Movies on the Cheap

The chaps were back from the Gunung! It was a long wait, and they were thoroughly exhausted.

Settled in a small hotel for dinner and bathing. The bath tub leaked and the closet was nothing but 3 wooden panels framing a corner. But the bed was comfortable.

Food generally was not too bad. Managed to catch Ice Age 2 on the cheap, and if you are a lady, Tuesdays are ladies night when you can watch a show at S$2.50! There wasn't much in the way of shopping, although I managed to buy a bag.

When the Saints Come Marchin' In

Going downhill from the Gunung in a truck filled with rubbish was not my idea of fun.

But yet it was - in order for me to make a trip to the Poring Hot Springs.

I've to pay S$70 for a return trip to bring me to the Springs and back. With no bus, no driving licence (shucks). and certainly not able to walk that far with one bad foot, the rubbish filled truck was my only option.

Armed with a copy of Emma and a rudimentary grasp of Malay, off I went. Talking to the old Uncle who was my driver was quite impossible, except for an exchange of hand gestures and shaking my head regretfully when he asked if "I've climbed the Gunung". The views of the surrounding hillside country, the backwardness of the state, and seeing how the locals live were truly eye-opening.

Nor did I expect to be confronted with more churches than mosques. Churches with names such as St Peter, St Mary, St Theresa, St Peter's were seen, much to my disbeliving eyes. Perhaps the Catholic church is a powerful influence in the lives of Chinese and Kadazan Sabahians.

Nationalistic pride is rather evident amongst the Sabah people. Almost all homes fly the Malaysian flag, albeit some are quite tattered and sunbleached. While making our way down hill through the rolling hillside, the cool weather was wonderful.

Soaking in the hot spring has proven to be rather therapeutic. I'm a little disappointed it's not like the Japanese onsen. True, I soaked in the open air, but in a tiled bathtub with two taps to mix the hot and cold spring water does not quite count as onsen!

There were also two sleazy men who asked me in Malay if I'm Malaysian. I gave a vauge reply that I'm from Ipoh, but rats, they asked me more questions in Malay! That was a dead giveaway.

The Hot Springs also had two waterfalls - I trekked to the nearest one and had a good time soaking my feet.

Back at the Lodge, I am now transferred to a solo bed in a roomful of bunks in a dorm - as Jerrick would later put it, I paid only $18 for "the whole house to myself". Not quite alone though, 2 half sober Malay men banged on the dorm door asking to be let in, as I locked it. They were apparently also the culprits behind the sinkful of half a bottle of stout, dirty dishes and Maggi mee remnants.

Went to bed piling myself with 2 blankets, my jacket and a chair against the door. Extra insurance, you see.

A Home in the Shadow of the Giant Gunung

Mersilau Lodge has proven to be a pleasant surprise. Nestled at about 1,500 ft above sea level on Mt K, it is pretty darn cold at night. But we managed to have the Lodge House, which Seetoh booked, to ourselves and as such, comfort is assured.

It's the first time that I've seen mist ahead of me as I walked along the path to the restaurant. I was pondering what I'll be doing on my solo day alone.

The hot springs were very enticing - definitely therapeutic for a sore ankle. It's a pity I couldn't do much trekking.

Switched on the heater (thank God for heaters!) full blast and slept like a baby.

Solo Sojourner Strikes Again!

Well, it's been a long time since I updated this travel journal.

Solo Sojourner has struck again and this time round it's to Sabah!

When I was a little girl, the word "Borneo" would conjure up images of wild jungles, people running about bare footed, monkeys with huge noses and rushing torrents of water tumbling over rocks and valleys. Development and cities are practically non-existent.

Little did I know that my pre-conceived notions are so wrong.

Borneo is carved up by Malaysian sisters states Sabah and Sarawak, Brunei and Indonesia's Kalimantan.

Sabah far exceeds my wildest imagination. It has islands surrounded by sparkling waters and ringed with emerald reefs, making them choice dive spots in the world. Though I don't know how to dive, I sure would love to visit the offshore islands for a snorkelling trip.

Rivers wind through hills and valleys of verdant green, mountains are shrouded in mist, foothills are lush with vegetation and jungle. Yes, it has wildlife, it reminds you more of Penang and Malacca's laidbackness than a bustling city, but it also has tumbling waterfalls, the ever-mysterious Mt Kinabalu and villages so remote that you'd thought you were at the edge of civilization.

Indeed, a secret gem yet to be unveiled, and almost at my doorstep.

This time, Solo Sojourner is not alone. She has kakis who will be huffing up the Gunung. I wasn't able to do it as I had sprained my ankle 3 weeks before. Was thinking of pulling out, but Seetoh suggested that I could use a break, and do some light walking while they do the climb.

I say it's a good idea and hey, there I was. The trip made for some good yarns though. :)