Journey to realization: The Worthy Stop

It was just a jungle of coconut trees out there, with occasional wooden house smack right in the middle of them. That was what I saw on the road leading to the Tip Of Borneo. I am pretty sure that suspension on Howard's car was made out of Kryptonite (that stuff that even Superman fear of.) when he drive over the harsh half gravel half tarmac road at 110 Km/h, and yes he is still waving and greeting most the the driver on the opposite site of the road, a popular guy indeed. I might wan't to get his signature which may fetch a good price if I sell it in Kudat town later. hahahaha. It was quick to reach the place that I was suppose to stay, the last time I been here was when I need almost 1 hour and the half just to get to the main road, believe me, them roads are confusing!

I believe that most of us decided on a place to stay somehow by browsing through those edited and photoshop-ed pretty photos of that place, and end up being disappointed  or even worst- felt cheated upon arrival of that place. That one word called- expectation, sad to say, always ruined the fun without fail. But not now. Now in front of me lie the beauty of not expecting. A complex of pure naturalness dotted with tall coconut trees sitting beside a patch of banana plantation, a mellow paddy field and a humble jungle. After I got my backpack out from the Malaysian-Ferrari-with-Kryptonite-suspension, Howard took me for a tour inside the complex he humbly named Tampat Do Aman Eco Resort. The largest building in that complex was the longhouse where I suppose to be sleeping tonight, nested just behind a banana patch. It was traditionally wooden made with coconut planks as floorboard, walled up with bamboo, atap (dried palm leafs) roofing and animals name for all the room (I got the room named black tail squirrels drey if you want to know). All buildings in the complex are made out of wood harvested from the jungle, this includes the common room, the shower quarters, the toilets, a viewing hut and the camping shelters, all beautifully camouflage in the jungle surroundings beside a man-made canal and pond. As natural as it gets, not a five start hotel, just slightly better, at least for me.

After settling myself in my room and a quick change of attire, I am so ready for the beach, but I got Toby instead. hahaha. Toby was the second westerner I met on that day (I went on meeting a lot of westerner after that.), hailed from England, at that time volunteering at Howard's place for 3 months, barely 20 years old, 6 foot 3 high, holding a cigarette on his hand and proudly talks about how neatly the roofing job was done by him on the new Rungus cultural centre Howard was setting up. After the brief introduction, the beach! But my fun was cut short when I realised it was almost dark, how I wish to be in West Malaysia now, which happens to have an hour more before. sunsets. The worst part was, the typhoon ruined any sunset that would possibly be there at that time. But thankfully, there was still that menu I can choose from to filled my stomach after all those travelling in one of the best restaurant around Tip Of Borneo- Tip Top Restaurant, apparently owned and managed by Howard himself. Well this man, Howard Stanton, truly got a lot of stories to tell, which I am surely eager to hear.

There, ordered my dinner, a fish dish. Is my thought that the first dish when you come to somewhere near the sea, needs to be a fish dish. 'It must be fresh!' We thought, which often turns out wrong. Anyway, while waiting for my meal to be serve, Howard came over and sat opposite of me, offering me one of his famous english tea. We started our conversation by him asking what are my interest. He was surprised that none of my interest relates directly to what have I studied in University. Again like I usually does, I blame the Malaysian educational system, while hiding the fact that it was my own fault that I did not go fight for what I really wanted. I go on saying that, 'Those four years at University do me good, at least it let me know what I really wanted in life.' I assured myself that I was right. Then I explained to him the purpose of my journey and how I lead myself to be in Kudat. He is again surprised by how I faced so much challenges just to get in contact with him as well as the wrong phone number that my guide book provides. 'There must be some reason that allows you to finally got my phone number, and eventually end up here.' said Howard which makes me glad that I made the choice to come to Kudat at the first place. 'I hope you find what you are looking for here.' He said. Deep down in my heart, I do really hope I could find out what I want to do with my life, hopefully here, at this wonderful place. To my surprised, he explained to me that he was engaged with a local Rungus. I asked who. Just then my dinner was served to me by a girl, which I think she was in her mid-20s, energetic, pretty and always with a contagious smile on her face. I thanked her for my meal, and I got struck with another surprise. 'Here she is, my fiance.' Said Howard while holding the hand of the girl who just serve me dinner. 'Her name is Lorraina, ain't she beautiful.' Said Howard while looking at the Lorraina. A look of love, simple and deep. I am not surprised anymore. We go on talking mostly about him, how he had a dream, a dream to build and own his own resort establishment and how those stories in my guide book was real as well as how much more  of him was not written in it! More about the great man later.

