Gunung Ayam at Stong Waterfall Kelantan

GUNUNG AYAM (1480m, 4935ft)
26th - 28th Oct 2007


For a great selection of places to stay with discount prices visit Kelantan Hotels for more information.

When 'Low Lee' (Old Lee) called and informed us the date of climbing Gunung Ayam, we were so excited because we have not been to any climbing trip since our last trip on 17th - 21st Sept 2006. (G.Yong Belar, G.Gayung & G.Korbu). 'Low Lee' is our organizer for most of the climbing trip to the 7G's. Since it is raining season our 4 members team (YK, KC, Michael & Hok Mew) decided to go ahead despite rain or sunshine. Despite our busy schedule we did some training before the trip. As usual I will plan the menu for 3D2N trip which include buying the food and packing them. On the night before the trip we met up and split the weight which include food stuff, cooking utensil, ground sheet/flysheet, burner and gas. We already have a standard packing list and a mini hand held weighing scale to check the member's carrying weight.


Went and did some research on Gunung Ayam. It is situated in the Jelawang Jungle (Mt. Stong State Park) near the village of Dabong in the State of Kelantan. Gunung Ayam (1480m) is among the highest in Kelantan. Gunung Ayam, Gunung Baha, Gunung Stong, Gunung Koh, Gunung Beirut, Gunung Che Tahir, Gunung Saji, Gunung Tera are all inter-connected. The famous Stong Waterfall which has a drop of 305m is believed to be the highest in South East Asia. It is also known as seven-tier waterfall. Our campsite will be at the peak of Stong Waterfall (Baha's Camp). Baha's camp has 2 large campsite and some huts for rental (which are not well maintained). At the base of Stong Waterfall there was a resort which has since ceased operation but you have to pay RM3 per head for entrance to Jelawang Jungle and RM3 per night at Baha Campsite. One also need to engage a guide to Baha's Camp (RM70), Gunung Ayam (RM80 for a group of 15). Make sure to confirm the price before the trip and guides are available at the entrance.


1st Day (26.10.2007)

Depart Kajang Town at 7.00am and reached Bentong Town at 8.00am for breakfast near the market. Did some last minute shopping for "Tow Foo Kuang" which Bentong Town is famous for its "tow foo" (bean curd). The meeting point was at Gua Musang where we have our lunch. After lunch we proceed to the base of Stong Waterfall which was an hour drive away. Before the current road was built, one has to walk through the village to take a boat ride across the river to the base. Now you just drive to the base and park your vehicle there. We reached the base at 2pm and it was raining heavily. Waited till 4pm and start trekking and reach Baha's camp at 4.45pm. Started pitching our tents and preparing dinner while YK and Hok Mew went to take photo of the 'Lover's Rock', which is the giant boulder at the edge of the Stong waterfall. Here is well known for its spectacular sunrise and "sea of clouds". You can actually stand by the edge and view the whole of Kampong Dabong. One has to talk louder because of the roaring waterfall and sound of water gushing. Took plenty of pictures and video clips too! Tonight dinner was 'hokkien mee' and the noodle bought from Sg. Pelek and fish cake from Serdang. Supper was sweet potatoes soup with old ginger. It started raining again when we just about to finish our 'hockkien mee' and instead of having sweet potatoes as our supper, we have it as a dessert. Retired at 8.30pm very very early! as it was raining and the best thing is to sleep.

Watch Video of waterfall and panaromic view from the top of Stong Waterfall.
Day 2

