If you’re traveling down to Sabah, do note that you might be affected due to different visa requirements of different nationalities.

All informations gathered here are as of 27th March 2012, do check with Malaysia’s Official immigrations website for any new updates at http://www.imi.gov.my/

For informations on

visa fees, do click here to find out the fee your required visa cost.

security bond rates, click here to find out the cost for your respective country.

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Types of Visa
The Malaysian Government issues Three (3) types of visas to foreign nationals:

1. Single Entry Visa

This is issued to foreign nationals who require a visa to enter Malaysia mainly for a social visit. It is normally valid for a single entry and for a period of three (3) months from the date of issue.

2. Multiple Entry Visa

This is issued to foreign nationals who require a visa to enter Malaysia mainly for business or government-to-government matters. It is normally valid for a period within three (3) months to twelve (12) months from the date of issue.

Citizens of India and the People’s Republic of China who wish to enter Malaysia for the purpose of a Social Visit are eligible to apply for the Multiple Entry Visa.

The validity of the Multiple Entry Visa is one (1) year. Each entry is for 30 days only and the extension of stay is not allowed.

Conditions for the Multiple Entry Visa are:

1. The applicant must show proof of sufficient funds for staying in Malaysia

2. The applicant must possess a valid and confirmed return ticket

3. Tour groups are not eligible to apply for Multiple Entry Visa.

4. The Multiple Entry Visa costs RM100.00 for Indian Citizens and RM30.00 for citizens of the People’s Republic of China.

3. Transit Visa

This is issued to foreign nationals who require a visa to enter Malaysia on transit to other countries. Foreign nationals on transit without leaving the airport premises and who continue their journey to the next destination with the same flight do not require a transit visa.

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How to apply for a Visa
Visa applications must be made at any nearest Malaysian Representative Office Abroad.

Applications can also be made online through I-Visa System (Applicable for tourist from India and China only).

1. Application for a Visa Without Reference

Documents required for the application of a visa without reference (approval of visa is given by High Commission of Malaysia) are:

Original passport
Two (2) photocopies of the applicant’s passport
Two (2) photocopies of the visa application form (Form IMM.47)
Two (2) passport size photographs of the applicant
Original and two (2) photocopies of the ticket (confirmed and returned ticket)
Bank statement / traveller’s cheque
Invitation letter (if any)
Payment of visa fee
Note : Visa Without Reference is required for the purpose of a social visit.

2. Application for a Visa With Reference

Documents which are required for the application of a visa with reference (visa will issued after the application is being referred and approved by the Department of Immigration Malaysia / Other Agencies of Authority):

Original approval letter from the Immigration Department of Malaysia/other authority agencies
Original passport
Two (2) photocopies of the applicant’s passport
Two (2) photocopies of visa application form (Form IMM.47)
Two (2) passport size photograph of applicant
Original and two (2) photocopies of an air ticket
Payment of visa fee
Note: Visa With Reference is required for students, those seeking employment, dependants and professionals on a visit pass.

Visa Requirement by Country
1. Countries that require Visa

Afghanistan (Visa with reference)
Angola
Bhutan
Burkina Faso
Burundi
Central African Republic
China
Colombia
Comoros
Congo Democratic Republic
Congo Republic
Djibouti
Equatorial Guinea
Eritrea

Ethiopia
Guinea-Bissau
Hong Kong (C/I or D/I)
India
Liberia
Mali
Myanmar (ordinary passport)
Nepal
Niger
Rwanda
Serbia & Montenegro
Taiwan – 15 days without visa
United Nations (Laissez Passer)
Western Sahara

2. Commonwealth Countries That Require Visa

Bangladesh
Cameroon
Ghana
Mozambique
Nigeria
Pakistan
Sri Lanka

3. Countries That Require Visa For Stays Exceeding 3 Months

Albania
Algeria
Argentina
Australia
Austria (Vienna)
Bahrain
Belgium
Bosnia-Herzegovina
Brazil
Croatia
Cuba
Czech Republic
Denmark
Egypt
Finland
France
Germany
Hungary
Iceland
Ireland
Italy
Japan
Jordan
Kyrgyzstan
Kuwait
Kyrgyz Republic

