Mouth-Watering

"Part of the secret of success in life is to eat what you like and let the food fight it out inside."

-Mark Twain

I won't call myself a foodie but I do enjoy good food. I am not a food critic but I believe in my own sense of taste when it comes to my favourite dish. Food here doesn't include the routine meals that we have every day whereby we eat to live. The food that I'm referring to is the food that we live for, the one you don't have it often. Once in a while, we just need to indulge ourselves.

Back in April, I travelled to Kota Bahru, Kelantan to attend my friend's wedding and have the chance to try the famous Nasi Dagang at Restoran Selera Daun Pisang.

There are many choices of meat and vegetables you can pick from with different methods of serving. I took fried egg covered with sweet spicy gravy and beef "rendang" and costed about MYR8. It was a little pricey, in my opinion, but it was definitely very fulfilling.

Had dinner by the beach of Pantai Cahaya Bulan. Being a "rojak" lover myself, I believe the key of a good "rojak" is the sauce which binds the ingredients together. We had seafood "rojak" and I can say it was recommendable. The sauce itself wasn't that spicy (you can always choose to spice it up on your own) and the sweetness was just nice. Had "keropok lekor"  and I dare say east coast has one of the best "lekor" in the country. Loving the soft texture.

Back in the city to try the famous desert shop, Ozarah which is recommended by Foursquare. I ordered sweet cone snowy treat. Loving the sweetness of the cone (but too much of it can be quite overwhelming, not to mention the "brain freeze"). Still, I enjoyed the dessert. 

Back in Miri, sometimes my friends and I just feel like splurge to indulge ourselves. For that reason, we usually drive all the way to Brunei (40-minute drive, by the way) to have Sushi feast. Ever since I tasted the sushi served at Excapade and Kaizen (the two famous Sushi franchise in Brunei), Sushi King is now officially out of my list. Ingredients used to serve the sushi are very fresh, enjoying every bite of freshness in the mouth. In Malaysia, quality of Sushi served at Sushi Zanmai is comparable but too bad, it is not available in Miri/East Malaysia at the moment.

The most recent cuisine that I have tried locally is Italian food which is served at Fratini's Restaurant. Ordered Salmone Penne and Gladiator Pizza. I don't think it is fair to compare to the ones served when I was back in Italy but honestly, they are recommendable for whoever craves for Italian. Liking the penne texture which blends with the minced salmon (Confession: I like salmon). I believe in pizza with thin crust is simply the best one. 

Looking at these photos already make me feeling hungry. Lesson learned: Don't blog when you are hungry, when you are going to post about food.

Anticipating next mouth-watering adventure...

Mount. Kinabalu Trip: Journey to the Peak

"It's funny how some distance makes everything seems small; The fear that once controls me can't get to me at all."

- Frozen (2013)

It's been 2 weeks since the climb but somehow, I can't seem to forget the thrill of the journey that I had. I don't think I will be able to forget it in the nearest time.

It all started when my friend invited me to join her to fulfill one of her resolutions. Have been talking and contemplating to conquer the highest peak in Malaysia, I agreed without second thought.

Touched down in Kota Kinabalu on the night of the 17th of April and we stayed for one night at Akinabalu Youth Hostel which is strategically located at Gaya Street. The rate for mixed dormitory without fan is MYR25 and I find that is quite reasonable. The only shortfall of the room is it only has one power point. Alternative power points are available at the living room if you intend to hang out there.

Cozy and welcoming surrounding at Akinabalu Youth Hostel

Woke up as early as 5.00am to prepare ourselves as our van would come and pick us up at 5.45am. The shuttle service to and from the city to Kinabalu Park was included in the package.  We reached the park about 2 hours later and we have our breakfast at Restoran Panataran (at our own cost). Afterwards, we were brought to meet our mountain guide, who happens to be a 14-year-old boy!

My hiking partner and I, with our destination is right behind us!

We were fetched to Timpohon Gate, the trail that we signed up for and the same trail would be used for descent on the next day.

 Departure point of our hike: Timpohon Gate

Renting a walking stick at the cost of MYR10, getting ready with our bag (Have no intention to hire a porter which costs MYR6 per kilogram) containing our food supply and necessities and well-equipped with hiking gears, our hike began around 9.00am.

Journey began downhill with these stairs

First 2 kilometres was rather an easy climb despite of the steepness of the trail in which I felt like I was trying to fight with gravity. It definitely felt different to trek with all those loads on my back, as to compare to my routine hiking. To think that I need to hike for 6km on that day... Dare not to think further, just climb.

The only waterfall on this trail. The water isn't really falling on that day. 

I believe this creature is known as mountain squirrel. Saw lots of them at the resting huts.

It's 9.34am at this point.

Green is good for the eyes.

Make it to 2km at 10.11am. 

The climb continued for the next 2km and finally we reached  Layang-Layang Hut at 11.45am, the usual spot for climbers to have their lunch break. This hut is somewhere near 4km check point. We have trekked for two-third of the trail. Our packed lunch consists of sandwich, chicken wing, an apple and a bottle of mineral water.

Take a selfie after lunch, before continuing our journey

The climb resumed after 30 minutes lunch break. The final 2km, I would say, is the toughest trail before reaching Laban Rata Rest House. Most of the pain in my toes or legs is caused by this trail.

The uneven rocky trail 

 Another break before going on...

This breathtaking view is after 5km check point. 

Final rest hut before reaching rest house and look at that trail ahead..

Spotted this worm lying on the ground. Mountain worm, I suppose? 

One of the flora, I forget the name

It's getting chilly at this altitude and the plants are more unique

Climb, break, hike, stop... and the cycle continues.

