Stephan called me, "where are you, vincent?". "I am here already, sir". And I met stephan
the organiser of our trip. We walked towards a crowd of people whom I at once knew would
be part of my team.
We departed for johor bahru and arrived at the customs around 3pm to face a preposterously
long queue. We were Squashed and sanwiched between sticky perspiring bodies packed in a
poorly ventilated sauna. I was in the queue beside christopher and we both wondered if we
might actually collapse through asphyxiation before we even reach our destination.
Centimeter by centimeter we inched our way towards the custom gates as I gasped for air
arduously, battling with malodor and malicious people trying to cut our queue. As the crowds swell under the scorching mid day heat, we were almost sizzling like tunas packed in a rectangular fish tank, vertiginous and driven to the edge of delirium. In our heat-stroked semiconscious state we gazed despondently at the several air-conditioners installed in the enclosure, gathering dust.
40 minutes crept by before we could finally taste the fresh air once again and proceed to
the awaiting cushioned seats that were cooled and cordially eager to embrace us in the
travel coach.
The bus ride on the way to Negeri Sembilan near Kuala Lumpur, about 300km away from JB
took longer than I thought. On the way there we stopped by a string of outlets providing
refreshments for ones like us on a long journey. To my horror I realised I left my money
pouch back at home.
As such I resigned myself to try and borrow some cash later when I need to eat. Trying to avoid spending, I reframed from buying anything at the rest point. Mr Stephan was extremely kind and generous and treated me to a drink and some food even after much refusal. There I spoke with some of the other members of our team, Sharon, Elaine, Ester among others.
I realised I was in the company of such nice, pleasant people, quite unlike any i've met before. There seem to be this air of hospitality and acceptance about them which is pretty unique. There was sincerity in the conversations and a curiousity I seldom see bestowed upon strangers. I felt very blessed to have come to this trip, albeit alone.
A short while later we were all back on the bus. Zipping our way along wide to narrow roads winding between a vast seemingly endless expanse of palm tree plantations. Seated alone in a corner at the very end of the bus, I gazed with ataraxis at the passing scenery. Rows upon rows of palm trees stretch out into the never ending distance. Obscuring the view as the bus passes by at an angle, only to reveal a seemingly abysmal depth that blends into utter darkness as the bus passes perpendicular to the rows of trees.
After 2 hours of travel we arrived at Desa Inn, Kuala Pilah in Negeri Sembilan. Nestled in the middle a rundown town which host a scattering of shop houses. We made ourselves comfortable in the Inn before moving out to have our much awaited dinner.
Across the street, right in the middle of the roads sprawled hawkers selling all sorts of local delights. Under the dim street lamps and curious eyes peering from windows over our heads we dined. Sitting in the open air, shrouded with the aroma of frying chicken wings under a bright moon gleaming in the night sky, there was something of simplicity about the setting that was strangely reassuring.
I bought some goodies back to last the night and some chocolate bars to encourage me for
the journey come the next day. That night, I slept earlier than usual. Perhaps the hours of journey wore me down. Or perhaps, for once I had nothing to worry about. Or maybe because there was only smallville on TV.
~Beep Beep BEEP~! [6am]
I awoke to find myself incubating under a mass of blankets in a freezer as the airconditioner blasted away all night. I crawled out of bed and slided opened the balcony door to feel the warm air.
Chris was awake by then and washing up. I sat by the balcony listening to the morning sounds of
huming machines and singing crickets. Glancing down I could see all the shops still closed and not a car in sight. The streets were empty! Life in the slow lane.We had breakfast at a nearby coffee shop serving chinese food. The morning sky by now was dancing with swifts darting to and from their nests. Filling the air with the orchestra of chirping melody. Walking along the sheltered shop houses I saw this swift nest bustling with activity. The sound of young swiftlets belying their hidden sanctuary.
Before long, we were once again in the bus. On our way to the base of Gunung Angsi...
