Exercise Mt Kinabalu

Yes, above cloud level. When sun rises, you can literally see shadows on the clouds. ;-)

A lot of activities to do in Sabah besides climbing Mt K. You can raft, canopy walk, go snorkeling at nearby island, visit museum, soak in hotspring and relax at the wide Tanjong Aru beach. ;-) There are many suspension bridges to visit and bounce on! There's also coconut toddy!

Ok, down to basics: My trip then had May 1st sandwiched in mid-week, a Wed and public holiday. So I took leave either side.

Here are the May calendars for 2019 and 2020.

May 1st falls mid-week in 2019; on a Friday in 2020

Either way, it is a four-day leave that has to be applied, so some advance warning or offset (like off-in-lieu) or planning is called for.

A two-year headstart??? :-)

Mt Kinabalu is not difficult to climb. Much of it is a general public national park with manicured paths, etc. You can find ordinary folks on high heels going there for a day trip. 

It is when beyond 4500 ft that things get a bit more rustic. Just. But still, clear paths all the way up.

Some parts of the forest has been called "mythical" due to its lovely nature. There are quite a few side trails to see waterfalls, unusual plants like Rafflesia and Venus Flytraps, and many orchids. Climbing Mt Kinabalu is not exactly climbing - no "real" mountaineering aspects. Just a long hike. And though air is thin up there, you'll get used to it soon. It's only 14000+ feet up. Certainly not Mt Everest! 

This probably a fake sculpture. The real plant is about a metre across and 2m tall! And very stinky. Smells like dead body.

Imagine yourself at the peak. ;-) The one of the right is the one you can get up to - Low's Peak. There is a can with a signature-book inside. Don't forget to leave yr name there. Your guide will probably remind you. ;-)

Time to fall in for Mt Kinabalu, guys! ;-)

So far we have the following folks:

1. Willie Lim

2. Koh Tiah Ann

3. Tong Ping Heng

4. Barry Lee

5. Chew Phit Seng

6. Encik Karu

7. Chan Boon Kiong

8. TC Lai

9. Lim Yew Meng (?)

10. Karam Singh (?)

11. Dennis Yeo (?)

12. David Ling (?)

13. Bennett Tan (?)

14. Gerard Lee (?)
15. Eddy Sim (?)
16. Teo Choong Seng (?)
17. Lim Yew Kuan (?) - new house ho-seh buay?
18. Gulam Mohd (?)
19. Liong Kok Kee (?)
20. Teo Kian Meng aka Jipun Kia (?)
21. Lim Chee Hwa (?)
22. Seto Weng Kee (?)
23. Alex Lim (?)
24. Cheong Siew Chong (?) - skip classes for four days?
25. Poh Ian Chiak (?) - confirm or not?
26. Robert Yeang (?) - bro, counting on you to get well fast!
27. Sam Lock (?)
28. Tan Liang Teck (?) - SAF biscuits again? ;-)
29. Danny Lee (?)
30. Liaw Choon Meng (?)
31. Seah Boon Teck (?) - bring some adventure stuff?
32. Fabian Khoo (?)
33. Ng Kheng Hua (?)
34. Lee Chang Tze (?)
35. Stanley Ling (?) - bro, coming back?
36. Vikram Sharma (?) - bro, coming back?

37. Adrian Tan (?)
38. Chiang Ho Soon (?)
39. Mooi Kok Keong (?)
...
40. (?)(?)(?) (Eh, don't make me list everyone leh)

Initial agenda:

1. Arrival, some sights, makan (old school wan tan mee breakfast?), etc
2. Suspension bridge sightseeing, toddy sampling, etc.
3. Climb Mt K
4. Canopy walk, hotspring soaking (to relax those muscles), etc
5. Rafting
6. Off-island snorkeling
7. Makan
8. Museum trip, shopping, bye bye

Note: Activity list will also depend on what the adventure tour agency can provide or hook up with.

So quick, set and lock it down now. Think: Any wedding, grandchild on the way, 2nd honeymoon, etc., people in hospice you need to hurry a bit (just kidding!), send wifey to shopping trip in Bangkok, etc...whatever you need to get out of the way in Year 1 to make Year 2 happen.

Only can siam in Year 2 if death in the family. E-scooter catch fire is NOT AN EXCUSE (unless house burn down also). Having excess manboobs, NOT AN EXCUSE (you will be excused from hotspring). Having a boulder-sized paunch NOT AN EXCUSE (you will fit right in with the mountain landscape!)  

So...sign up now.