Made it to the rest house at 2.30pm!

So, we have climbed for about five and a half hours, inclusive of intermittent stops and lunch break. Dinner was served at 4pm. Meals provided at the hostel is buffet style and to consider the location of the rest house, the choices of food can say to be quite luxurious. I truly appreciate the effort of the porters who bring the supply all the way up. I recalled there is one guy carrying a cooking gas cylinder during our climb. That is truly remarkable.

After checking in at our dormitory, there was nothing much that we can do at the rest house other than waiting for the time to pass. We went to bed before 7pm to prepare for an early day on the following day.

Sea of cloud outside of Laban Rata Rest House

Foreseeing another rocky trail...

 Liking the chilly climate, reminding me of the British weather

Another selfie before calling it a day, with our dormitory in the background

Woke up at 1.30am and prepared ourselves for the final challenge. Had our supper and we began to hike at 3.00am. We equipped ourselves with headlight and winter outfit, we started to walk in the dark with big groups of climbers. Along the way, the groups were dwindling and seeing people started to have breaks in between. Eventually we came to the point of stone-floor trail with some rope climbing session. The trail was rather steep and if to be careless even just for one second may be fatal. The sun is yet to rise and the only source of light is our headlights, in which mine kept on slipping away from my forehead, makes my climb a little difficult.

After Sayat-Sayat Hut, the final check point before the summit, that was the very last battle that I need to tackle before reaching the end. So close yet so far, I can somewhat see the summit from there but seeing the path that I have to go through, I admit, I almost wanted to give up. I overheard some of the climbers saying they don't have the endurance to go on anymore. Re-reflecting myself, I am this close and seeing my friend was ahead of me, I decided to go on. Although I didn't make it to the summit before sunrise (that was the initial target), I made it to the final destination.

 We made it to the highest point of Malaysia, Low's Peak!

6.12am of the 19th of April, 2014, the moment to be remembered.

For thing that goes up, it must come down. After spending minutes of our time there after hours of climbing, it's time to say goodbye to Low's Peak and made our way down to the Rest House. Now we finally can enjoy the view as the sun shines over the summit.

Climbing down is relatively easier for me but my friend didn't think so..

 Amazed by the triangle shadow

 Met our mountain guide, Shukri!

 The iconic South Peak

 Personal memento with South Peak

 South Peak depicted on old RM1 note and ...

 new RM100 note.

8.0km check point we didn't get to capture earlier as it was still dark at the time

 Tiny flowers that grow on the stone floor

 Plants that can be found at this altitude. They must be liking the cold.

 Another awesome view from the top, wonderful creation of Mother Nature

 The same stairs that we used for climbing up which was not visible back then

Laban Rata Rest House view from the top

We made it back to the rest house around 9.00am to have our breakfast (our last meal). Packing our stuff and we started to descend at 10.30am. 

 Bidding farewell to Laban Rata...

 As much as I enjoyed the descent, this trail will always intimidate me.

 Managed to capture this pitcher plant on our way down.

My knees and toes were hurting so bad during the descent but somehow it didn't stop to climb down at a greater pace. At some point, I accidentally kicked over something and worsen the pain on my toes. Couldn't stand it any longer, I decided to use slippers for the last 2km before reaching the gate.

Concluded my climb at 2.30pm, a total of 4 hours of descent!

The feeling of reaching the gate is just as exciting as to cross the finishing line of a run. Never in my life I thought I would have made it to conquer the Mount Kinabalu. Even now I still couldn't believe myself that I have been there. Despite of the negativity at some points, thankfully they didn't get it on my way. Encouragement from hiking buddy definitely plays a big role for this commendable accomplishment.

Getting our certificate from HQ and we left for the city. Stayed for another night in KK before flying home on the next day. That pretty much concluded our Mount Kinabalu weekend getway.

Bye bye, Kota Kinabalu!

Will I be climbing it again? May be. Perhaps next time I will be more prepared. Low's Peak and South Peak, you are dearly missed by yours truly.

So, what's next? :)

For your information, our package costs MYR900 which includes:

1. Shuttle service from KK to Kinabalu Park

2. Park Entrance Fee

3. Climbing Permit

4. Mountain Guide Fee

5. 4 Meals (Packed lunch, dinner, supper, breakfast)
6. One night accommodation stay at Laban Rata

7. Certificate

8. Climbing Insurance

More info at this site.

9 Angpows

"Angpow", translated from Hokkien dialect which means "red packet"

It’s 9^th day of Chinese New Year, halfway through the 15-day celebration. Despite of being half Chinese myself, CNY is never a major celebration in my family. Nonetheless, it is one of the celebrations that I can’t miss. Malaysia is so blessed with abundant of festivals (and public holidays)!

It is such a mixed feeling to receive “angpows” at this age. In Chinese culture, only the singles are eligible to receive red packets, which is different of that in Malay culture whereby it’s the unemployed ones who get them. Wondering when is the last CNY I won’t receive “angpows”. *I hope I don’t sound desperate*

That aside, CNY is also the time to reunite with old friends. When everyone is so busy with their own lives nowadays, it is almost impossible to catch up during non-holiday time when mostly can’t make the time (or effort) to meet up. CNY holiday is only up to 3rd day of CNY where most of the friends are still back in their hometown, I managed to meet up with a number of high schoolmates, when there are too many things to reminisce but too little time.  

SMKBB'07 alumni reunite!

Now I'm back in office and preparing for final month of probation. The journey ahead is still uncertain but I shall look forward for what's coming, be it expected or unexpected.

"No matter how much it hurts, how dark it gets or no matter how far you fall, you are never out of fight."

- Lone Survivor (2013)