Lebanon
Liechtenstein
Luxembourg
Morocco
Netherlands
Norway
Oman
Peru
Poland
Qatar
Romania
St Marino
Saudi Arabia
Slovakia
South Korea
Spain
Sweden
Switzerland
Tunisia
Turkey
Turkmenistan
United Arab Emirates
United Kingdom
Uruguay
Yemen

4. Countries That Require Visa For Stays Exceeding 1 Month

Armenia
Azerbaijan
Barbados
Belarus
Benin
Bolivia
Bulgaria
Cambodia
Cape Verde
Chad
Chile
Costa Rica
Ecuador
El Salvador
Estonia
Gabon
Georgia
Greece
Guatemala
Guinea Republic
Haiti
Honduras
Hong Kong SAR
Kazakhstan
Latvia
Lithuania
Macao SAR
Macedonia

Madagascar
Moldova
Mauritania
Mexico
Monaco
Mongolia
Nicaragua
North Korea
North Yemen
Panama
Paraguay
Portugal
Russia
Sao Tome & Principe
Senegal
Slovenia
Sudan
Surinam
Tajikistan
Togo
Ukraine
Upper Volta
Uzbekistan
Vatican City
Venezuela
Zaire
Zimbabwe

5. Countries That Require Visa For Stays Exceeding 14 Days

Iran (90 days)
Iraq (30 days)
Libya
Macao (Travel Permit/Portugal CI)
Palestine (30 days)
Sierra Leone
Somalia
South Yemen
Syria (30 days)
Cote d’ivoire / ivory coast

No visa is required for U.S.A. citizens visiting Malaysia for social, business or academic purposes (except for employment).

No visa is required for stays of less than one month for nationals of all ASEAN countries except Myanmar nationals. For a stay exceeding one month, a visa will be required, except for Brunei and Singapore nationals.

For nationals of Israel, visas are required and permission must be granted from Ministry Of Home Affairs.

For nationals of Republic of Serbia and Republic of Montenegro, visas are required without permission granted from Ministry Of Home Affairs.

Nationals of countries other than those stated above (with the exception of Israel) are allowed to enter Malaysia without a visa for a visit not exceeding one month.

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Visa With Reference (VDR) means a visa issued by the Malaysian Representative Office abroad to a non-citizen to enable individuals to enter Malaysia after the visa is approved by the Immigration Department Headquarters.

Category:

A. Application For a Visa With Reference (Wife of Malaysia Citizen)

• 2 copies of Form Imm.12
• Form Imm.38
• Sponsor’s identification card (husband)
• Copy of applicant’s passport
• Copy of husband’s passport (marriage abroad)
• Marriage Certificate (Malaysia/abroad)
• 2 Recent photographs of husband/wife
• Divorced /Death Certificate (where applicable)
• VDR questionnaire form
• Security Bond
• Statutory Declaration Form

B. Application For a Visa With Reference (Husband of Malaysian Citizen)

• Application Letter sent to and received by the Embassy / High Commission of Malaysia
• 2 copies of Form Imm.12
• Form Imm.38
• 2 Recent photographs of husband/wife
• Sponsor’s identification card (wife)
• Copy of applicant’s passport
• Copy of wife’s passport (marriage abroad)
• Marriage Certificate (Malaysia/abroad)
• Sponsor’s proof of financial support/Form J (income equivalent to or more than RM2,000/month)
• Security Bond

C. Application For a Visa With Reference (Afghanistan)

• Application letter sent to and received by the Embassy High Commission of Malaysia
• Form Imm.47
• 2 Recent photographs of applicant
• Copy of applicant’s passport
• Sponsor’s identification card
• Sponsor’s undertaking letter
• Security Bond

D. Application For a Visa With Reference (India)

• 2 copies of Form Imm.12
• Form Imm.38
• Sponsor’s identification card
• 2 Recent photographs of applicant
• Copy of applicant’s passport
• Sponsor’s proof of financial support/Form J (income of equivalent to or more than RM2,000/month)
• Sponsor’s letter of undertaking
• Supporting documents of family ties

E. Application For a Visa With Reference (China, Vietnam, North Korea and Cuba)

• 2 copies of Form Imm.12
• Form Imm.38
• Sponsor’s identification card
• Sponsor’s letter of undertaking
• 2 Recent photographs of applicant
• Copy of applicant’s passport
• Correspondence letter with verified interpretation
• Applicant should  be 30 years and above
• Supporting documents of family ties
• Sponsor’s Marriage Certificate
• Copy of Notary Certificate

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[Photo : James.Kirk]

Once at the island it is up to your choice of whether to head off to snorkel, dive or simply just to laze about. One could spent the morning exploring the island paradise on a kayak, the water were clear and shallow to quite a distance off the Mantanani Island beach and calm for kayaking activity.

