MSS2011 Day 3 (Part 2) : Sweet Torment
Our next destination was Genting Highlands. I heard before, Genting Highlands is one of the most well-known places in Malaysia. It’s like bigger version of Dunia Fantasi. “Wow, are we gonna play all the vehicles? Then stop for shopping? Sleep at a five star resort?”.
Big no. We got more than that.
What I love most about this crazy event was the surprise that they made for us. When I got email from Amelia; You have to bring your hiking clothes, running shoes, sweater, and swimsuit. I thought those 5 days must be crazy.. And it really was!
We stopped at small ‘kedai’ for lunch. Amelia said that we had to have light lunch before going to Genting. “Don’t eat too much, but you still need extra energy for this one!” she grinned. So, everyone got spicy noodle and Iced Limau or Coconut.
The contestants watched a film along the journey, some of them fell asleep, and the rest was keeping active of taking videos and photos. And I.. as usual, had a daydreaming with some mellow songs. Drizzly day outside seemed to support my daydream.
So would you let me be myself? Reach all my dreams and hopes. I know you’ll know me better. I know you’ll love me, you do. Your eyes say more than anything that really means to me. Darling, would you now set me free? A sweet song from The Cinnamons echoed in my ears.
Who would have thought of me being here? Doing this unthinkable journey was my first experience of doing what I want. What I really desire. I’ve been a robot too long, until my friend asked me, “What do you want?”. I answered, “Do what people expect from me, perfectly,”. It was a stupid line, I knew. That’s why, I did desperate way in skipping my classes (It’s an impossible thing in medical faculty) and joined MSS2011. Honestly, my main purpose is not to win this competition. This is about my prime action, searching my own way, pursuing what I want in my life, and celebrating every step I take. *well, too much emotion here.
Our bus crossed the Petronas. Click! Click! Everyone got busy in taking pictures from inside. That was my first time in visiting Malaysia, I thought my first trip would be slow and easy. Maybe going shopping at department stores, taking picture with Petronas or travelling around the big cities. But, as I wrote before, I got more than being ordinary tourist. Thank you, My Selangor Story 2011!
Arriving at Awana Genting, a guy named Christopher welcomed us.
We directly brought to its restaurant. Grabbing delicious snacks and hot tea or coffee, they told us to just sit back and relax while the official video about Genting Highlands was playing.
Mr. Najib, Awana Genting instructor briefed about the activities that they had prepared for us. Genting is home to a million bird and plant species. We all have one obligation to take care of them. That’s the way we pay the kindness of nature: fight against global warming. They’re also campaigning one little movement to save our nature; Reduce, Reuse, Recycle. Very inspiring.
Zul, the trainer, explained how we’re gonna have fun. From the resort, we walked to the Longhouse. Our luggage would be taken with the crew, and we would taste what called ‘abseiling’. I don’t know how to explain it, just see the abseiling photographs of us. I remembered one scene of my favorite film from childhood; Petualangan Sherina. Yes, Sherina did abseiling to run from the kidnapper.
I thought I was in wrong costume. Not in hiking style, even I wore my new jeans, thin cardigan, and a pair of leather shoes. It was quite bothering my climb. I think I know Amelia’s reaction if read this, she might say “I told you!”. Hahaha..
First time I saw how craggy the domain for abseiling, I was scared. No, I didn’t plan to die in my holiday. But after Zul gave some direction how to use the safety device, my courage had risen up.
That was quite tickling and pumping adrenaline. At first I was like “Nobody can force me to do that!”, but in the end I was like “I wanna play this all day long!”.
The abseiling in MSS2011 version, could be:
photo by Dian, Fie, and Olivya
We did a short hiking to the Longhouse. I asked Hafiz where the birds, I didn’t see any of them along the way. He said that we would see the birds inside the jungle next morning. He himself had forgotten how the jungle looked like. Almost 15 years he didn’t visit Genting anymore, even though he lives in Malaysia. So maybe I can mention that I was lucky enough. I live far from Malaysia, but somehow I could make my way to the famous Genting Highlands.
The longhouse was like my Grandparent’s house at Makassar. In Indonesia we called it ‘Rumah Panggung’. We got four rooms; each room was filled by six contestants. I shared room with Kak Rizma, Jard, Pam, Hanis, and Fie. No comfy bed like at Golden Palm Tree, just six thin mattresses lied down on the floor. Aaaalrighty! We get backpacker vacation in there.
I was desperate for taking a shower though that night was really freeeezing. So before having dinner, everyone had to wait me to finish my facial and scrubbing time. *no, just kidding.
