Sabah 2018

I am known for making irrational drastic decisions.
I am very emotional and passionate.
1 year ago, I decided to join one of my friend to conquer Mount Kinabalu.
Did not take me more than 5 minutes to think through.

and so after a month of training.
I realised that I am going on a trip with a group of other people that I do not know anything about besides the often ignored group whatsApp.

So, this interesting journey begins at the airport with a series of typical awkward "Hi I am Yoke." conversation.
10 of us with only 1 goal.

I stayed in my own bubble most of the time, observing mostly, language barrier.
Most of them spoke Cantonese.
My Cantonese sucks, I have the accent of a 3 year old child.
I listen most of the time trying real hard to be on the same page.
Yes, I have times that I feel like an outcast.

I was really hoping to get something out of the hike.
I was trying to make a statement to myself.
I wanna prove to myself that I am not worthless and i am strong.
I wanna think things through, perhaps after conquering Mount Kinabalu I can see things from a different perspective.
Perhaps be happier with myself.
Perhaps be less needy.
Perhaps being alone is not that bad after all.

The entire journey from Kota Kinabalu to Kundasang was interesting.
One of our rented car broke down in the middle of I dont know where, phone reception sucks and it started raining.

When we finally reached our accommodation, it was already dinner time.
Kundasang is cooling, I love it. It's like early summer time in UK.

We went to Desa farm, yeah the place that looks like New Zealand with dalmatian cows.
10 of us was in awe when we saw the magnificent Mount Kinabalu in front of us.
It was magical and mysterious with all the clouds and mists covering almost half of the mountain.
On our way back to dinner, God decided to bless us with an entire arch of colors. I was the one shouted "rainbow!"
Yes. We saw a full set of rainbow, during sunset. Our accommodation was located on a hilly slope, makes it even better.
What a blessing.

At night i sunk out for the moon and stars. I was alone with my phone in my pjs.
I just need to get the perfect picture of the full moon. We were looking at the same moon. I am sure of it.

The day came we were all ready. Getting our bags and having breakfast loading up carbs for the hike.
Our host, was the person that came bearing bad news. It felt like someone special ditched you in the middle of having candle light dinner when you are about to kiss.

The disappointment was overwhelming, apparently, the host was not able to get any of us permits for the hike.
We've booked the trip for the past year, just like "poff" all my hopes and dreams and goals and bucket list gone.

but this trip made me realised a few important points:
1. I could never date Chinese dudes, oh the communication, and mind set barrier is just so obvious. Ridiculous even.
2. Keeping my cool, for not rolling my eyes and flipping out when dealing with annoying people. Believe me, i try so hard not curse.
3. Getting out from my comfort zone.
4. but most importantly, "when you lose something, you gain something back in return."

I remembered one of my friend telling me, "it's not the destination, it's about the journey."
We definitely did not conquer the mountain of Gods but I did went on a awesome "Tip of Borneo" road trip for the most enchanted sunset even though our rented car decided to give us attitude again.

We saw a sea of green paddy fields along the way, they were softly swaying with the wind under the blazing afternoon sun.
It was scorching hot, but I enjoyed the wind, softly blowing in my face and hair, with the rustling sound of the paddy filed.
Birds flying under the peaceful blue sky. What a spectacular view.

We stopped by a river, dipped my toes into the warm, crystal clear water.
An old hanging bridge was right on top of the river just like the bridge to Terabithia.
I washed my face with the water, it was very refreshing, the water was untouched by pollution.

On the way back, it was pitched black due to the lack of lamp posts but we were once again blessed by a galaxy of stars, twinkling and dazzling like scattered moon dust under the night sky.

To be honest, I am glad that I met all of them, my new travel buddies, thou we are not always on the same page but I appreciate all the efforts just to make this trip better.

Well, did not make it up to Mount Kinabalu, but hey, I met people, made friends, ate delicious food, saw rainbows and sunsets and stars.
I need to stop giving out negative vibes.
I need to chose the life style I want.
I need to love myself more.

-life is really a funny thing-