[Photo : James.Kirk]

Anyways, the island is great for many other marine lives and there were a lot of fish to look at from a drop at a reef point. For day trip there would be 2 dives/snorkel drop with a dive professional to escort the trip out, pointing to good spots for different types of coral lives and
interesting looking fish.

Obviously such various activities are great boost to one’s appetite that by lunch time, touristswere digging into almost everything that is served out and lunch was ‘yummy’.  There were ‘Hammocks’ out for everyone to relax after the hefty meal a chance to mingle or simply just sun basking.

[Photo : DreamCatcherMhay ]
[

The island has about the 1000 population and a primary school, most of the villages are fishermen or employed by the tour operator that runs the lodges and day trip to the island.

For those who wishes to stay the night at the island there are accommodation available, humbly yet cozy for an island holiday away from the busy city sound of traffics.

[Photo : James.Kirk]

Mantanani is known for the presence of Dugong, a large marine mammal strictly herbivorous which is a close relative to the Steller’s sea cow. The dugong is heavily dependent on sea grasses for survival and with its snout that is sharply downturned, which is an adaptation for grazing and uprooting sea grasses.

The dugong has been hunted for thousands of years for its meat and oil. The dugong’s current distribution is reduced and with a long lifespan of 70 years or more, and slow rate of reproduction, the dugong is especially vulnerable to extinction.

Several divers that have experience an encounter with these mammals, claimed that they are very shy and would swim away from human therefore you may find yourselves lucky should you see one swimming nearby.
[ Photo : Faifye ]

Though for day tripper bid farewell to the beautiful Mantanani about closed to 3 pm to depart back for KK.  It is a great escapade for those that are in need of a break, this is it. Click here to book now

Tabin Wildlife is located approximately 1 ½ hour drive from the Lahad Datu Airport, which is accessible via land or air from Kota Kinabalu City. With an area of 112,000 hectare reserve Tabin home to the rarest and endangered mammals to be found the Sumatran Rhino, Orang Utan, Pygmy Elephant, Tembadau (wild buffalo) are to name the few that flocks tourist all over the world to Tabin Wildlife Reserve.

The drive along Tabin Wildlife Reserve goes through some oil palm plantation area, which covers about two-thirds of Tabin Wildlife Reserve. Though this may raise an eye brow of how this may have an effect on the wildlife, to which in fact that more of wildlife sightings took place along the drive by the oil palm plantation area.

For most tourist the sight of acres and acres of oil palm surrounding Tabin seems to throw a pessimistic notion of the area, are quickly turn about when the sights of mammals spotted by the plantation area. It is often a misconception that fractions of our rainforest were cleared to make way for the plantations, when in verity that this clearing of the forest took place as early as 1890 was then by the North Borneo Chartered Company to make way for timber industry, tobacco and rubber plantation to thrive. Sabah today make way for agriculture of all the felled rainforest during the British Colonial in Sabah and this benefitted the state’s economy alongside to the booming of the tourism industry in Sabah.

Rainforest of Tabin
Observing the flora and fauna of Tabin Wildlife Reserve reflect of astounding diversity of Borneo’s rainforest, offering the plausible sighting of mammals, brilliant colorful birds, and the magnificent world of insects where it lies in the largest conservation areas. The rainforest of Tabin are astonishingly rich in its species of trees and plants. The dipterocarps known as the two-winged seeds are among the most common trees found, one of the valuable tree found is the aloeswood that is pricey for its gaharu which is used as incense in the perfume industry.
The common sight of the Mengaris also known as Kompassia Excelsa trees, which is the tallest rainforest tree in the world has a very straight and smooth trunk that practically no animal or climbers plant that can conquered the tree made it safe for the bees to build their nest for honeycomb.

