 sunset from Magellan Sutera Harbour by nezz | Tips on what to pack for a trip to Kota Kinabalu, posted by real travelers and Kota Kinabalu locals. Kota Kinabalu Map |
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 Your Pictorial Guide of
Stuff To Bring by runwitme
A waist pouch or a small daypack.
I divide the Mt. Kinabalu Climb into two parts.
Part one is the hike up from the base (Timpohon or Mersilau) to Laban Rata (A place for climbers to stay overnight before ascending to the peak). Part two is the climb from Laban Rata to the summit (Low's Peak).
For part one, long sleeve shirt/ sweater and short/bermuda for hike are sufficient. The weather is usually sunny and warm. Bring a raincoat, in case of rain.
You need to dress warmly for Part Two. Thick jacket, long sleeve shirt and track pants (I wore two) for climb up to Low?s Peak. Wear a scarf, ski mask (you can buy this at RM5 at the base HQ) or balaclava. It is windy and cold on the mountain. Bring a light disposable raincoat, in case of rain.
Hiking shoes or sport shoes. I wore my Karrimor sandals with thick socks for the first part and changed to my Fila running shoes for the second.
Gloves are essential for Part two to protect your hands from rope burn (you need to use rope to climb over some slopes) and cold.
Travel light. Do not bring a bottle of 400ml shampoo and your make-up kits.
Laban Rata rest house provides soap and towel. Bring your toothbrush and toothpaste.
Lip moisturizer helps to ease chapped lips due to cold.
Sunscreen for sun protection.
Lotion for dry skin. Ladies take note.
I noticed that mosquito repellent is NOT essential.
I rubbed Vaseline between my toes and on my feet before I put my socks on for the climb. This prevents blisters and chaffing.
Eyes drop, plasters, headache pain-killer tablets just in case.
Analgesic rub like Yoko Yoko (thanks Chan Yok for the supply) or Deepheat for the tired muscles.
You will regret if you do not bring your camera. Bring enough films and batteries.
I was petrified when I saw no socket point for my camera battery charger in my room at Laban Rata and my batteries were running low. Thanks to the friendly people at the reception, I was able to recharge my batteries and took some breath-taking pictures at the summit.
Not applicable unless you want to camp on the mountain.
Torchlight (2D batteries and bring a spare bulb) is essential for Part 2. Climbers will start their climb at 2:00 am. If you can afford it, use those headlamps.
Walking stick (about RM3 from the local guides) helps to make the Part 1 hike easier. Do not take it up to Part 2, leave it at Laban Rata along with your other luggage. You need your hands to hold the ropes, not walking stick.
Food & Drinks
Untreated water (mountain fresh) is available at the rest area along the trail. I have drunk the water without problems. It tasted refreshing and cool. I also brought one bottle (500ml) to keep me hydrated during the Part 1 hike. I also brought 2 packets of Ribena (pouch). Tuna and crackers, raisins, sweets, cookies, chocolate, energy gel and apple are recommended.
For Part 2, bring some water and some munchies. I brought a packet of Ribena, 2 packs of Power Gel and some candy.
Plastic bags. Put your garbage in. Do not leave your garbage on the mountain. Leave a Comment
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 This is me in the cold by JamesWtc
Good shoes for hiking. Gym and tennis shoes are fine.
Bring Warm clothes. The weather drops to below 5 degree when you reach the top, depending on the weather.
Bring a rain coat in case of rain.
Water proof gloves and a hat to protect you from cold wind.
Altitude sickness like vomit or headache could happen. Consult your doctor.
Camera with spare batteries and film. You must take the photo on the top of sunrise!
Buy a walking stick from the HQ. It helps a lot.
Small water bottles. 1L or less are fine. Mountain waters are available along the way up at each stop.
The Golden Tip: Travel Light Leave a Comment
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 by yuet29
I will consider insect repellent as a must when travel in Sabah. For insect repellent with DEET, I cannot find any in KK. MOst of the insect repellent here are from traditional/ nature ingredient for example from different kinds of herbs. So if you particularly want the insect repellent with DEET, bring yours here.
