Part 59: Tough decisions....
I really did lose track of time for the next day or two in the camp. Immersing myself completely in the surroundings, and fully settling into a decent routine. If I wasn't blog writing or chilling in the hammock, then I'd be conversing with my new friends and exploring the jungle.
Here was a place, that once you get past the few minor inconveniences, and creepy crawlies, wasn't anywhere near as bad as I thought it would be, and an experience I would thoroughly recommend to anyone looking to get away from the hustle and bustle of life.
The food was always healthy and plentiful, the company was great, surrounded in stunning rich forestation, and bathing in the waterfall was amazing - seriously, whats not to like.
My last day was met with sadness at departing Lupa Masa, but inevitably it was time to head back, so after packing my bags and saying my thank you's and goodbyes, me Dan and Christine began the trek back to Poring.
None of us were entirely sure how we were going to get back to Kota Kinabalu from there yet, so we negotiated with one of the locals there for a lift in a pick up truck, which at least meant a direct route back instead of changing bus several times - we got quite lucky.
The road was another picturesque winding one all the way down the mountain, taking just over 4 hours with traffic.
It did feel a bit strange soon as we got back, reintegrating into the hectic busy city, and for a moment I really missed the reclusiveness of the camp.
We booked back into the Bunibon hostel for the night, and I had some tough decisions to make regarding my travel plans.
It had been months since my journey began which had passed by so quickly, and since there was no set time frame, I thought about extending my stay in Asia, even considering going back to the Philippines, but unfortunately the typhoon season was underway and it only gets worse from now on in till christmas.
My return flight to England was in 2 days from Singapore but it was a flexible return that could be changed at short notice.
I couldn't make up my mind what to do but deep down the correct decision was to return home. There were several complex loose ends that needed resolving back in the UK regarding my old businesses, giving me no alternative but to return. There was no way possible I could deal with that whilst away. Unquestionably once those were sorted I would continue my journey and be back as quickly as possible - just a few more of life's challenges to deal with.
Now with that in mind I had to get to Singapore from Borneo to make my flight back, but one thing I forgot to consider was the end of Ramadan and the festive celebrations of Eid, meaning all flights out of Kota Kinabalu were fully booked - especially with it being predominantly a muslim country.
The only flight available was to Kuala Lumpur the following night which meant I had to get to Singapore from there. Again all flights to Singapore from KL were also fully booked.
After some online research the only alternative was to get a bus south down the Malaysian peninsula, which would take approx 6 hours.
The problem I then had was this only gave me a window of 2 hours to get to the airport in Singapore to make my flight.
There was no point in worrying because this was my only realistic option to get home.
I did all my packing and organising before going out on my last night with Dan, nothing too crazy, just lots of talking and arranging where and when we would meet again.
I had met so many new friends since being away with contacts all over the world, and Dan would be one friend I would most definitely be seeing again.
The following day there was the pre travel nerves, but my reaction to them was noticeably different than before. Of course the anxiety about making my Singapore flight weighed heavily on my mind - time would tell if the 2 hour window would be long enough.
Bags packed, passport and travel documents checked, goodbyes said and I was on my way to the airport.
No drama to report on my 3 hour flight to Kuala Lumpur either, which landed around midnight - not the best of times really, especially because I had to get across the city to one of 4 bus stations, then get my bus to Singapore, and I did not know which one. The clock was ticking and against me, but luckily I made it by a combination of MRT's to the correct station in time for the super modern and comfy bus with the best reclining seats ever!
Constantly looking at my watch to keep a track of time, not helped by the ridiculous amounts of road works almost all the way there and not knowing how far from the airport the bus would drop me - as well as being stopped by Singapore border control.
One of the officers bizarrely asked me if I liked to get 'high'?!? And searched my backpack delaying me even further - this was going to be a close call.
When I was allowed back on the bus I went to the front to speak with the driver asking how far the airport was. Unbelievably he stopped the bus and flagged me down a cab explaining it was the only way I'd get there on time. It was pretty decent of him to do that, if not a little disconcerting being dumped off in the middle of nowhere. Thankfully the taxi he got me pulled up to the airport about an hour before my flight, any later and I would have missed it for sure - nothing like a little stress to get the old juices flowing.
