The Journey of KKKakis

Foreword

Finally I make myself blog my holiday experience in Kota Kinabalu and Mount Kinabalu expedition. I have been busy with my camp work ever since I returned on 29 Feb.

I actually wrote mini diaries in my tiny notepad during the trip and then hope to record them electronically, but was forced to delay it till now. Some chunks of information are remembered and not written down. So I hope my information on my holiday is as accurate as possible and possibly provide useful information to people intending this same holiday in the future.

I have only good words to describe this holiday, even as the most torturing period, became one of the sweetest moment. I have fond memories that will definitely grow old with me and I can imagine myself telling my future children and grand children them.

I also have only good words for my fellow 7 KKKakis, namely Aaron, Audrey, Grace, Jeremy, Kelvin, Melissa and Prema. I will remember how the 8 of us got together and how we all made this trip happened with beautiful memories. I only wish for more to come from us in the future.

Pre-Holiday

About KKKakis

We had been communicating together month in month out, week in week out and day in day out via email, sms and phone since October 07, as we tried to confirm details and also sometimes, because of boredom at work. In all, we amassed over 400 emails, which I still keep them in the inbox.

We were all hoping for time to fly. However I did feel that time between October and 29 Feb flew... flew real slowly...

We met up a few times to train. Please look at the blogs on our trainings.

When I told my relatives and friends that I would be going to climb Mount Kinabalu, I would always have the same kind of conversations with them:

R&F: “Who are you going with?”

Me: “My friend and his friend and that friend's friend.”

And then, it was always the same question that followed up.

R&F: “How many girls and guys?”

And I gave the reply with a grin: “4 girls and 4 guys.”

And then they always go: “WAH...”

Before this trip , I wondered if there would be any love sparks between some people and then “BOOM!” there you are... Kelvin and Grace were "underground dating", until that someone exposed them lo~ Kekeke~

Mummy's worries

My mother was very worried about me going this trip. As I was packing my backpack 2 days before the trip, she asked me many questions about the trip from A-Z and then Z-A. To be honest, I felt headache and got tired of answering her queries. However at the end of day, I know that she always cares alot for me. I actually saw tears welling up in her eyes when she and Dad sent me to meet up with some KKKakis at Woodlands.

Here's my pledge to my worried mother.

“I promise I be very careful at the mountain.
I promise I won't be a hero at the mountain.
I promise that I won't use vulgarities in the mountain.”

My father was very cool and just said: “ Enjoy your trip ah.”

And here's my conversation with my idiotic sister.

I.Sis: “Huh you go mountain climbing ah?”

Me: “Yah.”

I.Sis: “I also want to go!”

Me: “You go and save up money first!”

Nonetheless, I still love my sister lo~ but she's really idiotic lah! Muahaha!

updated, edited and corrected as at 21Mar 00:10

Flights and Accomodations

We booked our flights and accomodations between late November and early December via online.

We chose AirAsia, because it was alot cheaper than the other airlines like SilkAir. We booked the earliest flight on 23 Feb @ 0725hrs and it cost only about S$105, compared to SilkAir, which was at a cut-throat price for a 2 hours flight at above S$300.

However, we had to travel to Senai Airport in Johor, but no fear, as we got a ourselves two specially arranged taxis packages. Each package includes for a Singapore cab and a Malaysia cab for just S$70.

The Singapore taxi will pick up passengers from any one location here and drive them pass the custom to the bus terminal, where they would be transferred to the arranged Malaysia taxi. From there this taxi will transport you to the airport. Each taxi can only accomodate 4 pax.

It is very easy and safe. I will highly recommend you this friendly Singapore taxi driver Hendry, whom I think is very experienced or alternatively you can check out the shuttle service information at the Senai Airport's website.

At Mount Kinabalu, there is only one management for accomodations, which is Sutera Sanctuary Lodges. The accomodations cost about S$160 per pax, but I think the price may have increased, so go check its website. It includes 3 days & 2 nights of stay at the resthouses and meals. However, extra cash of around RM200 is advised to be brought, as there are other charges, like Park Entrance Fee lah~, Mountain Guide Fees lah~, Climbing Permit lah~, Insurance lah~ and Certificate lah~ that are to be paid at the mountain. Furthermore you may need to the money to essential items, food, equipments like gloves and laundry services, etc.

Below is the email of accomodation itinerary

Let me explain in details, in case this email is complicating. We stayed at Grace Hostel on 24 Feb and departed on 25 Feb morning for Laban Rata resthouses, where we were housed for one night and then we checked out on 26 Feb in afternoon.

Before we climbed, we met an angmoh guy on the first day at the Step-In Lodge in KK Town and he said it is too expensive to climb for a mountain in Southeast Asia... But what to do... Mount Timah so short and Mount Kinabalu is the highest mountain in ASEAN.

updated, edited and corrected as at 23Mar 01:20