Advertisement
Published: December 19th 2008
Edit Blog Post
Malaysia gained its independence in 1963 and we are going to Borneo which forms part of the Malaysian Semanjung (Pennisula) to try to reflect on our lives - each of us have our own experiences and problems but hopefully we can try and come to terms with them.
We made it to the jungle on four long boats loaded to the hilt with our belongings and enough supplies to last us all for the week. It took about 1 1/2hrs up river, which was such an amazing experience, the scenery, the culture, the air, everything was just breathtaking. I knew from this moment that I was going to love every minute of this journey.
Brian would have been so proud of me today, 29th November 2008, I climbed to the highest point in the Batang Ai area, Bukit Janang and it was 1000m from sea level.
After about 30 minutes into the walk I stopped and thought, I can't do this - my legs and ankles were in such much pain, the sweat was pouring down my face, my heart was pounding and I felt sick.......I just can't go on. My emotions overwhelmed me and the tears just
rolled down my cheeks - I felt such a failure. Sharon's eyes welled up and we just hugged. I told Francis that I couldn't do it and would be returning home. Everyone said just take it wasy, take lots of water and rest, they were all so kind and supportive towards me. I was so anxious - would I make it? but then Sue spoke to me and encouraged me to continue, so I did! I am so grateful for her words of encouragement, because if she hadn't, together with Sharon's support, I would never have done it. I hated the thought of holding everybody up, but I didn't, Sharon and I went at a slower pace, and Alan, bless him, stayed at the back to make sure we were ok!
I have to say it took all my strength and determination to get to the top, I don't think there was a part of my body that didn't hurt. In the almost silence of the jungle just the sunlight breaking thorugh had me wondering whether I was daydreaming or awake. I just kept pinching myself to say I'm really here and keep walking girl!! After trekking for 3
Cheeky
Iban tribe young boy in the long house hours, making several pit stops to regain our composure! I made it...............ELATION. Then of course came the trip down.............which was equally as difficult, I came down at least half of the way on my bottom, ruining my trousers but god it was worth it!!! We had to hold onto vines and slide down steep inclines, mud and very slippery leaves. All ten of us made it, my god it felt good. We all worked together as a team - all from different walks of life and ages.
I felt so privileged to have been able to enter the Longhouse where six large families live together. They made us feel so welcome in the home, they gave us tea, fruit and taught us how to weave baskets and mats. The younger lads would come to our Longhouse in the evenings and play cards with us, they were so hospitable. They weren't as I expected, but it fascinated me how they managed with so little and how they helped each other so much.
On the 30th November we were told that the lady who came to help us "Ibu", her husband was terminally ill with cancer and had taken a
turn for the worst. About 3 that night I awoke with a horrible feeling that this poor man had passed away. The following day at breakfast the announcement was made that he had died about 2 that morning. Tears did fall as I remembered how I felt at the moment 19 months ago, my thoughts were with this poor woman, she was only 5 years older than me.
I think that we have all learnt from this, that we all have problems, big and small - but we have to let them go and do some soul searching and try to reflect on the good times in our lives and how we can make positive changes on our return.
I have met quite a few young girls on my travels and I have to say that what they lacked in experience, they certainly made up for it with enthusiasm and dedication. I am so proud of them, they know who they are!
Later that night I sat watching the waves crashing against the rocks, the strong current pulling with it everything in its path and I knew then that no-one would ever love me as Brian did.
Face of Wisdom
Grandmother in long house He is here with me, that little yellow butterfly!Thank you Brian, you are my soul mate.
Once you've experienced this bit of heaven you just don't want to leave. I could build my dreams here overlooking the lake where the only thing that comes out to play is the wind, which gently blows across my face. What I have experienced from this trip is worth much more than gold.
"If you have a house it may burn down, any kind of possession can be lost, but your experiences are yours for ever - find a way to keep them and a way to use them.
I don't know how or even if I will be able to cope returning the UK, to civilisation. I have had so much time to sit and think and reflect on my life, as it was, as it is now, I am trying to get my priorities right. Is it better to have less and be happy or have more and be unhappy? I have asked myself this question over and over again?
I hope by the time I finish my entire trip I will know the answer?
Advertisement
Tot: 0.124s; Tpl: 0.012s; cc: 15; qc: 66; dbt: 0.0639s; 1; m:domysql w:travelblog (10.17.0.13); sld: 1;
; mem: 1.2mb