Wildlife of Tabin
Seeing wildlife in its natural habitat gives one that sense of overwhelming feeling and the ability to appreciate it at its best. Tabin is home to an impressive range of wildlife from the endangered mammal species to the small mammals, with the chance of the dusk drives and night drives activities offered at Tabin Wildlife Reserve.
The drives activity takes about 2 hours each takes the visitors along the plantation area and as well through the secondary and primary forest around the conservation area of Tabin. Our trip was a providential one as we catch a sight of the rare Pygmy Elephants of Borneo that surprised our group with a loud trumpet from their herd that our vehicle stop brusquely to have photo shots of the elephants only to stun us more that there was another herd about 3oo meters beyond us.

“The herd of Pygmy Elephants that was seen at about 300 meters beyond, to where the vehicle stopped.” Elephants generally live in a small herds consisting of one or several females and their offspring. The male juveniles when matured will leave the herd and live in bachelor groups of two to three males or may live as solitary individuals.

Tabin Wildlife Reserve home to some of the magnificent small cats and other carnivores, like the palm civet, Leopard Cat, Malay Civet were to name a few that we saw.

Several species of the nocturnal civet cat, such as the Malay Civet (above) are often spotted during the night drive, while the Palm Civet (below) commonly seen in secondary forest and the oil palm plantation around Tabin.

Macaques are common around the area that frequently seen are groups of the pig-tailed macaques. They are social primates that have a mischievous appearance, feed on crabs and other crustaceans found on a riverbank, other options include leaf buds and fruits.

The ground of Tabin is a dedicated for good bird watching as it has rich diversity of birds, from rare to endemic species, due the abundant food plants here.

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Wake up the knocking sound on your balcony window by the Oriental Pied Hornbill. Frequently seen especially by the River Lodge, they perched by the balcony to catch their own reflection, which is thought to be of another male hornbill.

Comfort and hospitality of Tabin
Tabin is build in an eco-lodge setting with 10 twin bedrooms of the River Lodge lies alongside the Lipad River, another 10 bedrooms of the Hill Lodge for those prefers the privacy by the hill side whereby five of these rooms are double bedrooms suitable for honeymooners.

River lodge twin bed room with attached balcony, Double room for honeymooners also available.

For the comfort of visitors the Sunbird Café is located nearby both River Lodge and Hill Lodge, and link by a boardwalk that stretch out towards the ‘Rock Pool’ ideal for snap shots of the otters that are frequent visitor to the ‘Rock Pool’ – There is a build hideout that is for one to sit and wait for these excellent little fish hunters to come by for their snack.

In relativity to activity that one can opt for are the trails around the Tabin ground that welcomes the visitors to explore on their own a chance to catch a glimpse of the wildlife that skulk the trails. At around the ground area trees and plants are well marked to educate visitors of their significance, they are marked color coded to define their category as endemic, medicinal, fruit plants etc.
It is indeed a great awareness to be able to experience the wildlife at their natural environment, in a chill out and relax milieu that one can just kick back to take pleasure in with the comfort and hospitality of the genial staffs of Tabin Wildlife Reserve.
A standard package of 3 days and 2 nights may deem like a short trip with an amazing encounter of wildlife blend in with the millions stars of the heaven above, seems heartrending to finally say ‘see you again’ but never ‘goodbye’.

A signature of Tabin Wildlife Reserve – ‘Mud Volcano’ or mud dome created by geo-excreted liquids and gases, although there are several different processes which may cause such activity.

Visitor is given an opportunity to have their imprint on a certificate with the mud collected from the ‘mud volcano’.

To see and enjoy Tabin Wildlife, click here to book or to inquire more on this amazing tour now!

Altitude sickness is not known to only occur to certain groups of people, it can happen to anyone, fit or unfit, male or female, however, it is believed that fit people would of course, be able to acclimatize faster and have reduced risks of having altitude sickness.

Acclimatization is highly recommended for all climbers, with minimal 2 nights stay for a Mount Kinabalu climb, the first night will be spent near Kinabalu Park HQ, which is approximately 1550m above sea level, and second night at Laban Rata resthouse which is elevated at 3123.2m, however, it is still considered to be a “rapid ascent”.

