Kuching, 1st May - Gadung Gading National Park

It’s heartwarming to know strangers you met for hours welcome you with wide open arms, invite you to their world, and share their joy and laughter with you. That’s what I felt for the past few days in Kuching. Making home cook dinner, sharing their appetite for English pancake sprinkle with lemon and sugar. I do hope the world can live without strangers.

Today, with plan I’ve made with Imogen, we decided to hunt for the smelliest and largest flower in the world, Rafflesia. It’s our good fortune that it blooms around the time on our stay in Kuching. The best part of the trip is the bus journey I spent with Imogen, discussing about life, how someone or some incidents changes us to view life, knowing the worth of being a human being, knowing who we are and pursuing  what we want and not forgetting the people around us.

She is such a sensible, thoughtful and considerate person. It’s a joy to be with her and someone that reassures you what you value in life is not just a dream.  I feel fortunate to know this young lady, knowing she will have a bright and hopeful future ahead of her.

After the nice and enjoyable talk with her on the bus, we got down and continue the search for the rare Rafflesia. We share a taxi with 2 Swedish girls, when we arrived, we lost our way for a bit searching for Rafflesia, blame ourselves for not wanting to pay for a guide. Just then, we heard a group of tourist so we follow them and reach to an indistinct spot where this flower blooms. 


Seriously, it’s not as big as I would have imagined, size does matter, even though at the length of 60cm, it’s almost as big as a toilet bowl. I’m not that impressed. However, we did take a few pictures to marvel at this insect eating flower. Soon the flower will die, and life moves on.


With this trip in Kuching, I’ve made some incredible friends, and perhaps the trip wouldn’t be the same without their participation. I remember Andrew told me he loves this song by Goteye, somebody that I used to know; strangely this song was played on my flight when it's about to take off from Kuching. I’m glad to say that these are not my friends that I used to know…

Kuching 29th April – Bako National Park

We are determine to make the full use of our remaining time in Bako. Our boat will leave at 4pm so our plan is to trek to Telok Pandan Besar Beach, soak in the sun and sea.

The trek is not too bad but the weather is hot, so I’m sweating and singing to keep my fellow trek mates entertained! At one point, Phil suggests I have a website to answer people’s questions by singing as my reply.  I know I like to break into song  at certain moments especially when someone mention words that can be part of the lyrics to the song I know  but I’ve much more better things to do then just singing to resolve people’s problem. Besides, I don’t think that will really help in solving their problem. I just take the attention away from them for a bit.

We carry on the trek and finally after 70mins, we reach the beach. It’s beautiful and secluded. Not many people. We pick our spot, the girls are up in the sun, Andrew and I shy away from the sun to prevent collateral damage on our skin. I listen to Sia and penetrate through the book I’m reading. As we swam, laze around and eating Tiger biscuits which contains 9 vitamins! It sure is a great day to unwind!

As our laziness evolves, we decided not to trek back but to get a boat instead and in between we make  a stop to see the famous seastacks which we heard that the size is disappointing  not the same as one imagine from the photo, so, who say size doesn’t matter!  

When we got back, we are dehydrated and dead tired but that doesn’t stop us to go ahead with another trail to search for Proboscis monkey. Andrew skip the trail for another Sardines buffet and four of us with Phil standing in for Andrew, which again seem uninvited and scary that he wanted to crave Beaker and his name on the pillar of the shelter to memorialize his existence. As luck is not our side, we didn’t see any monkey, most probably because we went to the wrong route. However, the view on top is relaxing and soothing.

With Phil not giving up in search of the Proboscis monkey, he took the direction given by a family whom saw it earlier from another trek, he decided to rush for it hoping he can make it by 4pm to catch the boat somehow we’re in. So we waited and realised he is late, we took the opportunity to flee, honestly, it’s more like we want to catch the last bus at 5pm to return the guesthouse.

It’s a tiring day so we took a boat across the river from our guesthouse for our dinner and laze back to lala land.

Kuching, 28th Apr – Bako National Park

The fabulous 4 woke up early to catch the bus to the National Park. I’m actually delighted on this trip as I’m not making any plans and the girls have already made all the arrangement. We follow the direction given by Wi Ming.

At the bus stand, I met a Russian couple which seems a little odd, the way the boyfriend was looking at me and he responded my question, I said he looks tan for a Russian and he replied that I should look at his ass. Well, this blog is not about Love and Sexcapes but his hair, mine oh mine, wishing I was not sitting behind him on the bus. The amount of dandruff can build a sandcastle and yet his girlfriend is caressing through his hair.