We talk and we talk until I finished my satisfying meal. 'Do you want to be a volunteer here?' Howard asked me. I am stunned. Yes I do not know how I going to spend my long 2 months or how much money I need for that and even where I am suppose to go. Volunteering seems to be the right move to make now. Honestly, the thought of volunteering at his place do crossed my mind while riding on his car from Kudat town to the Tip, given that I had no plans at all. But I never expect it was to be him that ask me, I expected to do the other way round, I suppose to ask him for it. Perhaps It was really fate that brings me here, and it wanted me to stay here as well. I do not always believe in fate, perhaps this time I should. I am thrilled and I said yes, 'I would definitely love to.' I said to reaffirm my decision. The grateful smile in his face reassured me that I made the right choice. I feel glad, really glad.

That day, from end to end, was one of the best day of my life. Everything just go so right. From the early indecisive me, to me being grateful and glad sleeping in a wooden bed, inside a bamboo walled room, in a longhouse made entirely out of wood, being in the middle of the jungle, in a village, a village near to the Tip Of Borneo, and in Kudat. I truly realised that how choices could turns our right once you believe in it. How one bold move or one risky step would change everything, and how everything would be well with the help of some luck and of course some fate. How asking would always get you what you want, once you have the right attitude and you ask the right way. And how one small step, in this early of my journey, turn out to be the best step ever. I can tell you now, that this stop, truly truly was a worthy stop.

To Be Continue...

Stay tuned to find out what I did, what I experience, what I saw, and who I met during my time volunteering on the next post. It would only get interesting given that I spent almost a month there in the humble Tampat Do Aman Eco Resort volunteering for Howard. Although initially I said that I would volunteer for only 2 weeks. hahahhahahahahah!

In between the coconut trees!

The captivating Kalampuan Beach!!! Preview of the good pictures here to come in the next post!

The only photo of me with Howard! This was taken in front of Tampat Do Aman Eco Resort, right before I end my volunteer stint there. I was hella dark after that (seeing the contrast between my neck and my chest). 

Live Well People
Have a Happy New Year
Shian

Journey to realization: The Decisive Step

Now I am standing on a crossroad, to Kudat or to Kundasang. For those who do not know where is Kudat or Kundasang is, allow me a brief introduction to both magnificent place. Kudat- A lay back town of the northern tip of Borneo, 3 and a half hours car ride north of Kota Kinabalu (KK), A place with very, I mean VERY beautiful beaches, breathtaking sunsets, the ever friendly Rungus people and the infamous Tip of Borneo. On the other hand, Kundasang- A town where you are constantly captured by the awe of Kinabalu Mountain, the highest peak of South East Asia. A place of cool, fresh air, giving out the freshest vegetable you can't find anywhere els. A place where Kinabalu park, Kundasang War Memorial, Desa Cow Farm and other favourite getaway destination for Kota Kinabalu dwellers. Now I am on the city bus bound to the intercity bus station, there lie a decision I need to make- to Kudat of Kundasang. Both equal in wonders, both equal with list of things I wanted to achieve; Kudat- to see the sunset siting on the rocks at Tip of Borneo; Kundasang- To leave my footsteps on all the trails in Kinabalu Park, all nine of it.

The bus I am riding on finally stopped, and there is it, the buses to Kudat and to Kundasang. 'Which would I take?' I asked myself. The last few days in KK did not do one bit in helping me answer this question. Flipping through guide books, browsing through internet and the almost always reliable 'deciding time' just right before you fall asleep did not work one bit! Kudat had always been the humble place I decided to start my journey, but that was before I heard of Typhoon Nalgae that basically wreck havoc on south Philippines and northern Sabah when I am in KK. Tyhoon would not do well in providing me good weather to travel, moreover sunsets. There I am still, undecided, an hour before both buses leave.

The to and fro between both bus stations made me realize something, thinking for decision is good, thinking too much was not. Decision needed to be made with no regrets, once you made it, do not look back at it. Do not say that 'what if I had make the other decision?', or blame yourself for getting yourself into this. We made the decision ourselves, we are responsible of our decision, we have the obligation to see through our decision with effort and commitment, to give that decision the respect it absolutely deserved. And thus I had decided, right there, right at that moment- to Kudat. I never looked back since then.

