It sounds like wifi might be an issue on this trip so I better get some writing in before I can't.
We had until 6 pm to spend the day before our group met for the first time. Joe wanted to go on a hike. We saw what looked like trails on the tourist map. Joe also found a bird sanctuary but he left it to me to figure out where it was. From what I could tell, it was at the end of one of the trails. Google maps said it was 40 minutes walk. We can manage that.
We set out after our Malaysian buffet breakfast. The map showed that we would have to climb some stairs. First we found this weird field with stairs so we climbed those. But they led to a very busy road with no sidewalk. This can't be right. Then we found another very sketchy staircase that we climbed. Only to discover at the top that the bit that connects to the next bit was completely washed out with three 2x2 board leading to a huge log that one would have to traverse. Nope. Then we found a third staircase that was actually labeled as closed which. at this point, I appreciated since I was getting tired of climbing stairs to nowhere.
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| Staircase # 2 |
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| Green pigeon |
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| Photogenic alley |
Side note. The only two buildings in KK left standing after the war were the tourist office and the clock tower which we walked by. A picture was taken, thus this little history moment.
Ok, defeat at hand, we went to the tourist office which was very close to see what they had to say about this trail system. Our lady was very helpful but we were talking at cross purposes. Long story short, the 'trail' is a road and it is dangerous. She told us there were roving packs of vicious dogs as if the windy road with no sidewalk wasn't enough for me. It turns out you can just drive to the bird sanctuary. How much for a cab? 6 Riggetts. That's 2 bucks! Um, hmm, roving packs of vicious dogs and a long circuitous walk, or $2 split between two of us. Even Joe couldn't deny that math. So, our nice lady called us a cab.
Well, I didn't make it too far. It is 9 pm and I am fading fast. Tomorrow (hopefully).
Next morning. We are heading out in about 30 minutes so I am stealing that time to do some blog.
Back to our hike.
We took the cab to the Bird Sanctuary which is actually a Wetlands park (I'll look up the official title later). It is the last remaining mangrove patch in the city of KK. It isn't very big but it has two main trails of raised boardwalks. Lots of crabs. Like, so many crabs! And bird song. Hidden birds singing. I saw a few, nothing too too exciting. There were no people there. We wandered around for a few hours and only saw other people as we were leaving. Very nice and tranquil. And cool for the middle of the day.
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But first we had to get past this roving pack of one very timid dog, Dexter who is up for adoption
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| This was a good six inches long |
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The lookout tower that had a worse view than from the ground |
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| Purple Heron |
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| The bird blind |
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| A crab |
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| Little Egret |
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The end of the boardwalk into the 'muddy trail'. We did not opt for the boot rental. |
Besides crabs and a few birds, we saw a squirrelish rodent, a crocodile and a monkey of unknown species.
Once we finished with the trails, the reception person called us another cab and we came back to the hotel for a minute. Then off to lunch. It was already 2 and we also needed to do a bit of laundry, hiking in 30+ degree heat is not conducive to rewearing outfits! So, we needed a restaurant fairly close.
I was looking for something non-touristy that still was somewhat tourist-friendly. Joe on the other hand...
We walked by a place that was very busy but the menu was posted, all in Malay, not an English word to be found. Joe said, this is good and in we went. We sat down, I'm sure to the confusion of the staff and the amusement of the other patrons. Joe vaguely remembered one dish from his old traveling days. He ordered that and then looked at me expectantly. I had zero idea where to even start! So, he randomly ordered something for me too. And two drinks.
First the drinks arrived. The best I can guess is milk with fruit syrup over ice (?). It was sweet but drinkable. Next, Joe's meal arrived. Very tasty sauce over noodles with what I thought was chicken. Nope, it was tripe, or stomach, Joe wasn't quite sure. I was sure I wasn't going near the meat. I ate some of his noodles and sauce until mine arrived. Amazingly, not too scary. Rice with beef. Not nearly as tasty as Joe's but the meat was recognizable so all in all, whatever.
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| look up meat names before eating here |
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not a colour found in nature, at least not in natural milk. |
Then we hit the laundromat. self serve.
I left my debit card in my pocket and the dryer was very HOT. We are hitting the bank machine later so I'll have to see if it still works in its slightly warped state.
Ok, time to head downstairs. Off to the home stay.
