KK Day. 2, Mt Kinabalu and Poring

An early start after a broken night's sleep. I was woken middle of the night by what seemed to be my phone vibrating. After a few more similar noises I think it was the phone and speaker responding to a device in the next door room. Certainly wasn't mine. 

In 1982 Peninsular Malaysia was on the time bequeathed by the British, GMT+7.5, and what had been British North Borneo, now Western Malaysia, on GMT+8. The decision was taken to adopt a single timer zone and it is GMT+8, so Malaysia is an hour ahead of its neighbours Thailand and Indonesia and in there same time as WA and Perth. But I could see why when I opened the curtains just after 6.30, bright sunlight. It doesn't get light in KL till an hour later. I'd misremembered that breakfast started at 6.30 but my cheese sandwich and tea, breakfast in bed, did me. 

Today was the trip to Mt Kinabalu and the canopy walkway at Poring. It was a very long day and most of it was spent in a minibus. There were 6 of us; a couple from Perth, originally Singapore, a couple from Brunswick, Germany and a Chinese man who spoke no English. 

First stop, 90 minutes, was the Mt Kinabalu viewpoint. The mountain looked great and there were good views back down to the S China Sea. I took a lot of pics today. Extras may be added once I'm back in KL.

Then another 1+ to Poring,not to enjoy the hot springs (built by the Japanese during the occupation) but to navigate the canopy walkway. A vertical climb by steps up the hillside. I hate steps, especially the deep ones over tree trunks that are difficult for my short legs. There was a brief rest 2/3 way, then more steps. So hot and humid. 

The walkway is a real shakkin' briggie, a single plank with mesh on either side. Don't look down! But it was worth it. But the steps down were equally bad, if not worse.

Then lunch, soup (untouched), chicken,, sweet N sour fish, rice, veg, iced tea. It was very good.

Then an hour back to the Park HQ. Eric, driver, thought my pretty sandals weren't suitable for the jungle walk as he said it was v muddy after a lot of rain. After thinking about it decided he was right, I have jungle at the top of the hill at 'home', so I sat in the restaurant, beside their herb garden and drank coffee. It was a slightly breezy and cloudy 22 deg. Just like home! The walk was nothing special anyway only about 30 minutes.

One of the most noticeable things was the number of churches, mainly RC. Most Malaysian Christians live in Western Malaysia, mainly drawn from the local tribes. In Sarawak over 50% of the population is Christian. In Sabah it's about 25%. A challenge in a country that is Muslim and increasingly Islamic. Probably contributes to the Sabah independence movement. Western Malaysia joined the Malay Federation late and is still different, internal immigration controls and the State Heads of State of Sabah and Sarawak don't participate in the elected Monarchy by 5 year rotation that Malaysia has. 

Then the return journey, about 3 hours, back. We ended up in the clouds, they were so low, like haar, and then it rained. The traffic getting back into KK was awful. It took nearly an hour to get from the first drop off point so mine. I could have walked it in 30 minutes 

It was 6 when I got back to the room, 10.5+ his after leaving. I was going to go to the Night Market but I was too tired and the legs knew they'd done a lot of steps so ended up in a bar/restaurant nearby and had a tasty lamb curry,, pandan cheesecake and 2 Tiger.

Back at in the room  watched Silent Witness ep 2. The hotel seems busier, weekend visitors.