My Journey, My Love, My Life

Our Vacation - 1st part

We spent 7 hours last Friday night with our closest friends and our families, on a bus enroute to KL. It was the longest Immigration check that I’ve ever been through. The 3 hours we spent inching forward to the Tuas Checkpoint, seems like forever.

We left our boarding point, on schedule at 10.00 pm. All 32 of us, fit into one double deck bus. We were expected to reach our hotel by 2.30 am the latest. But the 3 hours wait at the check point was horrendous. The bus traveled on a slow speed of 20 km/hr, or maybe less.

By the time we were through the Tuas Checkpoint it was already 1.30 am. My real concern was for Zebby, as he has been patiently waiting at the hotel, while our bus driver, rushed us as fast as he could. I know, cos I was seated in front, on the 2nd deck of the bus.

All because of that fugitive, Mas Selamat. In my opinion, after more than 8 days on the run, Mas Selamat must have made his way into Russia by now.

Anyway, we safely arrived at our destination at 5.30 am, just in time to have our free breakfast at the hotel. Syikin, Saharimah's cousin and her family arrived earlier than us, as they left early. Although they too were caught in the massive traffic jam at the check point, they managed to arrive at 4.00 am because they drove there.

Bleary-eyed from a 7-hour coach ride, we stumble into our hotel room, and immediately almost all traces of fatigue disappear as we take in the lush surroundings. We've booked 2 rooms, and been given next to each other, for easy access to the children. I dashed around unpacking as I shared the luggage with Eriq, and have to push Qhairul off the bed that he's promptly sunk himself into. Only darkness greets us as we look through the window and peek into the night; looking at the swimming pool down below.

As we have made plans for the bus to pick us up at 9.00 am to Gabai, most of us did not take our rest after the long journey. We freshened up and went straight to breakfast before we board the bus. The journey to Gabai took us through few places where the Malaysian election stations were located.

It was a peaceful election day in Ulu Langat. Although there were few places that had traffic holdup, but it was still tolerable. Luckily the incident in Terengganu where they trashed a tourist bus did not happen in Ulu Langat. We reach Gabai 2 ½ hr later due to the traffic jam.

Gabai is hilly. It challenges my cardio strength that's evidently weakened by the thousand steps. Located on three levels, that rise in tiers, the water falls were to die for.

As expected, we enjoyed ourselves in Gabai, although we were separated by the height of the mountain, as the elders and the not so old decided to stay at the bottom of the mountain as the rest of us, climbed to the top. But we didn’t make it to the summit though, maybe next time.

When the time came to leave the place, as we stroll down, I can feel my thigh muscle pulled as I controlled each step down on those slippery steps. Coming down from what I feel is a never-ending steep slope, seem too much for my aging legs.

The sign board, showing directions to Sungai Gabai

We had to walked in, as the bus was not allowed into the premises.

My Soldier of Fortun...ately ada abang... kalau tak, siapa nak angkut itu air??

Our army of makciks and kids

The Gabai Hustler... asking us to pay RM1 each, as payment for him to pick up the rubbish that we were suppose to leave behind. What a crack! - Alo... Pakcik... kita orang tak buang sampah sembarangan laaah...