Summit Dream, conquering Mount Kinabalu – The Journey

Mount Kinabalu was listed by UNESCO as the World Heritage. A prominent mountain on
Mount Kinabalu was listed by UNESCO as the World Heritage. A prominent mountain on the island of Borneo in Southeast Asia. Located in the east Malaysian state of Sabah and is protected as Kinabalu National Park, a World Heritage site. The tallest mountain in Asia with the most interesting biodiversity found on earth and is the pride and joy of Malaysia. Mount Kinabalu offers the climber a unique experience and is famed for the annual Mount Kinabalu International Climbathon, drawing enthusiasts from all over the world.

This mountain earned her merit to be accorded World heritage status by UNESCO because of it is surrounded by most important biological sites in the world, with over 4500 species of plant, 326 species of birds, and 100 mammalian species. Among this rich collection of wildlife are famous species such as the gigantic rafflesia plants and the orangutan.

Your journey to the top of mount kinabalu begins at Timpohon Gate located at 1,866 meters altitude sea level. This is where you and your guide will commence out on the first fraction of your journey to the highest point of south east asia mount kinabalu's peak 4102mrters. Be prepared for the strenuous and challenging of your first step to conquer the Mount Kinabalu. As you climb, your natural surroundings will set out to change. In a couple of steps of you movement to the top your will notice a literally different world, everything start changing, such as trees, plants, yes, all changing. Your journey of the day will end up at Laban Rata at the height of 3,550 meters, along the way to Laban Rata you will past by five shelters (pondok) at a defferent height respectively i.e. Pondok Kandis (1,981m), Pondok Ubah (2,081m), Pondok Mempening (2,515m), Pondok Layang-layang (2,690m), and Pondok Villosa (2,702m).

Your first trail would be at Pondok Kandis shelter at 1,981 meters. At this shelter your will be treated to a wonderful and spectacular views of the coast. At this level, several of Kinabalu's 26 Rhododendron species will catch your eye, in shades ranging from white to scarlet. At this altitude, Orchids and Rhododendrons grow in abundance, while pitcher plants live the edge of the trail. Small mammals and birds are seen along the trail. Squirrels including long nosed, horse tailed and pygmy species and several varieties of bats may be spotted.

Your second shelter will be at Pondok Ubah which is 2,081 metres at the threshold to the Upper Montane Zone. This zone occupied by orchids and carnivorous plants with intricately serrated pitchers. Next you will at Pondok Lowoii, this shelter still within the upper montane forest. The dominant species at this place is broad leaves and sports yellow flowers Rhododendron Lowii. 24 of the 50 Rhododendron species recorded in Sabah are found on Kinabalu.
The fourth shelter will be Pondok Mempening, located at 2,515 meters. At this shelter you will be entertain by vistas of wild Begonia, Rhodendron, orchids ferns, and pitcher plants. You may also found the largest moss in the world, Dawsonia grows up to a meter high. Several of Kinabalu's 715 fern species are found here. Mammals here are generally small and inconspicuous. Larger species are either nocturnal or shy away from visitors.

Your next journey would be at pondok laying-layang, located at 2,690 meters and was formerly known as Carson's camp. The soil here supports only distinct and mostly endemic species as it is low in phosphates but high in iron, silica and metals harmful to most plants. Unusual species that thrive here include pitchers like Nepenthes Villosa and Nepenthes Rajah. Several plant species including Leptospermum and Dacrydium gibbsiae.

Next you will reach Pondok Villosa which is perched on top of an open rocky patch at 2,702 meters. At this level, the forest becomes more stunted. The strange gnarled forms of leptospermum and dacrydium lend a fairy tale ambience to the landscape. From this point you will proceed to 3,080 meters where Pondok Paka is located, this shelter is close to a large overhanging rock beside a small stream called the Paka Cave. It lies in the heart of a bird watcher's paradise, but at this level you may like most climbers experience slight breathing problems as air starts to thin at this level. Apart from birds and mountain tree shrews, you may at this shelter sight ferret badgers. If you are fortunate, you may also find the bright orange red color rare giant Kinabalu leech which appear during pouring rain, it grows up to 30 centimeters long.

Your journey of the day ends at Laban Rata guest house at 3,550 meters. The length of time taken to reach Laban Rata is determined by how rapid is your walk, however it normally take an average between 4 to 6 hours journey. This is your stop over before your final leg ascends to the top of Mount Kinabalu, scheduled to be early morning around 3am the next day. All climbers are assembled here in this guesthouse. This guesthouse offers accommodation, food and drink as well.

