The day I played amongst the clouds, and walked on land above it.. - Part 2

I have at least 5 blog drafts that I've not revisited to complete. This blog, I am determined to complete all three installations of them.

Time passed by as quickly as it could and before long, it was (T-1) to departure day. I've advised my boss quite well ahead of time of my endeavour so he's ready when I told him that I'll be leaving the office for 4 days. Our office ni kecik la sangat. Manpower is so very limited and although we are a dependable duo, having two heads doing work is better than just one. With one head away in the clouds (literally!), the one that remains will have to handle the load. We weren't sure of the telephone reception where we're headed (I might not be able to follow you..) and kept our fingers crossed.
It didn't help either that there was a huge blunder the day before departure due to a misquote of a client's air ticket, a mistake I realised after payment has been deposited. Better too late than sorry, I had to make clarification as well as rectification on the situation.
The night before departure was spent packing up on items that I think I should bring including post-climb items such as extra t-shirts and pants, socks, ding dongs, yeah, the works. I was made to sleep (by mummy.. haha..) early although they were happily watching tv in the room. Have to, since flight departs at 0730 which means that we'd have to be at the airport by 0600.
I just couldn't sleep. I was tossing around and even before my alarm was triggered at 0400, I was already awake. Got up, showered and packed my toiletteries (which was just the Eumora bar), got dressed and went down. Texted Jabir to inform him that I was ready and waited at the front door. It's a weird thing, travelling alone, even at my age. It's not like I've never been to airports on my own- heck, I worked at 3 different international airports! - but travelling is another thing. I remembered to salam with my parents the night before so I left in the morning with an open heart, at peace should anything happen.
Jabir arrived about 0505 and we headed straight for KL-CAT. Upon arrival, waited for Ayun to arrive before we bought train tickets. We wanted to check-in at KL-CAT but we had less than 2 hours before departure and had luggage to check-in as well so decided to do it at KLIA. Paid the ticket, took the train and off we went to KLIA. On the train, Ayun managed to check with the other guys on their whereabouts. 2 of us flew AirAsia that morning and another 2 were flying MAS on the same flight but travelling seperately.
Arrived at KLIA, checked-in and went for an early bf at KFC. Nothing to shout about la their breakfast meals. Met Itik and Idi after breakfast and after a short ciggie break, went in. On that flight were Itik, Idi, Ayun, Jabir and I. Already in KK and spending the night at Hyatt were Izzat and Own. Also in KK but not in Hyatt was Pelat. On AA were Capoi, Mantat and Farouk.

We boarded the flight in good time. Had a short stroll pass the policeman and the scanners without much problem. I've always made a practice of emptying my pockets whenever I arrive at those scanners ever since I worked at the airport. It's better to get it right the first time than to have to queue again, something I learnt in Dubai. Dubai police aren't as forgiving as Malaysian ones although they do lighten up once they knew I was Malaysian.

Racist. Haha..

We're kinda the later few to arrive at the boarding gate since the hall and the aerobridge was already empty by the time we got there. Put both phones out of reception, scanned my boarding pass and boarded the plane. The flight to KK wasn't that full but there weren't that many seats free to move around. The three of us, Jabir, Ayun and I sat together while Idi sat with Itik, by the emergency exit. To Itik's disappointment, he couldn't recline his seat. Apa la, kerusi rosak pulak he thought, to only realise that it's a sort of safety mechanism they have at emergency exits. Ye la, kalau orang kat emergency exit dok seronok tido sampai tak sedar apa-apa, sapa la pulak nak bukak pintu tu kalau ada emergency?

The cabin crew served us our meals about 45 minutes into the flight and throughout the meal, we had lots of references towards Mantat. Ayun gave his piece of something, Jabir a little something else and I snapped pictures of the bountiful goods that was complimentary on MAS. Since we were travelling well above cloud level, there's not much to be seen apart from fluffy clouds and the horizon.

The flight started on its descent 30minutes before due time and that was when I saw land once more, in the shape of capes and shores and deltas brown with mud. Took snaps here and there with the phone (I chose not to bring the camera, one less gadget to take care of). After a short while, I started to make out the shape of Kinabalu on the horizon and at that instant, my focus changed from the ground to the mountain. It was magnificient with clouds looming above it and greenery covering its feet.

In my awe looking at Kinabalu, I didn't realise that we were fast approaching the tarmac and all of a sudden (and yes, it was quite a jerk, that landing), we were on the ground, braking on the runway, zooming past AirAsia's terminal towards the main terminal building.

The day I played amongst the clouds, and walked on land above it.. - Part 1

It was a surprise that I took up the challenge of climbing Mount Kinabalu. I have never been a climber and never scaled any hills unless assisted by a motorised vehicle thus the declaration I made one fine February night to my parents surprised them no less.

