Haha. Making a grand entrance. But well, the past few days were realli memorable for mi. Cuz I had my ups n downs. No real ups for dat matter, but there were real downs! Sobz.
Day 1:
Started wif a back pain before even crossing the checkpoint. Becoz of the weight of my backpack. Had fun playing cards on the train, won 2RM n had the luxury of being one of the veri few hu slept soundly on the train. The rocking of the train put mi to sleep, like a baby in a rocking bed. I even had a dream.
Day 2:
Reached Kelantan at 7-ish in the morning, it was still pitch dark. Settled down at a coffeeshop run by the local folks while waiting for the guides to arrive. When the guides finalli arrived, I was vere glad to learn dat we did not haf to bring our bags along to the caves. Three caves we went - the Dark Cave, Kris cave (izit how itz spelled?) n I cant rem the third one. I enjoyed myself in the caves. Had to crawl thru a veri small hole on one occasion, was a tad worried bout how Derick was gg to go thru it. Haha. I realli loved the caves.
Began the trek up to base camp after having lunch. Climbed bout a million steps at the initial stage (For goodness sake y were there so mani steps? I wld be much happier climbing a natural trek.), n reached the base of the waterfall. Had to cross the waterfall to get to the other side, n datz where my fear came. I was afraid of rocks, ever since the last time I slipped on one. N so I sat there telling SBB I cldnt do it, n had realli wanted to si4 gei3 ta1 kan4 on the rocks. Haha. But there was no turning bac. Oh, by dat time, my bag had oredi been split n carried by the guys in my group. They r so strong man. I realli realli appreciate their help sooo much.
The way up was tough, so SBB n Alvin tried to motivate mi by teaching mi vulgarities. But I dint manage to scold any though. Was thoroughly impressed by the guides, becoz while we were all sweating away, they dint haf a drop of sweat. Was 'cursing n swearing' on the way up, n I was saying I cld well be playing mahjong at dat time. But it was all worth it when we reached the base camp. The view was awesome, absolutely awesome. Cant wait for the pics to be out, though Hossan juz tol mi the some of the pics werent good. But nevertheless, I bliv in his skills!
Bathed n pitched the tent thereafter. Cooked dinner n retreated to the rocks to enjoy the breeze. My group was the oldest group, cuz almost all of us were in our final years of study, so the food we bought were simple n I wld say, sloppy. Pasta, nuggets, mixed veg n sausages. One look over to the other groups, there were omelettes, tang yuans, curry udon etc. They even brought frying pans. Itz the age probably. We haf outgrown such stuff.
I made the decision not to join some of them to go to the summit the next morn, since I knew I was not physically strong enuf for it. Half of the troop went ahead for the summit expedition, n proved prior rumors right dat the view at the summit wasnt worth climbing for.
Had a not too bad sleep for the nite. Fortunately I brought my track pants, becoz it was frigging cold at nite! Had slight regrets bout not bringing a pair of socks.
Day 3:
Woke up earli to join in making bfast for the group mates hu were heading for the summit. Made pancakes n had milo. N as usual, Hossan had tea wif him. Haha, somehow I juz feel he fits into the environment there so well. Probably becoz of his goatie. Keke. Had not been able to catch the sunrise, as the sun was blocked by the clouds.
For the trek down, I had requested to SBB to let mi join the advanced team to start off earlier as I was convinced I wld be slow. There was a guy hu got injured, so he had to set off first. N so I tot I might as well join him. YQ joined mi as well. Turned out I wasnt too slow, at least I hoped so. There was thiz almost vertical part which I was so terrified. We had to hold on to the metal chain to come down. Haha, or maybe onli I was scared. But nonetheless, I made it n not too soon later, we reached the base! I was most relieved n elated when I realised we were not gg the way which we came from, n dat there wldnt be rocks we had to pass! Phew.
Since we reached earli, we had the time to go bathe n clean up while waiting for the rest. Heez. Had a good time chatting. When I reached the place for dinner, the first thing I did was to hit the washroom. Hahaha. Finalli I got my waste out. After withholding since Day 1. Stubborn YQ refused to follow suit, so she settled hers like on the train much later. Haha. The train ride bac was fun, with us playing cards n teaching the Swedish guy, Johan, how to play Blackjack n Big 2. Hossan taught him some useful Chinese terms, including the ever common "tmd". He tol Johan to add the phrase while ordering ji1 fan4 (chicken rice). Haha. N Johan got hooked on saying dat n said it all the time. It was a new experience having a Caucasian fren, n I was pretty surprised dat we got along pretty well! It was amusing hearing him say, "Come on lar, say lar" etc. Haha.
Day 4:
Reached Singapore! Washed the stores at SRC before heading bac to hall for washing up. Bac at hall, I discovered my camera was missing. Was 100% sure I saw it on the train bac, since I specifically put my travel pillow in the same zip lock bag wif the camera n I had used the travel pillow on the train. Tried to find but to no avail. N y m I n the ppl ard mi not surprised dat thiz happened to mi?
Met the group again at JP for lunch, n we decided to chip in n buy Toto. Sent Johan as our representative n instructed him to say the magic phrase while buying! Haha. N I think he did. He probably said "tmd" quietly while handing the slip over to the auntie at the counter. Haha.
***
Summary of the trip
Lost: 1 toe nail n 1 camera
Incurred: 1 bang on the head, 5 blisters n mani mani cuts n bruises
Gained: New frens (including a new foreign fren), outdoor camping experience, first train ride of my life, successful conquer of my initial fear
Records made: Most number of minor injuries incurred within a day, least amount of food eaten within a span of 3 days, most number of days I had withheld my body waste
Most embarrassing moment: Sitting on the rock telling trip leader SBB I dint wan to go further
Sianzzz bout the trip: Becoz of my fear for rocks, I missed out on alot, dun wanna rem them further
Achievement: Made my way down wif my own bag, on my own! (SBB says he iz proud of mi. ^_^)
Some acknowledgements: Hugs to YQ for holding my hand when I was not stable, special thanx to SBB for being wif mi thru the rocks n on the way up, n kudos to Alvin, Derick, Ernest n Hossan for splittin my pack n carrying my weight up.
***
Had a good sleep last nite. Though I haf much worries bout my school work now. Uber sian. SIGH. Gonna go for tuition. Needa find ways to earn money for new cammie.
I am Missy Rissy.
I believe in living the world, n living your worth.
I want to be happy more than anything else.
I want to be who I am.
I am who I am.