Your last leg journey to the top begins at 3.00 am. This is the journey much awaited by all climbers though perceived comparative as more difficult and tough than the rest of the climb; it is so because the air is thinning affecting our normal breathing. You will reach the cold, dark summit at 5am. It is a proud moment and signed of accomplishment to be at the top of the highest mountain in Asia. At this level you will witness the wonderful creation of God, you will be entertained by the amazing and spectacular sunrise colored in orange and gold rising. You and the rest of the climbers are allowed to be at the top approximately one (1) hour and not beyond because of the thinning of air posed breathing problem.

After an hour at the top, it is time to say goodbye, as you have to descend to Laban Rata. Descending is much easier and you can do it at ease. You should be at Laban rata guesthouse by 8am where your breakfast awaiting you. You will then proceed your journey to descend the mountain back to the point where your started your first day journey at the park entrance. This is the end of your journey and it is a great accomplishment and satisfaction of being able to conquer the highest mountain in Asia.

Each Flower Represents A different Emotion

In our society today, who would not need flowers? For centuries, flowers had been used as the bridge to express feeling such as love and affection. Flowers are the symbols of term and for everyone a highly sentimental and most beautiful gift. Thus flowers' lover says that flower has power to speak universal language, different color and species of flowers denote different meaning. You find there is continually a flower that will symbolize things such as gratitude, love, peace, harmony and brotherhood, love, sorrow, peace, purity, bliss, bravery, encouragement, and death. If you have ever watched old romantic tales, you may know that flowers can also say stories. If you wished to say I love you, you can find the perfect flower for that, and if you are looking to impress a new paramour, there's a flower for that too.

At wedding flowers is a beautiful gift to thank our guests for sharing our singular day. The brides and the bridegrooms' relatives and friends give gifts to these girls as a compassion and token of love.


Every flower is a symbol for a special emotion or sentence. For an example, red rose is a symbol of eternal love, presenting a flower or a bouquet of roses could mean a declaration of love. We wouldn't wish to give someone a flower that signifies friendship if we would wish one that tells I love you. While red symbolizes love, pink rose is additionally an ideal color when we wished to express our admiration and grace to someone. Blue rose flower delivery is often used as a symbol of love at first sight, when we have been enchanted. On the other hand, daisy suggests innocence and is perfect for a flower delivery for a new love. In a few sources, you also will additionally find the meaning of daisy flower as loyal love, patience, beauty and even secrecy between two persons.

Like the hibiscus flower, the lotus flower is universally permitted as a symbol of estranged love and the consorted empty yearning it entails. During the Victorian era, it was told, the gifting a flower that was discovered with much difficulty, signifies the love has deeper affections. Each flower represents a different emotion and different belief.

Flowers can convey all sorts of emotion to your loved ones devoid of any speech. Every flower is a symbol for a singular emotion or sentence. Thus it is vital to know that each flower has a certain emotion attached to it.

Why You Need Vacation

What is vacation and why do we need to go for vacation? A vacation or holiday is a trip taken for the purpose of tourism, exploration, or leisure. In English speaking North America, they describe vacation as recreational travel, such as a short pleasure trip, or a journey abroad, people in Commonwealth countries use the phrase such as going on leave or going on holiday, whilst Canadian often use vacation and holiday interchangeably referring to a trip away from home or time off work. Therefore, vacation can be said in general term as a leisure time away from work devoted to rest or pleasure.

So why then we need a vacation? Some people are busy and too busy in their daily life till to the point that they cannot get away from their work because it is too demanding and they feel indispensable, which in the long run contributes fatigue and stress, and directly affect their physical resistance and mental capacities. Therefore, it is probably one of the best possible reasons to take a break from it all by going to vacation.


Having said so, then what are the benefits of having vacation? Do we need vacation? The following benefits may be able to answer the question. Previous study shows that in many ways vacation give us the following benefits:

(a) Relieve Stress


Several studies have shown a direct link between stress and health conditions such as headaches, cardiovascular diseases, cancer and other types of infections acquired as a result of a weaker immune system. It has also been scientifically established that taking vacations reduces the incidence of burnout. Thus, the first benefit of leaving everything behind and relieving your brain of all our worries is to reduced stress.

Relief from stress often gives us a new perspective on life, allows us to regain energy and often to find simple and sometimes obvious solutions to problems that had previously seemed impossible to solve.

(b) Improves Mental Skills

Some studies have found a positive relationship between vacations and intellectual function. A well-rested mind that is free of worry is often more effective.

