Gaya Island Resort Sets Its Sights On Mount Kinabalu

Surrounded by the natural wilderness of Sabah, East Malaysia, the silhouette of Borneo's natural world-renowned landmark, Mount Kinabalu, can be admired from several of the balconies at Gaya Island Resort. The highest mountain throughout Malaysia is both breathtaking and inspiring and will leave you gazing in admiration at the spectacular sight.

What struck us when we gazed at that mountain was a vision. A vision of imagining ourselves standing at Borneo’s highest peak with the world lying beneath our feet as we witnessed the dawn of a new day. It was a thought we knew everybody who came to Gaya Island Resort and set their sights upon Mount Kinabalu would share. It is a vision which we aim to turn into a reality.

Led by Jeffery Mong, General Manager of Gaya Island Resort, this Saturday on the 26th of May, 2012, Gaya Island Resort will make its mark within Borneo ahead of opening its doors on the 1st of July, 2012, by assembling a team to scale the mountain and reach the summit. Along with staff from YTL Hotels, the team from Gaya Island Resort will be joined by well-known celebrities, Elaine Daly and Carmen Soo, as well as several members of Reef Check Malaysia and North Borneo Safari. The goal for each individual is to make it to the top. The collective goal of the team is to have an experience like none they’ve had before and share a moment of accomplishment.

Jeffery Mong’s enthusiasm and drive is shared throughout his assembled team with Elaine Daly counting down the days. “I'm extremely excited to be joining this hike up Mount Kinabalu with YTL Hotels.” She said. “I’ve been preparing for the trip mentally & physically for a month now and simply cannot wait! One week to go till the peak!”

General Manager of Reef Check Malaysia, Julian Hyde, has not been resting on his laurels either. “I’ve just finished our last four hour training walk for the Mt Kinabalu climb!! Walking through an old rubber plantation up Bukit Putih, Cheras, we are hoping the terrain will be similar to what we will soon be facing in Sabah. Amazing to find such a lovely area so close to KL. Lots of people on the trek, most of them giving a friendly ‘Morning’ as we pass, panting, up the steep slopes.”

An idea is only an idea until you do what is required to turn it into reality and Jeffery Mong believes that Gaya Island Resort can’t claim to be Distinctively Borneo if a flag bearing the resort’s emblem can’t be proudly raised on Mount Kinabalu’s summit. This Sunday, as the sun rises over East Malaysia with all of Borneo before him, that’s exactly what he aims to do.