Of Mountains, Environmental Education and Zero Waste

Disclaimer: This guide is written based on my own experience and may not be comprehensive enough, I would suggest that you still do your own research. Since Mt. Kinabalu was privatized few years ago, the tourism business up to the mountains has been monopolized by Sutera Sanctuary Lodges (SSL), the biggest hotel operator in Sabah. A climbing package that is booked directly from SSL would cost at least RM600 (for Malaysians) and RM800 for non-Malaysians. This guide serves to help you save at least RM300 and that is only if you can allow yourself at least 5 days' stay at Kinabalu Parks and/or be prepared to not climb Mt. Kinabalu AT ALL. Be prepared to bump into lots of obstacles because there're so many tour operators waiting to con your money. //Trails// There're two trails you can follow: via Timpohon Gate (8.75km to summit) and via Mesilau Gate (10.9km to summit). Most people choose to enter via Timpohon Gate as it is the easier trail and I personally do no...

You know, there are times when you wish you'd never grow up. So many decisions to make, so many dilemmas you're in, so many people you have to please that you wish you are still a child, and everything is well taken care of. When you are sad, as a child, you cry and there'll always be an adult holding you, assuring you, saying "everything's okay". Even when you're throwing a fit, it's either, you get what you want, or you get punished. Simple as that. And at the end of the day, you still have your parents, always there no matter what. And as you grow up, you learn. You learn how to be independent. You're on your own. Now that you have your own wings, but where can you fly to? Having a pair of wings may be graceful, but have you ever thought how fragile they can be? Time goes by, your wings have hardened and you stop wanting to fly. You stop venturing because, it's just too tired. Now you're on your feet. No worries, there's still people...