There was I, sitting in the front sit of the mini bus bound to Kudat town, a 3 and a half hour ride, scrambling accommodation arrangement in Kudat. It seems that I had been occupied in thinking where to go, but did not thought of where to stay! The comforting assurance of budget hotels suggested by my bus driver still got me worried for the amount of money I will spent in accommodation. I am going for a backpacking low-budget journey, not a luxury-style travel. There was only a name in my guide book regarding cheap accommodation within the vicinity of Tip Of Borneo- Howard Stanton. Here are the exert that introduced him in the guide book 'A British expat who speaks fluent Malay, may well be the most popular man in Kudat with locals and travelers alike...' (I am impressed!). There is more-'He's a man of many stories (international rugby player, diver, first white man to play and referee top-level cabbadi... he's builiding his own Eco-resorts, set up excellent home stays and can help arrange treks.' 'Does a person like this even exist?' I asked myself.

I am afraid I am proved right when I called the number written on the guide transfer me to a local government agency receptionist! There goes my investment on this so-called reliable guide book. 'I gotta get his contact fast, before I leaved the data coverage I got on my phone.' I said to myself. Truthfully, I am interested to find and get to know this man, if he even exist! I googled his name, look into a few websites, reading about his infamous green range rover, his children home, his seaside restaurant (more story about it later) and got a few contacts. I am getting nervous as the first few contacts either end up into mail box or of no-existence. At last I stumbled upon a beautifully constructed website about an Eco-resort near Tip Of Borneo- www.tampatdoaman.com- which I doubt it was made off with a limited budget! I am anxiously calling the number given by me by that website, and there was I, nervously asking 'Can I speak to Mr. Howard Stanton please?'. A deep British accent answered back on the other side '.......Yes, Howard speaking.' It was him! I am ecstatic! We talked for a few minutes and after that, I got my accommodation and food settled and yes it was near to Tip Of Borneo to my delight. Now I can rest soundly on the ride, with excitement and eagerness.

I arrived at Kudat town at around 4pm that lovely evening, eager to meet this famous Howard Stanton. I bought me some water, gave him a notice that I had arrived and waited. After a few short minutes, with delight I greeted his big big smile with the smile of my own. A man almost 6 foot tall, brown hair, light blue eyes with a build of a well trained military man, welcomed me to Kudat. We became instant friends talking about both of ourselves riding in his old, mildly dirty (an understatement), green car he so proudly named the 'Malaysian Ferrari'. He was greeting to almost everyone on the way to his lodge which is about 30 minute away from Kudat town, perhaps he was the most popular person in Kudat after all.

There I was, riding towards the most unplanned journey of my life, perhaps the best one, with my decisive step. Hey, I have only explained to him that I would stay for 2 nights...

To Be Continue...

Stay tuned for my next step exploring Kudat and places around Tip Of Borneo! Sun, sea, sand, sunsets and the wonderful people!

Viva la Malaysian Ferrari!

Live Well People
Shian

Journey to realization: The refreshed steps

It all started, started with Julia Roberts going around the world, on a journey to seek for what she think she will seek in the hit movie 'Eat, Pray, Love'. How she had the courage to just go, go on a journey to different parts of the world- to give herself a chance, a chance to love and be loved again, a chance to have hope again. I am sitting in front of the TV, taking it all in me. On that point onward, I have decided. I am set to travel, to my own journey, to a journey I called- my journey to realization.

I first called up my girlfriend telling her how exciting I am having decided to go travel- on my own- to a journey for me to realized all that had and will happen in my life. Having all those excitement raging from my heart, she asked me a question- where? 'Where will you go on alone to this travel you called journey to realization?' she asked. I am stunned for a while, I had been only think and decided to just go travel alone, I never thought of where. I asked myself 'What is the first place I wanted to go?'. After a long pause on my behalf, I answered my girlfriend- 'Sabah, I want to go to Sabah, I want to travel the whole east coast of Sabah!'. This point on, she started to think that I am mad, mad because I had been in Sabah for the past four years studying and yet I want to go back to that place again to travel. I explained to her that that is the first place that pop out of my mind, not Vietnam, not Thailand, Not New Zealand but Sabah. My reason was- I loved that place too much to not go back and I had a few things and places I haven't do and discover. Sun, sea, sand, mountain and the wonderful people! What not to go back to Sabah!