"Bangun! bangun!" (wake-up! wake-up!) our morning call by KC It was only 5.30am and we have "Tea Tarik" and biscuit at the Lover's Rock. Waited patiently for sunrise. A Glimpse of it and it was cover with cloud, the best time to come is in Mar - May. Went back to campsite to prepare porridge for breakfast (soak the rice the night before!). Fried eggs with 'udang kering' (dried shrimps) and 'kow choy' (vegetable). Hok Mew's wife prepared for us salted fish, 'kacang goreng' (fried groundnuts) and ikan bilis goreng (fried anchovies). Boiled sweet potatoes for trekking to the peak which is estimated to take 6 hours and we did it within 4 hours. Almost to the peak we stop at a last water point to refill. The guide told us there are two spots to collect the 'near one' and the 'slightly further one'. We just didn't think about it and collected from the 'near one'. The water tasted refreshing and cool. After taking a big gulp, KC and I refill our water bottle and walk up the slope. To our horror we saw fresh elephant dung about 10 steps away. Anyway it is the first time drinking water flavored with elephant dung, full of minerals Ugggghh!!!!. Had a good laugh and can't do anything about it. As we carry on, more elephant dungs, it looks as a herd of elephants may have pass here less than a week ago as the whole place looks very soggy and you can see big gaps and elephant foot prints along the trail. At the Gunung Ayam peak, more elephant dungs and foot prints and of course fresh dung aroma, KC boil water to make 'milo tarik' (hot chocolate malt drink), home bake fruit cakes and biscuit for lunch. Uncle Chew (oldest member at 66 yrs old) barter trade his glutinous rice dumpling for a cup of 'milo tarik'. Looking far we could see large cleared land for replanting possibly palm oil trees.
After our lunch and group photos, we started descending at 1.25pm and reached the campsite at 3.45pm. After bathing, KC started washing and preparing the ingredients for cooking 'bak ku teh' without 'bak' (meat), vegetarian dish and rice for dinner. Just about to finish cooking, it started to rain again! After dinner we went inside the tent at 7.30pm. It was raining the whole night. An hour later water began seeping into our tents due to the heavy rain. Thoughts came to our mind that our tents were sitting on a water flow area and the extra flysheet that we put up was wrongly placed as water was flowing just over the zip opening. I went out to adjust the problem and notice the sound of water coming down the water fall was unusually loud and the river swell to almost 6 feet from our campsite level. Even though it was impossible for the water to reach our campsite, we stayed alert just in case. We have bad experience during our Gunung Tahan trip (Camp Putih) in Aug 2004 where the water flooded our campsite even though it was 12ft from water level. As the heavy rain subsided, we went back to sleep.

Day 3

"Bangun! Bangun!" It was only 6.30am and yet we still wake up because we already have lots of rest yesterday. Our organizer told us that we are leaving the campsite at only 10.00am. No sunrise because of heavy rain the whole night. Lots of stuff to wash up and breakfast was only "Tea Tarik" with biscuit and left over fruit cake. After packing we spent time taking photos. Took our time to descend and on the way took some photos on the seven tier waterfall. Reach the base at 10.30am and "mandi-mandi" (bathing). Left the base for Gua Musang to have lunch to celebrate our successful climb. 'Low Lee' ordered fresh water fish half of a 'Pak Ting' that weight 4Kg. We stop over at Kuala Lipis to have coffee and tea break before proceeding back to Kajang. We reached Kajang at 8.00pm and joined our friend from Klang to have dinner in Broga. Our expenses for this trip was only RM106 per person inclusive of transportation, food for 3 days and camping/guide fee. Economical and adventurous and fun. 'Cuti cuti Malaysia'

Have fun and be happy! ♥









Watch Slide Photos

Seremban Yee Kee Beef Noodles

It was late evening in Seremban, and we were looking for some wrapping papers to buy at one of the many flowers and gifts shop along Jalan Dato Lee Fong Yee. My wife KC was inside one of the shops and I happened to be standing at Public Bank and noticed a red colored shop on the opposite shop houses. Seremban Yee Kee Beef Noodles and the thought suddenly came to my mind to have it for dinner and I was wondering whether is this the famous Seremban Beef Noodles that I heard so much about. KC just appeared and I said "Dinner?' and we look across towards Yee Kee and simultaneously said "OK!". We could tell that the premises was new judging by the decor and design of the interior and a rather large photo of a farm with cows gazing greeted us on the left.