(c) Improves Physical Health


Besides getting you away from daily stressors, a vacation often gives you the opportunity to catch up on sleep and exercise, two simple remedies for many aches and pains.

(d) Strengthen Family Ties

Too often, in our fast-paced daily routine, family relationships suffer. A vacation is a great opportunity to discover each other in a different setting and to build lasting memories.

(e) Enjoy Life

Taking time off can be a great opportunity to meet new people, laugh and do the things that you most enjoy!

Therefore, may be its time for you to choose, plan and to pick your most suited next vacation destination, and start planning your adventure.

Sabah, Malaysia Borneo – An Ideal Tropical Island Vacation Destination

A tropical vacation in Sabah, Malaysia Borneo, offers more than just a wonderful opportunity to relax and unwind on a secluded tropical beach or dive at Jacques Cousteau's favourite tropical island dive spot. Sabah offers a truly complete tropical island vacation package as it is a land of tropical wonders from ocean deep to mountain high. Sabah is truly unique, exotic and highly diverse.

Blessed with rich marine and coastal waters, pristine beach and nature, scenic views, an abundance of flora and fauna and cultural resources of multi-ethnic groups, Sabah’s tropical tourism assets are aplenty. The following are some of the highlights:

Tropical Beach - Sabah has the best beaches in the whole of Borneo, which some travellers said is equivalent to many of the best tropical beaches in the region.

Offshore Tropical Island Vacation - take a day-trip or spend a night or two at one of the many offshore islands around Sabah, that provides an enchanting environment to rival any tropical island in the world.

Tropical Gateway - leave hustle bustle behind to secluded and prestine beach resorts, nature resorts or mountain resorts. Or you may consider vacation rentals for short term or long term stay.

Tropical Resorts - the best beaches are likely within the vicinity of world class luxurious tropical resorts, which provides a service of excellence equals to any top resorts worldwide. Ideal also for romantic honeymoon or tropical wedding.

Adventure Vacation - climb up (more like a hike) Mount Kinabalu without the need to organise an expedition like in the Himalayas, or ride the rapids on white water rafting down the rapids of the longest river in Sabah.

Scuba Diving Vacation - Sipadan island may be the most well-known dive destination with unequal underwater scene and marine life, but there are many other breathtaking dive destinations that you can visit such as Mabul, Kapalai and Lankayan.

National Park Vacation - enjoy the cool and refreshing mountain air at Kinabalu National Park, a World Heritage Site, where Mount Kinabalu is situated. Take a guided walk along the many nature trails or via tree-based canopy walk suspended at the top of the canopy of the rainforest.

Nature Tour - be one with nature in controlled eco-friendly environments such as the 160 million years old Danum Valley rainforest, which is older than the great Amazon rainforest.

Family Vacation - spent a night or two with your family in controlled adventure vacation sites, re-enact the Survivor Borneo series at Survivor Island, or watch the playful Orang Utans in the world's largest rehabilitation center.

Wild Adventure - catch the breathtaking sights of rare wildlife such as the Sumatran rhinoceros and the Asian elephants at the "Lost World" or take a river cruise to witness nature's Christmas Lights (i.e., the fireflies) and catch a glimpse of the long-nose Proboscis Monkeys.

Planning for Your Tropical Adventure Vacation?

If you intend to have or to plan your next vacation with a taste of adventure, or thinking of traveling with the specific purpose of activity participation to explore a new experience in a new exciting adventure vacation destination, then Sabah, Malaysia Borneo is the perfect destination for you to consider.

Sabah is known as paradise for tropical island adventure, also Sabah is equally made for an adventure vacation from soft to hard as it brings you a variety of adventure vacation activities that is not only unique to this region but also unparallel in quality. Some of the adventure vacation activities you can contemplate include:

Mountain Climbing - Conquer with relative ease the majestic Mount Kinabalu, the highest peak in South East Asia. As long as you are relatively fit, Mount Kinabalu is a must for an adventure vacation in Borneo as you do not need any special skills or mountaineering gears.

White Water Rafting - Brave the exhilarating ride down the river rapids on a White Water Rafting adventure. Along the more challenging Padas River (Grade 111-1V moderate rapids) or the family Kiulu River (Grade 1-111 simple rapids).

Jungle Trekking - Take a guided hike/trek through million years old rainforest at Danum Valley or Maliau "The Lost World" Basin. Borneo's rainforest is the oldest in the world at around 130 million years compared to the 60 million years old Amazon rainforest.

