RHB Mt Kinabalu Climb - from mountain top to ocean deep

The journey for RHB Mount Kinabalu Climb continues … The team put up a night at Sutera Habour; this time, with lots of sun, sea and sand.

Do click here for the photo album (175 photos) courtesy of yours truly (kC Leong).

 After descending from the mountain, the team went to Poring Hot Springs which is about 40km from Kinabalu National Park.

 The hot springs with the sulphuric minerals are good for their therapeutic abilities reputed to ease aching muscles. The baths are favoured by returned climbers of Mount Kinabalu.

Sutera Harbour Resorts

Another beautiful view of the harbour

  Tracy Chan and yours truly (KC) going for a morning run surrounding the scenic areas of Sutera Harbour.

 Eric Lee, TanHC, KC, SuWF, Tracy Chan, Patric Yee, Alex

 Resorts adjourning the harbour

 Having a dip into the clear water

  Resorts by the sea

 Proudly showing the certificates of achievement

 Happy birthday to RHB Banking Group Managing Director and a few fellow climbers 

 Immerse in the happy moment

Do click here to return to Part 2

Posted by KC Leong

RHB Mt KK Climb - See You at the Top

The journey to the peak continues …

 Slowly but surely, we are on the way to Low’s Peak, the summit.

 Yours truly (KC; left) posing with RHB Banking Group Managing Director, Kellee Kam (3rd from left) and few other colleagues. Mr Kellee is in the first group that reach the summit.

 Waiting for their turn for photo shoot at Low’s Peak

 At Low’s Peak – the mission accomplished!

 In jubilation for the achievement

 Low’s Peak from a distance

 The South Peak

 A group photo before the team descended the mountain at 12 noon on 31 October 2013

 Putting up a night at Kinabalu National Park on 1 November 2013, 5:45 a.m. to witness a beautiful sunrise 

 Mount kinabalu Peaks from a distance – we were there a day earlier; spectacular view looking out from our balcony.

 RHB Banking Group Managing Director, Kellee Kam receiving the certificates of achievement on behalf of the team

 A moment to cherish – GMD posing with the lady climbers

I met Rothman Fong, a trail runner friend, at Laban Rata at 10:30 a.m. (on 31 October 2013) while RHB climbers were getting ready to descend the mountain. He was doing a solo trail running from Timbohon to Laban Rata, then advanced to the summit and later descended to Timbohon again. We met again at 3:30pm at Kinabalu Park Entrance.

Do click here for Part 3 - From Mountain Top to Ocean Deep

Do click here for Part 1.

Do CLICK HERE for the photo album. 

Posted by KC Leong

RHB Mt Kinabalu Climb - Part 1

After months of training since the first selection process at Gunung Nuang (Ulu Langat) on 1 June 2013, a contingent of 43 staff – including RHB Banking Group Managing Director (“GMD”), Mr Kellee Kam – ascended Mount Kinabalu on 31 October 2013 in celebrating RHB 100th Year Anniversary. 

The participation of GMD was a surprise to most of the climbers as it was only officially announced during the dinner function on the eve of departure to Kota Kinabalu. 

Ascending to the peak of Mount Kinabalu was a tough challenge for a few of the climbers as they experienced varying degrees of AMS (mountain sickness) in which their optimal physical capabilities were weaken. Nevertheless, they pressed on and focus in reaching the peak. We were excited that the contingent achieved a 100% success for summiting to Low’s Peak.

Another interesting observation was that though GMD did not join the team in training, he was fast in his pace in ascending to Laban Rata Resthouse and also to the peak (the next morning).    

Do CLICK HERE for the photo album. 

Touchdown at Kota Kinabalu Airport – We were pleasantly surprised to see a warm welcome reception from staff of East Malaysia complete with traditional dances.

Seeing the happy moment and many donning the same coloured T-shirts, a young lady Custom Officer even asked me what occasion was that.

 Getting ready to go in the morning – At Nepenthes Lodges of Kinabalu Park area. GMD at back row, Right 7.

 RARING TO GO ... Yours truly (KC) posing with RHB Banking Group Managing Director, Kellee Kam. Without knowing, he is a fast trail runner!

 A group photo in front of Kinabalu National park with RHB Banking Group Managing Director, Kellee Kam (at left)

 One team, one mission – To arrive at Low’s peak of Mt Kinabalu

 Happy expression … for reaching the 2km marker

 Taking a breather for photo session

 In jubilation – yours truly arriving at Laban Rata Resthouse with Tracy Chan. We took 4 hours to arrive at Laban Rata (from Timbohon Gate).

Waterfalls at high mountain – After a heavy downpour in the evening, water was gushing down the rock surfaces of Mount Kinabalu that are visible from far.

 Sunset at Laban Rata

 Next morning, the team started the journey at 2:30 a.m. after a hearty breakfast. The weather in the morning was fine with little wind movement.

Beautiful sunrise

Do click here for Part 2 - See You at the Top 

Posted by KC Leong

Pre-Mount Kinabalu Climb

Collection of Trekking Gear (on 24 Oct 2013) for RHB Mt Kinabalu Climb. The compress bags pre-packed with all the sponsored gear. High-ankle trekking shoes, headlamp, raincoat, trekking pole were collected earlier.

A contingent of 40 RHB staff shall depart for Kota Kinabalu in the week of 28 October 2013 and summit to Mount Kinabalu in celebrating RHB 100th Year Celebration - fully sponsored!

 Trekking Gear Collection Centre - The compress bags pre-packed with all the sponsored gear and bearing the name of each participant for swift collection.

Complete with a fleece inside, the jacket come with Gore-Tex material that has water repellent capability, and should be able to withstand extreme coldness up at the summit of Mount Kinabalu. Yours truly (right) and the office colleagues who are part of the team.

Posted by KC Leong

Apek Hill Cheras

Final training at Apek Hill Cheras (19 Oct) with a few of the RHB Group Mount Kinabalu Climbers. A contingent of 40 staff shall ascend Mt KK in the week of 28 October 2013 in celebrating RHB 100th Year Anniversary.

Do click here to view photos courtesy of yours truly (KC Leong).

(back, left): KC, Sam, Jason Ong, UCH, Wendy, HoWG;

Front: Lana, SuWF, Tracy

 Waterfall nestles in Apek Hill

 A group photo by the waterfall

 Trying out the nature gym equipment – with free membership – while taking the group photo

Savouring the refreshing and fragrant coconut juice … hmmmm… superb!

Posted by KC Leong

Putrajaya Fireworks 2013 Team UAE

Putrajaya Fireworks Competition Team UAE on Wednesday, 2 October 2013. After going to Putrajaya withnessing a few competition of fireworks display, I finally got a better location for this final show. Unfortunately, the wind was blowing into my direction this time tainted the beautiful displays. Hence, when you view the photos, you need to imagine that the smoke was not there ... :-)

This would be the final display for this competition. I think the first show by Malaysia could be best with lots of non-stop fire-power and blasts.

Do click here to view photos courtesy of yours truly (KC Leong).

Do click here to view the first display - Team Malaysia and also the subsequent Teams.

Posted by KC Leong