KK Adventure 05: Sidetrips

Manukan Island

Kota Kinabalu also holds other attractions other than the Kinabalu Mountain itself. If you are into water sports or am longing for some underwater scene after that long long trek up the mountains and forest, there’s this Tunku Abdul Rahman Park which comprises 5 islands. We were only able to visit 1 island (yeah due to budget constraints) which is Manukan and spent most of the day there. It’s only 15-20 min by speed boat and cost us like 15 RM per pax and 10 RM entrance fee. Manukan Island is the largest island in the park. It has very nice guest rooms and restos and quite a number of fish if you are into snorkeling. It has powdery beach but not as fine as Boracay. But I love the ambience here, it is simple and elegant and not commercialized as Boracay.

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KK Adventure 04: Down on wobbly legs

Time to go down

It’s interesting going down as this time you could see the view, whereas when you climb all was in darkness. Though for some, the darkness was good to cover out the scene, because now you could actually see where you could fall. Going down from the summit is kinda hard on the knees and toes as your body have to balance itself from the pull down. Then navigating through the ropes requires a bit of rapeling skills. Which I found to be fun actually.

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KK Adventure 03: 2.7 km to the Summit

Morning assault to the summit

We barely have a couple of hours of sleep. We had to wake up around 2:30am for our summit assault. Or better yet, we were awaken by the constant sound of footsteps from other climbers on the hallway, getting ready as well. Navigatng through a ton of scattered drenched clothes above our room heater and after having something for breakfast at the canteen we set off to climb the last 2.7km toward the summit.

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KK Adventure 02: Stairway to heaven

Stair Trails

Mt. Kinabalu’s trail are mostly stairs, and I hate stair trails. They are more tiring and would put too much pressure on your legs and butts. Especially if you have your packs on. From the start I could already see myself getting wobbly legs when I go down these uneven steps. Like how I see most of the other foreigners descending from the mountain limping on every step down and mostly with sticks for support.

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