Adventure Caving - Explore the magnificent three-century old limestone cave at Gomantong in Sandakan and watch skilled workers climb up long bamboo and rattan ladders to collect the precious birds’ nest. Also witness a spectacular aerial show as millions of bats and swiftlets flying out from the cave.

River Cruise - Take a boat cruise along the Kinabatangan river, the longest river in Sabah, for a fun filled nature adventure on an ox-bow lake and to search for the elusive Proboscis Monkeys (odd nose monkeys of Borneo) and other wildlife.

Survivor Borneo - Visit Pulau Tiga "Survivor Island", where the CBS Reality Show "Survivor I" was conducted and filmed. A chance to relive the first Survivor series as some of the props utilising local materials created for the show are still there.

North Borneo Overland Safari - Drive overland across North Borneo either by coach for soft adventure travel or by 4WD for harsher terrains to savor an adventure overland vacation that combines the best of Borneo assets in Sabah.

Scuba Diving-Sipadan Island Borneo

It is a small rainforest covered tropical island rising from a depth of more than 600 meters from the bottom of the Celebes Sea. It is the only oceanic island in the region. The island is the top of a long-lost lava chimney from a prehistoric volcano. This island is arguably the top dive destination in the world.
The island is about 45 minutes from Semporna town by speedboat in calm seas. Other nearby islands include Mabul Island and Kapalai Island. All within just a short hop by speed boat ride from each other.

So what do you expect to see? Lots! And if you enjoy seeing pelagic fishes and underwater creatures, then this is where you should be spending your diving vacation. Some of the popular dive spots around the island include:

• Barracuda Point
• Coral Gardens
• Drop Off
• Hanging Garden
• Lobster Lair
• Midreef
• South Point
• Staghorn Crest
• Turtle Patch
• Turtle Tomb
• West Ridge
• White-tip Avenue

There’s a reason why the place is called the Drop Off. Imagine just kneeling down in shallow water and looking straight down into the abyss 600 meters away at the edge. Really scary and exciting at the same time! During your dives at the Drop Off, you might see (or maybe bump into, if you don’t see where you are going) a couple of Manta Rays playing nearby.

Chances are very good that you will encounter a big swirling school of thousands of chevron barracudas and also see packs of patrolling grey reef sharks at Barracuda Point. If you are lucky, you can spot the largest shark species, the Whale Shark gliding by in the current off South Point during its migration.

Encounter a living wall of hundreds of Hammerhead Sharks rising like ghosts from the deep, glowing in the open blue water at the Hanging Gardens.
In the course of your dive vacation, you will also likely come across a glinting and shimmering rolling ball of hundreds of jacks, a herd of very large giant bump head parrotfish grazing on the reef top, scores of white tip reef sharks, and at least a dozen or so turtles of two different species: the Hawksbill Turtle and the Green Turtle.

Useful Travel Tips

The climate here in Malaysia is tropical. Average temperatures are about 32° C in the lowlands and 21° C in the highlands. Thus be sure to bring warm weather clothing.
The currency used here is the Malaysian Ringgit (RM). Travellers cheques and foreign currencies can be changed for Malaysian Ringgit at banks, hotels and registered money exchangers. Most hotels charge a nominal fee for currency conversion.
Major credit and charge cards include:

• Visa
• MasterCard
• American Express
• Diners Club

Banking hours are from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm from Mondays to Fridays.The Standard Malaysian Time (local time) here is +8 GMT. Electrical outlet here is 220V AC with rectangular blades type outlets. Bahasa Malaysia is the national language here. However, English and Mandarin are also widely spoken.

Entry Requirements.

To start your scuba diving vacation here, you will need the following for your entry requirements into Malaysia.

• A valid passport (and visa wherever applicable) is required.

• A Social or Tourist Visit Pass does not permit the holder to take up employment, business or professional work in Malaysia.

• The Business Visit Pass allows foreign visitors to enter the country for business negotiations or inspection of business premises. These passes however, cannot be used for employment purposes or for supervising the installation of new machinery or the construction of a factory.

• No fee is charged for a Business Visit Pass issued for a period of up to three months. A fee of RM5 is imposed for each month thereafter.

Borneo Proboscis

The Proboscis Monkey has on e of the most unusual appearances of the leaf eating monkeys of the family Cercopithecidae that can only be found in Borneo. Noted for their large pendulous red noses and large pot bellies that resembled visiting Dutch sailors and plantation owners of the area at that time hence nicknamed, “the Dutchman of Borneo”. You can see this Proboscis monkey right here in Borneo at KLIAS WETLAND located 100km South of Kota Kinabalu the capital of Sabah.