And off I go, Just go!

Slowly I opened my eyes and looked at my watch, there was another hour till my plane will land on Sabah's soil. It was all too familiar, the uncomfortable-ever-tight seat of low cost air flight, the ever intention to sleep but always only halfway accomplished and the constant hope that the co-pilot announce that we are soon to land. The horrible and interesting experience of getting and packing my first backpack was still fresh in my mind. I read many articles online regarding about buying backpack and how to go backpacking, and I was surprised to find that how the backpacking culture was so well established online. There are tons of articles just to guide you in 'How to select the best backpack for you' and 'What to pack in your backpack'. Why do I say horrible in the first place? Imagine when you know nothing about certain thing and suddenly you got so many different views, and all of them think that they are the right one. ahahhhhh! Even selecting how much volume I need for my backpack need days of researching! (I end up buying a middle range J-World sport 45L backpack which I am glad to own). Then the worst indecisive moment came when I was to pack what to put in my backpack! Some guide suggested me to bring one jeans, and some do not. Some said just take 4 pieces of T-shirt and two pairs of shorts will do, while some other said more! I am a heavy packer- those that always had a 'backup T-shirt' if you know what I mean, you can't blame me to rate this a horrible experience right! I think by this I am official the laughing stock of the backpacking community.

In the end, the best way to pack your backpack was, keep it light while not compromising your on-the-road wardrobe comfort. And always keep in mind that you will have no problems getting what you need on-the-road as well as do not look back to what you have not pack. Not to be boastful, I am pretty sure I can be certified a professional in weight balancing to keep the backpack firmly hugging your back and how you can pack all your stuff in 5 minutes. I tell you, IS AN ART! It will be a whole article itself to explain to you how I do it, I'll leave it for next time...

I had a fear,
a fear of travelling alone, with no one to take care of you, no one you can rely on.
I had another fear,
a fear that everyone had bad intention on you, wanted to do you harm and rob you of your possession.
after this journey,
I want to have no fear,
no fear of any fear stated above,
for I can travel alone,
for everyone had a heart to be good in them.

The speaker on the airplane came on, the long awaited landing announcement was read out much to my delight. Sabah, I am here! Upon stepping off the ladder and touching Sabah's soil, a sense of happiness engulfed me, a happiness I all so familiar of, but somehow different from previous ones whenever I came to Sabah. For this time I come for a journey, a journey I chose to do alone, a journey that would give me courage, a journey that I must take, a journey that would change my life, for I have so much I want to realize. My journey to realization, started with this refreshed step...

(note: this photo is not actually taken from my journey, I just thought this was COOL to put in this. by the way, my backpack is bigger than this one. The guy is the photo was still me though. XDXD)

To be Continue...

Live well people,
Stay tuned

Shian

A 28K Ticket from my school!

It was an expensive, hard fought ticket to get, nevertheless one that everybody yearns for. Relishing back to the moment where our parents took their work leave to stay late at school for that extra comfort to help us get through our first day at school, our first step towards a blessing, education. For most Malaysian ticket holder, it was a rock solid 20 years blessed journey!  We are always joyful, always a heart available to make new friends, always getting into challenges,and barely out, always keen to learn and teach, love and laugh. It always was, always is, and always will be the best 20 years of one's life!

At this moment, the ticket I'm holding seems to be a letter pronouncing my death sentence towards a least joyful life... XDXD

Remember still how we hated our homework so much?
Remember still how we sang birthday songs for one embarrassed classmate?
Remember still how we have a crush on the pretty/handsome classmate sitting next/opposite of us?
Remember still how we always complaint bout having no money, then angels (parents) came?
Remember still how my hands are on your shoulder bracing through challenges?
Remember still how those cold nights, hot drinks and a pile of homework/assignments?
Remember still those grudges, not lasting very long, those lectures, lasting a bit longer than they need to be?
Remember still those 'doing everything else other then listening' moment during class?
Remember still how we tear our throat out in our own private concert in karaoke?
Remember still those crazy stuff we did that only make sense to us?
Remember still those proud-ness showing your student ID for discount? (I loved this!)
Remember still cooking those cheapo self cooked meal, and thought that we are the best cook in the world?
Remember still those hardship getting through assignment, and the long sleep after?
Remember still those short but sweet trips make sweeter because we all are together?
Remember still those people, those merry mate that we shared all this memories with?
Remember the 28K that we need to pay back to........ I'll forget that for now!

