Sabah: Mt Kinabalu

We actually wanted to take a public van to Mt Kinabalu. But decided to take a taxi instead because of the time waiting and the oven-like mini van with no aircon. It took about 2 hours ride to get to the entrance of Mt Kinabalu. About half hour before reaching the mountain, the air turns cold and the driver turned off the aircon. It was very cooling with fresh air.

The taxi alight us at the drop-off point infront of the ranger’s office.

After discussing the time to pick us up, the driver drove off to park his vehicle somewhere not far from the ranger’s office.

The place where the taxi driver parked has a cheaper restaurant for the locals to eat their meals.

We proceeded to find somewhere to have our lunch and spotted a restaurant near the ranger’s officer. This is also the place where tour groups go for their meals. It is very expensive RM50 per person for lunch with very miserable menu. Only tea & coffee is served. Food is cold. If you want other drinks, you have to pay again. Flies are all over the place ! If you walk further into the mountain road, there are so many choices, so many hostels & chalets. Even big accommodation chalets with restaurant. So don’t eat at the Balsam cafe !

After our miserable lunch, we walked up the slope again to the car park area where a guide map is located.

From there, we followed the man-made trail and enjoy the cool fresh breeze.

After 10 minutes walk, we saw some foreigners walking out from this nice chalet.

There are about 3 different lodges at this area.

Opposite, there is also Grace Hostel. We walked to the front & it was very welcoming with very neat interior.

Rock Hostel is also located here.

This is perhaps one of the biggest accommodation and the most elegant in Mt Kinabalu. This hotel has it’s own garden & even the annual climbathon guidemap & name list of winners.

On our way back, we spotted the Pandanus trail, which is very high & steps can be slippery.  Looks lonely and we did not give it a try. There might be snakes !

On our way back, there were more tour groups coming in.

We proceeded down the slope to our taxi driver and saw the public bus stop (tourist are waiting there for their bus).

When we looked back, the future building will be much nicer with sheltered slope all the way to the ranger’s office.

End of our trip. If you are not a climber, this place can be really boring.

Cameron Highland is a much nicer place with more activities.