#tbt 27/Dec/2020
What better way to end the year 2020 with an adventure into the unknown (cue Frozen 2 music). What a year this has been; I’m sure everyone can agree when I say we all had to cancel some kind of plans we had made for travel this year. I miss my hometown and family a lot since shifting to Miri late Oct 2019. So when this opportunity came, and with ONE SEAT LEFT – I grabbed it! Not knowing the full details of the hike, it dawned on me later on that I might have signed myself up for something that’s bigger than I initially thought.
Early next morning, we gathered at one of Morsjaya kopitiam to have breakfast and among the topics of discussion were ‘what happens if we need to go no1 or no2?’ Wet tissues – check!, tissue papers – check!, leaves – aplenty through the trip! Then we thought, maybe we shouldn’t eat too much for breakfast, just in case. A short prayer by a significant person of God, and off we go.
The skies were gloomy, and within 10mins after we took off on the road towards Bakam, it started to rain. Bummer – we were hoping that it wouldn’t. We made a stop to wrap up our stuff behind the Hilux with big garbage bags to keep them dry, and continued on with the 30mins drive up to the gate. This gate was unfortunately closed for cars to drive further into our destination; forcing us to park nearby and to start our journey by foot.
(Kevin, William, Veron and Kai Shin in the car)
Because the rain has started to become heavier, some of us put on a poncho to keep dry as we weren’t ready to get wet yet, but mostly also to keep our bags dry. One of the most important tips for a waterfall hike which we got from one of the uncles, was to put our belongings into a zip lock bag. That was the best tip ever!
In this case, even if it pours and our bags do get wet, the important things in our bags stay dry and safe – just in case of any accidents along the way like falling into a river. On another note, we should have just left our dry clothes/sarongs/towels in the car (and this is Tip no.2). Since we will get dirty and wet on the way back to the car as well, a big bag full of clothes & unnecessary load doesn’t help any hiker to cross slippery streams and balance on logs – trust me on this!
The terrain along the way was picturesque and beautiful, a real treat for nature lovers. It takes about one and a half hours to hike to our destination; be prepared to get wet up till waist high as you advance in the trail which is part of the fun. the land is mostly quite flat and not much height, making the walk enjoyable and light.
Upon reaching the waterfalls, we were first greeted by the sound of the falling waters. And then like some kind of reflex, my heart started pumping and I got excited and walked faster to see what beholds ahead. The waterfall was approximately 60 to 90 meters high, with so much water falling over and over from the top of it. I just sat there absorbing and slowly taking in its glory and splendor; how great is our God! Nature in its natural uninhibited form, so magnificent and I get to enjoy all these. how wonderful are Your creations!
Other than just the view to enjoy, we also got a really special treat – freshly roasted corn!! Though I’m not a big fan of corns, I must say that these corns were unlike any other! Bearing in mind the fact that a particular strong man helped to carry them all the way, and the uncles started a fire there to cook them, made them all the more delicious.
I must add that this group of people that I went with were exceptionally helpful and caring. They made the journey light and enjoyable although it rained mostly throughout; and our bags and clothes and shoes were soaked through and through. anyone could have easily complained or grumbled especially on the way back when we were quite tired, but no one did.
There was a certain kind of goodwill with this team; a lot of hands were offered to each other for assistance (I’m so grateful) and each of us looked out for one another making sure everyone (and pet) made it through safely, specifically when you’ve lost your footing and can’t find a way back up.
Not sure about the others, but with the uncles around, there was a sense of warmth for me. Not only because they are a bunch of chill and experienced hiker-uncles, but they also reminded me of the precious times I shared with my hasher-dad going up and down Penang’s hills. This trip was a last-minute, no-regrets, soaking-wet, all-worth-it, adventure-filled, even inspiration-filled one; I hope I get a chance to bring my family here one day soon.
P/S: sometimes pics tell us more than words do …. see below:
Lesson learnt.
A. Never underestimate a person’s journey.
B. Just because it looked like a simple act for one person, doesn’t mean it will be simple for me. Never take for granted the works/experiences that they’ve put in, which made the act easy.
light&love 