Rivers & Mountains
I realised that in my excitement of writing about this KK trip, I've forgotten a key highlight! My rafting trip! And that's almost a year late.
Well, as all good memories go, I can still write about this fun experience! :)
It's my first time rafting on a Class 3 rapid and it was really exciting. First the journey.
The group went on a ride on what was arguably the oldest rail system in Malaysia - it was a train that though powered by electricity, looked really decrepit. Apparently Borneo Railways is the lifeline of many rural communities in the heart of Sabah. Boarding the train at Beaufort Station, stops along the line saw old mak ciks boarding the train with cages of chickens, trays of eggs and other marketing.
My favorite passenger was this male vendor who carried bags of keropok, pails of soft drinks and sweets and moving from passenger to passenger to sell his wares.
At the final stop, we were all ready for our rafting trip at the head of the river. After a drill on safety tips and rafting strokes, off we went with our jolly guide. He was assisted by this surly young Malay boy who loved to sing (unfortunately we've no idea what is he singing) whom the guide proudly declared him to be the next "Malaysian Idol".
That earned a derisive "chey!" from our handsome but sulky looking assistant.
The river meandered its way through mountains. I must admit that I was nervous as I've never deliberately and madly paddled towards rapids in my entire life. I've always thought that these are suicidal acts at best.
However, with the assistance of our strong guides, we girls had an easier time. I think seeing that there were only Seetoh and Jerrick and a bunch of rather weak-armed girls, he guided the raft from the more challenging rapids.
Towards the end, he allowed us to dive into the murky waters for a swim. It was absolutely exhilirating to paddle away and float down the mountain gorge.
Shivering from the cold, we got to the river bank in one piece, wet, dragged down by our clothes, but absolutely loving every minute of the rafting. To cap off an exciting day, our train broke down - the hinges between the carriages broke. Stuck in horrendous humid weather, we couldonly watch the train driver trying to shunt the train back and forth the tracks to another carriage and carrying on its way.
There was absolutely no frayed tempers or shouting. It seems that stress has taken a backseat in this rural outback.
Well, as all good memories go, I can still write about this fun experience! :)
It's my first time rafting on a Class 3 rapid and it was really exciting. First the journey.
The group went on a ride on what was arguably the oldest rail system in Malaysia - it was a train that though powered by electricity, looked really decrepit. Apparently Borneo Railways is the lifeline of many rural communities in the heart of Sabah. Boarding the train at Beaufort Station, stops along the line saw old mak ciks boarding the train with cages of chickens, trays of eggs and other marketing.
My favorite passenger was this male vendor who carried bags of keropok, pails of soft drinks and sweets and moving from passenger to passenger to sell his wares.
At the final stop, we were all ready for our rafting trip at the head of the river. After a drill on safety tips and rafting strokes, off we went with our jolly guide. He was assisted by this surly young Malay boy who loved to sing (unfortunately we've no idea what is he singing) whom the guide proudly declared him to be the next "Malaysian Idol".
That earned a derisive "chey!" from our handsome but sulky looking assistant.
The river meandered its way through mountains. I must admit that I was nervous as I've never deliberately and madly paddled towards rapids in my entire life. I've always thought that these are suicidal acts at best.
However, with the assistance of our strong guides, we girls had an easier time. I think seeing that there were only Seetoh and Jerrick and a bunch of rather weak-armed girls, he guided the raft from the more challenging rapids.
Towards the end, he allowed us to dive into the murky waters for a swim. It was absolutely exhilirating to paddle away and float down the mountain gorge.
Shivering from the cold, we got to the river bank in one piece, wet, dragged down by our clothes, but absolutely loving every minute of the rafting. To cap off an exciting day, our train broke down - the hinges between the carriages broke. Stuck in horrendous humid weather, we couldonly watch the train driver trying to shunt the train back and forth the tracks to another carriage and carrying on its way.
There was absolutely no frayed tempers or shouting. It seems that stress has taken a backseat in this rural outback.
posted by Leng at 2:14 AM
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