Getting ready
My watch was saying 1.45am and nope, I was not late - just that everybody else was early. We gathered at Laban Rata restaurant and had our breakfast. Menu was simple - instant noodles and coffee. Hot water was not served free. RM6 per jug (about 2 litres).

"Beanies? - Check!!.."

"Torch light? - Check!!.."

"Head count? - Check!!.."

"Ready? - YES!!!.."

"OK!! LET'S MOVE!!!....", and the hike of our lifetime began.

Journey to the top
We were not alone. Japanese, Koreans, Germans, Australians and __(you name it)__ was with us. It was pitch black and I can hardly see anything apart from a line of blinking lights. Apparently, this blinking lights was formed by the hiker line. I got to enjoy the blinking view as I was wayyyyy behind the line.

My headache went from bad to worse. Vision was blur and hearing was bad. I was not able to think. Seeing, listening and talking was painful. Valerie tagged my hand as I walked with my eyes closed. The pain was hell.

Me: "Stop. Rest 5 minutes... I need to breath..."

5 minutes later..

Me: "Ok, let's rest another 5 minutes... I need to faint..."

The final ascend
We went passed our final check point - the Sayat-sayat hut. The sun began to rise and the sky turned orange. We were like another 500 metres away from the peak. Valerie and I hid behind a big rock and we took our thermos out. As the freezing wind blowed, Valerie suggested, "I think we better stop here. Peak is still far and sunrise here is as good....".

While I paused to think about the choices Valerie and I had, I looked around. Chia Li vomitted for the third time. Ziao and Yen See sat down to catch their breath. Lee Ling and Forcy was choosing the flavour of their chocolate bar.

I decided to keep walking >>