awesome! If you really want a short getaway from the city and to chill out by the beach in some island…this is a place to consider. Clean sandy beaches, cheap accommodation, cheap booze (it’s a duty free zone), and great company…the perfect combo for a holiday.

There were 8 of us who went, and out of the 8, 5 of them were mainly there for diving and the other 3 (myself included)….well, we’re there just to chill and for the cheap alcohol.

upon arrival at the jetty, awaiting the ferry

We stayed in Coral Reef chalets in Tekek Village.Tekek is considered the heart of Tioman Island, and it’s where the airport is situated. Room rates are from RM45 to RM150.00 per room per night by the beach. The rooms comes with 2 beds, air conditioning, water heater and TV in some (got Astro some more wei!)…not too bad if you ask me. A word of caution though…if you’re planning to bring your “princess-like” girlfriend/wife who can’t tolerate bugs and a not so perfect bathroom…don’t bother getting a room here…after all we only paid RM75 per person for 2 nights…what more can you ask for?

there are several hammocks in front of our rooms which was simply heaven!

Can you believe that this is actually the view from the hammock?

The beach

Crystal clear waters

sunset by the beach looked so calm and peaceful

For us non divers, we went snorkeling and chill by the beach during the day and during the night…well need I say more?

choosing our poison at a duty free shop

With alcohol being cheaper than a can of Coke there, it’s quite hard not over buy. Imagine a can of Tiger beer is going for only RM2 per can and a bottle of Hoegarden is only going for RM5! So on the first night itself, we bought a bottle of Glenfiddich single malt whiskey (12 years), a bottle of Absolut Mango and a couple of bottles of other imported beers.

note the price of this single malt whiskey?

these are our purchases on the first night!

It’s actually quite surprising that despite so much alcohol that we bought, none of us were actually really drunk on both nights. I think it’s mainly due to the fact that the majority of them had to go diving the next morning and consumption of alcohol before diving is a big no-no (heard they can actually revoke your dive license even). But even so, being tipsy for 2 nights straight was good enough for me…it was really fun nevertheless.

On the final day, Rabin & I rented bicycles and we rode around the island. I think that was my first time on a bicycle in after 5-6 years. It really feels great to ride again. I did most parts of the journey myself though, as Rabin was too tired to continue and headed back to the room half way for a rest.

I cycled to this marina where all the boats are parked..

And to this pier where several people were seen fishing..

coastal view from the pier

I think judging from the pictures, it’s hard for anyone to leave such a beautiful place just after 3 days. We were all contemplating to actually extend our stay for at least a week! Sighh…Oh well that’s just wishful thinking I guess, but I will most certainly come back here again…if it’s not for the beach…it’s certainly for the cheap alcohol…haha!

Our final picture…

Note: Some pictures are courtesy of Eric Cheong