Mountains, Orangutangs, Sea Turtles and Sharks!

Mount Kinabalu

Hello All!

Julie and I have loved Malaysia so much, that we've overstayed our "planned'' date, by 3 weeks! It's been amazing and exhausting!

Singapore was beautiful, I can't wait to return with a bit more money in my pocket! Last Friday, we flew to Kota Kinabalu, the Capital of Sabah (Borneo). We were up at 6am to catch a 2 hour taxi to Mount Kinabalu, where we met our "German Brothers" and prepared for the climb. Mount Kinabalu is the tallest Mountain in South East Asia, 4095 Meters high. We started our climb, with our guide Julius, at 11:30 AM. Although it is said that it is an "Easy mountain climb", it was definitely a challenge. The weather was beautiful for the first 3 KM, but then the sky opened up and it poured for the next 2 1/2 hours. The climb was a mixture of steep steps, rocks and slippery granite. We took a few much needed breaks during our 6KM climb. Our guide said that we were 'Very Fast Pace', and Julie had him convinced that I 'ran mountain marathons'....which he knew was a flat our lie after about 4 KM. With only 500 meters left, I really didn't think I had anything left in me. No Energy, my legs were shaky and I was really nauseous...but adrenaline kicks in and I pushed on. It took us 4hours, made it to the 'lodge' at 3:30.

We were all soaking wet and freezing cold, huddled together in our dorm room drinking Hot Chocolate and waiting for a hot shower. We were in bed by 7Pm, and I haven't slept so well in weeks! The alarm went off at 2:45am, and tiredly we all got out of bed and dressed in warm clothes (although most of them were still wet from the day before) for the rest of the climb (3KM). Most of the groups left between 2 am and 3 am. We were the last group to leave, at 3:40...and kept a really good (slow but steady!) pace to the summit. This climb was much more strenuous and relentless. We climbed the slippery and steep granite, in pitch black, using our head lamps to guide our way. There were ropes set up to help us up the 'tough' parts. It was so neat to look up and see a slow moving line of flash lights, snaking their way to the summit. Sunrise was at 6:30, and we were able to make it with a few minutes to spare. All of the pain, nausea and exhaustion disappeared. It was incredible, pictures just don't justify the beauty and feelings of pride and happiness to be sitting on this summit at that very moment. It was freezing, below zero, at the summit, and the Sunrise was all too quick... but it was worth it!

The next few hours were beautiful and relaxing. We let the 'crowd' of other climbers head down, while we took our time and watched the clouds roll in. We made it to the lodge to collect our things in a few hours, and Julie and I laid down and fell asleep instantly, for 1/2 hour before we continued to the bottom. Unfortunately it rained the entire 6 KM to the bottom of the mountain, but we carried on, all in high spirits!

We made our way back to Kota Kinabalu, had a much needed nap time. That night we celebrated the climb with some whiskey and beer. Saying goodbye to our German Brothers the next day, Julie and I woke up and did NOTHING. We could barely walk, so decided to have a relaxing day.

Tuesday, we took a 6 hour bus ride to Sipolok. Our bus driver stopped the bus in the middle of nowhere, pointed at us and said "There- 10 minutes"...what? So we got our bags and walked...and eventually found the "resort"....Basically a deserted 15 acre guesthouse...ghost town...with nothing to do, we went to bed early excited for the next day....

Orang Utans!! We went to the Orang Utan Rehabilitation Centre, only 1 of 4 in world. The Sanctuary takes in orphaned Orang Utans (which means Man of the Forest) and teaches them to survive, climb trees, hunt ect...before letting them go back into the Rainforest. We stayed for the day, watching two feedings and Julie and I did an few hour hike through the jungle. They were the most adorable things with incredible strength and each with his/her own personality! Loved it! Julie would have given ANYTHING to be able to be one of the guys doing the feedings.

The next day we made our way to Simporna, where we would be diving/snorkeling at the nearby Sipidan Island. Snorkeling was Incredible! I have never experienced ANYTHING like it! I was swimming along side Sea Turtles (bigger than me...not joking). I saw at sharks (eek!!), Giant Clams, Barracuda's, and swam for hours with thousands and thousands of different fish, (Some were enormous, also bigger than me). It was unbelievable, and makes me really want to get my SCUBA certificate...one day...when I have a bit more money!

Well, that's that. The only 'downer' I can think of is that I was attacked by mosquito's the other night. My whole body is covered and swollen. I counted yesterday, and I have over 75 bites (that I can see). I'm incredibly itchy...but hell, if that's the worst of my problems, than life is OK!

I will try to upload more pictures later on, this computer is too slow to do it now.

