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.

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. :)

It's Not Quite the End

It's not quite the end to my travel ramblings as I've just found out.

Met up with C the other day over a cup of tea. She's starting out a business and she's asking me to help her out with some writing.

As I've always said, it's no problems helping out friends for manageble projects. Besides, the light shining in her eyes as she envisions her business taking off is a reward of sorts in itself.

However, the next thing she said stopped me in my tracks.

"If it grows, would you one day, recce and write for me?"

Yes, I guess I just might.

Changes

Not too long ago, I received a call from someone whom I used to go out with. A brief chat ensued whereby he was asking a few things and as I was busy, I told him that I will have to end the conversation quickly.

In the light of recent events and how I see my life right now, I now view him with different eyes. In fact, I now view all my past relationships with a different mindset too.

What in the world did I see in him then?

The mind boggles.

Thank goodness it ended when it should. I dare say that I've grown a whole lot stronger and more aware of myself after it ended.

Now for the next man who will become solo sojourner's partner! :)

As the chicken chop guy at the Bizad canteen would say, "Next please!"

***
Now having lunch with a certain gentleman is another matter. I think both of us have moved off from the awkwardness of things in the beginning to a good friendship that is warm and cordial.

Somehow, something's changed in him. Not sure what and yet I can't put my finger to it. But there is a discernible difference. Or is that merely an act?

Wierd.