The Foothills of Mount Kinabalu

It was an extended long weekend holiday and many people, both locals and tourists took to the foothills of Mount Kinabalu. As the vehicles snaked their way up into the hills of the Crocker Range, the air became cooler.

The first pit stop was Pekan Nabalu, with public toilets and a row of stalls selling souvenirs and fresh local fruits to the visitors who thronged the stalls. The toilet queues were very long too!!

 

Welcome to Pekan Nabalu Stalls

                                                   One of the many stalls

We could see a bit of Mt. Kinabalu when the clouds shifted. Mt. Kinabalu is the highest peak in South East Asia and has been granted world heritage status.

                                           The dark hulk of Mt Kinabalu in the background

A few years ago, there was an earthquake which brought down one of the Donkey’s Ears at its summit and lives of climbers and guides were lost.

The old trail was damaged and a new one has been opened. Climbers still come to climb this august mountain which is considered sacred to the locals.

Our guide helped us to purchase the Tarap fruit which belongs to the Jackfruit family

 

Tarap

 

and the Nona which is similar to the soursop but is sweeter and its flesh is more firm.

                                                            Nona Fruit
She gave us a Bambangan which is very fibrous and has a sweet sourish taste, not unlike the mango.

We stopped for lunch at Ranau, a small town and she recommended the Hakka Food Court which accommodates quite a number of stalls selling local food such as various types of noodles and a variety of vegetable, chicken and pork dishes.

 

Enjoying the fruits after our meal

                The stalk is all that's left of the Tarap.  On the right is the Bambangan.

We made this day trip specifically to visit the Dairy Farm and the Poring Hot Springs.