Mt Kinabalu, Borneo

SV Nalukai
Jeremy, Iona, Phoebe, Hatty & Willow Levinson
Sun 31 Mar 2013 12:52

Easter Saturday 30th March

What an experience we had climbing Mt. Kinabalu (5:57.980N 116:03.372E). We enjoyed staying a night in a hut at the National Park headquarters with the girls and Gary and Bev the night before we climbed. A beautiful sunset over the cloudless mountain was spectacular and a prelude to the angels shining on us. Not only did we get a cancellation allowing us to do the climb, but we did so with clear weather and on a full moon, allowing us to watch the moon set and the sun rise at dawn. Pretty lucky!

Mt Kinabalu is quite exceptional as you start the walk in tropical rainforest and walk through four flora and geological types to the granite boulders and low vegetation of the peaks. Six kilometres of steep, rocky track gave us little respite until we reached Laban Rata, 3272 metres, base camp and the hut we stayed the night at before ascending the summit. I never knew each kilometre could be so long! After a huge dinner, many cups of tea and a very early night we started the climb to the peaks at 3 am. Two and a half more kilometres to the summit over steep boulders was quite an achievement and worth the climb with the view at 4092 metres. The descent was equally as difficult and very hard on the knees and we are only just beginning to walk comfortably again!

Phoebe

At the hot springs we swam in the warm pools while Gary bathed his knee in the leg tub. There was big, thick, green trees surrounding the springs. We enjoyed a yummy lunch there of noodles, greens, satay chicken and rice .

We liked staying on Muscat while Mum and Dad climbed Mt Kinabalu. We loved watching Rio in the theatre, playing in Kiddie Club, swimming in the refreshing pool and having fun on Gary and Bev’s boat.

Hatty

We said goodbye to Mum and Dad before they climbed Mt Kinabalu and drove through the steep mountains to the Sky Walk. We walked up and up the uneven sand steps, through the thick forest to the sky bridge. We wobbled on the rocking sky bridges high above the tall trees to get to the other side. I saw a small waterfall coming out of the smooth rock way below and it was very hot.

Willow

We went for a drive with Gary and Bev, from Muscat, near Mt. Kinabalu. We saw the amazing, giant Rafflesia flower under an umbrella in someone’s garden. It is the biggest flower in the world and it grows to 1.6 metres and it doesn't have roots but it grows on another plant. They die if they get wet and they only live for seven days. It is red with lots of little white dots and the one we saw had six petals, normally they only have five. We stayed on Muscat for one night while Mum and Dad walked up the mountain.

Easter Sunday 31st March

Malaysian Easter Bunny found us this morning but he didn't seem to have eggs but chocolate bars and nut balls. Many have been consumed today between swimming, the girls parading around the marina in their new dresses and going to Kiddie Club for the Easter celebrations. Their Easter hunt was with painted boiled eggs, very pretty but not very edible! Games, colouring competitions and Easter activities kept the girls amused all afternoon while Kelly and I enjoyed a few cocktails overlooking the harbour.