Whilst checking in, the airline informed me my flight would be making an unscheduled stopover in Shri Lanka before flying on to Dubai, then back to England, and this is where it got interesting because the stop in Dubai was a layover of 23 hours meaning it would take me 3 days to get home, not including the time it took me to get here from Kota Kinabalu so far!!
Apparently the airline emailed me about the changes so I couldn't kick up a stink.
The airport security then stopped me, again asking if I had smoked any weed and asked me to explain in detail where I had come from so far, not like I was in a rush to make my plane or anything - they eventually let me go after quizzing me for about 15 minutes.
The flight to Shri Lanka was 4 hours plus another 6 hours waiting at Colombo airport, then onwards to Dubai. One bonus was a delicious traditional Shri Lankan curry though.
And watching an incredible blood red sunrise over the desert from 35000 ft - it was magnificent!
I was starting to really feel the tiredness kick in now especially since I've never been much of a sleeper on aeroplanes.
We landed in Dubai at 7.30am and I did not have a clue what I was going to do for a day whilst waiting for my flight to UK, and with this place not exactly being a cheap place to hang out it would pose a challenge to occupy myself.
I was not dressed appropriately either and since my main luggage was on the plane, my outfit would have to do, plus all my tattoos were in full view and wondered if the cross on my leg would offend anyone.
Nevertheless I headed out in the 120 degree scorching morning heat to kill some time, immediately getting several disgruntled looks from
smartly dressed Arabic men in thawb's.
Although interesting to see the city first hand, this wasn't exactly my kind of place in all honesty - and whilst I could fully appreciate the magnificent structures and buildings, it seemed almost a bit soulless to me, but I would reserve judgement since there was only so much one could see in the limited time I had.
It was even more uncomfortable on the MRT making my way to see the Burge Khalifa, the worlds tallest building. Now this was a hugely impressive structure visible from almost anywhere in Dubai.
The heat was almost unbearable out side so I headed towards an air conditioned mall, and it was here where I was questioned by police and security for not wearing suitable attire and they searched my bags, questioning me on my medicated valium tablets that needed a prescription form apparently - which of course I could not find.
The officers briefly detained me and confiscated my meds lecturing me to cover up; shorts and singlets where not suitable they said. Luckily after a telling off, they let me go - but I had to cover up some of my tattoos.
By now I was so tired after being up for nearly 2 days, and the heat was draining what little energy I had left.
The best thing I could think of was to search for somewhere to sleep, not easy unless I spent a fortune.
There was a cheap hotel quite away from the center in the Somalian district within my budget, and after counting what little money I had left, took a cab there.
The warning bells should have been ringing when we drove around for nearly 45 mins trying to find it, especially when the cabby had to call the hotel who sent someone to fetch me.
This young Somalian guy led me through a couple of back streets, then a kitchen!! and finally down an alley way to a really dodgy looking hotel seemingly inaccessible via road. No wonder the taxi driver couldn't find it!
This was all a bit worrying to say the least, but being so tired all I could think of was the bed.
A friendly Somalian lady welcomed me with a huge smile, then showed me a mouldy smelling room which was not the best I'd seen. Her over enthusiastic approach was almost making me feel guilty. I just smiled back, thanking her several times before finally closing the door - now I could finally rest.
The flight to London was at 1230am and the time was now 4pm which would give me time to get the sleep that my body was so desperate for.
Then without another moments notice, I sank into the bed fully clothed and fell fast asleep.
Next thing I could remember was a knock at my door - waking groggily, drooling on my pillow completely disorientated, and not even being aware of where I was for a few strange moments, before I staggered out of bed to answer the door - there was a tall man stood there, he just looked at me for a second.
'I'm so sorry, wrong room' he said apologetically in a strong Arabic accent. It was a confusing moment because I was still half asleep.
Then I looked at my watch, double taking, blinking and looking again - it was 10.30pm. Only 2 hours before my flight home. I'd slept for nearly 7 hours straight!!!
Luckily that random man knocking on my door woke me or I'd have missed the plane, no question.
