This year, I climbed mountains and went on my first solo travel.
From adventure to adventure which wasn’t easy, it was all about courageously moving forward. For all the new people I met and friends I gained along the way, thank you. Truly grateful that you became part of my #Adventure2014.
This year has been about celebrating life, breaking through and choosing my own happiness! I super enjoyed this year. 🙂
Excited for my giddy 2015! ❤
Continuing this blog series for my 4 day journey, I’ll give this crossing the border experience its own post as it was as remarkable as the entire trip in itself.
As I settled in my sit at the 2nd level of the bus (yes, again, I got a double-decker bus by Starmart Ekspress which will just be the only option as I just have to get to ride one lol), I freshen up and prepared to sleep. My things were a mess still as I just put everything in my extra bag but I was too exhausted to fix up. I was using like the remaining less than 25% of my battery, my power bank has died down also as I was charging both the GoPro and my phone. To add to that, I don’t know if my Malaysian sim (I purchased at the airport for 19 RM) will still work as the lady told me I’d probably have to get another sim when I get to SG but then I was thinking, I can communicate easily with the people in the Philippines so why not in Singapore also? Anyway, I had to worry about that working after I charged back my phone. So while I know that I’m still in Malaysia (I was on unlimited data roaming also, isn’t it too cool?!) I messaged Karrie that I’m on my way and all.
2nd floor!
Earlier we already discussed that we’ll be meeting in Sengkang station and that I’d easily find that in the train map. My next question then to Lorie and the gang was, how do I get to the train stations?? My bus would stop at Beach Rd and they said to walk to Nichols Highway were the nearest station is. Then they said that I’ll be going down to exit Malaysia and have my passport stamped, I no longer need to unload my bag at the first stop. Next stop would be at Singapore’s immigration, I have to get my bag checked there also. Those are the basic instructions I needed, the rest I can figure out, I thought.  I tried to enjoy the view but I was drowsy and it was dark so I went to sleep. The bus was comfortable and looks like the Deluxe HM buses to Baguio, only bigger, the only thing lacking was there’s no power sockets for charging.
A few hours after, the bus stopped. First stop meant exit. It wasn’t as scary as I imagined. Those are the moments where I first wished I had friends with me. But it was easy-breezy, no questions asked. They just stamped our passports and off we go back to the bus. I remember Lorie saying that the exit isn’t far from SG anymore so I was again anxious since it was still too early! That’s just around 3 something AM, meaning it’s still a few hours before the trains start moving. Ohnoes. And just a few minutes after crossing the long bridge connecting the two countries, the bus stopped again and I could see my luggage already. I was so anxious again, imagining all the worst case scenarios and yet also thinking about what I’d be doing when I get off the bus. But just like the exit, no hassle again. They just scan your thumb mark then off we go again. Continue reading
“How was your trip?” asked my bosses when I got back.
“Fulfilling.” I answered.
“Why?”
Because the trip was not about sight-seeing and shopping for once. Because the trip was not about how many photos I could take and brag and post about when I get back. Because the trip was not about how many souvenirs I could take back with me. It was indeed about absolute freedom and independence. It was about experience myself in different situations wherein I would not be able to depend on anybody else but me. It was a humbling experience.
I posted a ThoughtCatalog write-up on New Year’s Day earlier: 7 Reasons Why You Should Travel Alone At Least Once In Your Life
[update 9/19] I was fixing the tags here in my blog when I came across this. Turned out I blogged about this Travel alone article the day after. Thank you, Universe! We made it happen! 🙂
I halfheartedly committed to this claim by buying a ticket a few months after but did not purchase the return ticket yet. I thought that until I have that return ticket this is still not 100%. My family kept asking what I’d be doing when I go to Malaysia, I always answered with “ewan” (I dunno), because really I don’t have any idea haha. Then came August and I was still delaying the purchase of my return ticket because: 1) I haven’t decided where I will exit – Malaysia or Singapore since Karrie was convincing me to visit her in SG; 2) I’m waiting for a good sale from CebuPac; 3) I was still hesitant to go because it really is an alone travel.
Then to make the long story short I finally booked a return flight from Singapore still not having a plan or itinerary for both countries with budget still not ready as well. LOL. I thought I’d be as spontaneous as possible. That time of my ticket purchase my boss still hasn’t signed my leave form as well.
My colorful luggage
In Malaysia, I experience vulnerability and openness. You cannot travel to a foreign land without asking for directions. I was lucky enough that the front desk of my hotel is very much helpful and patient with my endless questions on how to read that map (yes, an actual PAPER MAP and not on GPS), how to ride the train, what stops to get off at and where to go next. And since I was travelling alone, I have to take my own pictures and if I want a photo that is not connected to the GoPole or my arms extended, I have to ask other tourists to take my photo also (usually in exchange for having their photo taken also). I have to keep reminding myself that I have no time constraint (except for a limited number or days there) thus, I can get up whenever I want to, I can stay at a location how long as I want to. There are times when I instinctively told myself that time’s up for this place even if I still want to enjoy the view then that’s the time I remind myself that I am in charge of my time. It’s freedom, really.
Fragments of Sab'sconscious 