Mount Kinabalu

We originally wanted to go to Kalimantan to see some jungle action, but getting there was proving to be a challenge. So we decide to do the next best thing: Malaysia. Since Indonesia and Malaysia share the same island, Borneo, we figured (hoped) that we would basically find the same things there. We quickly booked our flights from Bali to Kota Kinabalu (KK), packed our bags, and said goodbye to Canggu.

KK is the capital of Sabah and lies on the northwest coast of Borneo. Mount Kinabalu is not far from KK and is on the way to our next destination. So, why not? We went to the bus station early in the morning, found the minibus to take us to Mount Kinabalu. And then we sat around for about 2 hours waiting for the bus to fill up with passengers. Finally, we were on our way and after another 2 hours, they spat us out at Mount Kinabalu.

There are accommodations in the park, but we wanted to save a little money, so we checked in at the lodging directly across the park. Luckily, they still had a room available, a huge group was quicker and checked in for the dorms, 3 minutes before us. So we had to shell out a bit more money.

After dropping off our stuff, we went straight to the park to go hiking. Ther are guided tours and we didn’t want to kiss it, you have to be there before 10 am to sign up.

We were really lucky, we had a phenomenal guide, Edward. He is originally from Sabah but, literally, grew up in the jungle! So as you can imagine, he has a wealth of knowledge and shared some incredible stories. Every time he talked about about the rainforest his face just lit up, you could really tell that he loved his job and the rainforest.

Since Edward and his family were quite far from “civilization”, they had to learn to live with what nature gave them. Here are a few stories he shared with us:

Rattan, which most of us associate with furniture, were used as a hunting tool. They would use the vines to catch bats. The vines have thorns (don’t get caught, they are very sharp and they hurt!) that are used as device to catch bats because the thorns tear the bat wings. Bam! Dinner!

There are also 5 different types of bamboos and they all serve a purpose. One type is used for building, they are very resistant and very strong. Using bamboos to build a house is also economic and environmental friendly. Bamboos provide good air circulation, thus eliminating the need for air conditioners. Bamboos can also be used to store food and water. The list goes on…but I don’t know them all.

There is also a plant in the rainforest that stops bleeding, just grind the leaves and distribute on the wound and Voila! Bleed no more!

Edward emphasised the fact that there is still so much to learn from the rainforest and that we need the rainforest because it gives us so much and there is still so much to discover. How sad it is that rainforest all over Borneo are being destroyed for palm oil plantations. Palm oil is highly destructive to the soil. After 3 harvests, the soil is permanently ruined. That’s why, after destroying up to 70% of Malaysian Borneo, new plots are needed and they are venturing to new territories: Indonesian Borneo. And they are growing rapidly (more on the plantations in a another post).

The guided tours only cost about 1 euro and lasts 1 hour, but our tour lasted 2.5 Hours! Edward was really great. If you plan on going to mount Kinabalu, go on a tour, and if you are lucky, Edward will be your guide.

After the guided tour, we trekked a few other trails, some were only an hour, some a few hours, but all pretty easy. Make sure you bring sturdy shoes! There was quite a rage of flora and birds. Beautiful birds. I am not a big fan of birds, but after the jungle….I am a fan now