From Kudat, we drove to Kundasang to go to the Mount Kinabalu. Passed through Kota Belud and arrived Kinabalu Park at Kundasang around 10.00pm. Luckily Husna knows the way around Sabah or else sure we'll get lost as there are basically no street lights at most part!

Checked in at the Grace Hostel (All the lodges here belong to Sutera Harbour, you can check their rates at http://suterasanctuarylodges.com). The place is very comfortable and clean. Although there are many resorts surround Mount Kinabalu, this place is your best bet as it is the closest point which can be reach via road. Higher than that, kena daki laa beb

We did not plan to climb the great mountain this time around as Laban Rata is fully booked for the month of February (there's only one lodge at Laban Rata). Plus based on Angah and Along's experiences climbing the mountain last year, I don't think I am physically and mentally prepared yet.

Anyway, on the morning of 2nd Feb, a few of us woke up early for the sunrise (not me of course). It was very cold indeed I chose to cuddle in my blanket . Lepas tu baru bangun, had our breakfast. Nak mandi, air sejuk giler mcm ice! Then jalan jalan pusing Kinabalu Park. Went to Timpohon Gate - the entry to climb the Mountain. You can also enter through Mesilau Gate, which will take you longer by 20km (if I'm not mistaken) but more sightseeing of beautiful scenery (that's the route Along & Angah took last year...terer sioott!)

We later climbed a jungle trek for a water fall view (120 metres) and mountain view (230 metres). I'm the only lazybone, baru naik beberapa meter dah patah balik. Penat sioot! Seriously, 120 metres straight line is so different with 120 metres going up!!!

So I waited down alone at the Timpohon Gate, while watching a few guys packing their bags to climb the mountain. They are actually workers; also are known as 'orang bukit'. They climbed everyday to bring neccessities up the hill (things vary according to days). It can be cement like that day or it could be a refrigerator! Depends laa requirement orang kat Laban Rata coz takde cara lain nak bawak barang ke atas tu.

All in all, the place is splendid! The tranquility scenes and breezy weather absolutely make one smile. Now I know why people like going to hilly places like Cameron. Of course this is 10 x better, it's the highest mountain in Malaysia!

After enjoying the mountain sight sepuas puas hati, we all went to Ranau for the Poring Hot Spring. Went for the Tree Top Walk, walaupun agak gayat tapi best gak! Then jungle trekking utk ke Kipungit Waterfall. Again, the waterfall cold like ice! Best woo berendam...

On the way back to K.K, singgah makan Lokan Bakar and Air Kelapa Puding. Sedap tau air kelapa puding tu! Taktau naper tak jual kat semenanjung. We arrived K.K around 5.00pm, ready to board the bus to Semporna....

*Read my travelog for a more detailed description of our trip http://manjalara.diaryland.com

Next: Day 3 - From Mountain High to Ocean Deep