Finally, we reach the Ferry Terminal. Negotiate for a long time because the Russian couple wanted to share the boat with us to get a cheaper fare. Once we arrive, I can’t help but to get overly excited! This could be my first National Park experience. I should visit the national park more often but as a single traveler, I always feel intimidated by the jungle and the cost. J

While waiting for our room to be ready for check in, we had lunch at the canteen and soon have a strategy on how we should order our next meal. Everyone will fill up his or her plate with just one dish, and then we’ll divide among ourselves. It saves about RM$3 for one person except for the guy whom order sardines, you know who you are and I’m not paying for that. J

We bump into Deborah, knowing she is going to be here as well, she told us about the treks and how she is going to spend her afternoon. I decided to join her for a little walk to the pier and chill under the “Sala” - Pavilion in Thai which is what she refers to. J We saw beautiful sunset and Proboscis monkeys moving towards the forest.

I bid farewell to Deborah and Nadia before joining the fabulous 3, that’s when I met Phil, American staying beside our room, a strange but interesting character when you realise his little secret. I took a nap since they are not in the room, best to wait for them in the room since they have to return one way or another.  They came back saying they want to take short stroll to the pier before the dinner. 

Immediately and gladly to oblige, I show them where the pier is and the “Sala” where Deborah and me chill, along the way, we saw flying fish, monkey and hermit crab. That’s not all we have seen, we finally got to meet Phil and his puppet, beaker, posing on the tree. I swear this is the first time I saw someone so attentive to his puppet like his own baby. He even wants to write a children book about Beaker travelling around the world. He said Beaker is his traveling companion and he tailor made Beaker’s Chinese outfit in Hoi An, Vietnam.  He reminds me when I was young playing dress up with Barbie, except he is a grown up man. He then joins us for dinner uninvited.

After dinner, with the rest of my group lethargic resting in the room, I sign up for night tour in the forest. It’s incredible, one of the adventurous thing I’ve ever done. In the middle of the forest, pitch dark, listening to the symphony of the sound made by the animals, green and slim poisonous snake right in front of my eyes, scaring the shit out from my asshole!  Lucky me, I got to see the tree cat with eyes glow in the dark which is not often!

When I got back to the room, Phil continues to pester me on the RM$3 I’ve borrowed from him for the night tour. Of course, so persistently that he pester us till the following day, making plans to join us for the trek!

In the middle of the night, with all the fabulous 3 not asleep, we chat in depth about life and relationship, how I mention relationship is about Love and Companionship, without one another it doesn’t work and how backpacking can determine a relationship. The amount of time sticking to each other 24 hours, making decision and revealing each other living habits can make or break.

Slowly we fall asleep in between me faking Irish accent and Cam faking masturbation as man…

Kuching, 27th Apr – Beach, Sunshine & Movie…again

My days in Kuching are getting more laid back. Andrew has plan to go to the Damai Beach which seriously speaking, I didn’t make any plans on what to see or do before I came, except maybe wanting to go for Batik dyeing course. Nonetheless, when someone shows me enthusiastically about their plan, I go for it. So enthusiastic that we miss the 10am bus and not willing to wait for the next bus, we negotiate to get on the cab which I find out is really expensive but not as expensive as in Singapore to make me feel better. J If the other fabulous 2 join us, we might get the cab fare cheaper. Sadly, they are in the hospital doing some research or conducting interview.

When we arrive at the beach resort, there is a sense of tranquility. It’s not crowded and spacious for me to take in the beautiful view. I got change into my beach short, lying by the pool, play my indie music, relaxing and reading a book about a man whom backpacks for 10 years. Life can be so chill! I just need to do nothing and fill up my thoughts or imagination with a good book. Understanding life is easy but going through it is hard but who say we can’t do it with ease, grace and resilience in facing this life.

Just when the day can’t get any better, Cam and Imog join us for lunch. I don’t know if it’s me or maybe the girls aren’t into meat.  They seem to be ordering vegetarian every meal, which is nice, knowing they are people whom like vegetable as they are, not for the global warming or other altruistic reason, plainly the taste of vegetables. Just don’t offer them fish, not even seaweed snack I offer them. Both girls are repulse by fish, I wonder if they know there are other kinds of liquid that smell and taste “fishy”.  J

We chill by the pool for another few hours and when I got back, I almost can’t recognize myself in the mirror. I’m so tan, no I’m so dark. Well, Wi Ming says it looks good because now I look manlier!

