Hiking in Bukit Gemok, Tawau

Finally we made it to Bukit Gemok after living in Tawau for five years! I don't know what took us so long to get there. Whatever the reasons are, I'm super glad that we finally made it there. 

My friends and I arrived at around six something in the morning. We thought that it would be best to do the hike early before the sun gets too hot. However, the gate was not open yet when we got there. We then decided to head for a breakfast and came back at around seven. You don't know how glad I was to see that the gate was already open at that time (waiting suck out the excitement out of me and I don't like it when that happened). We then went to the counter to get the ticket. Yes, you need to purchase a ticket to enter the place. We paid MYR5 each as of May 2016. Basically, there are a few activities you can do there. You can have a picnic, camping and of course, do the hike to get to the canopy walk which is the main attraction of the place. 

The hike to the canopy walk is about 1,7KM. From what I experienced and based on my fitness level (I have a weak cardiovascular system) the hike was quite challenging at some point. But as long as you take it slow and follow your own pace, then it should be okay. Took us more than 30 minutes to reach the canopy walk. I personally feel that the canopy walk was the best part of the hike though it could be a challenge for someone who's afraid of height. We spent quite some time at the canopy walk enjoying the view and calmness of the place. A really great place to wind down during the weekend I must say. But of course only if there's not many people there. 

A friendly reminder here, it is not advisable to do the hike alone especially for a girl. 

I would love to go there again!

Till then.

What's on my mind lately: Self love

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For the past two years, I've been working on cultivating more self-love. Not that because I didn't love myself. I didn't love myself enough. I spent most of my time molding myself into what people around me deem to be acceptable. I spent more time thinking if people like me more than asking myself whether I like me or not. And I am sure most people do that too. We care more about what people think of us than what we think of our own self. Which is sad.

In the process of trying to live more peacefully I've sacrificed relationships and my feelings. As much as I value the connection between me and the people around me there were times I feel disconnected from these people because I couldn't vibe with them. They didn't exert the kind of energy that will lift and propel me into becoming the person I want to be. I am a firm believer in getting rid of toxic relationships. Not because I hate these people. But because I value myself and I know I couldn't grow if I stick with people who don't understand myself and support me.

There was a time in my life where I kept all of my opinions to myself because I was afraid of being wrong and I didn't want people to talk behind my back. I was once told that people talked behind my back because I was being too opinionated. So I tried not to be 'too opinionated'. But that didn't make me feel any better, I wasn't feeling like myself. This went on for quite a while. Then I reached a point where I realised that I should let go of whatever didn't make me feel like my best self. Be it people, thing or emotion.

I am taking the steps to be real. I will say what I want to say. I will do what I want to do and do it my way. I am not going to say this is me and you have to accept me for who I am. Because let's face it that's not how this world work. But I am working on myself to be the best version of myself. I am working on living my truth. I am working on being more empathy. I am working on being more open. I am working on being more kind. I am working on being less judgmental. I am working on being honest. This is not an easy quest. Sometimes I messed up. I have had moment where I wasn't proud of my actions. And this journey, my friends, is a battle between the heart and the mind. Which I'm sure none of us find it easy.

"Self-love requires you to be honest about your current choices and thought patterns and undertake new practices that reflect self-worth. "

24 Hours in Labuan

Last week, my friends and I spent 24 hours exploring Labuan. I don't know how big or small Labuan is but what I am certain of is that you could pretty much see all of the interesting places there in 24 hours or less. 

We took the 8.00 am ferry to Labuan at Jesselton Point. For your information, there is only one ferry operator available to Labuan from Jesselton Point. As of December 2015, the ferry departed from Jesselton Point at 8.00 in the morning and 1.30 in the afternoon. So if you plan to spend only a day in Labuan you should plan your trip in advance. 

I arrived at the Jesselton Point at 7.00 in the morning and bought the ferry ticket which cost us RM 24.32 per person (the ticket fee is cheaper when you departed from Labuan to KK). The ferry set off at exactly 8.00am. It was three hours ferry ride and we arrived at 11.00am at the Labuan International Ferry Terminal. Since we had our friend waiting for us we did not have to rent a car. But you can easily get a rental car at the terminal. 

This was a very short trip but wonderful nevertheless. So what can you do/see in Labuan for 24 hours?

I will write about all of these places in a separate post so that we can learn about these places together. 

1. Visit the Labuan War Cemetery

2. Visit the Surrender Point/ Peace Park

3. Visit the Chimney Museum

4. Visit the Bird Park

5. Visit the Labuan Museum

6. Visit the Labuan Marine Museum

7. See the Labuan Clock Tower

8. Shop at the duty free shops (Chocolate shopping specifically)

There you have it. My sharing on what you can do/see in Labuan  for 24 hours. I did not include any place to eat because we just ate at any random restaurant and because I really am not good in recommending foods or restaurants. I just ate whatever/wherever feels good. And if you think we missed on anything while we were there do let me know :)

Hope y'all have a good day.

Till then. 

Road Trip: Semporna, Semporna, Semporna

This is the last part of our recent trip to Semporna. After Tampi-Tampi we headed to Semporna main town. We went to the Semporna Ocean Tourism Centre. This is the place where you can take a boat to some of the famous islands in Sabah like Sipadan, Mabul, Bohey Dulang and Sibuan to name a few. There's not much actually to see here except for what they call as live aquarium where you can see fishes in their natural habitat but are caged. To enter this live aquarium you need to pay RM2 if I am not mistaken. There are also souvenir shops, hotel and restaurant in that area.

Hope y'all have a good day.

Till then.