The big mountain and lots of greenery

It feels a little like being expelled from paradise as we set off from the diving resort to “Kinabalu National Park”. Mount Kinabalu with its 4095 m has already shown itself to us from the sea and so we just drive towards it, to ever cooler heights, to ever more green and on wonderfully moped-friendly roads.

Since we have a visit from our daughter, who loves fauna and flora, they really admire every tree in the visitor center and realize that our houseplants are a miniature version of what simply grows here.

Our second day here begins with an extraordinary police check. They simply wanted to greet us, take a photo of us and wish us a safe journey. That's nice.

We had planned a leisurely day in the national park with a waterfall, butterfly garden and a swim in the hot springs. It turned out to be a tough tour with 600 meters in altitude, but we did it and I now know that my heart can really do something again. Unfortunately, the bath in the waterfall had to be canceled due to leeches.

Since somehow everything in Malaysia closes at 4 p.m. and we really spent a lot of time on the tour admiring all sorts of insects, marveling at trees and breathing in altitude, swimming unfortunately had to be canceled. We were the big attraction at the small Ramadan market on the way back and everyone tried very hard to explain to us what delicious food they had prepared. The breakfast of rice dishes, mee goreng and all sorts of coconut cakes for the next day was guaranteed.

Since life always has its downsides, we occasionally struggle with very mediocre accommodations that we share with mosquitoes, mold and a certain lovelessness. But anyone who gives up their home probably has to accept that too.

Kathleen