Mount Kinabalu

Have been running errands like mad the last 2 days. So didn't have time to blog about my Kinabalu trip...

Seeing that my trip-kakis have blogged about their experiences, I guess I better sit down and pen a few words before I crash for the night.

Let's see...

Came back from Japan with the weekend to unpack and rest, etc. Took the entire night before flying off to Kota Kinabalu (henceforth shall be known as KK) to pack my stuff into my backpack. Wasn't entirely sure how much stuff I have to lug with me while hiking, etc, so tried to minimise my packing. No make-up (despite getting used to it in Japan), minimal clothes (one set per 2 days, and 2 sets of night clothes), minimal money (RM201.30 - watever I found while spring-cleaning)...

Turns out my kiam packing was for both good and bad.

Let's talk about the bad first...

I ran out of clothes to wear. Yup. Had nothing nice to wear when we went out for the night activities coz most everything else was dirty after the hike up Mount KK. Thank goodness I'm not that vain a person.

I ran out of money. But thank goodness, had enough cash with me to change to RM for my shopping on the last 2 days.

Didn't pack a smaller daypack. Thot a waistpouch will be enough for the hike up Mount KK. Man, was it cold up there! 7 freaking deg C! Still can't believe there's a place in MALAYSIA that's 7 freaking deg Celsius. Thank goodness I love the cold. My Nike track pants was enough to keep my legs warm. Used my towel as an impromptu-beanie for my head. As I trekked up the mountain, wore a tanktop for first 4 km, then a t-shirt when it got much colder in the top part. When it started raining, told myself to bear with it and did not put on my long sleeve t and track pants. Good decision. Coz dry clothes are the key to keeping warm!

Didn't get to throw away any of the clothes that I had brought over to throw away coz everything turned out so useful...

The good...

Amazed that I can really survive with the little clothes and stuff that I brought. Reinforce the fact that all other stuff is just... stuff.

Okies. It's really getting late... Let me come to the key points of the trip then.

(1) I did not make it to the summit. Kudos to NT, JT, AC, AT, ZP and SLoh for making it to the summit!

(2) I have come to recognise and acknowledge my limits. Esp my physical limits. I wanted to go to the summit. Very much. But I knew I will be pushing my physical self to the max. I already struggled to make it all the way to Laban Rata, the 6 km mark. For me to trek 3 km in the cold and dark, to get to the summit, will prob drain me of everything Sharon has to offer. And I'd end up becoming a burden to the group. In the end, yes, I made the right decision. By not going for the hike to the summit, I was able to enjoy the Via Ferrata much more and I started the hike down earlier with Pa. Hence, we were able to reach Timpohon Gate just after it got dark and I was even able to help support Pa when her knees started to give out on her. I even helped to carry her bag for her during the last km down!

(3) I need to learn how to swim. On our trip to Manukan Island, I really wanted to snorkel and see the corals and colourful fishes swimming all around. However, stepping just barely a metre into the water, I was gripped with this deep fear of slipping, falling into the water and drowning. So, I had to go rent a life jacket. However, I was still afraid and didn't swim very far out. I was hoping to be able to grab hold of one of my friends when they swam out to see the corals but they went off without me. Hence, I missed seeing the corals. *sad*

(4) I'm sorry if I offended NT when me and ZP started critiquing him. We were only trying to bring some things to your notice. In fact, I would say I'm very worried about you, NT... Talk to you personally another time, k?