KOTA KINABALU

I visited Kota Kinabalu a few years ago as part of my first foray into Asia.  I came primarily to climb Mt. Kinabalu but was pleasantly surprised to find a laid back town and a few nearby islands with decent snorkeling.  There are is also home to jungles and proboscis monkeys.  Once I obtain a scuba diving license I'll return for the jungles and excellent diving farther off the coast.

The day before climbing Mt. Kinabalu I went snorkeling at Tunku Abdul Rahman Park.

I'm fairly certain you need to register and have a guide assist with you the climb up Mt. Kinabalu.  The climb was kind of disappointing because you summit early in the morning...when it's pitch black...so you have no view.  The best image of Mt. Kinabalu is a false peak that fortunately you can see later in the morning when you are climbing back down.  The top part of the peak is step and there is a rope line you can hold onto as you are going up.  I thought this hike was actually more difficult than the Everest Base Camp because you climb higher and faster than you do in the Himalayas - your quads and calves will be in pain on the way up and your shins will be in pain on the way down.  As I recall the Mt. Kinabalu climb started at 1,500 meters and finishes at 4,000 meters, while Everest Base Camp low point is 3,300 meters and finishes at 5,300 meters.  

I couldn't walk up the stairs of the hostel when I was back in Kota Kinabalu.  Fortunately there are lots of foot massage places in town.  

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For additional photos of Kota Kinabalu see FLICKR ALBUM.