A young waitress with a friendly smile (later we found out is one of the owners Miss Chu) promptly gave us the menu and after looking through it our orders were Yee Kee Seremban Beef Noodles in soup and the other dry. I always like my noodles with soup and KC always like hers dry with sauce or "konlo" in Cantonese. After a short while our orders arrived and we started eating, the taste, texture of the soup and ingredients is unique and different from others that I have tasted.

As it was near closing time (8.00 pm) Miss Chu found time to chat with us and we learn more about Yee Kee's history. The original founder Mr. Poon Yee (Miss Chu's Grand Father) hails from Dai Dong Poh village, Ding'an county, located in Hainan, China. Dai Dong Po village is famous for its beef noodles which combine the scrumptious ingredients of pickled cabbage, fried peanuts, sesame and beef jerky. This recipe was brought by Mr. Poon Yee to Seremban and started operating in the old Seremban market in the 1930's. It became a huge success and people were talking about Seremban Beef Noodles. Yee Kee's Beef Noodles which later moved to Temiang (run by Miss Chu's mother). Today at the current location with the traditional recipe but served in a comfortable environment (air-con) with modern decorations will be handed down for generations to come.




















Miss Chu was keen in knowing how the traditional recipe tasted. I honestly told her that it was different and unique (Hainanese style) from the ones that most people are used to, smiled and said "Good!". KC ordered a take away (Beef Noodles in Soup). Thats how "Good!" it is.

Contact:
Miss Chu
012-351 8602
Seremban Yee Kee Beef Noodles
No. 32, Jalan Dato Lee Fong Yee
70000 Seremban NS.

Sungai Pelek, Merdeka 50th Year Celebration

During the eve of Merdeka 50th Celebration, instead of heading to PutraJaya or Dataran Merdeka in KL, we decided to head down to Sungai Pelek. Sungai Pelek is situated 15 minutes just after the Sepang Town (about 25 minutes from Sepang F1 circuit) and before Bagan Lallang beach. Local legend has it that Sungai Pelek got its name from the temporary river formed by the overflow of the Sungai Sepang and Sungai Sepang Kecil during high tide. In the local Malay dialect, "sungai" meant "river, and "pelek" meant "strange" or "unusual". This"strange/unusual" river lasted only for as long as the high tide, as most of the water would have drained out to sea by low tide.

Sungai Pelek has a closely knitted community and enjoys good relationship amongst its inhabitants. Besides its thriving brick-making and clay products industry, Sungai Pelek has numerous small plantations of rubber trees, coffee and palm oil. And recently many dragon fruit plantations have appeared and can be seen all around Sungai Pelek.

And because it is near to Tanjung Sepat (fishing village) most of the residents here enjoys fresh fish all year long. We always obtained our supplies even though Kajang is about 90km away.
There are many favorite foods here especially the local "mee" which is free from preservative and is one of my many favorite foods available here.









On the 30th August 2007, the Sepang Hash House Harriers organized a Merdeka run where local hashers and invited guest hashers carried the Malaysian flag and ran a short route around town celebrating the 50th Year of Independence (Merdeka). It is carried out in a carnival like atmosphere. After the short run or parade, all runners together with guests gathered at the











Sungai Pelek Restaurant for a 7 course chinese dinner. As the dinner progress, my friend Lim Chee Keong and his wife Lillian told us that there is an open air concert just outside which will be followed by a countdown to Merdeka. At around 10.30 pm we left the restaurant early and make our way to the open air concert where the local folks gathered to watch the many events including hampers giveaway to those who were born on the 31st August. Later we were entertained with a variety of new and old chinese numbers performed by 3 artiste.

I have attended celebrations in the KL city and this is the first time in a small town, Sungai Pelek. The atmosphere here is not short on enthusiasm and people here were really enjoying themselves. I look forward to attending other celebrations hopefully being organized in other towns as I have enjoyed tonight.

Watch the video of the countdown followed by a simple fireworks display with patriotic songs.

