Hiking in the Highlands and Moving On

I don’t like getting up early. Past 5am this morning…

Our group from yesterday was picked up by a driver and taken to the tea plantation viewing point from the previous day - only this time, to watch the sunrise.
The sun made a late appearance - a few clouds were in the way - but it was a beautiful sight nonetheless.

After the sunrise, we grabbed a few snacks and off we went on a hike. Trails 10 and 6 in Tanah Rata - about 5 km combined, moderately to quite difficult in places, with gradients hitting around 30-40% on the steeper sections.

Now, I enjoy hiking. I love nature. And I particularly loved the idea of exhaust-fume and engine-free nature.

But I didn’t really have a great time of it.

Between my heavy backpack (camera), five hours of sleep, a bit of dehydration, and those steep inclines - my heart rate skyrocketed. I would have had an easier time of it if my group (Sally, Anna and another German guy) hadn’t practically run through the track. I tried my best but couldn’t keep up. I went at a pace acceptable for me; the others went ahead a little. At first, they waited for me. Once. They asked if I was ok - I was not, as I mentioned. I felt like blacking out for quite some time there.

That was met with an “ah,” and on they went. I again couldn’t quite keep up. They were out of sight after a few seconds. And they stayed out of sight.

The trail was very muddy, steep - sometimes merely ropes were provided to guide you up and down - and it was enthusiastically trip-encouraging.

Struggling to keep my wits about me while feeling woozy, I made my way up step by step.
Until I reached a crossroads. Where on earth were the others?

No clue. I went left. Then another left at yet another crossroads. My reception was sketchy; I informed the others of my situation and hoped the message would go through.
I heard back a little later - they had taken a different path at the crossroads but were on their way down.

I slowed my pace to wait for them and took a right at yet another crossroads. A concrete downhill path with walls in between that I had to jump over. I wish I could say the same for my kneecap, which was on a collision course with rotting concrete.

From a distance and by chance, I spotted Anna and called out. I had to go back up since I was on the wrong path - an absolute pain with those walls to jump over again.
The others insisted that my path would maybe, perhaps, probably, surely also lead to the right place, and I should just go ahead and take it.

I made it clear that we ought to stay together - that I’d very much not like to be alone in the wilderness when I’m not feeling well. “Ahs” and “I’m sure you would have been fine” followed.

While the rest of the hike was mostly fine - downhill and straight paths for the most part - I confess myself genuinely disappointed by the nonchalant lack of consideration and understanding. This didn‘t sit easy with me then and still doesn‘t. Especially considering I told them about my experience with the sunstroke in Auckland and how nobody helped me there either until late at night - they were all aghast and said, oh, we definitely would have helped. Well, actions speak louder than words, don‘t they?

After the hike, we went back to our respective hostels for a brief reprieve and a freshen-up, before gathering at the bus terminal to catch our booked bus from Tanah Rata to Georgetown.

A 5.5-hour ride - more winding roads - that brought us from tolerable temperatures and lower humidity to the opposite.

Georgetown is located on Penang Island, a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its colonial architecture, street art, and extraordinary food scene. Split from the mainland by the Penang Strait, it looked rather welcoming at first glance from the bus window.
We checked into our hostel. It’s ok. Better than the last one, but.

It’s called a “social” hostel. Now, I apologise for not having received the memo, but since when are “social” and “incredibly poor sleep” considered synonymous?

The hostel plays extremely loud music until midnight, the bass coursing through your entire body - and even though you’re not in the same room, it’s still very much an affront to my ears.

Let’s end on a positive note: we saw a scorpion during the hike today. It was dead. But kinda cool. 😄Read more