Symptoms of altitude sickness range from mild headaches to severe cases, such as fluids in the lungs, that require immediate medical treatment. There is actually no cure for it, the only “remedies” to get over it are…

1. Acclimatization, staying at a higher point day by day.
2. Usage of stored oxygen or aid from portable air concentrators.
3. Descending to lower levels.
4. Resting at current altitude.

• Appetite loss
• Giddy/Lightheadedness
• Fatigue
• Socially withdrawn
• Paresthesia (pins and needles like feeling in muscle groups, usually after numbs)
• some other symptoms, such as Diarrhea.

In a more serious side, altitude sickness could be deadly if not understood and handled properly, these symptoms which require immediate medical attention includes

• Brain swelling
• Loss of consciousness
• Fever
• or headaches that don’t go away even if medication is taken

The thin and dry air would case your body to rapidly lose a lot of water, it is important that you hydrate yourself with plenty of water as you climb, Climbers can consider taking drugs such as Acetazolamide or Dexamethasone to aid in acclimatization, do consult your doctor if you’re interested.

As for me, the only symptom I’ve experienced was the headaches, it worsens as you sleep through it, I took some paracetamol and it helped me throughout the night at Laban Rata, the first 12hours, I lost almost my entire appetite, I only felt like drinking water, and lots of water to fill my hunger. Just hours later, I recovered and had a sudden increased appetite, I just kept eating and I didn’t feel full!

Nonetheless as you climb up Mt Kinabalu, take note of the dangers, make sure you are close to someone, and prepare some medicine for headaches, and remember to rest well! Good luck, and I hope you’ll enjoy Mount Kinabalu just like I did.

I must say, going down, is actually harder than climbing up Mt Kinabalu, the logic is simple, you are using an entirely different muscle group to descend, a group of muscles you don’t usually use.

You don’t train stairs climbing by going down….right? You train your legs by going up!

Don’t be fooled by the camera angles, it’s actually very steep.

I was surprised when this couple(from Australia if I remembered it right), saw my updates on Amazing Borneo Tours’ facebook page and wanted to take a picture with me!

During the descend, my altitude sickness symptoms slowly went off, I didn’t really had breakfast as I lost my entire appetite somehow, even the sweetest soft drinks tasted more like water, the headache was worsening each passing hour, I was asked if I wanted to stay an additional night to recover before descending, I didn’t want to.

I chose to push through and head back down, step by step, with 2 walking sticks, the painkillers I took in the early morning didn’t help with my headache, however, I did notice that as I descended further, I felt a lot better, my breathings were getting slower and headache started to subside.

When I got to Layang Layang checkpoint, the headache was entirely gone! It was a great relieve, my appetite came back and I finally ate a chocolate bar. What I also heard from my mountain guide was that, this is the point whereby most people recover from “illnesses”,

Even though I took shorter time to complete the descend, started at approximately 10:45am, I still couldn’t finish it before the sun sets, but then, think about it, I am probably the rare few who gets to experience trekking down in almost-complete darkness, with only the help of the moon’s beam.

As it gets warmer, more humid, and I did have thoughts of climbing back up to the cool 3degrees celcius Laban Rata thousands of metres back up, but that’ll be just plain silly……

I do miss standing by the ledge of Laban Rata resthouse, and watching the sun set, wearing only shorts, slippers and a T-shirt.

I do miss gazing at the stars on the cloudless and clear nights, shooting stars are pretty common, just watch out for them, and a tip, try to book for climbs during full moons, so that you can see the trails illuminated by the lights reflection off the moon.

As I made my way down back to Kota Kinabalu before touring some other places and local food places, I had a chance to look back at Mount Kinabalu, I couldn’t believe that I had actually climbed it. Now I’m thinking to myself, “OH the irony, I climbed Mount Kinabalu but I still avoid pedestrian overhead bridges!”

Of course, Amazing Borneo Tours was very kind to bring me around in a bus….

There were many interesting foods around, be it popular economic food stalls

Rural restaurants, oh yes, this is the original stall that sells their famous noodles, looks simple, but very delicious and flavorful, also known as Tamparuli Noodles.

Food turns me on

And not to forget, roadsides, where you will find some of the weirdest, but good tasting food or desserts, in this case, a coconut juice mixed with pudding powder.