Hope everyone is doing well! Email me and let me know how you're all doing!

-Muah!

1 month in!

Well, Julie and I have been on quite an adventure! We left Cameron Highlands and made our way to Teman Negara, Malaysia's biggest and worlds oldest Rainforest. We signed up for a 3 day 2 night tour. Taking only our rain coats, change of t-shirt/shorts, water, sleeping bag/mat, dishes and bug spray we made our way into the jungle with our guide E (that's his name!) and 3 German guys, who have become our German Brothers. We took a 1.5 hour boat ride (in a perahu, or hollowed out tree trunk river boat) to our starting point.
As the perahu negotiated the murky waters of the Tembeling River, The jungle towered over me on either side and I found my self nervous and excited.

The first thing our guide said to us when we step off the boat and start into the jungle was "So, you're not too worried about leeches?"...all of us just stared down at our bare legs and low socks. I immediately changed out of my shorts and into pants...the others took the risk. Within seconds, we were all ripping the leeches off of our shoes. They were much smaller than I expected, but when they latched on...they weren't coming off without a fight. For the next 2 days, we were all on leech patrol. Julie lost the leech battle...Julie vs. Leeches: Julie 0 - Leeches 8.
The jungle hike was amazing. Sounds of birds, insects, monkeys...trekking through mud, over fallen trees, through creeks and flooded paths, in extreme heat. The thick forest canopy provided heavy shade for the lower vegetation, and protected us from the sun. The trekking wasn't too difficult, although at times I was completely out of breath. We trekked 8KM the first day, and made it to our sleeping destination...a Cave! The cave was unbelievable. It was 2-3 stories high and was so big with different sections, like rooms. We were guests to dozens of bats and rats. We ate dinner by a huge fire and told stories and played two truths and a lie to get to know our German brothers and our guide. I slept surprisingly well that night, although I made sure I was in the middle of the pack! Julie and I were desperately hoping to be woken up by elephants also hoping to sleep in the cave, but no such luck. We admired their footprints from previous nights in the morning and then continued on our way. We trekked another 8 KM on day two, very similar to the previous day...maybe hotter, if that was possible. We were disgusting, no point even bringing a change of clothing. For lunch, we stopped at a river, and had a beautiful swim. I was a nervous wreck the whole time. The water was too murky to see anything and I was sure a snake or something just as terrifying was swimming around my ankles, although E assured me everything was safe. Although we didn't see any large animals as we were hoping too, we could see evidence of their presence. We crossed many footprints and fresh poo. The jungle was so thick, that I couldn't help but feel they were all there, watching us...we just couldn't see them!
It started thundering later that afternoon, but luckily the rain held off until we were out of the jungle and back in the boat...because with rain brings more leeches! As the rain came down, I could only feel complete satisfaction looking into the jungle as we held on through the rapids of the river...The jungle seemed to tell me that it was hiding more secrets than we could discover in a lifetime.
It was wonderful!

The second night of our tour wasn't as exciting. We were supposed to sleep in a village with native Orangi villagers, but when we arrived, we realized that we weren't really going to have a night 'with' the villagers...more like 'alongside' the villagers. Our hut was off on it's own, we made our own dinner, and felt very awkward to be there. We all agreed that we weren't comfortable staying, so our guide took us back to the town, unfortunately Julie and I ended up staying at a hostel with no running water. We were so stinky and gross, but exhausted so went to bed hoping the water would be fixed by morning. Nope! So instead of a traditional shower, we threw on our bathing suites, filled a bucket of water with a water hose, and bathed each other. Hilarious!

Our last day in Teman Negara, we ventured on a canopy walk through the jungle. At first I was terrified as I moved warily along the walkway, holding on to the ropes for dear life. It seemed every time I looked down that the height of the walkway was much more than the proclaimed 90 feet above ground. It felt incredible to be so high up in the rainforest canopy, with the tops of the world’s tallest rainforest trees, tualangs, still towering another 100 feet above me.

After our Jungle excursion, we travelled with our German brothers to Jeruntut, where we were catching a 2:30 am train to Kulahn, and then making our way to Palau Tioman island. We arrived in Jeruntut at 4:30pm and with 10 hours to kill, I thought we were doomed for a long and boring night...but i was proved wrong! We had great night of KFC (the only thing open for dinner!), Many beer, A Dice drinking game played on a bench on the side of the road, and a Karyoke Dance Party for 2 hours that left us running for our train! Julie and I were quite a mess getting off the train, but eventually made our way to Palau Tioman.

