What?! More than 2012 has passed?!
Can't believe it has been three months since I've blogged. Nothing much has changed in these few months on the
However, take a look at the above pic - Sissy S and I have conquered our second peak! Yes, that's us atop Mount Kinabalu.
It was definitely not the easiest climb for the untrained us, especially the summit climb at 2am on the second day. We spent close to six hours climbing to Laban Rata on the first day, another four hours to the summit before the six-hour descent on the second day.
Highlights of the climb:
1. Truly being in the zone during the climb to Laban Rata where all that went through my mind was "Just put one feet in front of the other. Step by step, I'll get there." Unlike in Nepal, at no point did the thought of giving up or "Why did I pay money to torture myself?" cross my mind.
2. Puking my Coco Crunch supper halfway through the summit climb and stopping almost every 50m while scaling the rocks 'cause it took just so damn much energy.
3. Truly jelly legs during the descent where my legs were just so removed of energy, I had to use both the railings and hiking poles for support going down stairs and also almost fell a couple of times because they just collapsed under me.
But, oh but, the sense of achievement and satisfaction felt at the top made it all worthwhile! You just have to look at our happy faces above to know how great the feeling is. This is also why we still attempt to go for climbs despite our lacklustre fitness.
Other than the climb, Kota Kinabalu also gave us amazing seafood meals made better by the very reasonable prices. The salted egg crabs there are to die for, the butter prawns so yummy, and the clam soup so unforgettable.
I have also just recently realised that this experience actually built some decent stamina in me so I have finally taken to running again after some 15 years.
I will always look back on this trip fondly because it showed me that I can and am more than willing to push my limits if I put my mind to it. Of course, the fabulous view was a very sweet bonus.