We packed up our belongings, cleared the site and headed to the godsend mamak for breakfast. Upon reaching, the mamak wasnt yet opened for the day's cycle of providing miracles to wretched adventurers like us (or serving pabulum to their sane regulars, whatever). We played Big 2 until the stall opened and had our breakfast. When we were finally sated, it was near noon. And off we went...
A good night's rest did us all some good - revitalize our spirit, refresh our mind, rejuvenate our body and restore our mood. But it wasnt long before the latent fatigue and caustic blisters gave us hell for every step we took. Left (ouch!), right (ouch!), left (ouch!!), right (ouch!!!)...
Sign near the Genting Skyway
Along our ascend to the peak, we had a Chinese couple in a battered white van offering us a ride to the top. But by then, we were steel-hearted on finishing the remaining length on foot so we politely declined. As we hiked up, we could slowly feel the effect of declining oxygen supply as well as cooler air. Hated one but loved the other. We were huffing and puffing but we were barely sweating anymore. Around early evening, we reached the level where trees are coniferous (whatever was it called again in Geography...). We took the chance to have a break whilst enjoying the rare geographical atmosphere.
Late evening now. We have been walking for close to 8 hours. Our moment of anticipatory joy came upon seeing this sign:
WEEE!!!! Only ONE, LAST, MEASLY kilometer to go. Piece of cake....or not.... What do u know, the last kilometer turned out to be the ultimate torture as the ground seem to steeped up threefold! *#$@#$!@#!
When we FINALLY covered the final km and reached Genting herself, we were so dead tired. All plans on sneaking into Outdoor Theme park, vandalizing First World Hotel, hunting down restless phantoms, infiltrating the Casinos, etc were casted into oblivion. We found a grassy spot at the corner of the Genting's Auxiliary Police marching compound and camped for the night.
The view from our campsite
The cold night fueled Keeps inherent affinity to fire as he went at fire-starting again, incessant gusts of wind notwithstanding. We were all at it for hours, before Keeps finally achieved a triumphant swell of a fire. Then we went to sleep.... except for me.... who was arrogant to NOT bring a sleeping bag along. The windbreaker of mine as well as the tent did little to curb the bone-chilling wind. As expected, i stayed up all night, teeth chattering, bone freezing.
So, i went for a walk (yea, ouch!..damn blisters) around Genting to warm myself before heading back to our campsite. Apparently while i was away, a couple of cops came and inquired our I-L-L-E-G-A-L stay at the compound. Somehow, we managed the sympathy vote through and got our peace.
Then i got back. Not wanting to make helluva noise creeping back into the tent, i sat down next to the tent and started sleeping. Until i got a call. At 3 in the morning.... which i answered.... to Chid asking if i were outside the tent.... and was told Keeps, being bloodlusty as he is, was gonna strike me through the tent with our trusty parang thinking i was a robber. Phew, talk about near death experience.
Next morning, we awoke (except me, i stayed awake the whole night) to a bunch of cadets going through their routine morning march. We packed up sluggishly and shamelessly strayed across the compound with a haggard visage amongst the impeccable looking cadets. We went straight to the mamak near the Genting Skyway counter for breakfast before we boarded the Skyway.
Aboard the Skyway, we savored the alternate route we had contemplated taking - yup, along the Skyway maintenance road. What a journey it would have been...
We got off the cable car and bought our bus tickets, having to wait an hour for the next ride out. So we wandered off to the nearby horse paddock and had ourselves some time with one muscular beast...
And FINALLY, we were on our way back home. Having put ourselves through physical hell, mental torture, poor hygiene, lousy comestibles, our conception of life were torn down and
remodeled. Never have we covered so much ground on foot in our daily lives because we simply NEED not. A car trip would suffice any distance we needed to traverse. A can of icy cold Coke, abundant and easily procurable in our common purlieus, was a luxury we couldnt have when we wanted it most. I wouldnt say it was a smart thing to embark on this adventure, but i sure as hell didnt regret it one bit. In fact, it was probably the best thing i've done yet. ^_^
We got off the cable car and bought our bus tickets, having to wait an hour for the next ride out. So we wandered off to the nearby horse paddock and had ourselves some time with one muscular beast...
remodeled. Never have we covered so much ground on foot in our daily lives because we simply NEED not. A car trip would suffice any distance we needed to traverse. A can of icy cold Coke, abundant and easily procurable in our common purlieus, was a luxury we couldnt have when we wanted it most. I wouldnt say it was a smart thing to embark on this adventure, but i sure as hell didnt regret it one bit. In fact, it was probably the best thing i've done yet. ^_^
Ckent was the stranger i got to call friend after this historic journey.
P/S: This momentous quest conceived the fellowship of like-minded wayward chaps with proclivity to challenging emprise and fey rendezvous. We are simply cleped ALI BUNTUT.
