🌋🏺 Bukit Tengkorak: Where Ancient Traders, Ghost Stories & My Terrible Hiking Skills Collide

#kotakinabalutrip
Let me paint you a picture: I’m standing on a **4,000-year-old volcanic trading post** in Sabah, surrounded by pottery shards that predate *the invention of noodles*, when my guide casually mentions: *"Oh yeah, this was the Amazon Marketplace of the Neolithic Age."* Mind. Blown.

### **Why This Place is Cooler Than Your History Textbook**
- **The Vibes**: That **crunchy volcanic gravel** underfoot? Literal *ancient* gravel. The air smells like **sea salt** (Sulu Sea views!) mixed with **sun-baked clay** from excavated pottery kilns.
- **Creepy Cool Factor**: They found **human skull fragments** here (hence "Tengkorak" = Skull Hill). My imagination *may* have whispered *"this is where archaeology meets true crime."*
- **Secret Spot**: The **"hidden" secondary summit** (ask guides for the unmarked path) has 360° views of the coast—perfect for pretending you’re a time-traveling merchant.

**Facepalm Moment**: I tripped over what I *swore* was just a rock... until the guide said it was a **3,000-year-old pottery mold**. Cue me apologizing to the spirits of Bronze Age artisans.

### **Post-Hike Brain Food**
I scarfed down **sinalau bakas** (smoked wild boar) at a roadside stall near Semporna. The smoky, juicy goodness made up for my accidental archaeology crimes.

### **Crash Course Itinerary**
⏰ **7:00 AM**: Start hike (unless you enjoy being roasted like Neolithic pottery)
⏰ **8:00 AM**: Find the **"money shot"** viewpoint (bring your camera)
⏰ **9:00 AM**: Geek out at the tiny but mighty **on-site museum**
⏰ **10:00 AM**: Swim off the guilt at nearby **Pantai Tepian Laut**

### **Pro Tips for Wannabe Indiana Joneses**
✔ **Wear proper shoes**—those volcanic rocks are sneaky ankle-twisters
✔ **Pack 1L water minimum**—this hill bakes like a clay kiln
✔ **Bring RM5 cash** for the museum donation (worth it!)

Bukit Tengkorak was equal parts humbling and hilarious. Would I return? **In a heartbeat**—but next time I’ll watch where I step. Those ancient traders deserve respect!

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**P.S.** Tag your clumsiest friend below! 👇 #sorryneolithicdudes #skullhillshenanigans