One fine day, as I was lounging at my parents house, watching a series of Tiny Houses on TV, my sister asked me if I wanted to go climb some hill nearby. I immediately said YES! Because for the many years I've lived in Kota Belud and the many times I came home for the holidays, I never did anything adventurous except stay home and watch TV. Hahaha. I presumably became a successful couch potato at this rate.
So there... we planned to hike on a Sunday morning, right after Subuh prayers with hopes to catch some sunrise. I was briefed that the climb would take 3 hours to and from for the extremely fit people. Since I was on hiatus mode from hiking for two months already (yeah, fasting month and raya month.. argh!), I wasn't sure of my current fitness level.
A friend came to pick my two sisters and I in the wee Sunday morning from our house. I didn't prepare much and wore only sandals while my sisters wore shoes. I didn't even brought a daypack to put in water supplies and food.
I was ill-prepared.
We were brought to the foot of the hill situated somewhere in Kpg. Pirasan, near a construction site. The beginning of the trail was a visibly dirt path heading upwards. I was the least fittest person in the group and was stopping almost every few hills. Haha. It was a wake-up call that I should resume my fitness regime as soon as I get back to Kuala Lumpur.
Surviving 7 hills later and a final hike through a grassy area.. we were met with this beautiful view. The peak was marked with 3 large flags of Sabah being fiercely blown by the strong winds on top. I was suddenly became overcome with pride for my hometown and origin. Yes, I am a proud small town girl from Kota Belud, Sabah. No big city gonna change me..
Bongol means bald in English. I believe it was given that name because there are no trees at the peak, only grassy plains.
The way down could be done by going down the same way we went up. But my sister's friend had another trail in mind. The other trail was unclear and overgrown with bushes. We eventually reached the base of the hills with minor cuts and bruises from the unseen thorns on the trail. But all is well. :)
So there... we planned to hike on a Sunday morning, right after Subuh prayers with hopes to catch some sunrise. I was briefed that the climb would take 3 hours to and from for the extremely fit people. Since I was on hiatus mode from hiking for two months already (yeah, fasting month and raya month.. argh!), I wasn't sure of my current fitness level.
A friend came to pick my two sisters and I in the wee Sunday morning from our house. I didn't prepare much and wore only sandals while my sisters wore shoes. I didn't even brought a daypack to put in water supplies and food.
I was ill-prepared.
We were brought to the foot of the hill situated somewhere in Kpg. Pirasan, near a construction site. The beginning of the trail was a visibly dirt path heading upwards. I was the least fittest person in the group and was stopping almost every few hills. Haha. It was a wake-up call that I should resume my fitness regime as soon as I get back to Kuala Lumpur.
My sisters and I on top of Bukit Bongol, Kota Belud |
Surviving 7 hills later and a final hike through a grassy area.. we were met with this beautiful view. The peak was marked with 3 large flags of Sabah being fiercely blown by the strong winds on top. I was suddenly became overcome with pride for my hometown and origin. Yes, I am a proud small town girl from Kota Belud, Sabah. No big city gonna change me..
Mt. Kinabalu... Sabah's pride and joy. Our unique identity. |
Peak of Bukit Bongol facing the majestic Mt. Kinabalu. |
I am especially thankful to be given this opportunity to do some hiking before going back to KL. A perfect start to my fitness regime before hiking the arduous Mt. Tahan of Pahang the following month (end of August).
With that, I end my post ... adios!
14 comments:
niceee! Although I'm not really a hiking person but this reminds me of my last trip to Gunung Datuk! You should try that too!
Bake Lemon cake?
Wow.. How to go to this place?
wah..hebat jard..10 hills! i missed hiking a lot. tahun ni xde major ektiviti and my fitness level dh turun kot rasanya..huhu
ahha...silap baca..8 vs 10..hehe.
The landscape is really good and very beautiful, where was the place?
I like this article.. niceee..
These photos are amazing
@ henry tan... I've been to datuk.. hehe. it's been one of my earlier hikes before I started dedicating all my free time hiking. haha
@ jcka yoyoe.. you have to go to Kota Belud and from there you could ask locals or use waze to the starting point
@ agip roslan.. kena berterusan.. kang kaki tak sekuat dulu hehehe
@ kerajinan kelapa... in kota belud, sabah. not many people know about this place.
@ wigglemania.. thanks :P
if u go to Bukit Bongol u can use local guide/ malim gunung from kg. Mandap
MCM MN mo naik? Anyone can be contacted?
@ anon... yes thanks for the info..
@ japar... aku ikut kawan hari tu.. boleh je turun kota belud dan tanya org kampung camna nak naik sana. hehehe
Was experianced in Bongol hill last mth.frm the starting point (kg.mandap) i really think to go back n feel half dead! It's really challenging for me as ths is my very 1st time hiking.u hv to use rope to climb up~just imagine for unfit people like me, mau mati ohh.tks God finally i managed to reach the top.for hikers out there, Bongol is waiting for u!
Was experianced in Bongol hill last mth.frm the starting point (kg.mandap) i really think to go back n feel half dead! It's really challenging for me as ths is my very 1st time hiking.u hv to use rope to climb up~just imagine for unfit people like me, mau mati ohh.tks God finally i managed to reach the top.for hikers out there, Bongol is waiting for u!
assalamualaikum, nak tanya area bukit banggol ni ade hotel yang berdekatan x?
@mohd... hotel paling dekat kat pekan Kota Belud je la.. tapi kena ada transport untuk ke kaki bukit ni. hehe
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