Gunung Ledang, Tangkak, Johor

Gunung Ledang (Mt. Ophir) 4187ft (1276m) is situated in the border of Johor and Melaka state. There are two ways to reach the summit, one from Sagil, Tangkak and the shorter way is from Asahan, Melaka. We have climbed Gunung Ledang long before it was privatized and managed by Gunung Ledang Resort. Our first climbing trip to Gunung Ledang was on Oct 1986. We have no experience and just carry 2 tents and some backpacks and set off to climb the mountain. Our team consist of my father, 2 younger sisters and YK. The first day we went on a wrong trail instead of right we went to the left and were lost. Somehow after walking for some time we heard the sound of waterfall and we managed to trek down and camped near the river. The next morning we realized that we didn't walk very far from where we started. Later other campers walked by and told us the correct way to the peak and we quickly followed them. It is advisable to have an experience guide or one who have been there before. That trip we didn't managed to reach the peak because it was raining, the rocks were slippery and it was dangerous. We camped at Botak Hill which is not recommended because it is a lightning prone area. The next morning we packed up and descent all the way.

In the year 2003, our friend invited us to join him and his group to climb Gunung Ledang. This trip we brought along our three children, Jane 13, TK 10 and Mavic 8 and my mother-in-law (65 years old). Having some experienced and guided by our very experienced friend (Chee Eng Pow, Melaka) we set to climb Gunung Ledang again. We registered and paid the necessary fee at the office and started climbing around 11 am and reached Kolam Anak Gajah around 3pm. It was a slow trek because one can't expect a 65 year old grandmother to walk fast. This campsite is excellent because it has good water source even for swimming. It requires another 5 hours to reach the peak. We pitched our tents and started making 'tea tarik'. Eng Pow's brother Eng Hui was our main cook and he prepared curry chicken for dinner (yummy! yummy!) Later we had red bean soup for supper.

Morning call was early and after breakfast, we packed some bread for lunch at the peak. We left our camp at around 8am and my mother-in-law stayed back to look after the place. We were expected to be back by late afternoon and there were other campers around too. We reached the peak around 1pm. The peak is a plateau and it is a wide and flat ground where it is not advisable to camp here. We took some photos and rested for a while. There was no nice panoramic view because it was misty. In the clear day you can see Segamat, Jementak town of Johor and the historical Melaka. We reached the campsite around 5pm and started preparing dinner. After dinner we talked and chit chatted till midnight.

No morning call and our plan was to trek down after lunch so it was free and easy. We brought along two hammocks and managed to tie them to the trees. The children were enjoying themselves in the cold and chilly water. Imagine drinking hot milo while soaking in the cold stream. After lunch we packed up and decent and along the way took some photos. It was a successful climb and a low cost outing for a whole family.


Have fun and be happy! ♥










Posted by KC

Cave Kandu, Gopeng, Perak

We have made a booking for 30 persons at Rumah Rehat Adeline on the 21st and 22nd July 2007. We have make arrangement to gather at Gopeng toll Exit at 10 am. There are 12 of us from Kajang, 12 from Klang and 6 from Setiawan. We proceeded to Gopeng town to have breakfast for those who missed their breakfast while waiting for the Setiawan group to join us. Finally when everyone assembled we convoy into Adeline Rumah Rehat which is 6KM away from the town. The road leading to the Rumah Rehat is narrow and winding and you have to keep blasting the horn at blind corners to warn oncoming cars. When we arrived at Rumah Rehat we were shown to our sleeping areas. The main (first) building with two big rooms which can accommodate 10 person each. Adeline has prepared 6 extra tents for us for those who wants to enjoy nature at ground level. Some occupied another 4 rooms at the north side. It is durian season and our trip includes 4 meals (1 lunch, 1 tea break, 1 dinner and 1 breakfast), it also includes durian, rambutan and mangosteen on the house for RM$102.00 per person.

Cave Kandu with slopes and tunnels and KC posing with a LION Head rock formation.