Afetr the dinner, Andrew, Cam and Imog got so tired, they went back to bed. I suspect they have been exposing to too much sun, could be heat stroke. I decided to stay up longer to watch another movie, Untraceable with Nadia & Deborah.  This time round, the movie is too flawless for us for bitch about…

Kuching, 26th Apr –Nadia and Deborah Movie Night – “Uninhibited”

After a whirlwind last night, I decided to take it easy actually is more like take it slow, real slow since I’ve some work I’ve to attend too. So with the beautiful common room facing the river, I work on my design, contrary to the Facebook photos I’ve uploaded that makes my friend envy with green. I do have to work. I just work in different places, conducive atmosphere that boosts my creativity.  J

Just when I was taking it slow, a girl, Nadia, sat across my “work desk” chat up with me. She comes from Belarus, a country I seldom come across but on my research from my overland Europe trip 2013, I discover that’s the country I can cross in between from Russia to Europe. I find out she is now studying in Singapore, a fellow Scorpio which have her own sense of mind and directions. Vocal and not afraid to speak up, that reminds me of me except I’m the older and wiser :)

We then made plans for dinner and movie night at the guesthouse. Since I’m vegetarian, I decided to go separate ways and meet her back at the guesthouse. While I was choosing the movies, Deborah came in; she is from England but speaks wonderful Thai mainly because she is now teaching in Chiang Mai, She’ll be returning to Europe for another series of traveling. There is something about her that bonds both of us, her ideals about life, vagabond spirit (She sold her house and now traveling, living through the profits) or maybe because I’ve sense the strength from what she has undergo through in life most probably  greatest heartache that empathizes me.  

We went through a few movies together and decided to wait for Nadia to be back so we can vote democratically. We chose a Charlie Thereon Movie, which I can’t remember the title but soon realize Nadia have seen it before, then with me not picking that movie, they soon give me the right to choose the next movie, so I choose a suspense maybe horror movie, Uninhibited.

The horror movie soon turn into a comedy, hilarious commentary from Nadia and Deborah which makes me speechless, which I don’t usually does. Their bitchy comments or should I say their heavy weight critics burst into series of laughter.  At the end of the movie, Nadia has to read the review online which affirms our opinion for the movie, dim-witted actor and lousy plot! We’re surprise that the actor even acted in numerous movies!  Movie is sure an entertainment and I’m entertained by my 2 new found friends, with Joan River as inspiration! 

Kuching, 25th Apr – 5 lady boys, 1 drunkard & I’m no. 4

Within hours I’ve arrived in my guesthouse, Wo Jia , I got invited to the club from a bunch of English medical students doing an “elective” (placement) in Kuching. We hop into the car, drove by the guesthouse owner, Wi Ming to this club, The King’s Arm. That’s where I got to know more about Andrew, Camila and Imogen. Somehow the chemistry or my shamelessness of a lonely traveler got an invite to the Bako National park with 3 of them which make sense as the hostel they booked comes with 4 beds, besides saving cost, the alliance of the fantastic maybe not fantastic but Fabulous  four sure sounds like a blast!

When we step in, the music drums our ear which we can hardly hear each other, there is a DJ, most probably from Africa, judging from his accent, plays top 40 remix which is up to my alley. More diva please I hope. Thank goodness, after getting our drinks, they switch to live band performing top 20 hits, which make the room sound comprehendible.  Sheryl Crow, if it makes you happy was a stand out for me.

Since this night is where the medical students got their result, and perhaps they have been confined in Kuching for a while, they really let loose in the club! I seriously can’t believe for a moment, they are the doctors whom are going to save life in future. Well, I guess, doctors are still human with pleasure sensation.  We danced and harassed the DJ or at least Camila did, making sure the music is up for our enjoyment.

Half way through the night, one of the girl got really drunk and the lady boys which I fail to notice in the “straight” pub congregate on the dance floor dancing Let’s get loud by Jenifer Lopez. I think Andrew, Cam and Imogen are surprised to see the lady boys that they thought maybe they could get a picture with the lady boys like the orangutan in Kuching.

The girl which was flirting with an Italian Chinese guy becomes the scandal of the night. They even have to carry her back to the guesthouse.  I got back around 2am, not able to withstand sharing the dorm room with a doctor recovering from a bad leg injury applied with unbearable smelly traditional local herbs, odor that can be broken down into 43% sewage waste, 28% poo and lastly heavily decomposed body. I upgrade to a single room sleeping soundly, knowing my respiratory is not affected by pungent gas.

What a night to begin my Kuching trip!