Of Maliau, Other Jungle Adventures, Hantu and Sampuk

I was about to go the bathroom last night when TV3 news showed a report on Maliau by Karam Singh Walia. I returned to stand in front of the TV and stared in awe as they show the waterfall, the dense forest, the flora and fauna and the interesting formation on the river. I wish I could be in one of the expedition.

This is better than the Amazon jungle that has always been painted with mystery and adventure in films. The Amazonian women, the lost city, the tribe who lives upside down, the hidden treasure and so on. But this is a lost world of our own. Imagine all the mysteries that can be found there. The treasures are all those rare species and beautiful sight.

Then my mom said, "Jangan pergi. Mak tak suka. Kalau dah kena sampuk nanti, susah!" Yeah, my mom and brother are here. They reached my place yesterday afternoon and will be staying for a few days. I remained silent as I always do when I don't want to agree or disagree. She repeated her words and I said, "Alaaa... hutan ni takder hantu. Orang jarang sampai kat sini. Hantu tak suka sebab tak dapat kacau orang." And she continued ranting about being possessed, finding a cure and stuff. Sigh!

I can see her point. I believe in the existence out-of-this-world-being. It has been mentioned in many places in the Qur'an. There are similar stories of people being possessed by out-of-this-world-being in many culture. Getting rid of 'it' is not an easy task.

But to not experience the beauty of nature for fear of being possessed is like not living our life to the fullest. It could happen, and it may not. Not everyone who goes into the jungle come out with a demon in their body and mind. I don't want to be a burden to my family though. If I am possessed, can the expedition group just leave me there in the jungle? Then I will not have to make anyone's life difficult.

This almost 32 years old lady did not need her mom's consent to go anywhere but I really want her blessing and support. Which I will not get if I am to go into any jungle :( Last time when I was studying, sometimes I would go to mountain climbing or jungle trekking trip without telling her. I will only inform her after I came back safely. Otherwise, she'll worry herself sick. I can do that then because there's no handphone. Back then parents have no way of contacting their children who are studying in the boarding school or universities. They could contact the warden or the university but that will only happen if there is an emergency in the family.

Nowadays, technology can be a bane. I can't disappear for a week without my mom noticing. We would call each other every 2-3 days. It could be longer like 3-4 days. If I go outstation, she called me every day. I know my mom loves me but I wish she can give me her blessings no matter what I do. I also blame all the snatch thieves, rapist and murderer who make us feel unsafe, who make parents worry incessantly about their children and who make people's life difficult.

Sometime last month, my brother Aie came to my apartment on Sunday night. He asked what happen with my handphone and house phone? Nothing is wrong with my handphone and house phone. He called my handphone and house phone in front of me and both didn't ring. He said my mom is worried sick about me because she can't reach me since afternoon. My other brother, Adik, SMSed me and there's no reply.

I checked my handphone, nothing is wrong. I immediately called my mom with it and tell her I have been staying at home the whole day and I did not receive my brother's SMS or any missed calls. Upon checking my house phone I heard an engaged tone (probably some problem with Telekom) but my Streamyx line was OK. So I have to listen while my mom rants about her worries. After calling her, I switched my handphone off and then on again. Only then all the missed call messages and SMSes came in. Probably because it has been some time since I last switch my handphone off. Kinda like Windows where you have to reboot every so often. But Nokia?

So you see, I can't disappear for a few days without my mom noticing. If the place has got phone coverage, it is less of a problem. I don't lie to my mom. I only didn't give her the whole information. I just don't want her to worry unnecessarily. But some of the places I wanna go are Belum-Temengor, Sg. Lembing, Kota Gelanggi, Mulu, Taman Negara and Maliau Basin. If only there are phone coverage there, and if only mom didn't ask, "kat rumah ker?"

I will let my brother Aie knows where I'm going if I'm not telling mom. He's more sporting. But he will also has to answer if mom contacted me and couldn't reach me. Sigh! Sigh! And sigh!