Chilling at Kundasang

I was at Kundasang for three nights chilling and was starting to think of even staying a few more nights so I could do some cooking but alas 31 Aug 2019 was a holiday and I got kicked out of the hostel and Kundasang as everything was fully booked. So off to Ranau after taking a slow break in Kundasang for three nights.

In terms of things to do, there are not much things really to occupy time in Kundasang. Its the heartbeat of a grand mountain (Mt. Kinabalu) I suppose in a sense. I always get those lazy, slowdown peaceful mindset when in proximity or rather in places of high altitude. Maybe I dont have altitude sickness but more like altitude bliss.

Kundasang - Sabah

I spend the days just taking a ride out going anywhere enjoying the cool weather while looking for food or just a spot to sit down, lean back and watch the clouds drift by Mount Kinabalu and if I was lucky, a glimpse of the peak from time to time made the wait so much more sweeter.

Mount Kinabalu - Kundasang, Sabah

There are still few things to see, or rather everything can be seen in a day but it took me three days. Proof that I manage to slow down the pace to that level.

Kundasang War Memorial Garden which is a tribute to the Sandakan-Ranau Death March back during the WWII. Not much tourist here but the gardens are well kept and the small history of the land during WWII was displayed on tablet. The small stories of the people during the War are not recorded much in history books and only remembered through these memorials all around the world. Lest We Forget.

Kundasang WWII War Memorial Gate Entrance 

Lest We Forget - Kundasang War Memorial

WWII Memorial Garden - Kundasang

A walk in the Kinabalu Park, or rather a ride for bluey inside the huge Kinabalu park all the way to the Timpohon gate, the starting point for hikers to the summit of mount Kinabalu where a permit is required. Mount Kinabalu Trek has a limit on number of trekkers a day hence one could not just rock up and start hiking. Looking at the exhausted but happy face of the trekkers coming back was still not enaugh to motivate me do the hike as the price for the hiking permit was a whooping RM 1k+ for a solo hiker ... and nearly double that if the hikers are not Malaysian.

Summit Trail to Mount Kinabalu Peak

The view from Kinabalu Park

Mount Kinabalu Peak - Hidden in the Clouds 

Hiking Permit Beyond this Point - Mount Kinabalu

Tired But Happy Hikers at Mount Kinabalu - Kundasang

A visit to the only Highland Milk Farm featuring Hoistien Cows. Never though I would see those TV cartoon like black and white cow in Malaysia. In my view .. the best place to chill out in Kundasang. If only there was a cafe.

Desa Dairy Farm - Kundasang

Hoistien Cows in Kundasang

Hoistien Free Time - Kundasang 

Hoistien Milking Time - Kundasang 

Automated Milking at Desa Dairy Farm - Kundasang

Once Kundasang was done, I headed to Ranau and although just 15km away it was so much different due to the warmer weather. Ranau was still cold at night but somehow Kundasang was nicer.

Traveled on: Sep 2019