Well, as the title drafted above, travel. It never occurred to me that for the past 3 months, I've travel more than I have done in the entire years before. I remembered the day I reach 40 years old, I promised or should I say, I put it in my life agenda that I will travel out of my city at least once a year. Just to fulfilled my dream to see the outside world, doesn't matter whether it is inland or over the sea.
March 2017, I've tried to avoid attending the management workshop for the Union since last year with various "unavoidable" excuses. Unfortunately, this time round, it struck me. Can't escape. So, I just follow the flow, travel to Sibu, "deep" into a training camp outskirt Sibu town, where phone coverage is relatively low or none at all. 4 days without internet. 3 days without phone connection is a painful feeling. I can't stalk Angie (😉😍). I can't connect to my WhatsApp group. I can't even received SMS. For some of us, this is a torturing camp. Irene & Fifi is just like in hot seat. The two of them can be seen all over the open space and up the hill trying to get a good reception. But one thing is good about this is we connect, physically. That is in March.
April, my birth month. As planned, I have my self vacation, alone. Backpacking travelling. This time round is to Mulu. I've been dreaming of visiting this place since 20-25 years ago but didn't find the suitable time to go. So now, by hook or by crook, I just do it. No special itinerary this time as I can't get a travel agent that is willingly to arrange a sole backpacker traveller. So, what I did was, book a flight and see what I can do when I get there. Fortunately, I got a place to stay, a homestay with cheap rate per night. Food to eat. Places to go. And a flight back. But this is another place that phone coverage is so so. The worst is the internet line is by chance or by luck. I spend one week here with no outside world on time connection. By the time I received the news (WhatsApp), that was 3 days ago story. (I'll have the Mulu story in my future blog)
Thought travelling is over for me this time round. Never expect that I'll be travelling again very very soon after. Now, I have to fly across the sea. A short travel of 4 days. It's not for leisure but for the future. Hopefully, my son will not repeated the mistake I did 27 years ago. My hope raised very high. My prayer to Allah is to the max. Please protect him and guide him to succeed. Don't let my sins clouds his future. This is the 1st time I drive in Tanah Melayu with the guide of Google Map. That's easy route but I'm confident that in the future, I can do that again, even further.
Thought it is over. I can resume my work with no more travelling until July, but unfortunate things happened. Received a news 1 day after I started to work that I have to take a compassionate leave urgently. With a split decision, I need to travel again. Now it will be a 12 hours drive to the north. With fasting in day light, I drove for hours, not thinking of anything. Reached Miri by midnight after 14 hours of driving. Tired and exhausted but this necessary travel is something I have not done for couple of years, since the demised of my uncle-in-law. Can't believe it I still got the skill and energy. Not to say the courage. I thought I will never drive that long anymore as my health is the concern. It's not only one way, but return. I tried to make it as fun as possible but the road condition is bad. It took me a while to manage the riad condition and gain back that long distance driving skill back.
Hopefully that's all the travel I'll making this year but wait. I have another trip to cover. To the island of lion. That will be in July and it is soon. Flight booked. And another trip to Sematan. To Lundu and to Langkawi. Wow!!! That's a lot of travel for me. $$$ reserveis running low. Spent a lot for my son education (his saving share anyway).
Adios for now. Like I told her, travel more for yourself. Not business travel but travel for yourself. You'll enjoy your days. Need companion for travel, just poke me. 😘
