| 3:23p |
Sabah, 29 Apr - 5 May 09
This is starting to become like a travelogue. All I ever seem to update about are my overseas escapades. Perhaps, these are the highlights of my seemingly uneventful life? Perhaps, it is otherwise not easy to find a reason to share an inner world rich with emotions. Why would I even question what I update? I update as I wish to, and owe nobody else an answer. And why would I question my own questioning? Ahaha... enough... here goes...
One thing about writing journals is that after penning down the experience, it seems to really put a closure to it. When my mind and soul are still wandering around Sabah with the people... But I guess it is time, before walking back into the corporate jungle again tomorrow.
Day 1
I went for this trip without much expectations or preparations. After all, it is only Sabah, and it's with a huge group of people, 20 of them in all. In big groups, I simply disappear or follow the crowd most of the time. Moreover, the group has a knack for being super well-organised, and the itinerary was planned to the finest detail. The group is also nice enough to take very good care of one another. And I wasnt that close to them. Basically, it means that I could probably walk with my eyes half-closed, and survive the trip.
I didn't really pray about the trip, until the last hour. I did not stay up to pack, until the last hour. Literally. It was a miracle I could wake up at 6am and finish preparing and packing for the 7D6N trip, and was at the airport by 8am. Even at the airport, I was still stuck in my usual life, doing stuff for choir and other frens via handphone. It took me quite a while, the first 2 or 3 days in fact, to sorta uproot myself from the life I lead in Spore.
I was looking forward to going on the trip together with P, but having mentioned him a few times to other frens, it felt awkward seeing him again. Our greeting was lukewarm, and strangely, despite the bond we had, we barely spoke to each other during the trip. Throughout the trip, I had already kinda struck the name off the list, for more reasons than one. We happened to msn just now, I asked him how the trip was great for him, and mentioned that we didnt really talk during the trip. He then said that I seemed to be having a great time with the gals, and he didnt want to disturb me. Weird, right? Do I seem so unapproachable... mmm... Maybe it's a cause and effect thingy. Anyway, on the last day of the trip, we found out we were both on leave the day after the trip. We were then sposed to watch some show together. However, this morning, he was uncontactable and, expectedly though, slept till noon time and it was too late for any shows. See, that's probably one of the thousand reasons... haha.
I have sidetracked too far. On Day 1, I sat beside Mr K for the 2-hour plane ride. He's a sweet boy... he talks loudly though, and the cute ang moh hunk beside him glared at him quite few times as he was trying to get some sleep. But Mr K did not notice, or did not care. He told me much about his life, which I was ok with listening to, except during the last part when I almost dozed off.
We finally completed the 2-hour ride and the plane touched down in Sabah. We arrived at the Marina Court Condo which would be our home for the next 6 days. The 5 gals took the level 2 condo unit which has 3 bedrooms, living room and kitchen. Unfortunately, we found out later that it was cockroach-infested, and killed quite a few over the next few days.
After checking in, we did a very grilling trek up the hill to have a bird's eye view of Kota Kinabalu, Sabah. I almost couldnt make it up the hill, it was about as bad at Bukit Timah trekking (yes, Im not a trekker). However, we finally made it, and it was satisfying watching the sunset from the hilltop. The walk downhill was much better with the nice company and jokes, the walk was actually pretty enjoyable.
Thereafter, we proceeded to Gaya Street and tried to local Bakuteh. The different innards come in different bowls. They tasted pretty alright, and the soup was fragrant. We then headed back for an early night. M became my roomie for 6 nights, and we are opposite in personalities. She is flamboyant and blunt. The truth is, I had difficulty liking her cos I felt she wasnt really nice to me. On the first night, I ended up falling asleep on couch in the living room.
Day 2
If the trip didnt sound all that great so far, it's gonna change for the better later on. We hired a coach on Day 2, and toured around the whole Sabah! We visited the oldest Catholic church in Sabah. One thing about this group is that they would automatically go into a prayerful mode in the church, and we had nice quiet time in the church for a while. Then, we took picts outside the awesome building.
We then went on to the training school for girls. It wasn't much, except that a group of special needs children came and said Hi to us. One of them was pretty PR, and he shook hands with every one of us. Another loitered around hesitantly. Until the last min. when she touched my arm and stretched out her hand to me shyly. I shook her hand, and she was so happy. There are such people who make u feel like u are a million dollars, and that u are special. I saw abit of myself in her, and felt really comfortable with her. Suddenly, I started to wonder whether it could be my vocation to work with such children, and turn my 'flaw' into a strength.
Next, we had a fantastic seafood lunch at Gayang. The Nonya fish, softshell crab were to die for. We pigged out like there as no tomorrow, as we did for most of the trip. (And sadly, I think I put on some kilos.) We then went to the beautiful beach at Shangri-La Resort and had a great time taking photos. After that, we went to Atmosphere, the revolving retaurant overlooking KK, Sabah, and enjoyed the beautiful sunset view and we sipped on our cocktails.
At night, the gals enjoyed icecream in back in the condo, and we all had an early night's sleep.
Day 3
TBC... |