Sarawak, East Malaysia Day II

Light dawns fast over Sarawak. Was broad daylight by 6.30am. We finished watching Miss Congeniality 2 before proceeding for breakfast. They left a whole pot of coffee and tea for each table. Yumz! Apart from the lavish buffet from Asian to Western to International breakfast, the hotel also had several different types of juices to spoil one for choice. So THIS was what 5 stars were about. :)

Went back to the room cause we forgot some stuff. Then dashed across to the convenience store to get a poncho for K since it was drizzling. Also made us a bit worried on whetehr our trip to Bako could still go on.

Our driver told us it would be fine, but was good to arm ourselves with raincoats just in case. We had to wait for the rest of our boat-mates at the jetty, then was introduced to our guide.



The rain got heavier while we were waiting in the boat, so some our boatmates took the chance to get themselves ponchos too. The rain got pretty heavy as our journey commenced. Wasn't able to enjoy the view of the South China Sea like the last time as it was too painful to have the rain beating down on the face.

As the island that makes up Bako National Park loomed into view, and the engine of the speedboat was killed, had a bad feeling about the timing. Then my suspicions were confirmed when the guide told us that the tide has receded and we had to hike to Bako so get ready to roll up our pants and off with the shoes.

Found it rather interesting actually. Definitely different form my last trip when the boat went right up to Bako. The waters was pretty deep in certain parts, though. And the rain which made the waters muddy made it impossible to tell which was the shallower parts of the sea. Adjusted the strap of my slingbag to prevent my bag from getting wet. At certain parts the waters skimmed above the knees.

Wading our way through the waters, we made the journey silently. AT one point, thought I felt SOMETHING decisively clamping down on my foot. Lifted my foot out from the waters and thought I felt SOMETHING flew off my foot. Examined it but since there wasn't any blood or something, thought I had just stepped on some rocks. Continued the trek to land, but with each step felt a niggling pain on my foot.

The guide greeted me on land with some concern. It must have sure looked funny how I was walking with one foot on tiptoes. He asked if I had stepped on SOMETHING. Told him I might have and he told me to sit down so he could examine my foot.

The guide thoughtfully gave me a small canvas to lay on some rocks before I sat. It wasn't reassuring when I saw his forehead creasing. He pronouced that I must have had stepped on some shellfish and showed me the thorn which was embedded near my heel.

He proceeded to wash out the sand that had gotten in before using a pin to slit open the skin to take out the thorn. He told me that it wasn't poisonous, but it sure will hurt for a while. Oh yeah.

The rest of our boatmates had also reached shore. One of the guys said he was also bitten by SOMETHING and showed us how two of his toes were bleeding. Oooh. Luckily he was carrying his little kid on his shoulders. Can't imagine if it was the little tyke who was bitten by something or another.

The guide told us to hang on for a few more minutes while we trek it over to the HQ for proper first aid. One elderly gentleman kindly walked with me and made small talk.

When we reached the HQ, my foot got disinfected and plastered. Felt like an exhibit when so many other trekkers came over to see how I was! It took a while longer to attend to the other guy. Heard something about boiling water and all. Felt kinda lucky for myself.

We tried to dry ourselves off as much as possible. The other guy had to stay on at HQ. Heard him say that he's starting to feel the pain up to his knee. The guide said he was probably stung by a stingray.

The rest of the group proceeded for our jungle trek. The guide went over to the park map to show us the route we were taking. The shortest one, which would be the same route I took the last time. Was a bit disappointed. Wanted to try a longer and more challenging route. But then my foot was still throbbing so wasn't sure if I could really make it through the easiest route even.

Just before we set off, our guide told us to be quiet and pointed out the pit viper snake, which was supposed to be poisonous. He enthusiatically asked for our cameras, though, to help us capture a picture. I have developed a very healthy respect (read: distance) for animals and nature, and was feeling a tad worried how close he was getting to the snake for the sake of a picture!




We continued the trek. Rain has stopped completely. Sun was out. We stopped by the mangroves to try spotting the Orang Belanda or proboscis monkey, but they were too far up one of the trees.




Felt dejavu recognising some parts of the trail we took. Got crowded in certain parts of the forest whenever we ran into another group. Was sure sweating it out. But really enjoyed the challenge.

We reached the beach to mark the end of the trail around 45 minutes later. It was more beautiful that I remembered. The rocks, the beach, Mount Santubong silhoutted in the background. Remembered a kind of cave when we went to the last time, but looked around and could not spot low enough waters to make it accessible. Maybe the tide was already rising.



After around 20 minutes enjoying the scenery and taking a breather, we backtracked to make our way back.

Spotted the Orang Belanda near the end of our trek. Then spotted ice-cold drinks at the rest-house. Heaven!




The guide gave us our packed lunches and told us we had one hour before the speedboat would pick us up. The sandwiches were a bit wilted. But the fried chicken was nice, though a very strangely unhealthy choice after our rigorous trek.

Chatted with the guide. He remarked that it must be nice in SIngapore where things are cheap. Cheap? That got my attention. He then related how for certain goods at least, he could fly to Singapore and back, and buying the item in Singapore would still be cheaper than buying it in Malaysia.

Conversation then got a bit weird when he pointed out two female backpackers who were leaving and told us that they were together, together. *wink wink* And mused how it was such a "waste" that those who had such tendencies are usually very good looking people with fantastic jobs. Hmmm. Reserved comments. Just smiled and let him talk.

Soon enough the tide was high and it was time to go. The waters sure was hot hot hot though. The plaster on my foot seemed to be falling off. Got worried that I might infect the open skin wound.

We were all made to wear life-jackets on the ride back. As usual, the jackets don't have proper buckles but tied it best I could securely. We were specifically told to sit on specific points of the boat to balance it. Could start to see how the waves are pretty high.

Such a lovely view. But was a rather choppy ride. Did not dare to risk a pic at the expense of losing my T1 to the waters. Or maybe me. The guide who was sitting behind me tapped me at one point to tell me to scoot further away from the edge of the boat. Oops.

We stretched ourselves for a while at the jetty before embarking on the drive back to the hotel. We must have made a strange sight to the other visitors at the hotel lobby coming in soaking wet!

Hurriedly changed out of our wet wet wet clothes upon stepping into the room and dumped into the laundry bag. Had a nice soothing shower then changed into dry clothes.

Treated ourselves by going shopping. Then tapao KFC back to our rooms to laze around while having dinner. Watched some Malay drama for a while before each of us succumbed to sleep and exhaustion.