Climbing Mount Kinabalu

Intense and awe inspiring, Mount Kinabalu is the 20th most prominent mountain in the world and the most exciting, challenging, and humbling experience I have ever had. 

Day One

6am

Nailed it. Bag is 50% clothing, 50% snacks. All over this.

More likely to lose a foot to diabetes than hypothermia on this one

Just about to leave my hostel when the head chef calls me back and asks where I'm going. In his soft, old grandpa voice he speaks slowly:

"Ooooh. The mountain... You know people died in June? ... Nobody saw the quake coming... 7am, just after the sunrise... Schoolchildren, you know? ... No warning... Nature can be cruel..." And then, with a Professor Trelawney type snap of voice he said:

"Do not leave your guide, Miss Kirsten. Never leave your guide. Stick to him, and don't leave him."

My van horn beeped outside and I bid Hostel Grandpa adieu, thanking him for his advice and simultaneously trying to shake it off.

On top of the world!

Today I summited the 20th most prominent mountain in the world! Certainly the most challenging physical experience I have had to date, and such a completely spectacular mountain I am so grateful it'll be with me forever. 

Waddling in 8 tops and blown over by the wind twice, but it's a great thing to have your head above the clouds!

"Your thighs look strong. Beefy. You'll be fine"

Beefy.

Reassuring words from my hostel owner this evening as I'm packing my clothes into my day sack ready to climb Mount Kinabalu tomorrow! I am so excited and I just can't hide it so I ate a lot of carbs and called it legit preparation, which definitely negated my breathlessness at the top of the stairs to my dorm.

I was intending to turn up and climb on the day when I originally planned to do Mt Kinabalu, but the late 2015 earthquake meant the mountain had to be closed for 3 months and only reopened a few weeks ago. Because of the damage to the trails, now only 100 people are allowed up each day (previously 200), and people who missed their climb due to the closure have been reallocated dates this month. I didn't want to miss climbing at all as this is one of the absolute highlights of my trip, so I ended up booking through Amazing Borneo Tours to guarantee my climb. I'll review how it went once I've done it!

I love mountain climbing and Borneo is my ultimate adventureland, so the combination is just divine. My Dad also climbed Mt Kinabalu back in the day, so I feel even more excited to be able to bring the same experience into my life and share something so incredible in a now-and-then kind of way.

Err, OK! Night Fishing in Koh Chang

"Err, OK!" - KBG brain, regularly.

The clock was ticking and I was err-ing. As with many life decisions where I need a little shove, I messaged my sister P and sought her advice:

K: Sup.

P: Sup.

K: Thinking fishing trip.

P: Do it, sounds insane.

K: Cool.

P: Cool.

I tend to lean towards things which are slightly ridiculous, and which I am slightly ridiculous in doing.

One Week in Bangkok

Resisting the temptation to belt out Pet Shop Boys whenever I hear "one [X] in Bangkok" has been strenuous. AND THE WORLD'S YOUR OYSTER! There, it's done, it's out. 

Many people do Bangkok in 1-3 days, but I stayed for a whole week! Here's what I got up to:

Day 1: Exploring street food and markets in Siam Square

Having landed after 24 hours of travelling, food was of course the first thing on my mind! Cue a trip to the Siam Square Happy Street festival full of food and clothes!

 

Bangkok street food - a lasting love!

Most people cover Bangkok within 1-3 days before escaping to other areas of Thailand. I stayed for a whole week and, apart from my love for all the Wats, it was down to the food. Thai food is completely different to anything I've ever had before, essentially mastering the art of taking a very healthy dish, deep frying it, and creating a heavenly bundle of light tasting deliciousnessosity. Here are some of my highlights! 

My first dish in Thailand was from a magnificent street market in Siam Square. Deep fried chicken and veg on sweet toast opened the door to an absolute winner winner of a chicken dinner. I also cracked open my first ever fresh coconut and, whilst impressive and idyllic, it turns out that I don't like coconut milk. Regardless, the look of them can't be faulted!

LOOK AT THAT BOWL OF CHILLI SAUCE. MY EYES ARE BURNING FROM HERE.

Impulsive Fishing!

Today's impulse decision: night fishing trip with a load of Thai fishermen off the coast of Koh Chang! 5 yellow bait fish and a barracuda later and I am very happy with my first ever fishing trip!

Post is coming - I promise!

January 11, 2016 at 12:56AM

Cooking With Pon! Green Garden (Hot Pot) Cooking School, Bangkok

How do you like your chillies in the morning?

Thai cooking courses are rated as some of the best experiences you can get whilst exploring Thailand, and something not to be missed if you're a foodie or a host. I did a lot of research into different cooking courses and, in my opinion, it doesn't get much better than Green Garden (previously known as Hot Pot) Cooking School! A lot of schools recommended widely cost the same or more, but only offer 3-4 dishes - today I cooked and ate 10 over 5 hours and loved every second of it!

I turned up at 8.50 for a 9.00 start and was picked up by my teacher Pon on a Tuk Tuk and taken straight to the market to get fresh ingredients for cooking! I was joined by another girl from Bangladesh and we moved through the market as Pon described all the different foods and what they're used for in Thai cooking, what they go with, and how they're different to foods we knew - for example, Thai eggplant looks like a courgette rather than the purple lightbulb I'm used to! Fresh food markets in Bangkok run from 0400 - 0930ish and then they're changed over to thing stalls or cooked food stalls. Very surreal to see the end of Khao San Road full of lettuce and eggs rather than fisherman trousers and hair braids! 

Bossing the groceries