My adventures in Malaysia just seem to be getting bigger and better everyday. On Thursday I conquered a fear that once paralyzed me and kept me from doing things I always dreamed of. Very high heights have certainly been something I tend to stay clear from, but in the past few years I've tried going outside my comfort zone and venture to the unknown.
Climbing up the mountain side in Juneau, Alaska in a sky car was quite a trying experience, but it made me want to change how I let heights affect me. The next year while on a cruise in the Caribbean with some of my best girlfriends, I decided to try zip-lining (or flying fox as it is also commonly known). I didn't do so well at first, even freaking out on the tester platform. However, I got up the nerve to actually do all the different levels and loved it! What an experience flying through the jungle in Belize!! :)
So since I'm on holiday in Malaysia, I decided to venture out once again. Why not?! You only live once! :) I didn't do anything too crazy, but something that is certainly new and exciting to me. I happened upon some adventure tours while searching for things to do while in Kuala Lumpur and one company particularly peaked my interest with their trekking and camping adventures. They got me hooked when I read about waterfall abseiling (a.k.a. repelling). Repelling down a wall is one thing, but having to do it from 4 stories up while a waterfall comes down next to you and sometimes on top of you is quite the trick.
I can't believe I did it! What a rush! My first time ever repelling and I choose to do it in the Malaysian jungle next to a waterfall. The sights were unbelievably beautiful! Lush green trees, tiny yellow butterflies, gorgeous blue skies, frogs and lizards racing me down the wall - amazing! :) The area was so peaceful and relaxing even though the hike was a bit of a trek. We had to hike down the side of the hill, hanging onto vines, bamboo, and trees to help guide us to the beginning of the abseil. Harnesses on, helmets on, smiles on - ready? Let's do this! What a blast!!
I was able to do the abseil 3 different times and after each decent we trekked through the river for about 10 min and up the side of the hill, climbing rocks and roots to get back to the starting point. While hiking back to the starting point, we could even hear the faint call of gibbons (monkeys) in the jungle! After the abseil, we were able to swim in some of the pools at the top of the waterfall. One of them was deep enough to dive into and it even had a natural waterslide! So much fun!!!
My guides for this trek were absolutely fantastic beyond words! They arranged a solo trip especially for me and even managed to coerce a friend into coming along to help reduce the cost of the excursion for me. Amos and Kevin are best friends that started OpenSky Unlimited. Check out their website to view pics of other abseils and trekking adventures! In addition to the phenomenal waterfall experience, they helped me explore more traditional Malaysian cuisine from a typical Indian breakfast of a simple pulled dough served with dahl to a traditional Chinese meal for lunch which included tofu, watercress, sweet and sour pork, and produce from local farmers. On our trek they included a little lesson on a bean that was growing on a farm nearby. This bean is unique and has four points - when cut it looks like an "X". These beans were even included in our meal - tasty!
Between the history lessons, talks about durian, and all the great laughs, I had a fabulously unforgettable day! :)
~A
P.S. Photos to come courtesy of my awesome guide, Kevin! :)
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