Only knowing that I had to be up n ready to leave by 6:20am, I was up by 5:55am to wash up n pack for today's trip (although, I wasn't quite sure what we would be doing exactly- all the guys said were, "we"re going trekking at the national park"). So without knowing, or possibly, wanting to know too much, I prepared the usual. Side note: once again, I managed to lock myself out of the girl's dorm as I wobbled unconsciously out to the shared washroom, only to be reminded when I heard the loud "cluck" when the door closed. "Daaaaaaaaang it!"- unfortunately, no one was at the front desk to help me at the moment, but not wanting to waste time, I went to brush up first. Luckily, when I finished, a girl was at the counter to assist me. Even on vacation, my challenge with automatic locks follows me! So yes, soon enough, I was in my new trekking shoes that I bought yesterday (the guys were definitely right in telling me to buy them, or else today, in flipflops, would have been hell).
(Look at my super odd can-turned-takeout-cup!)
Somehow, I think its easier to not know sometimes. At least, for me, it works better that way. Let's say, I wasn't too fond of doing something or going somewhere that the group has decided on. One, I wouldn't wanna be the odd one out, n two, I couldn't change it (well yes I could but I wouldn't because, it'd be selfish of me to make a fuss while everyone's trying to enjoy the trip- aka. party pooper. So in a sense, it's just easier not to know, so I wouldn't make any pre-assumptions about whatever it is n actually give it a try. Today was one of those days. Honestly, if u know me, u'd agree I'm somewhat of a spoiled princess. It's not that I can't do it, I just prefer to be "on vacation" when I'm on vacation, u know? If's it suppose to be an adventure, then I'll definitely be prepared. It would've been great to be wearing my sports bra, sleeveless tank n longer pants- to avoid being sliced by leaves. Nonetheless, I did make it through 3 trails at the Bako National Park Trails: T. Paku (0.8km one way), T. Pandan Besar (1.9km one way) n T. Pandan Kecil (2.6km one way). Really, it wasn't that bad at all, except my left ankle started to hurt because I kept planting my foot half on a branch or a rock. But yah, we had lunch at the Pandan Kecil beach: toast with cheese, tomatoes, granola bar, n water- now I think about it, quite french :P
(Are we there yet?!?!?)
(Just to prove I made it to the top!)
At some point, I've decided that should the guys want to go for another trail to the waterfall, I'm just gonna head back myself n wait for them there. I can't really explain it? I wasn't physically tired but I could feel myself losing focus more often, n probably just feel too gross to keep going? Lol, that's the princess me complaining! Actually, I thought I did pretty well for a spoiled one: I only whined 3x. Once for having to trek a trail with no trees ("too sunny!"); once for getting my shoes really muddy ("ahh I hate puddles!"); n once for having to make my way back by myself. To lighten the guys load, I took the backpack that had what was left from our lunch n some extra clothes n towels, so they could trek faster n make it back for our 3pm boat back to mainland. Then, I started the return trail all by myself in the forest n for the first time today, I looked at the map. Actually, it wasn't too complicated because honestly, there was only one path that was obviously walkable. There was no confusing fork roads. So, u could say I made it back quite alright.
The lone trek did make me realize how nice it was to have the guys around. They'd carry all the stuff, figure out where to go, n check up on me once in a while as I tend to trail behind without making me feel bad. The once in a while, "u feeling okay?" was probably what motivated me more than anything. Lol, it's the fact that they didn't mind I was slower that made me want to challenge every trail (yes, I did consider just waiting for the guys when we made it to the beach on our first trail). But u know what? I'm already here, sweaty as heck, n just feeling completely gross...it became an all-or-nothing for me. So, I sucked it up, did the trails, n now feel more accomplished, possibly a little proud of myself for toughing it out. Finally making it back to the headquaters n sipping on winter melon tea as I waited for the guys, all I could think about was a nice, hot shower.