Carrying it excitedly into the bus, yes, at this point, my legs hurt a lot, it’s still recovering from my descend of Mount Kinabalu.

Never thought something this simple, could be so delicious, just coconut juice with pudding powder. Another recipe learned.

And, I think only in Malaysia, you can find fastfood restaurants such as KFC, to be opened by an actual minister.

Enlarged view

but nonetheless, there are other websites such as Wikitravel, Tripadvisor, which will give you a more comprehend reviews and ideas of where to go. Especially food for all the food lovers around the world!

Wikitravel on Kota Kinabalu

TripAdvisor on Kota Kinabalu

I know I’ve blogged about “preparation for Mount Kinabalu Climb“,  but that was before my actual climb.

To those who do regular hikes and trekkings, I’m sure you will know better than I do.

I speak type with my experience, now to think of it, man, it really wasn’t easy.

Imaging having to step on sharp, slippery and “movable” rocks, imagine having to walk through thick clouds, imagine having to deal with soil erosion, imagine how wet and sticky you will be, it isn’t just physical training you’ll need, you’ll need to be psychologically prepared as well for a Mount Kinabalu climb.

Psychology – I know most of us live in cities, where we get everything done in almost an instant, we are mostly impatient, I can assure you, you will feel stressed, your body will tell you “okok, stop, I don’t wanna go on, I get your point now.”

Theres’ a few sports which you might wanna do, especially if it’s your first ever climb, such as cycling, jogging and perhaps, marathons! You will have to do these sports, not for minutes, but for at least 4 hours! This isn’t about physical training, this is mental preparation!

There are some cases of people giving up at Layang Layang checkpoint, which is really silly, because they’ve crossed the halfway mark long before already! So remember, don’t give up!

Altitude Sickness – This is something which I believe will occur to all climbers, even I had experienced it,

At Layang Layang checkpoint, located approximately 2.7km above sea levels, is where climbers usually consume their lunch, it is also where most people would start experiencing altitude sickness.(Probably that’s why most people consume lunch there).

The lower air density means lower oxygen intake, causing our bodies to not function efficiently, it is also said that the only way to prevent altitude sickness is to ascend steadily and slowly. I did that and only experienced a headache and loss-of-appetite when I reached the Laban Rata resthouse.

Physically – this is the obvious part, I’m no expert in training, but what I know is, you gotta have lots of endurance, doing a mount kinabalu climb isn’t about how much you can do, but how long you can last! Do lots of cardiovascular, stairs climbing and stretching! It will help you during your climb!

If I could do a mount kinabalu climb with minimal preparation, I’m sure you will do much better than I did! Don’t forget to check out Amazing Borneo Tours for Mount Kinabalu Climb packages!  

This was taken approximately 3am in the morning, near Laban Rata resthouse

Yes, this is what you will get to see at this altitude, it’s amazingly beautiful, and shootings stars are pretty common up here, I did spot a few as they shoot thru the skies, Just imagine how many stars in your sight line you can see as you lay on the rocks, a Mount Kinabalu visit one day is a must!

My photographer managed to catch the sunrising up at the summit, I really wish I was there just by looking at this picture, having all the clouds underneath your feet. And being able to watch the sun in it’s full glory.

If I, a 300lbs person who hardly exercised can make it to 3323m, I assure you, you will make it here, and you will see for yourself, the stars, the constellations and touch the clouds.

And don’t forget to check out Amazing Borneo for offers!

I used to go out for weekly cycles around the east coast of Singapore, that was till my bike spoilt about a year and a half ago, since then, I’ve pretty much stopped exercising, I couldn’t really afford a new good bike.

A couple of months ago, Amazing Borneo Tours asked me if I was up for a challenge, to do a Mount Kinabalu climb, and attempt to reach the summit at 4095metres elevation above sea levels. ISN’T THAT CRAZY OR WHAT? Of course I took it up, I didn’t believe I won’t be able to do it, in fact I believed it was for the best of me.

So off I packed my bags, and flew off to Sabah, to be more specific, Kota Kinabalu city, East Malaysia.

And, if you think budget airlines like AirAsia has small seats, think again, I sat pretty comfortably for my 2-3hour long flight!

Right outside the airport, Mr Zul, a very friendlylocal driver greeted me.