Our lunch is at 12.30 and while waiting for our lunch we went around looking for durians. We managed to collect a few and ate them right away. After lunch only 16 of us registered for Gua Kandu (Cave Kandu - additional RM$30.00). Cave Kandu was once occupied by the communist just after the WW II and till today you can see communist poem being written in Mandarin and vandalized by visitors. We boarded a lorry to ferry us to Cave Kandu and riding at the back is first experience for many of us. Our caving started at 2pm and ended at 4pm. This cave which was once occupied by the communist and there are many chambers and tunnels which would require a full day tour if you wish to visit all of them but only for the physically fit. Therefore you need an experienced guide to take you around. The Guide instead of the normal entry and he took us the back way. The 'stick insect' which we found in Broga (posted in YouTube) was also found here. It look exactly like a twig when it lies still. We were told this insect can be found in many places and its difficult to see them because they looked like twigs. It is a 100m steep climb and the reason why he took this route because if we were to exit this way it would be very steep and slippery after the rain.

After caving we were brought back to Rumah Rehat Adeline to have our tea break. We have 'teh tarik' and 'kuih udang' (prawn fritter). Later we assembled the rest of them for the next event, waterfall and body rafting. Instead of making 2 trips to the waterfall, all of us were squeeze into the lorry. Other then the famous 'white water rafting' which cost RM150 per person, the body rafting is free of charge but must have courage for the first attempt. Only 8 of them tried the body rafting. To body raft safely, you must lie flat with both hands loosely spread out for guiding, do not sit up or you will have sore bums, don't stand up while floating down and finally relax for a exhilarating ride down. The first time most of us will gulp some of the water and after that you will be more experience. The rest will enjoy the cool water either wading or swimming around the area. Later back at Rumah Rehat we took bath and the water feels icy.

Dinner is at 7pm and durian party at 9pm. After dinner we didn't wait and started to have our durian at 8.30pm even though we were still full after the heavy dinner. KC opened almost 65 durian fruits and most us of have no problem eating them, greediness knows no bound. We have tea 'O' after eating durian. Later some of them who have been friends for 30 years chit chatted till 2am and their children played card games till 3am in the morning. Morning breakfast is at 8am and after breakfast is free and easy. Some prefer to skip breakfast and sleep till 11am. Many commented that in Rumah Rehat Adeline one has no chance to get hungry and there are plenty of good food cooked personally by Adeline.

We left Rumah Rehat at around 11.00 am and our next itinerary was to have lunch at the famous "Yong Wai" Roasted duck and also to buy "Heong Pang" (a local biscuit delicacy) a few shops away from the restaurant. After our heavy lunch we went to visit "Kek Lok Tong" Temple Cave. We spent almost 1 hour there enjoying the cool breeze and decided to abandon our seafood trip at "Tualang" because of too much eating. Before we left Ipoh we went to have their famous coffee at one of the food courts. It started raining and some of us convoy using the old trunk road to avoid paying toll (save RM$20.00) by going back into the highway through Rawang.

Have fun and be happy! ♥


Body Rafting down a small rapid.
Posting by KC

Sungai Lembing, Kuantan, Pahang

On 1st Oct 2006, our friend Yvonne Kew from Kuantan volunteered to bring us to climb the famous Bukit Lembing (Lembing Hill) which is about 42 km northwest of Kuantan. Bukit Lembing offers a beautiful sunrise view as well as the surrounding sleepy town of Sungai Lembing (Lembing River). It is rainy season in October and if it rains in the morning we will continue with our sleep and do the climbing in our dream. We were lucky that it was not raining but unlucky that we could not continue our sleep at the beautiful Swiss Garden Hotel resort. Our morning call was at 4am, imagine the best time to sleep. The journey to Sg. Lembing will take almost an hour. The climb or rather walk up the hill is almost 45 minute in the dark along the concrete steps with railings at the side. Hoping to see sunrise but unfortunately it was drizzling and too misty to view. We plan to have 'tea tarik' up there and enjoy the scenic view of Lembing town. You can see the whole Lembing town and the Sg. Lembing. The river at one time flooded the whole town. Imagine the whole town was submerged in water. Many villagers had to climb this hill to escape the flood. Until today you can find the marking of the flood level, marked as a red line on the shop front. After our 'tea tarik', we waited till it was brighter before walking down. All the way down to the morning market to have our breakfast. This town is also famous for 'tow foo" (bean curd) soft and 'slippery'. The folks here produces the traditional coconut biscuit 'yer pang' which is popular among its visitors. There is not much activity in this town because most of the younger generations have left this sleepy (really sleepy) town and only to come home during weekends or the festive holidays. This town is prone to flooding especially during raining season. After eaten the famous Lembing 'tow foo', we shop for the "yer pang" and took a photo of the flood markings on the shop front. In the morning it is cool and refreshing in Sg. Lembing and we decided to explore the town from one end to other.

