Kinabalu Canopy Walk and Poring Hotsprings
I was in Kota Kinabalu from 18th to 22nd November. On 19th November, I joined a local tour on a trip to Kinabalu Park, a world heritage site which boasts the famous canopy walk and the Poring Hot springs.
The drive up the park took nearly three hours. The undulating road wound around the crocker range like a serpent. The higher the van drove, a wider expanse of emerald vegetation spread before us. Layer after layer of mountains rose like waves, becoming one with the sky in the far end. My companions were a four-member British family.They made the bumpy ride an enjoyable one with their humorous banter.
When we reached the park, I was blown away by its beauty. It was surrounded by mountains in greens of all hues. The sight offered me a welcome respite from the concrete forest that I live in. To go for the canopy walk, we had to hike a steep slope for fifteen to twenty minutes. The steepness took a toll on my plump body. I fell behind my companions, unable to keep up with their speed. Mr. Dave, the patriarch of the British family, breezed through the ascent despite having his hips replaced twice. His sprightliness made me feel ashamed of my poor stamina. Panting and puffing heavily, I paused along the track many times to catch my breath. I could even feel my brain 'throbbing'. At one point my body was so drained of energy that I wanted to give up, but many hikers prodded me along with words of encouragement. A Malay even offered to carry my knapsack. I soon made it to the canopy walk station amidst applause.
The canopy walk consisted of a series of suspended bridges. Holding onto the rope railings on both sides to balance myself, I gingerly crossed one bridge after another. My confidence grew when my steps became accustomed to the rhythm of the shaky bridges. I soaked up the green cornucopia of ravines below each bridge.I did not experience vertigo like I had in the past. How great and beautiful were God's creations.
I had much trouble with the descent. I accidentally hurt my knees and each landing of my feet caused a sharp, excruciating pain. To reduce the agony, an Indian lady advised me to go down the slope by stepping sideways. I did so but the pain still persisted. Fearing that I might not be able to join my friends, a Chinese lady and her daughter saved my contact number on their cellphones and took my picture. When they reached the station at the foothill, they would inform the security guards about my predicament. I thanked the good Samaritans profusely. When they were gone, I sat down on a stump and massaged my knees to make them better. After twenty minutes, I got up through sharp pain and garnered as much courage as possible to go down the slope. With determination, I reached the safety of the foothill. Two security guards recognized my face from the photo taken by the two kind ladies and asked if I was alright. I thanked them for their concern.
My next destination was Poring Hot springs. The British family must have been there long before I reached it. I wanted to change into my swim trunk but there was no locker room in sight. Just as I was about to give up on the plan of enjoying a hot bath, I heard Jeff, the son in law of Mr. Dave calling my name. Relieved to see him and his family, I went into a nearby changing room and changed into my swim trunk. The British family had reserved a bath for me and I was glad to immerse myself in the mineral-rich hot water. Sheer invigoration!
it took us another three hours to reach Kota Kinbalu. I bade farewell to the tourist guide and the British family. It had been an interesting trip. What a physical feat I achieved!
While massaging my sore knees on my hotel bed, I received a text message from the kind mother and daughter, which was steeped in sympathy and concern. I thanked them with a sincere heart and asked God to shower them with His blessings in my bedtime prayer.
The drive up the park took nearly three hours. The undulating road wound around the crocker range like a serpent. The higher the van drove, a wider expanse of emerald vegetation spread before us. Layer after layer of mountains rose like waves, becoming one with the sky in the far end. My companions were a four-member British family.They made the bumpy ride an enjoyable one with their humorous banter.
When we reached the park, I was blown away by its beauty. It was surrounded by mountains in greens of all hues. The sight offered me a welcome respite from the concrete forest that I live in. To go for the canopy walk, we had to hike a steep slope for fifteen to twenty minutes. The steepness took a toll on my plump body. I fell behind my companions, unable to keep up with their speed. Mr. Dave, the patriarch of the British family, breezed through the ascent despite having his hips replaced twice. His sprightliness made me feel ashamed of my poor stamina. Panting and puffing heavily, I paused along the track many times to catch my breath. I could even feel my brain 'throbbing'. At one point my body was so drained of energy that I wanted to give up, but many hikers prodded me along with words of encouragement. A Malay even offered to carry my knapsack. I soon made it to the canopy walk station amidst applause.
The canopy walk consisted of a series of suspended bridges. Holding onto the rope railings on both sides to balance myself, I gingerly crossed one bridge after another. My confidence grew when my steps became accustomed to the rhythm of the shaky bridges. I soaked up the green cornucopia of ravines below each bridge.I did not experience vertigo like I had in the past. How great and beautiful were God's creations.
I had much trouble with the descent. I accidentally hurt my knees and each landing of my feet caused a sharp, excruciating pain. To reduce the agony, an Indian lady advised me to go down the slope by stepping sideways. I did so but the pain still persisted. Fearing that I might not be able to join my friends, a Chinese lady and her daughter saved my contact number on their cellphones and took my picture. When they reached the station at the foothill, they would inform the security guards about my predicament. I thanked the good Samaritans profusely. When they were gone, I sat down on a stump and massaged my knees to make them better. After twenty minutes, I got up through sharp pain and garnered as much courage as possible to go down the slope. With determination, I reached the safety of the foothill. Two security guards recognized my face from the photo taken by the two kind ladies and asked if I was alright. I thanked them for their concern.
My next destination was Poring Hot springs. The British family must have been there long before I reached it. I wanted to change into my swim trunk but there was no locker room in sight. Just as I was about to give up on the plan of enjoying a hot bath, I heard Jeff, the son in law of Mr. Dave calling my name. Relieved to see him and his family, I went into a nearby changing room and changed into my swim trunk. The British family had reserved a bath for me and I was glad to immerse myself in the mineral-rich hot water. Sheer invigoration!
it took us another three hours to reach Kota Kinbalu. I bade farewell to the tourist guide and the British family. It had been an interesting trip. What a physical feat I achieved!
While massaging my sore knees on my hotel bed, I received a text message from the kind mother and daughter, which was steeped in sympathy and concern. I thanked them with a sincere heart and asked God to shower them with His blessings in my bedtime prayer.
Comments