When everyone hears about Kota Kinabalu, they think about mountain climbing & trekking... and I was there for something else. Some people might find it a boring holiday destination if they're not trekking, but I assure you there's more to it, at least good enough for a weekend getaway (I'm sure my travel companions both will agree). We did have a good time :)
For your information, Kota Kinabalu is resided in Sabah, East Malaysia and it's a separate island away from Malaysia (West) itself. It's connected to Sarawak/Indonesia just down south.
Below's a short journal I wrote on the flight:
6am. I woke up, a sleepy head.
Dad was awake (like always). He did the usual naggings,"Did you bring this, did you forget that?" I washed up and in no time was ready to leave. Everyone else was soundly in bed, sister got up briefly to say goodbye and went back to lala land.
I bought my breakfast and headed to the airport via train. Unlike the past few times, I just flagged a cab, this morning I saw the morning rush. The train, filled with students on the way to school, had unusually few travellers on the same journey as me.
Got there in time; my travelling companions were on their way. I took my time to finish my breakfast, put on my hoody and tried to soak myself in the holiday mood. But it didn't come. That feeling. It didn't this morning too. I felt unbearing to leave the last few times, at the same time, it was usually packed with excitement. But this time, I didn't feel the later. I need to replenish it somehow.
Three different passports, one common destination.
I'm travelling with a couple (my 1st time). I haven't met B's girlfriend but sure enough she's easy to get along - a great start! The last holiday left me drained, tired and fearful of new companions. But I know this time, I didn't have to worry. I'm writing this an hour into the flight, we've another hour more to go. Now it's time to take a nap... till later.
...
...
...
I didn't get much sleep during the flight. Some time before we landed, we met some air turbulence and then later on we had a 10 - 20 metres drop which freaked most of the passengers out. I was stunned, prepared for the worst and held on tightly to my safety belt. "That's it! Are we crashing?" That went through my mind. Some people screamed and shrieked! When we finally landed with a crash landing (Thanks Pilot! :S), the cabin was filled with relief and laughter. We were safe.
A very general impression of Kota Kinabalu after arriving for some hours. Friendly. Considerate drivers. Hot & humid (like Singapore). Traditional. Poor and rich contrast (slums, kampung houses, houses on stilts via wooden houses up the mountain via terrace house/modern flats).
Somehow I'm not sure if the wooden houses up the mountain belong to the wealthier people, as it means they will have to drive down to city (have to own a car at least)... and the availability of bigger space for a bigger house.
No comments:
Post a Comment