The next day is my first rest day since I took off on Jan 19th. It’s Feb 5th and I’m looking forward to having nothing to do but lounge around the pool. I hit the gym, have a leisurely breakfast, catch up on a bit of FaceTime and eventually leave the room! By the time I hit the pool there’s a ferocious wind. I manage to enjoy a few hours reading my book by the pool, have a quick dip, relax at the small beach and then have a glass of wine and food watching a non existent sun set!
The rain is coming down and the wind is whipping up so I stay put and have an early night. I should check out downtown but I’m glad of the excuse not to have to go.
It rains all through the night and there’s even a bit of thunder and lightening. Still raining and misty the next morning, it’s probably the worst weather I could have for my tour today but we set off anyway. First stop is the view point of Mount Kinabalu…. eh, not today
We’re supposed to go to Mount Kinabalu next for a hike but with the weather being so bad we head for Poring Hot Springs. This is a UNESCO world heritage area with lush green trees, waterfalls and baths. We start with the canopy walk which is full on rope suspension bridge and is fairly hairy scary when you first step on and it starts to shake…
There were six in all, the second last being the longest and wobbliest but sure it’s no bother to this intrepid traveller!!!! 🤣
After descending the pathway from the canopies I head to the waterfall. I can only get as far as the smaller of two as the main one is closed off because of the bad weather.
Hot and sweaty from the climbing it’s time for a soak in the hot spring baths…. well kinda. Sounds like it should be lovely but this is no Calistoga! There are individual baths all empty with a hot and cold tap that you control. The water is piped from the spring, allegedly, but it takes so long to fill the bath and there’s so many dead bugs and mosquitoes flying around it’s not exactly relaxing. I’m in my swimsuit expecting a leisurely float around and the locals (mostly Muslim women) are covered from head to toe just dipping their feet!! I have a dunk in the cold rock pool then a quick soak of my feet in the hot bath and I’m done…. not really convinced it was worth the hassle of the clothes change and drying situation in very meager changing rooms (with wet floors). Can’t say I enjoyed that much.
The weather is definitely brighter here so we’re hopeful the mountain may be a little clearer….. eh no – at the entrance to the national park I give up on the notion of seeing the mountain:
So much for getting a hike in, I can’t even see the mountain. The best we can do is have a walk around the botanical gardens in our raincoats in the rain. The guide points out the tiniest orchid:
And a slipper orchid:
It’s nice but honestly every time the lovely lady who is my guide stops and asks if I know what this leaf is and that plant is and that tree is I want to shout “NO, I told you I don’t know my plants or trees or birds or fruits for that matter”… need I say more. Time to just call it a day and head back to the hotel and hope the mist will clear and the rain stop for tomorrow.
At one point on the drive we see a police escort, with full on sirens blazing, go past us escorting at least ten coaches. They’ve darkened windows so we cannot see inside but they look like brightly colored tour buses. The guide tells me that the buses are full of illegal immigrants getting deported. She said it happens once a month and there is often this many!
When I get back I have a lovely shower and walk along the waters edge to Chi Spa at the resort. It is amazing. The location is right at the edge of the property at the sea and the treatment rooms are incredible. You can hear the ocean while having your treatment. I have a “Borneo Massage” and it is fabulous. It’s supposed to be 1 hr 15 minutes but ends up being an hour and a half and it’s one of the best massages I’ve ever had. It also involves getting beaten with a pumice (a bit like that one I had in Bhutan) but I always feel great after a good masseuse battering and I love it.
I float back to my room and decide to order room service – nasi goreng with a glass of white wine and an episode of Bloodline (my new box set that I’m watching) – heaven!
The next morning it’s still drizzling rain so no morning by the pool for me. I hit the gym (so proud of myself!!) and do a yoga class which is held at the spa. The studio is open on all sides and we are facing the sea doing our stretches and poses – it’s a lovely relaxing hour with the teacher and just two other ladies. A full on Asian breakfast and another hour reading my book until it’s time to pack and head to Kuala Lumpur. [side note: The book I’m reading is called Cinnamon Gardens by Shyam Selvadurai and it’s set in Sri Lanka during the colonial period. I spotted it in a bookshop in Colombo and it’s a great read having just been there]
I say goodbye to Sabah hoping I’ll return one day. I could easily have spent more time at the Sepilok resort and next time I would go to the river to see the probiscus monkeys and would definitely try see the Pygmy elephant and there’s an island where you see turtles. I just didn’t have enough time and I’ll definitely need to return.
odohertyelaine 