There is a muzeum in Sg. Lembing and we didn't get to visit it because it was weekend. The largest underground tin mining in the world is in Sg. Lembing but today sad to say has stop operation. We will plan to come again and this time during the dry season hopefully we will catch the sunrise.

Betung, Southern Thailand

It was a 3 days 1 night tour to Betung, Southern Thailand. This place is famous for communist's tunnel - Piyamit Tunnel. This is the main attraction of Betung other than the usual visit of Thai temple. Our mode of transport was a 44 seater bus and we started our journey from Kajang at 10pm. We were expecting to reach the border early in the morning. Our bus is the first to reach the Malaysia immigration and waited for a while for them to open. The border crossing is normally close from 11.oo pm to 6.00 am. After getting our passports stamped at the Malaysian Immigration and the Thailand Immigration . We were introduced to the local guide named Ah Meng, an ex-communist. Most of the Chinese here were once communist. When we reached Betung town, we went for our breakfast and later checked into our hotel. The only 3 star hotel in Betung and later we assembled at the lobby to visit the communist's tunnel. The guide told us that Betung was also confused with Bentong, Pahang and a long time ago when relatives came from China some went to Betung, Thailand and some to Bentong, Pahang. Therefore it is not surprising that there are many relatives on both sides of the border. The organizer had arranged a big 'tut tut' (transport) for us because the roads cannot be access by bus, further more it has to be a 4 WD.

Piyamit Tunnel is the Malaya Communist's base build for bombshells and storing food supplies, the battlefield bases are located on the mountain top in the midst of the deep forests which separates the boundaries of Thailand and Malaysia which includes the area of Yala provinces. The Piyamit Tunnel was build in 1977 with 1 KM in length and 5 - 6 feet wide and it took 3 months for excavation of 50 man. There are 9 entrance/exit paths. To tour the tunnel you need to pay an entrance fee which is not included in the package.

The big "tut tut" which can carry almost 30 to 40 passengers. There are 2 rows at each side and 1 row in the middle. The road leading to the tunnel is narrow and winding and sometimes muddy. There are a few souvenir shops and for those who are not interested to visit the tunnel, you can shop around and take photos. We bought a wood carving with a herd of elephant made from chengal wood which cost us RM90 only. The next stop a visit to a hot spring on the way back to the town and you can buy hard boiled eggs which were cook in the hot sulfur pond (suppose to make you "strong"). Every time when you visit Thailand try their local delicacies such as 'tom yam' soup, chicken feet, desserts and etc. After lunch, we visited their famous garden and temples. Dinner is provided in the hotel with live singing. It was free and easy after dinner. You can walk around town and do some shopping or try the various types of local food. There are many entertainment outlets that provides live band performance, pubs, traditional Thai massage, foot massage and others.

Next morning after breakfast visit the morning market to do some last minute shopping. There are various local products such as coconut candy, biscuit, sweet cakes and glutinous rice dumpling. Check out by 12 noon and proceed to the Thai immigration and later to Malaysia immigration where all baggages are check by the customs so it will take some time. The trip to Betung was an eye opener of sorts as we understand how it came about due to the early communist years. We had our lunch in Ipoh where we shop for our Malaysian snacks and the famous salted chicken. We reached Kajang almost 10 pm at night. It was a good and affordable trip.