Side note: it started to rain cats n dogs while I was waiting for the guys at the canteen, except there wasn't much I could do because I was definitely not heading out trekking in that weather. I couldn't even stay on a straight path on my return when it was still sunny out, let alone rain that was pouring sideways. No thanks! Nonetheless, the boys showed up soon enough, finishing what was an estimate of a 5hr trek in just under 2hrs. Not sure how they managed but boy am I glad I didn't follow, or else it would've taken me forever to get back! Then, the boat ride back in waves...just wow. I don't think I was ever that afraid of being at sea. It did help that the italian lawyer distracted me from all the chaos. There was always that sense of connection after braving some challenge together. Aside from the salty sea water almost blinding me, it got to a point where I just didn't care anymore how dangerous the tides were. I just wanted us to go full speed n reach shore, like, now! For what seemed like forever, we finally made it to land n being so excited to run undercover, I may have forgotten to pay the boatman (though, our guys said the price we paid was for a round trip, so *shrug* eh!)
Just some tips for the rare trekker:
- Have good footwear n make sure they fit well so u aren't gonna be sliding in ur shoes
- Wear breathable clothing (ex. Dryfit, sports bra, tanks, etc.)
- Bring as little as possible; don't bring anything u won't need n will die if u manage to lose it
- Go with more experienced people (so u can focus on actually looking at ur surroundings n not having to freak out about getting lost or what not)- though, in the beginning, I did feel a little pressured to keep up, so I hardly looked up. Staring at the ground to make sure where I was stepping to quicken my speed became such a priority that I wasn't even paying much attention to the forest around me. But, in the end, I wasn't too worried about falling behind because I knew the guys would wait for me at the front somewhere. So yes, go with people who will push u but, at the same time, allow u to trek at ur own pace.
I did come to a rather interesting analysis about trekking. Just as it'd be in life, following someone else's footsteps would be easier because u know it's safe n will take u there (as in taking the exact same steps they did to navigate their way through the trails), but u wouldn't be able to do it at ur own pace n enjoy it the way u'd like to. So what if u do arrive later? U'll get there eventually...on ur own path, one way or the other.
(We all have our own paths to take, even if we'd have to do it alone)
Almost frozen, we had asked the bus driver to shut off the aircon (but seriously, it wasn't even hot enough for aircon, yet he blasted till the windows were balling drops). U could hear the rest of the ride sign in relief as the aircon came to a stop. The whole ride back, we officially met the italian gang that braved the storm with us earlier. Just exchanging our travel experiences- I guess that's the fun part of it all, to hear others stories n laugh it out together. Unluckily, but also kinda funny, they ran into a monkey (can't remember which kind) during their trek, n it decided to chase that one particular person in the group. After running for his life- of course, u might think u could take them, but trust me. Just run- he lost his sunglasses in the mess. It seemed more like an "aww! U alright?" kind of story, but trust me, we were all laughing our butts off when his friend demonstrated his "run for my life" both hands up waving crazy zigzag-style flee. Hilarious! In jokes n laughter, we made it back into the city n bid our farewells (traded contacts n suggested "The Junk" if they wondered where to go for dinner). Finally, we could rinse off n just collapse in the common room to chillax n figure out where to go for dinner.
Not wanting to go too far, we decided to head to "The Junk" too just to try their dinner. Not too shabby at all! My fettuccini carbonara was just delicious with hot chocolate. After a day in what felt like winter, that was the perfect comfort food for me. A little too early to call off the night, we headed for the bar to grab a drink- had the house special loganlychee iced tea, quite refreshing. The guys both had this white beer- n of course, I don't remember the name of it again- but it tastes totally different from all the other beers I've tried. A little sour-ish but kinda like soda? I shall find out the name of this Belgium beer, so the next time when I have no other choice but to go with beer, I'll take it! Our italian friends joined us there for a drink after their meal upstairs n u could say, the night had only just begun...
From Kuching, Jessy out.