All my life I've only spoken of & dreamed of doing things that I see on TV:
- Bungee jumping
- Sphereing/globe-riding/zorbing
- Para-sailing
- Sky diving
- Jungle trekking
- Exploring caves (Oh wait. I've done that one. Gua Tempurung's cekap Tour 4. Must try!)
But well, since I came to Sabah, I must admit that I haven't been through half of what most of my friends have experienced. So, I finally did something super amazing...
White water rafting!!!
Even after hearing scary comments about people drowning and dying from hitting some rocks, I knew I just had to try this at least once. (And also the fact that all my friends who's been there made it back alive-lah)
Even the journey to Padas river was amazing. We took a 2++ hour bus ride, followed by a train ride on one of the most ancient steam engines ever! We started 'conquering' the river around 1 but praise God it wasn't a very sunny day. It even rained half-way through. (Knew I should have worn my contacts) There were hilarious moments e.g. when we were having our raft battles with other rafts. And then therewere plain scary times when it felt like we were all gonna 'lose' to the river's rapids. But our raft's guide - Misol was just this really calm and fantastic dude with an amazing voice, an admirable knowledge of the river, and a penchant for pushing people, especially yours truly, off the raft. Only when we were at calm waters of course, no worries. I did NOT almost die. =) Thank God I didn't end up as another statistic on the 2009 Padas river casualties.
The intensity of the rapids were varied with some level 3's and level 2's along with way way too much of calm waters where we trained our biceps and triceps during paddling. (Note: to any physically not-so-active-girls who want to try this, either go during rainy season to reduce paddling, or share your raft with 6 other strong, valiant guys with big biceps and are willing to endure your screaming). We paddled what seemed like a never ending length of Padas river but which was in fact only about 19km with a break in between for a yummy buffet lunch. But perhaps we were all just so tired already that a break and ANY food would seem like a 5-star gourmet meal. :p But to do the food some justice, it really was finger-licking. =) Except the mee-hoon.
The final 9km after lunch was especially excrutiating for me, what with a full tummy and well, I guess the note in the previous paragraph was actually meant for me. My raft had 4 guys albeit not so muscly ones, and 3 girls including myself. Eeleen did just fine with her being so fit and all. But KS and I took turns with the workload. It was a great team though. With about 20 hands reaching out for each other every time the water got a little rough and the cekap singing sessions during the endless paddling. It was hilarious how the singing automatically transforms into screaming when we reach the rapids. It goes something like "It's a love story, baby just say ye-argh!!!!"
For pictures and more accurate details, please refer to my dear friend and raft-mate Eeleen's blog. I can't be bothered to load all those pictures, even if they're only pictures about one of the most cekap things I've been through. :p I actually do think I might go experience it again, some time when it's raining cats and dogs, making the water level much higher and thus giving the rapids a more dangerous feel... And increasing chances of the raft capsizing! =D
The intensity of the rapids were varied with some level 3's and level 2's along with way way too much of calm waters where we trained our biceps and triceps during paddling. (Note: to any physically not-so-active-girls who want to try this, either go during rainy season to reduce paddling, or share your raft with 6 other strong, valiant guys with big biceps and are willing to endure your screaming). We paddled what seemed like a never ending length of Padas river but which was in fact only about 19km with a break in between for a yummy buffet lunch. But perhaps we were all just so tired already that a break and ANY food would seem like a 5-star gourmet meal. :p But to do the food some justice, it really was finger-licking. =) Except the mee-hoon.
The final 9km after lunch was especially excrutiating for me, what with a full tummy and well, I guess the note in the previous paragraph was actually meant for me. My raft had 4 guys albeit not so muscly ones, and 3 girls including myself. Eeleen did just fine with her being so fit and all. But KS and I took turns with the workload. It was a great team though. With about 20 hands reaching out for each other every time the water got a little rough and the cekap singing sessions during the endless paddling. It was hilarious how the singing automatically transforms into screaming when we reach the rapids. It goes something like "It's a love story, baby just say ye-argh!!!!"
For pictures and more accurate details, please refer to my dear friend and raft-mate Eeleen's blog. I can't be bothered to load all those pictures, even if they're only pictures about one of the most cekap things I've been through. :p I actually do think I might go experience it again, some time when it's raining cats and dogs, making the water level much higher and thus giving the rapids a more dangerous feel... And increasing chances of the raft capsizing! =D
Here's ONE picture for my very long, rambling-fied post.
Notice how the people in front are screaming? That's because they can see how terrifying it is. But I say why worry right? I'm at the back trying to look for fish in the water.. ;)
See you again some day Padas!
And now, for some advertising: check out http://www.borneoultimate.com.my/2009/?tag=padas-rafting