Have fun and be happy. ☺
This posting by KC

Mount Kinabalu, Sabah, East Malaysia

Mount Kinabalu is the highest mountain in South East Asia (4095m/13,435 ft). We have heard and read so much about it and when we talk about mountain climbing, this question always been asked "have you climb Mt. Kinabalu?" Some of our friend have scaled it successfully and some have not and some have been there more than one time. Those who don't reach the Low's Peak will be given a black and white certificate. Despite its height it is one of the easiest mountain to climb and even my father (64 years old) got a color certificate, so it is "sap sap sui" (easy).

On Oct 2004, we decided to scale this beautiful mountain. I won't call it a camping trip because no heavy backpack to carry, no need to pitch tent and not many uphill and downhill to reach the peak. That is the reason for thousands of all ages and fitness levels scale it every year. We booked 2 air tickets from Air Asia during the offer period at RM230 per person (to and fro) and book our stay for Laban Rata (base camp just before the peak) through telephone. We reach Kota Kinabalu one day earlier and stayed overnight at one of our friend's house (Catherine Ringingon) and she is Kadazan. Next morning she and her assistant drove us to the Kinabalu National Park headquarter where our climb started (1563M/5163ft). October to December is the raining season and it was raining all week but luck await us, it stop raining on the day of our arrival and started raining after our climb. Our plans were to abort if it rains at the Laban Rata base camp
After the registration and paying the necessary fees, Catherine R. sent us to the Timpohan gate (1800m/5900ft), entry point to start of climb and agreed to pick us the following day after the decent.

The walk to Laban Rata hut can be accomplished in 3 to 6 hours and it must always be accompanied by a registered guide. Our guide name is Dawat, he share his experience as a porter before qualifying as a guide. Being porters they can carry baggages weighing between 40-60 kilos. Climbing at such high altitude you have to take it easy (you have plenty of time) to avoid high altitude sickness where you will suffer headaches and dizziness. So we took our time to trek up and took many photos. We started around 10am and reach Laban Rata around 2pm. It was bright and cold up there. After checking in and got our heated room which is quart sharing. Laban Rata restaurant provides a la carte food as well as buffet spread. A good advice is to eat moderately. We ordered hot drinks and shared one portion. Later we went out to take sun sets photos. We were advised by our guide to rest early because morning call will be 2am. Throughout the night we could hear some other climbers vomiting (high altitude sickness). The last 800m (2600ft) climb to the summit takes about 2 to 4 hours. It was dark, cold and we were lucky because it was not raining but very windy. If it rains heavily they (guide) will cancel the climb. We need to have our own head lamp or torch lights. The climb was very slow because it was dark and our muscle have yet to warm up. Don't rush and take your time to ascent to avoid altitude sickness. We carry hot 'Milo' (thermo flask) to drink at Low's Peak and after the photo session at the peak we were advised to decent otherwise it will be sunny hot. The last part of the climb is on naked granite rock and we will be guided with ropes. It was advisable not to wonder alone. Took many photos and the especially the gorilla rock face.

When we reach Laban Rata hut, we slept for about 2 hours before descending all the way down to Timpohan Gate. We should have stay another night. After 3000m of descending, most climbers will have sore legs (knee joint, foot and toes). When we reached Timpohan Gate it started to rain heavily and we have to wait for a while for a van to transport us to the headquarters where the guide will report our successful climb to the Low's Peak and only then the certificate will be given. Later Catherine took us to Poring Hot Springs where we spent a night there. We visited the local Kadazan farmers the next day and had lunch with them and they were surprised to see us able to walk effortlessly after the Mount Kinabalu climb.Our legs felt very sore but bearable. The vegetables here are fresh and tasty. We were served 'Tarap' a local fruit. You must visit the Tamu (open market) where the local farmers will display and sell their farm produced together with other handicrafts. Any visit to Kota Kinabalu (State capital of Sabah) should include Gaya Street which is famous for selling all types of goods ranging from food to local products.

Have fun and be happy!