I have always been a creature of the sea. I swim, I go kayaking, I snorkel. Well, I puked as well, while snorkelling but that's a different story to tell. I enjoy being in the water more than being in the mountains and after I left RMC, I didn't return to the jungle even once. I had no experience climbing mountains but hikes, I did. I thought, it's Kinabalu and it's guided. It's doable.

There goes the first lesson in embarking on a new adventure: NEVER underestimate.

I was on a budget, still am therefore Kinabalu at first, wasn't an option. The guys were actively talking about the climb some days after The Royal 10th Thoroughbred's 20-years anniversary and being in the forum, I read and took mental notes. As I am in the travel industry, I one day decided to open my fat mouth and offered to get them bookings for the flight to Kota Kinabalu. As fate has said it, my offer for ticket booking was mistaken as an indication to climb and I decided then that I should.

From that moment on begins my journey towards scaling Mount Kinabalu, located in a state I've never been to, at a height I've never been at and walking a distance I've not walked for a good 16 years.

First on my list of to-buy items were airline tickets, without which all preparations would have resulted in a nought and with which there should be no excuses not to go. Ada la juga dilly dally but the shock came from Ayun who informed that the airfare has been steadily increasing and what used to be RM200+- for a return fare is now RM400+-. I checked for the price online and made the purchase there and then. RM466 for a return flight is quite alright. I bought AirAsia tickets for Farouk and Razman at RM172 return. Banyak beza but we get service and what nots too. Whatever it is, forward we move!

Next on the list of to-buys were a pair of shoes. I have shoes for every sports and occasion that I involve myself in but yes, climbing wasn't one of those occasions. So off I went to scout for shoes with the help of Zahirah and her contact. Zahirah worked at RSH for a period of time so I reckon I could get some good stuff off RSH for a good price and I was not disappointed. Bought me a Merrel (original price RM329) for RM197.40. OK, most important items purchased.

Played sports, did rope exercises at home early mornings (until we started moving things from the ground floor into my room and the room becomes a store once more) and had intentions of going to the gym which remained intentions.

Then Razman proposed the idea of having an event t-shirt. Razman has been known as the t-shirt guy of some sort, being center in many of our t-shirt making history since college and we took up the idea almost immediately! Seeing how time was then short, we left the designing, material and miscellaneous stuff for him to settle. It turned out wonderful, our t-shirt was bright orange and very distinct. Someone even remarked that we looked like hashers :P

Further to the list of items to bring/buy/borrow were knapsacks, socks, t-shirts, towel, water bottle, gloves, snow cap/balaclava, head lamps, rain coat, track bottoms and what nots. I brought my knapsack, socks, t-shirts, towel, my beloved and dedicated water bottle (bought 2 years ago and has since been providing good service), as well as track bottoms and an extra pair of shoes. The shoes were my mother's idea, she being wary shud the Merrel crack open. I borrowed my brother's virgin go-kart gloves and bought a balaclava (checkout my profile picture on fb with the balaclava on!), head lamp and rain coat.

We were told to pack light and as light as I could I packed. It was light enough I bet since it didn't incur any excess baggage for my checked-in baggage which I originally wanted to pull along.

Part two will begin soon!

Achoo!

Hahaha.. dah kena tegur dah, blog tak berjaga, terbiar dan bersemak samun serta habuk. Ada je niat dan gerak hati yang kata nak kena updatekan tapi niat tu tinggal niat je la. Until today. It's not really a fruitful day that calls for a celebration but it was a day that was and made me want to write.

I've been wanting to write about music, its lyrics and what music filtration/censorship is to me. I had a feedback/comment recently about the songs that I liked listening to because it is said to be so unmanly. Oh, that posting is here.

Yeah, Shontelle? It's funny, I know, that a guy listens to a get-well-picker-upper-chick-song as compared to the more manly type songs but hey, I now look forward to the time the radio DJs play Taylor Swift's Love Story. Yes, it drives my head up high in stories of fairy tale endings, imagining how things would turn out for 'Romeo' and 'Juliet' and sing in my croaky voice, drumming on air/lap/steering wheel and smiling.

I'd rather do silly than do dangerous.

Dangerous would be this. It seems very fluid and mostly righteous with lots of useful messages singing out loud preaching for peace and harmony and to end rampant killings. It's all good. Except that they chose to have the line, which is just not right. I was watching TV some years back and on it was one of those AF concerts. As they sang this song, they put their hands together and palms facing up "Father, father, father help us, send some guidance from above," That too, choreographed by a Muslim instructor.

Artistic expression does not precede religion, in whatever sense.

So yes, while I may not love all sappy love songs, I'd rather listen to them than to songs that contains elements of khurafat, idol worshipping and what nots else. And I recommend that you listen to the lyrics carefully each time you hear a song played.