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Published: October 26th 2008
Tuesday 2 September to Sunday 21 September
Our big challenge was climbing Mount Kinabalu (8 km climb, 4,000m high) - a 14 hour demanding climb (up and down), part of it in the middle of the night in the dark. The last 3 kms up ropes. Fought the fear and made it up in time for sunrise. Breath-taking scenery and amazing sense of achievement. Took 2 days to recover.
Highlights
• Climbing Mount Kinabalu (highest mountain in South East Asia).
• Soaking our weary limbs at Poring Hot Springs.
• Finding the world’s largest flower, the Raffelesia, in bloom.
• Semi-wild orangutans in the Sepilok rehabilitation center.
• Our friend Warren coming to join us for 10 days.
• Trip to Kinabatangan River and jungle - lone gibbon calling out in the early morning, wild orangutans, silver leafed & proboscis monkeys, crocodiles, flying fox, bearded pig, hornbills, fish eagles & kingfishers.
• Diving in Sipadan & Mabul, one of the world’s best diving spots - giant turtles, barracudas, sharks, lots of macro (small stuff).
• Friendly children in the Mabul water village.
• Free Wi-Fi in most hotels.
Lowlights • Deforestation - palm oil plantations as far as the
eye can see.
• Sandakan karaoke bars serving up more prostitutes than music.
• Somewhat unfriendly people (except for Sipadan/Mabul).
• Too much plastic in the oceans (and on the ground).
• Smelly (but extremely popular) durian fruit stinking out hotel rooms.
• Freezing air con in many places.
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