At this moment, the ticket I'm holding seems to be a memories compilation, sweet as apple pie!

Our 20 years journey ended in just a day, in a mere 2 minute to be precise, the convocation. We are somehow so busy that we forget to sit down to savor upon the fruit of our own blood, sweat and sleepless night. Booked flights early, ended up staring upon a blank wall at the hotel. Placing robe collecting errands on course mate, praying hard that he/she did not mess the whole thing up. Indecisive on which studio to go for, for that all important photo that our parents proudly showing off in the living room. Being the victim of every possible licensed 'blood sucker' in town for accommodation and transportation. Being the guide cum driver cum planner cum son/daughter for our parents first visit to the place. Wanting to see every friends possible, but sometimes beyond our own capabilities.

At this moment, the ticket I'm holding seems to be a prove of how good we are in multitasking, a plus point in our resume!

Convocation had truly drained the life out off us, for that all important few seconds on stage. I still recalled mine, even faster than any FedEx can deliver or any McDonald's order of McChicken! Before going up, I am worried bout how I looked. Did my mortar fix up firmly? Are the furry end in the right place? Are my robe adjusted properly? What I actually need to say when I see the big man?  Stepping up the stage, I've became the hardest log you can find in any forest. My walking become stiff, my head stare just right to the front, holding my breathe and that all important 'smartcard' and passing it to the person-in-charge. Here I go, My name is announced, I bowed, and walk to the big man. He congratulated me, shake my hand, telling me to look into the camera, I gave him my thanks, proceed to the other end of the stage with a savoring proud smile, shake hands with my dean, and that's it! My 20 years of educating life for that moment, the proudest I had ever been.

At this moment, the ticket I'm holding seems to be just a certificate of attendance, because I am there at that moment...

Yes the highlight of the whole thing may be the moment that you are on stage. But I bet the happiest was when every friend gave you that warm smile when everybody met, the moment when we are chit chatting on waiting for our turn on stage, the fooling around during the most serious moment, the big applause meant bigger because we do it together, the moment when we faced our parents, our loved one, our teachers and gave them the biggest gratitude we can offer. At least, it is the happiest for me.

At this moment, the ticket I'm holding seems to be like another paper, for I need no document to prove of my happiness, I have my heart...

Well, everybody have go on with life after convocation. Some found what they wanted to do, some still giving time for themselves to decide and some might just doing nothing.
Whatever you may do and wherever you may be, my friends, I wish you the best of luck and the best of hearts. Wish you have the will and the strength to stay on the path you decided to walk on, and may you emerge being the greatest. Remember our ticket does not decide where we are heading, WE DO!
So please tell me your story when we meet some other time. Have will, fate and faith, blessed we will meet.

At this moment, the ticket I'm holding is my tissue paper to wipe my tears off for I love you people, I crumble the ticket in my hand saying 'I had my friends and my story that I will cherished for life.'

And when the PTPTN (Study loan agency) letter comes...

At this moment, the ticket had become a summons which remind me to pay off the 28K for the next 10 years...plus interest!!!!!! (ironing back the crumbled up ticket). XDXD

HAPPY GRADUATION!!! 

Live Well People

Stay tuned
Shian

Im Back From My Sweet Exile!

Oh My Merry,
I'm back, I'm back, I'm back.
From those sweet alone,
From those sweet embrace.

The path had been good,
The freedom had been sweet.
The world still vast,
The men still merry,
For I'm back, I'm back, I'm back.

The sweet side of life,
just a sweet step away,
a sweet yes away,
a sweet smile away.
May you decide with merry,
I'm back, I'm back, I'm back.

My great sweet sail did me good,
to catch the sweet wind of fate,
sailing through,
goodbyes of merry men and women,
touching sweets to the eye,
sounds oh sounds of merriment.
With my merry filled backpack,
I'm back, I'm back, I'm back.

Give sweet respect to fear,
as fear is just a merry away,
let those sweet sweet scar,
A prove that merry merry is always merry,
With my merry mind, body and soul,
I'm back, I'm back, I'm back.
From my sweet exile.

Shian

P.S: For I had been travelling for the past 2 months, thus no update on my beloved blog. May I be blessed with strength and will, to let you know what had been down, and what had been up with me for the last 2 months. Keep updated with this blog to find out how my sweet exile had been.

Live well people.
Shian.