We had dinner at Pasar Ikan Bakar. It was just ‘sesuatu banget’, having barbeque in the middle of jungle. Pasar Ikan Bakar was so cozy with ‘lesehan’ theme a la kampong. We had to take off our shoes and sit on unique rolled carpet (I don’t know its name).
Amelia gave a speech, she was very thankful to Awana Genting and Pasar Ikan Bakar for their kindness. Welcoming and hosting the contestants with their opened arms. It was one of ‘unyu’ moments. (By the way, the contestants from Indonesia had spread our slangs like ‘unyu’ and ‘sesuatu banget’ to the others). “Eat a lot, kid. I will torture you later,” she said. Shiiingg..
Seafood once again! But that time, we could see the chiefs process the dishes. I was impressed by their sauce bar. All type of sauces was deserved well and seducing my saliva. Amelia sang a breathtaking mellow song ‘Aku Bukan Untukmu’ by Rosa, an Indonesian singer. She was so into it! I wonder what’s her story behind that song? Hehe..
I was in one table with Kak Rizma, Kak Suzan, Kak Olivya, Kak Ester, and Hanis. We called ‘Single Table’, where the cute available girls were having dinner. Hahaha! We had girl talks plus silly games like ‘spinning bottle’ and ‘truth or dare’. I still don’t know why the bottle was always leading to me. Sure, it was a conspiracy. :P
The torture Amelia promised to us was such another fun activity. The Blind Trail was quite scary but worth to be remembered, so I did it gladly. This is the rule: We have to walk into the jungle one by one with closed eyes; just a thin string can give us the right direction. If we lose the string, we will get lost in the jungle. Don’t open your eyes, don’t let go the string, keep praying, and be careful. I was told not to trust anyone except myself, and not to take everything that wasn’t mine. Alrighty!
It took so long before my turn had to be kidnapped. The other contestants kept talking to each other, and always checking who still there. Keeping waiting and waiting, suddenly I realized in my group there were only me, Daniel, and Hafiz. Daniel was busy in checking everybody’s presence “Andi 1, are you there? Hafiz? Who is it? Who is walking across me?”. Hafiz and I just kept silence. I didn’t know about Hafiz, but at that time I felt a little hypothermia, so I couldn’t talk much.
“Hafiz is gone, we’re the last persons in our group,” Daniel gave me information. “Maybe it’s because I’m talking too much, so the crew don’t pick me up..” he said. Hahaha! This kid is too cute..
Suddenly, someone touched my shoulder and said “Take this flashlight and follow me,”. “No!” without any doubt I refused the flashlight. I was told not to trust anyone and not to take anything. I’m a good girl, right? Hohoho.. Without negotiating, that person grabbed and pulled me. Oh, turned out that man was my instructor, and it was my turn to begin the Blind Trail. Bye, Daniel! Haha..
I’m not a heroic person, but brave enough to do that kinda game. I’ve been through worse journey before. In short, I made it without any injury or excessive fear. Thanks God..
When I reached the end of the string, I just held a pole and stood quietly. A voice whispered in my ear, “Do you trust me?”, “No!”.
*Silent*.
“Do you trust me?”, “No, I don’t trust you,”. I held the pole tighter.
A hand opened my blinkers, it was Fairuz. “Next time you must trust me, okay?” she said. Everyone laughed. “We were told not to trust anyone, right?” I said, then the laughs got harder. Yes, I think I can easily get brainwashed..
Nigel was the last person arrived. Since that day was his birthday, we gave him little surprises; Birthday cake, a romantic campfire, sky full of stars, and off-key voices singing ‘Happy Birthday Nigel’ from contestants and crews. Unyu Moment #2.
We went back to the Longhouse and slept early. But of course these energetic bloggers couldn’t just lay back and sleep. I myself got busy unpack my suitcase and backpack, because I just realized my Pentax Camera wasn’t in my backpack. The result was zero, maybe I dropped it somewhere at the jungle. I was too worried about my camera. Even I went sleep with my dirty outfits.. I really wanted to cry, but then remembered Shaleh’s words, “Haram hukumnya untuk bersedih disini!”. I agreed.
-to be continued-
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Big Thanks to :
#MY SELANGOR STORY 2011
DAY 1 PART 1 : THE UNTHINKABLE
DAY 1 PART 2 : ON MY WAY
DAY 2 : HAPPINESS IS THE GREATEST CURE
DAY 3 (PART 1) : SO LONG, TREE HOUSE
DAY 3 (PART 2) : SWEET TORMENT
DAY 4 (PART 1) : I CAN’T BUT WE CAN!
DAY 4 (PART 2) : WAS LEAVING TOO SOON
DAY 5 : THE BEGINNING
THE CUBE : A REAL LIFE SAFER
PENTAX : LITTLE HERO
