How different things can turn out to be!

Title: How different things can turn out to be!

For more than once, I have seen for myself how different things can turn out to be due to expectations that one hold due to perceptions shaped by factors like humans and environment..

1a) Myth:

At the 1st briefing, I felt that the company would probably be average or below average.. coz ah... the Dabong gang in my group and they were like really duh.. Then we really pitied the assistant trip leader who was trying to be soooo.. diplomatic when the rest of us were fainting..

For the actual trip, the super duh guy pulled out and was replaced by another one.. One look at their backpacks, we almost wanted to smack them.. It was so small.. like my school bag..

1b) Truth:

After the 1st day at campsite, they actually proven themselves to be good cooks and responsible guys.. They were seriously funny and innocent until that they did not know they were funny.. Seriously, they were also gentlemanly in taking care of gals and helped quite a fair bit and also knowlegeable in plants and animals..

Further, they cracked us up continuously with their jokes as part of the entertainment.. And when 2 of them left for KL, we kinda feel a sense of loss and sadness too..

2a) Myth:

The place, Dabong is situated in Malaysia.. Since I had been to a few waterfall treks, I thought this one should be in a decent kampong place with basic amenities etc..

2b) Truth:

Gosh.. this place is really ulu.. The train is the only means of transport of getting there.. And it is a 11 hrs ride.. The town has only two coffee shops at the railway station.. and the station is basically a makeshift look alike shelter.. It's very simple over there, even the kids go to school by train..

3a) Myth:

I have look forward to this waterfall because it is supposed to be one of asia highest and alot of people have been singing praises of it.. For me, after Tapis waterfall, I thought it would be just another waterfall that people have over emphasised it..

3b) Truth:

After witnessing it myself, my opinion is changed.. This is the waterfall that you have to go to enjoy.. It has everything, slides, swing and anything for those who wanna a thrill...

It had a slide that I screamed and my heart never ever pounded so fast.. But it is really thrilling that I went for round 2.. yah crazy right?!

Then there is this trunk that allows you to swing like a Tarzan across and back.. So fun that I went for round 2 also..

Next, there is this hole where it feels like jacuzzi when you soaked yourself in.. totally relaxing.. and also this part where u can lie back and see water gushing down where you are cut off from the world..

Really hard to describe in words, you have to go and see it for urself.. fantastic waterfalls man!

4a) Myth:

One look at the leaders and I was like hmm.. are these leaders from ODAC reliable anot..
hmm I guess it's because I had never went with them before and well..
Then was thinking.. pray hard to make it back alive in one piece man..

4b) Truth:

Well.. got to give both the leaders credit for it.. They did their part well and kept us highly entertained with a rumor that we created for them.. the brokeback couple of Dabong!

Constantly, they ensured that everyone were alright.. kudos to Ninja for detecting that I was not feeling good on the 1st day before train ride.. kudos to Darren for constantly letting us teased yah.. and alot more yah..
Thanks dudes..

There were some others that cannot be classifed into myth or truth yah..

My group of gals, Serene, Cindy and Zhiying were great company! I would never forget the fun that I had with you, the star gazing session that we had.. And though I was stern and strict with Serene and Cindy due to your uncontrollable outbursts, I stil loved you babes..

The rest of the gals were equally great company! Great bonding and helpfulness.. This is indeed one the great trips that I have and will definitely stay in my memory..

Once again, the muddy treks were all imprinted in my brains.. Not to mention the part where I was really worried about flashfloods and praying that I did not have have to cross river in waist high level..

This is also the 1st time I gotten a leech bite on my hand and a really huge bruise on my leg too.. Interesting souvenir yah..

Hmm wat else ah.. oh yah the food! My first trek that I am on a vegetarian diet.. And also first time that I had so many people sharing little food.. 1st time that I helping out in the cooking with a meticulour supervisor--Darren.. who was constantly hoverin around the stove..

I had never been confident in my trekking skills because all those previous treks I went, those people were really EXPERIENCED.. But glad that for this trek, I was able to apply what the "seniors" taught me.. Kudos to them and my cousin who introduced to me the amazing world of trekking..

Indeed, trekking gains with experience.. I also trekked entirely with sandals.. for I feel trekked with shoes messier and slippery.. I got back in touch with Mother Nature through trekking.. a connection with waterfalls once again..It is truly wonderful to find myself again..

And also some other wonderful experiences that Charles and Delphine will know yah.. It feels really good to have supportive buddies who always encouraged me to pursue my interests.. Thanks yah..

This is my 1st and last trekking trip with ODAC as a student.. I am really glad for the experience.. It is beyond words of expression.. Thanks for allowing the completion of my university life to have a rainbow ending..

Truly.. this will not be my last trekking trip.. already looking to another one that is going to be in Sept.. to Mt Ophir..

Try it! You may fall in love like I did with Mother Nature..