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.
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.
posted by Leng at 10:00 PM
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