Sayang Kinabalu

"Tinggi-tinggi Gunung Kinabalu,

Tinggi lagi sayang sama kamu .."

The above lines come from the song every Sabahan should know, written by successful local songwriter Asmin Mudin, and sung by his brother Kimin Mudin. The song has been adopted by Sabah Tourism as Sabah's official tourism promotional theme song for the 10 years, and why not, I say.

View of a mist-enveloped Kinabalu at about 0730.

I love this song - so much so that when I hear it, it makes me want to get up and dance the sumazau, with my two left feet and gangly arms.

A short post for today; this morning we had an early start to Ranau to check out the Pesta Durian, Pesta Kubis and Mt Kinabalu Climbathon that's being held this weekend.

"Banyak sayur boleh pilih-pilih" - vegetable patches on the slopes.

We arrived early at Pekan Ranau, had breakfast and then went to the venue for the durian fest. Quite merry but not as much as I expected, went round the exhibits and decided since the programme only starts at 10 am, we would to go to Kundasang.

A display of various types of Durian Ranau.

A contraption to 'peel' the durian - come to think of it I've never attempted to open up one myself. Not good with parangs.

Not much to write about Pesta Kubis, since the main events started yesterday. Ended up buying durians and vegetables from the stalls.

Entrance to Kinabalu National Park was free for today to encourage visitors for the Climbathon. We could hear the gongs being played for the finishing runners and walked from the reception towards the Visitor's Centre where the finish line was. A bright clear day and hot sun - I must have gotten a very good dose of Vitamin D :)

Everytime in KNP, I always stop by at this information board.

View of the finish line - supporters and spectators waiting for the runners.

This guy was basking in the sun right after the finish line, complete with a book!

This was already about 1130 am.

And on the way back we swung by Kota Belud to catch a late glimpse of the Tamu Besar. At the KB junction we stopped at a stall to buy some more wild durians and some fresh tuhau.

'Dahit' and fresh tuhau.

"Apa guna pergi luar negeri,

Tengok Kinabalu,

Hati saya rindu"

Home is where the heart is :)

Now I am thinking of a short holiday in Kundasang soon.