strangers on the road

Strangers are just family you have yet to come to know.

- Mitch Albom, The Five People You Meet in Heaven.

The thrill of discovering new places with different languages, cultures and ways of life drives my wandering soles to explore more and travel more. Dangers are not impossible though. There will always be risks and possible threats along the way. But as I gradually become more mature and learn to be more cautious when I have to, I can say I have safe travels so far. Plus, I often feel that somewhere along a strange road, there will always be people to welcome and make me feel like I am home.  Just like our recent trip to Borneo. :)

Kuya Wilson

While looking for some money changer in KK city center, we met a Malay-looking security guard in Wisma Merdeka Mall. To our surprise, he's actually a kababayan! :) There, he helped us with the direction and assisted us as we looked for budget-friendly souvenirs during the final day of our trip as well. He was indeed very nice and we looked up to him as a big kuya in KK.

Ate Jessie

As we were looking for the cheapest deal for the Klias river cruise (which we eventually cancelled), we met Ate Jessie. She was manning the reception area of Sensi Hostel. I knew about this hostel while doing my research for this trip but found it a bit more expensive than the others. But while we were bargaining for the river cruise with Ate Jessie, Noel asked where we were staying for the night and when we mentioned our choice of accommodation, he instantly said we were losers! Oh yeah??! Challenged by what he said, we instantly asked Ate Jessie for a discount (as we planned to stay for two nights) and she could not resist our charm :) She is a Filipina as well, by the way. :) So, we woke up early the next day to transfer our stuff to our new hostel and we never felt more at home.

Noel and Fabian

So who's Noel? Well, aside from he was the guy who spotted us as losers, he also was the funny-never-gets-tired person I have ever met in KK. His energy and humor were so contagious! He toured us around the city center from sunset to almost midnight. He even treated us for some dessert cakes. *sweet* Plus, he also happens to be from my hometown! Such a small world, isn't it?

And what about Fabian? Who is he?

Well, we met him in the hostel and he's backpacking around Asia from his hometown Switzerland. He's such a funny person too, making that epileptic dance I can never forget. He was also very patient trying to translate one page of Bahasa expressions to his native language that he did not notice we were actually up there on the Signal Hill to watch the sunset. Noel whined a bit. ;)

Three perky people driving downtown

Upon Kuching touchdown, we agreed to go on foot to the Kuching Central Station, believing we could walk it. As we stepped out of the airport premises, we found ourselves walking in a very long highway, no pedestrians, no sidewalks. Heidi was a bit frantic. I, on the other hand, was trying to be fearless. A few minutes of walking on dewy lawn, a car suddenly pulled over and the driver offered us a ride. This moment was a bit risky as we were about to get a ride from a stranger. But my instinct told me it should be okay and after a few seconds we found ourselves riding in a car with three Malaysians (two guys and a girl). The guy driving said he picked his two friends up from the airport and that seeing me and my friend walking alone along the highway melted his heart. He must have seen himself in us, as he said he used to hitchhike as well back when he was in New Zealand (bet I heard that country right). So well, we got to the station safe and sound. Thanks to the good Samaritans along the road. Without them, I think It must have taken us almost an hour to walk to the station.

Mr. Sin

Upon arriving at the bus terminal, we started hunting for a bus ride to Pontianak. Then we met Mr. Sin. The big wig of two big bus companies in Kuching. He helped us arrange our trips to and fro Pontianak and the moment we got back after our long trip, we met him again at the station. He offered us a ride to the town center and asked us to wait for a few minutes to get his car. While he was getting his car, Heidi and I were betting he's getting his Mercedes-Benz to drive us to the center. True enough, a few minutes later, he led us to his Benz. We were taken aback! Our hunch did not fail us. ;)

Rey

When we arrived at the capital of Brunei, Bendar Seri Begawan, we expected to stay in Pusat Belia, a youth hostel which offers accommodation for only B$10. We had to wait though for the manager as the ladies dormitory was closed. But we waited in vain. The manager never came. Good thing, there was Rey, a Bruneian we met at an expo near the dorm. He ushered us to another backpacker's lodge and helped us negotiate with the person at the reception (but to no avail.haha). Anyway, we were thankful he helped us out. End of the story, right Heidi? ;)

So there, the warm-hearted people we met on the road. They did assist us on this trip in their own ways and we are really very thankful. 

Indeed, there will always be strangers who are family we have yet to come to know. :)

 

our Borneo trail

The chic backpackers in Borneo ;)