I was told by a pharmarcist that insect repellent with DEET actually threathed fish. So if you go into water, make sure you wash out the repellent first before you go into the sea. Leave a Comment
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 sunset from Magellan Sutera
Harbour by nezz
Always remember some comfy shoes or sandals for walking especially if you have large feet. The largest sized shoes for women are size 8 (Australia) a 38 or 39 European. Not much large sized women's clothing you really have to hunt it out, so bring enough from home
Sunscreen is very expensive and remember the tropical strength rid or areoguard repellant. otherwise all other toiletries are super cheap just stock up at the supermarkets. Basic medicines are cheap from the pharmacies but you'll need to know what to ask for. I always bring the basics like dressings, antibiotics, pain killers.
Bring a good camera for all the wonderful sunsets
If you love your wine bring a cask with you as wine is very expensive. You are allowed 1 litre per adult into Malaysia so a 2L cask per couple is ok...Local spirits & beer although not cheap by Malaysian standards are reasonable if you stock up your hotel fridge from the supermarket in the basement of KK plaza. Leave a Comment
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Cotton shorts - NOT denim. Denim will absorb water when you sweat (as you surely will here) and will not dry easily. While wet, it rubs and chafes - not a pleasant feeling in a hot humid climate.
A hat
An Umbrella (folding)
Sunscreen
Insect repellant (with deet) if you are going to be going inland is a good idea
Bring your own snorkling gear if you have it, the rental ones are not good
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Tissues - I would suggest you always carry one of those pocket size packets of tissues with you.
Useful for many things, last but not least is cleaning up after gorging on those fantastically messy chicken wings the hawkers sell which are iresistable.
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One with a waterproof cover (or at least able to keep out some water) would be good if you're moving around....and please, bring locks!! Bags are fairly cheap in KK though quality varies so you might end up buying a good bag in KK.
Travel light as what you wear outdoors can easily be worn indoors-clubs don't really have dress codes per se, especially for tourists-I'd definitely recommend sneakers and sandals, and you can buy cheap slippers which you can use in the wet bathrooms if you're staying at a backpackers. A raincoat is a good idea, and women here like to use unbrellas with silver lining on the inside to keep the sun out-again, cheap to buy in KK. No need for black shoes, or ties and suits-dress down. Oh, a full brimmed hat (aussie style) will raise a few eyebrows but is a bloody good idea.
I suppose women might wonder about dressing 'modestly,' as I've seen in some forum questions-really I wouldn't worry one little bit-MTV has us all dressing like J-Lo or P-Diddy (or whatever they are called these days...).
I suppose mosquito repellant wouldn't hurt if you're going out of town, or backpacking. Sunblock won't be the easiest thing to find in KK but both are available at Tong Hing Supermarket in the city (2nd floor next to the wine colection). Medicines are easily available so I won't bother. if you're off the beaten track I suppose toilet paper might be necessary but I've also known people who brought toilet seat covers-mind you off the beaten tracks, the toilets haven't got seats...bring 20 cent pieces with you for entry into most toilets.
For the guys, i've never found it too easy to get a wide variety of shaving blades, so if you think yours isn't generic enough, take enough stock.
Not expensive to buy in KK, but why spend time looking for a camera when you should be snapping away? Film is cheap as easy to find-digital reproduction kiosks are still a rarity though.
Very unpopular Malaysian pastime but becoming more common so camping so gear won't be easy to find-BYO!! Hotels will have those beach umbrellas though. Most camping gear is imported so it won't be necessarily any cheaper in KK, and could even be a bit more expensive than overseas. Leave a Comment
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 by yuet29
You can get a free town map from Sabah Tourism Board at Jalan Gaya or download one from internet. I was using a year 2001 map but most of the places are still the same. So the old map doesnt give me much trouble. Leave a Comment
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The climb is quite rough so make sure you have a good pair of trekking shoes. Don't have to go buy the special ones, but normal sport shoes with good sole grips would do.
The temperature can go down to 0 degrees on the peak, so make sure you are warm enough. Bring gloves to protect your fingers.
Also bring a raincoat. You might encounter rain while trekking up.
- A roll of toilet paper. It runs out really fast in the hostel.
- Headlight for those who plan to climb up to the peak. If you have a headlight, all the better.
- High energy bars for food
- Ziplock bags to pack in all your stuff, so you bring as small a backpack as you can.
- Insect repellent is a must
- whistle, in case you get lost
- Thermal water bottle if you have. The water can get cold up there
- diarhea pills, altitude sickness pills (if you need), headache pills, anti vomit pills and plasters.
Remeber to keep your camera warm if your camera is not weatherproof or cannot withstand low temperatures.
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I found having shoes for snorkling/diving off the TAR marine park islands was helpful since the ocean floor has lots of sharp coral reefs.
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