The story started like this. I dont know where this idea (water rafting) came from. One day when i sitting at my friend's cafe, I asked him whether he want to do water rafting. He said no problem. So i gathered few friends. Initially, we got 8 persons but at the end, only 6 persons joined. Our rafting should be on 06-11-2010 but due to there is landslide, the trip was cancelled. All of us very disapointed. The agent, Nur from Riverbug called me and asked whether we want for refund or postponed to other date. After discussion, we made decision to postpone to next year. 5th of March 2011.
So, the day came, all of us, myself, Darly, Marry, James, Pet and Lau arrived at KK on 04-03-2011 and stayed at Marina Court. Everyone so excited and waiting for the moment to come. We also pray that this time no more cancellation.
The day came, 05-03-2011.
0800am : Waited at entrance of Marina Court for Riverbug people to come to take us. Waited for 30 minutes and the transport arrived. Daniel, our guide informed us that they late because some of the customer late. So we on the way to Padas River. So excited. Daniel informed that we will go straight to Tenom instead to Beaufort to take train. It will take 3 hours ride. OMG, 3 hours?
11.30am : Arrived at tenom and we need to ride a wooden plank fixed with wheels and placed on the rails, where 6 people would sit on it. The guides would then stand on the railcars, behind the passengers and push them to move using a long wooden stick. While it was not a smooth ride (45 minutes) and two of our members (Marry and Pet) meet minor accidents (when the guide fails to brake on time) both of them and one Ah moh gal thrown our from the railcar but it was certainly fun because it felt like taking a roller coaster through the forest along the river.
Reached the starting point and we attended a safety briefing by the Riverbug tour guides and were divided into groups. Our guide is Encik Lubi and he explain to us few simple instructions we were required to follow like Forward, Stop and Backward, each performed by rowing the paddles in different directions. Started our whitewater rafting, with seven grade III-IV rapids first 10 kilometers of the journey. The rapids were not continuous and there were long breaks between each rapid. Each rapid had a different name to it like Headhunter, Scooby Doo, Cobra, Washing Machine just to name few. To prevent the raft from capsizing, you have to paddle forward very hard to break through the waves. I can proudly said we did a good job except one of our member fell into the water. Hahahahaaa.. Maybe the glue that he used to glue his buttock is not strong enough. hahahahaaa.. Our guide, Encik Lubi always have us instruction to forward!!! Padle Harder!!!!.. Then we shouted "Push!!! Push!!! Forward!! Forward!!!". It is a good experience.
When we reach the Rayoh Station, we are having our lunch. Everybody look like Crocodile or Dinosaur, hantam the foods on the table including me.
After finished our lunch, we started our rafting of 7 KM until we reach the end point. Then we need to take speed boat to Beaufort train station. We waited quite a long time the Sabah Bullet Train to arrive. This is our 1st time to take a ride of Sabah Bullet Train (take a look of the photo). A good experience to ride on this train. i guess this train is older than my grandmother. At that time, rain heavily and we reach at Kota Kinablu around 9.30pm.
Everybody is very happy and I will come again next year for the rafting. Thanks to Riverbug Crew and our agent, Nur. Anyone want to try the Padas River Rafting, please contact Nur for the arrangement.
No comments:
Post a Comment