deafPLUS staff arrive safe and well in Kota Kinbalu

Our staff, Leo Mansell and Jason Barnett touched down in Kota Kinbalu, (Borneo, Malaysia) with their climbing team from Advocate Events.

We went on a big plane as we have own tv each - movies and games. Yes no subtitles for us as nothing new. We have international movies so we can watch subtitles but quite poor movies. Also each seat have USB plug so we can charge our phones on the journey!

Our first stop was at Dubai and we all had to get out of plane to check in then get back on the same plane! Waste of time! But at least I have been to Dubai! I could not sleep well from London to Dubai.

Then to Bruni, I managed to sleep a few hours. Bruni airport is quite under par for me as I expected more than that as the country is one of richest in the world. Very humid.

We went on smaller plane to Borneo. Only under one hour journey..... Arrived in good time and went to the hotel by taxi. Very humid and raining! Gaya Hotel is nice and better than I thought, opposite of the hotel is shopping centre and sea, Could not see the sea as it is dark.

Will go to the islands tomorrow then have dinner with deaf society at 630pm.

One thing which surprised me ...... Borneo have same plugs as us! No need to bring travel adapter! 

Team morale and spirits are high: everyone is raring to go.

 

The itinerary is as follows:

Saturday 4th October 2014 (Day 1): Fly from London to Kuala Lumpur and then on to Kota Kinabalu (Borneo, Malaysia)

 

Sunday 5th October 2014 (Day 2): Arrive at Kota Kinabalu airport; transfer to the Gaya Centre Hotel. Enjoy the rest of the evening at your own leisure to sightsee, sleep or relax.

Monday 6th October 2014 (Day 3): Rest / leisure day in Kota Kinabalu.

Tuesday 7th October 2014 (Day 4): Rest / leisure day in Kota Kinabalu.

Wednesday 8th October (Day 5): 6.30am Gaya Centre Hotel pick up, Drive two hours to Kinabalu Park.

9:00am your guide will arrange for all necessary registrations, assign you a mountain guide. Youll then be transferred to starting point – Timpohon Gate – where your journey and quest to the summit of Borneos highest mountain begins! The climb will take approximately 4-5 hours. Arrive and check into Laban Rata resthouse.

Thursday 9th 2014 (Day 6): Rise at 2am in order to trek the tough final 2- 4 hours to the summit, where, weather permitting you will see the sunrise to end all sunrises! Photos and celebration before climbing back to base camp to pick up your belongings. At 7am head back down to the foot of the mountain.

Late afternoon we will head back to the Gaya Centre Hotel in Kota Kinabalu for some much needed rest.

Friday 10th October 2014 (Day 7): Rest / leisure day in Kota Kinabalu.

Saturday 11th October 2014 (Day 8): Fly home to London.