Professional driver from Amazing Borneo indeed, on the road to Mount Kinabalu’s base was very curvy and dangerous looking at some point, his driving skills was superb, I felt really safe on the roads.

finally after about two hours from Kota Kinabalu Airport, I’ve reached the base of Mount Kinabalu, also know as Kinabalu Park HQ. The views were spectacular! The look up onto the mountain was very intimidating, but that didn’t stopped me from conquering it!

And oh yes, the sun sets at Sabah around 6:15 or 6:30pm daily, really early compared to the usual 7:30pm in Singapore, I had an early dinner at Balsom Buffet Restaurant at Kinabalu Park HQ. Very very awesome dinner place!

Later that night, I checked into a very nice tree-house at Mount Kinabalu Heritage Resort for a night stay before the climb, needed to repack things I’ll really need for the climb and stay up the mountains while I leave the luggage stored behind.

8am, headed back to Kinabalu Park HQ to get my climb permit and finish up on registration.

9:17am, I commenced my climb at Timpohon Gate with other international climbing champions! Awesome meeting these fellows who climbed with Amazing Borneo Tours as well!

Oh yes, not to forget about this, I was assigned one of the best and most encouraging mountain guide from Amazing Borneo, Joe(right), who stayed with me and supported me mentally throughout the climb!

The first 500m were pretty easy, “not so much” rocks, no footing problems.

Soon, before the 1km checkpoint, it started to get hard on me!

The never ending flights of stairs!

At some points, I had to even use my hands to grab onto tree branches to get up the next step!

Layang Layang checkpoint, this is somewhere in the clouds already, the winds were strong, rocks were wet, and getting really steep and harder to climb. I felt heavier due to the lower oxygen levels in the thin air. This is about 2.3km elevation above sea level.

Wet, and very tired out, you know, it isn’t just 4.5km, this isn’t a stadium track, these are rocks, some sharp some slippery, and don’t forget, elevation count isn’t inclusive.

I was going to give up, I really wanted to, I was so tired my whole body became distorted.

I didn’t cared about looking good anymore, I just wanted a shower.

Finally, I got through the thick clouds, don’t be fooled by this picture! it’s actually about 45degrees steep rocks, I had to hold onto the ropes to climb up!

The sun was setting, the temperature plummeted , it was about 12degrees celcius, I took another short break up here and enjoyed the scenery unobstructed by trees that grows in the lower region.

It was really beautiful, watching the sunset, watching the clouds below me, I never thought I would make it so far(I had thoughts of turning back).

I felt victorious, even though it was just another kilometer away from Laban Rata resthouse where I was going to stay and rest before moving up to the summit, at this point, I had already accomplished something I believe no other fat people has done before.

Well, I don’t have much photos for the climb in complete darkness, any photo snapped was barely visible.

About an hour later, I finally reached Laban Rata resthouse, I was almost crying, I was shaking, one resthouse lady quickly poured for me a cup of hot water as I got came into the house located 3122m above, the feeling was extraordinary.

At some point during the climb, I’ve kept asking myself one question “What am I doing here?” , I had no answers for myself.
As I struggled through the climb, especially in the total darkness, I sat down occasionally on the rocks for a rest, closed my eyes, and kept asking myself.
It wasn’t till I reached Laban Rata resthouse, that I had the answers.

I am fat, with a BMI index of 46.1, extremely obese,
Not everyone makes it up here, not even some fit people,
I took almost 12hours, reaching Laban Rata at 8:30pm, when others usually take only up to 5hours.
I may have been one of the first to start, I may have been the last to reach,
I’ve proved people wrong, I’ve proved myself wrong,
And here I am, I can tell you,

If I can do it, anyone can.

Of course, I deserved a good dinner like this.

at this point, I was so tired out, that after I took a towel to wipe my body sweat off, changed a set of clothes, and jumped right to bed. It was a good thing the resthouse was warmer than outside, it was about 5degrees celcius outside at night.

As I woke up around 10am to grab a drink downstairs at the noisy dining area(everybody ascended to the summit approximately 2am and reached back 10am), everybody who climbed(and overtook me), suddenly cheered as I walked down, too bad my photographer was still asleep, we didn’t capture that scene, I almost cried out of excitement, there was a group of indians and hong kong people who came up to congratulate me, I remember you guys, thank you.

