After a restless nights sleep, we awoke with a feeling of both anticipation and trepidation. Today was the big day we had been waiting for. With our day packs ready, complete with 3 litres of water we first stopped for breakfast and to collect our packed lunches. I knew I should eat, but could only manage to force down a slice of toast. We reached Timpophon Gate just before 9am and following a final briefing from Henry we set off up the mountain along the summit ...

It was impossible to sleep much in the longhouse, as sounds of snoring, a baby crying, cat meowing and heavy rain in the night conspired to prevent sleep. Some of our group were up at 5.30 to go for a walk to see sunrise over Mount Kinabalu. I figured I would see enough of it the next couple of days, so had a lay in till 7am! The view of the mountain from the washrooms was pretty good anyway (see photo), as it seemed to rise out from the mists swirling around th...

So as a birthday treat, I had a lay in till 7am!! A final opportunity to have a shower in our own bathroom, then pack and ready to leave by 9am. Today has mostly been a travel day, with a long drive past endless miles of palm oil plantations as far as the eye can see, along bone jarring made and unmade roads. A quick stop for lunch (you guessed it rice and chicken) then on and upwards towards the hills for our overnight stay in a longhouse at the Sabah Tea Planta...

After an action packed and very long previous day, it was with a groan that the alarm went off at 5.30 for a 6 am boat trip before breakfast. Although I wasn't quite awake I did enjoy being out for the sunrise over the misty river. We also saw some rare silver lipped macacs and lots of birds (kingfishers, hornbills, storm storks, egrets and bee eaters). Returning to camp for breakfast at 7.30, we had the option of another boat trip to a lake at 9.30. However, the...

An action packed and early start on Christmas day for us. Up at 4.30 to shower and pack and leave the hotel by 5.30 am for our 7 o'clock flight from KK to Sandakan. En route we had our first fearsome view of Mount Kinabalu out of the left side of the plane. After our short 50 minute flight we were meg by our comfy air con bus and whisked along to our main highlight of the day - Sepilok Orang-Utan sanctuary. After a brief video about the programme, we headed down ...