Later that day, with a bit o'beer in me!
Let me remember....
The group divided into two vans. We were in the smaller one, six people. It was a bumpy ride up a mountain. Nice view between the trees. Apparently the other group got to stop for a photo but this is all I managed.
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| Mosque in KK |
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| Beautiful, but always with the power lines |
We got to our home stay. We get our own rooms! Yay. Every other home stay has involved shared rooms. Even before we got to see where we were staying, we got to watch the fish farm feeding. The fish are directly below the dining room which is disconcerting because the floor is slat so I can see down into the water.
A quick, here's what's happening meeting and then lunch. The plan had been for most of the group to do a inner tube ride down the river. Joe and I (the only ones) opted for the village walk. But the tubing got cancelled (low river? impending rain?) so we all went on the 'village walk'. We went across a suspension bridge and then everyone was invited to get in the river for a 'fish massage'. Yikes! Pass. Joe went in a bit for the photo.
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These are not little fish. They are full size talpia (?). Whatever they are, they are dinner size! |
The river and the bridge were far more photogenic than the fish.
After the fish-swimmers were done, we had some ice cream at a very conveniently placed shop between the swimming hole and the bridge.
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I asked them to choose the flavour. The purple on top was yam and it was the BEST ice cream! |
And then we headed back to the home stay. Or tried to. Half of the group, mostly the women, were heading across the bridge. I was at the precipice of walking over when I see the boys (and the Dutch) getting called to a bunch of people on a deck. They had beer and a karaoke machine! I stood there for a moment, thinking about my choices, safety or adventure. I went back.
By the time I got there, Joe was already singing Country Roads. I was handed a beer. It started to rain so I stepped under the roof and before I knew what was happening, I was signing karaoke. And then Joe had them load a second song, Bohemian Rhapsody. I butchered that one. I am pretty sure there is at least one video. I'll try to add it (if it isn't too too bad!).
The Dutch couples sang a couple of songs. When they got to the fourth, Joe and I excused ourselves to head back. There didn't seem to be the option of staying and not having more beer.
Did I mention the book I am reading. Val found it for me. It is called Stranger in the Forest. It is about a guy who walked across Borneo, unsupported, in the 70s. His first night there, he ended up at a long house where they were having a party. He describes how generous the Borneo people are, especially with their booze! They like to party and to drink. Well, I can confirm that.
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Country Roads, take me home...
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| Empties |
As we were heading back, Joe and I were walking up our road when he heard a kid playing the piano in a house. Joe, being Joe, knocked on the door. Can he play for a minute! He had been hoping to come across a public piano but that is asking a lot in a tropical country. But he found a way.
The mom let us in and kicked her kid off of his piano lesson. Joe played for a few minutes. Photos were taken so the kids would be 'inspired' by this giant white piano player that they can aspire to be like.
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| We caught mom folding laundry |
I am on the deck out front now as stragglers from the karaoke party come back. We have a cooking lesson in about half an hour. With piano mom as our teacher! It's a small village. More later.
Later. Bed time (8:30). Early start tomorrow and limited wifi so I'll try to post this tonight.
Cooking lesson wasn't really a lesson. More like we sat around and watched two women make a couple of dishes, with the occasional assistance from the guests. Here I am stirring!
Here's Joe and me in 'traditional dress' to get ready for the stirring. Aaaaaand, I've lost the pictures from cooking school.
Here's someone else's photo of me stirring while the group watches and learns from my masterful Malaysian technique.
After dinner, the home made rice wine arrived. Jimmy (who's Jimmy? I have no idea), just kept filling out little glasses. It was quite tasty but I had to stop after three glasses.
It bucketed rain after we got back from the river and rained all through dinner prep and eating. Apparently, the orangutan sanctuary is flooded. I'm not sure how this will affect our visit but we are still going. Possibly no hike (the hike where we were warned to anticipate leeches, so maybe I can live with a bit of flooding...)
I forgot to mention in this post that I managed to twist my left ankle TWICE yesterday. So now it is nice and swollen and a bruise is developing on both sides. I can walk but it is the same side as my bad knee so I am even more wobbly and tentative than usual.
Ok, let's read this thing, fix any glaring typos and post. We leave at 7 am tomorrow morning so I have to get to sleep.
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