Everybody thought I turned back, because by the time I reached the resthouse, they were all sleeping already, to prepare for their final climb.

This was pretty much how I looked, when the cheering happened.

12noon: everybody have started to descend, leaving the resthouse with only staffs, my photographer and I.
I got pretty used to the cold, and could stand outside for a little while.

A little pose outside the resthouse! Wooohoooo, 3122m!

We rested the entire day, we stayed for 3d2n at the resthouse, usually people stay for only 2d1n to complete the entire climb, but I needed more time.

Something I pretty much expected happened, Altitude sickness, my symptoms were

• Extremely painful headache
• Breathlessness
• Very heavy, hard to even to walk.
• Giddiness
• Vomit

It happened just 200metres from the resthouse on my final ascend, the summit was so close, yet I couldn’t reach it, it was only another 800m away.

But nonetheless, if you are like me, you will make it to the resthouse.

if you are just 1% fitter, YOU WILL MAKE IT TO THE SUMMIT.

I gotta thank Amazing Borneo Tours for this amazing experience, Joe the mountain guide for giving me morale support and Evan the photographer for documentation of the entire journey, All these would not had happened if not for these people. I will definitely climb again soon, I will attempt to reach the summit again.

Finally, remember, you don’t have many tomorrows left, no one has, do something.

 Here, this is my certificate for completing around 80% of it, 3323.2m out of 4095m! I WAS ALMOST THERE!

I REALLY REALLY WAS ALMOST THERE, THIS IS THE RESTHOUSE I STAYED IN, ABOVE US WAS THE SUMMIT ALREADY.

I’ve yet to go there, instead, I was at another island located at east of Bintan, Indonesia.
Sea turtle eggs take approximately 2months before hatching, and there were only a handful of nests on that island at that time.

We were very lucky to be able to witness the hatching and release of baby sea turtles just 2 hours before our departure, watch my video, see how the 2 rangers help the baby sea turtles by digging out a path for them to crawl out.

Well, not all the time would you be able to experience such a thing, sometimes sea turtles might even turn away if it senses danger, and you might only witness limited hatchlings come out as predators eat away the rest.

Sometimes, not all the nests would make it, Seems like this was messed around by some predators.

I’ve did a bit of research and found out the island I talked about, has got sea turtles coming ashore to lay eggs every single night, and as much as 50sea turtles could appear during the peak seasons which is around october yearly.

It is amazing how these sea turtles can swim ashore to lay eggs every night on the 3 islands, it has baffled many for years, Good thing is, you can do a visit even during off-peak seasons and have a ….so-called “guaranteed” chance of witnessing a sea turtle laying her eggs, and you’ll get to have a chance in aiding the baby sea turtles get to the ocean.

But do note, respect nature, Sea turtles are very sensitive creatures, they have very good hearing and you should not make just about any noise while observing them.

(Photo illustration)

Do check out Amazing Borneo’s packages related to Turtle Islands as well, don’t miss out on the excitements of watching wildlife grow right before your eyes.

And everywhere I go, the traffic’s always mostly packed.

You know it’s time to travel for a little while if you’re starting to get stressed.

My choice had always been Malaysia, easy to get to, and cheap.

I had been looking at Tripadvisor and Amazing Borneo tours for activities to do while I spend my time in Kota Kinabalu, which includes

-Mount Kinabalu climb(Confirmed doing)
-Island hopping(Most likely doing)
-Boat fishing(perhaps), check out this video I’ve found on youtube featuring people fishing off seas of Sabah, do note hiring the boats and equipment rental is pretty pricey, but if you’re an extreme avid angler, I’m sure this would interest you.

As for Mount Kinabalu climb, Amazing Borneo Tours gave me some pictures to look at, here’s some notable ones.

How the trails look like all the way up.

Some great photo.

And also, what motivates me most is the food at Laban Rata Resthouse, which had been given great reviews all the time, judging from the picture, it does look extremely good, especially the sambal eggs. I do wonder how the porters carried so many eggs up the mountain.

This is the fellow whom I’m going to be climbing Mount Kinabalu with, Evan.

Of course, don’t forget to check out Amazing Borneo tours and see what they offer around Sabah www.amazing-borneo.com ,