I panicked because now it was going to be yet another close call and race against time to get to the airport - quickly gathering my things, not even having time for a shower, I ran down stairs to check out, asking the lady if she could book me a taxi to the airport to which she said no - great!!
There wasn't much time to play with let alone argue, so I settled the bill and headed back towards where the cab dropped me off. It was so hot outside and I tried to find a taxi in the vicinity which was proving anything but easy. Even asking a couple of passers by; no luck.
This wasn't a touristy area by any means, hence why there no cabs around.
I decided in my wisdom that the best thing to do was head towards the city along the duel carriage way in the hope I could flag one down, even though it was pitch black outside.
Anxious moments at airports seem to be my speciality on this trip and this was shaping up to be yet another close call. I carried on walking for about 20 mins as cars whizzed by. With my thumb out, and looking over my shoulder I noticed a car slow down and pull over just behind me - luckily it was a cab.
This wasn't the time to have any doubts or suspicions, so I just got in and said 'airport please'
The air con was heaven, but I could barely hear my self think as the driver was pumping out loud Arabic music!
I suddenly got a whiff of my self and realised the last time I'd taken a shower was at my hostel in Borneo nearly 3 days ago - it wasn't pleasant.
The driver pulled up right to the airport and I handed him what money I had, then made a mad dash to the departure lounge, looking up at the screens I couldn't see my flight anywhere!!!
When you are in a rush all sorts of things go on in your head and this was even worse. It was my last flight home but when looking at the screens, the flight number was nowhere to be seen!
I asked for some assistance at the flight information desk handing this grumpy guy my flight details. He looked up and said.
'You are in the wrong terminal sir, and this flight leaves tomorrow'
'What?...and what?' I replied.
How was this even possible? surely I had not got here a whole day to soon!
Frantically looking at my flight printout to see if I had made a mistake.
Well of course it was the next day - but only because my flight was just after midnight!!
The flight information desk had misread my printout thank goodness, but I still had to get to the other terminal by train.
Luckily for me it was only a short journey, even if the train was moving slowly.
I ran to the departure lounge, through security and toward my gate as quickly as possible, which of course happened to be the furthest one away.
But once again, and by the skin of my teeth, I had made it as the last one on collapsing into my seat. This was seriously starting to become an unwanted habit now.
If there wasn't so many things going through my mind right now, I would have almost felt some sympathy for the people sat next to me for smelling so bad.
But I was so relieved to be on the plane, and so completely exhausted that for the first time I actually slept solidly for a few hours. Even if it did mean I missed the in flight meal.
The flight passed by so quickly with my mind in overdrive, re running some of my best and worse adventures - the mountains, the sea's, the islands, the jungles, the road less travelled and all the people I'd met. Marvelling at seeing all the wonders of South East Asia through my own eyes.
It wasn't my intention to set out on this trip to ‘find myself’ or have some sort of profound spiritual experience, I just simply wanted to try different cultures, see some amazing sights and above all else overcome my fears and test my resolve - its safe to say I did that.
This has to rank as the most complete experience I ever had in my life for so many reasons, especially when you take into account my previous anxieties.
Fewer things facilitate change and get you out of your comfort zone more than travel; yes admittedly it is very cliche to write that 'travel has changed me' but as cliche as it sounds, it is very true.
I have become far braver in my new life - never would I have even considered travelling alone years ago. It was way too cozy back in my routine and I wasn’t going to get out of it because fear ruled me. It’s what keeps us from living our lives and achieving our dreams, and it is the most common reason why people don’t travel.
However, once you look at why you are afraid of doing it, you’ll realise there’s no reason to be afraid. You can travel. It’s not as hard as you think. Trust me, if I can do it, then anyone can - we can provide all the reasons in the world why we shouldn’t chase our ambitions, no matter how crazy they seem because ultimately, the biggest barrier is usually ourselves.
This is just the beginning of my journey, but for now I have a few new challenges to overcome, and with my new found resilience, do not bet against me..
Next stop, home......
What you’ve done becomes the judge of what you’re going to do – especially in other people’s minds. When you’re traveling, you are what you are right there and then. People don’t have your past to hold against you. No yesterdays on the road –
William Least Heat Moon....