We took a 2 hour ferry across the North China Sea to the island, and i can honestly say I've never seen water so beautiful and clear. We spent the next 3 days enjoying beautiful weather on the beach, swimming alongside fish in 30 degree water (like a bath!), and eating fresh BBQ'd fish for dinners. Julie went diving one morning and saw Dolphins from the boat (so jealous!) and sea turtles in the water!!

We are currently in Singapore, and loving it. Although it is pretty expensive, similar to home, it is so beautiful. I can't wait to come back here one day with a few extra dollars in my pocket! We just enjoyed a Romantic meal at the Boat Quay, overlooking the water sipping Singapore Slings. I am in heaven...enjoying every second of my trip! I'll write again soon! I hope everyone is doing well, please email me with updates! Miss you all! -muah

Some Pictures!

Me holding a Scorpion...obviously terrified. Julie says: best face ever!
Julie and I overlooking a Tea Platation in Cameron Highlands

Face to Face with a Face at the Ankgor Tomb Temple

Look at more pictures on mine and Julie's facebook!! Takes too long to post them on here.

Malaysia Truly Asiaaaaa!

Hello!! It's been a while...I have so much to tell you!
So last I wrote, were were in Siahnookville, the coast of Cambodia, in torrential downpours. The rain didn't stop the whole time we were there! On our last day there, we went to a not for profit organization called the Starfish Project, where we enjoyed the rain in a cafe type atmosphere, sipping tea, reading books and getting massages. It was very peaceful and the massage was amazing...a little rough (Thai Style massage, where they do a lot of stretching/pulling of your limbs), but relaxing.

On the 2nd, we returned to Phnom Pehn, where we said goodbye to Julie's friend Laura. We hung out in Phnom Pehn for a few days, basically trying to get out of the country. All of the airlines websites were down, and they don't do phone bookings. We ended up having to go to the airport and book our ticket...which was an adventure in itself...we decided to pass up a Tuk Tuk (motor bike attached to a buggy) for a Motto (motorbike)...so Our driver, Julie and I squished onto the bike and made the 8 KM hike to the airport.

We flew to Kuala Lumpur Malaysia on the 3rd. The city was far more developed than I was expecting....but I have really only seen Cambodia up until this point, which is the poorest country in South East Asia. Kuala Lumpur at night is beautiful, with many lights up and down the streets and on all of the buildings and skyscrapers. We stayed in ChinaTown for 3 nights, only a 10 minute sky train ride from downtown. In Kuala Lumpur we went to the Lake Gardens, and experienced the Bird Park and the huge Orchid Gardens. The Bird Park was amazing! So many different birds...like Ostriches, Pelicans, Toucans, Parrots, Flamingos, Owls...many endangered species.
We also spent a day walking around downtown Kuala Lumpur, seeing the Petrona towers (largest Skyscrapers in the world) but were unable to go up them, because the tours for the day were closed. We did go up the Menara Tower (4th tallest communication tower), where we could see all of the city and beyond.
Malaysia is a combination of Chinese, Indian and Muslim Cultures...so their is many choices for food! one night, Julie and I went to an Indian cuisine, and I ordered noodles (thinking it was a safe bet). I took my first bite and thought I was going to die...it was the spiciest food I've ever eaten...people were laughing at me in the restaurant, b/c they could tell I couldn't handle the spiciness....but, with a lot of water, I was able to eat about 1/4 of my meal!!!

We are now in Cameron Highlands, it is much cooler here than anywhere else we've been...set high in the Mountains, it is Tea Country, with thousands of Acres of tea Plantations. It is absolutely gorgeous...
Julie and I went on a few solo hikes through the thick forest/jungles...and had the best experience!! We saw a troop of Monkeys, jumping from tree to tree. There were probably 10 of them...they were quite big, grey, long tailed and black faces. So great!
Today (October 9th) we went on a country side tour to visit a tea plantation and tea factory, a huge rose/flower garden, honey bee farm, strawberry fields (where I had the most heavenly home made, fresh strawberry ice-cream!), and butterfly farm. The butterfly farm had unexpected surprises, like snakes, frogs, tarantulas, ginormous beetles and scorpions....and the guide (with Julie's help) MADE ME hold a scorpion...I almost peed my pants. The picture Julie took of me is hilarious...I am utterly terrified!

Tomorrow we are on our way to Malaysia's biggest National Park...Taman Negara. We are going to do a 3 day, 2 night Jungle Exploration....ahhhhh! I guess if I wasn't traveling with Julie, I probably wouldn't be experiencing the 'animal side' of South East Asia....I'm actually really excited!

I hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving...Julie and I shared a large plate of French Fries...jealous?
Email me to let me know how your doing and what you're up to! meaghandodgson@gmail.com
Also, if you want to see Julie's blog, it is: www.juliesasianadventures.blogspot.com