Mt Kinabalu National Park and Poring Hot Spring Tour (day 3)

Despite our bad headaches, we woke up early the next day for our Mt Kinabalu and Poring Hot Spring Tour. We arranged  the tour through a local guide. There was a bit of a mix-up though, the tour agency thought that we were 5 in the group so they gave a rate good for 5 which was actually a lot cheaper. When the guide picked us up and coordinated with his manager thru the phone, the manager was surprised to know that we were only three. He gave us a higher rate so we declined and decided to cancel the tour. The guide talked to his manager and he convinced him to give it to us at the same rate. He finally agreed. Yay! Turns out our tour guide, Amin, is a Filipino also from Mindanao. He grew up and studied in Sabah but he is Filipino by birth.

We paid around RM 130-150 (Php1900+) for the entire tour, which included transportation, entrance fees, lunch, and a guided tour.

Mt. Kinabalu Park was the first thing in our agenda. It was a 1.5 hour drive from the city with winding roads and scenic mountain views. We stopped first at a viewing deck and souvenir center to take pictures of Mt Kinabalu. It’s best to view the mountain in the morning because you can see the peaks. In the afternoon, the clouds cover portions of Mt Kinabalu.

 Mt. Kinabalu awed me at first sight

While Nino and Anna slept during most of the travel, I was wide awake enjoying the view. As soon as our van went uphill, we felt the cool mountain air. Very refreshing!

We visited the museum first where we learned about Sabah’s history. For history buffs like moi, I bet you know that Sabah was originally part of the Philippines during the early times of the sultanate of Sulu. In 1870s, an Austrian expeditionary leased Sabah from the Sultan in exchange of weapons to be used against the Spaniards. The lease continued until Malaysia gained its independence. Amin, our guide, shared that most of the people in Sabah are Filipinos from Mindanao but they don’t speak Filipino anymore. They prefer that Sabah remains part of Malaysia because the government provides them jobs. He shared that he actually goes to the Philippines through the backdoor.

Learning about Sabah's history and wildlife

After that, we went to the Timpohon Gate – the first gate to the trail going to Mt. Kinabalu. Actually, there are two trails to climb Mt. Kinabalu – Timpohon and Mesilau. Timpohon trail is recommended to newbies because it has the shortest route to aban Rata – the lodge whe you’ll be staying at. Mesilau, on the other hand, offers a more challenging route.

Timpohon Gate

At the gate, we saw mountain climbers as they prepared for their ascent to Mt. Kinabalu.

A porter registering at Timpohon Gate

Amin, pointing the trail to the summit

I’ve joined minor climbs and it was always an achievement reaching the peak of the mountain no matter how easy or challenging the climb is. I want to climb Mt Kinabalu in the near future, after all it is Southeast Asia’s highest peak. There’s really something about this mountain that captured me. It’s so majestic and mysterious. So next year, wait til I conquer Mt. Kinabalu :)

 Malay ladies :)

Sporting our best turista pose 

We drove to for an hour to visit another tourist destination in Sabah, Poring Hot Spring (PHS). Before we went inside, we had a lunch first at a nearby restaurant. The meal was already included in our package tour.

Aside from the natural hot spring, the park offers other attractions like the canopy walkway, butterfly garden, and orchid conservation center, Rafflesia flowe site. Rafflesia is the largest flower in the world. Unfortunately, it wasn’t in bloom by the time we visited Malaysia.

At Poring Hot Spring

Tiring but fun canopy walk

After the canopy walk, we soaked into the warm water with sulphuric minerals of Poring. We chose an enclosed tub for the three of us. I wasn’t sure if it was the right thing to do since it was a hot day to begin with.

Soaking in really hot water on a scorching day

We arrived in Lavender Lodge a little past 8pm. We were in the mood again for some party but we wanted to try other bars aside from those found at the Waterfront. So we googled and learned that there is another party scene in KK – Times Plaza.

at KK Times Plaza

We tried White Room. The place is new and has a great party mood. Nino managed to get us in the VIP lounge without paying extra. He must have talked to the bouncer who was Pinoy also.

White Room

It was our last night in KK and we made most out of it. KK nights are the best :)

Dance like nobody's watching

Btw, if you’re going to KK Times Plaza through a cab, get his number or make sure you have a card of a taxi service. We got stranded there because there were no cabs at all. We had to walk to the main highway to hail a cab. It wasn’t really safe.