Sunday, March 29, 2009

A Shot at Nature

Friday: With only one thing in mind, and that is to get enough rest for a 3-hour drive the following day, did not seem to materialise. Despite going to bed early feeling shoulder pains (result from sitting too long), my eyelids just would not shut. While I was thinking of ways to make my eyes tired and signal my brain to shut off partially for the night, I remembered one particular imaginary dream I had a few nights ago (I can't disclose it here, sorry). But in the mean time, I decided to pick up my latest Discovery Channel magazine and read on the article, "Bite That". It is about the dentistry profession and practice since the 2700 BC. History is pretty scary, I must say. Dentists in Pakistan drilled into the teeth of live patients circa 7000-5500BC. Yes, it was very much painful. And yes, they have discovered skulls to prove it. Believe me, it was not much of a pleasure reading that and I am certainly more alive than 15 minutes before. Next article did not help me to sleep much either.



After a while, my eyes felt tired from reading so I decided to switched off the light. *Blink blink* *blink blink*. Oh damn, I need a freaking sleeping pill!!! In the end, I dozed off.  Somehow, I think my brain was arguing with my eyes and all other body muscles and melatonin to not tell them to sleep, because, I was awaken at 4am. *Grrrr...* After less than 3 hours of sleep, a heating debate started again! Brain says, "NO NO NO! No Sleep". Eyes says, "F***ing ball of veins and useless nuts! Get me to BED! NOW!" And I had trouble going back to sleep. But, soon, I was in stage N2 of my REM sleep. Phew!

Just when I'm about to step into my stage N3, my alarm rang. 6AM it says. With a groggy (not horny like Tata Haresh, LOL) face, I took a hot bath in the seemingly Siberian cold water. Coffee is a must and combined that with a few pieces of Munchy's Cream Crackers. While I was enjoying my crack of dawn breakfast, Mum was preparing fried noodles to bring along our journey.

Saturday: Now, I have not mention where are we (my mum and I) heading to. Our destination: Karak, Pahang. It is where my dad is obligated. At exactly 7.45am, my mum roared the engine putting her right foot on the gas throttle. We had a plan. She will drive to Gemencheh which takes 60 minutes to reach and I will take over for the rest of the journey (which takes another 120 minutes). As frequent Karak goers are well aware, there are no freeway for us to be satisfied with a sleepy head, one full gas tank, and enthuse. So, we are left with no second option but to take the 'kampung' road. The journey is 167km away. Instead of reaching under 120 minutes, it took us 180 minutes to reach. Why? Blame it on the snake-like roads, winding and ever 90 degrees bends, holes, rough surfaces, farm as well as wild animals (monkeys, behemothic lizards), and last but not least, roadkills. Oh, and not forgetting the human factor. They were slow motorists (too slow) and dare devils. Stick to your own lanes! Geez!

I managed a 5th gear with 90-95km/h. At times, I have to be satisfied with a 3rd gear with 30-40km/h (GO FIGURE! The bends are really really sharp and continuous, one after another. Makes anyone dizzy.). Upon arriving at my dad's house, my palms were trembling from the very rough roads and limitless sharp bends. After unloading bags and items from the car, we set off to Karak town to wait for my 18 months elder brother. We agreed to meet at the Petronas petrol station. The day proved to be better, both parties rendezvoused at the same exact time. Great! Lunch awaits in one of the food places in town and we headed back to my dad's pad after a fulfilling tummy. 

My dad has subscribed television installed. My brother and I were glued. We took pictures of the place and I will soon upload it here and in my Facebook profile.

Fast forward to Sunday. We went to Karak town to have breakfast. Then we continued our inquisitive journey to Mentakab which is less than 60 minutes away from Karak town. After spending about half an hour (not much to see), we headed back to my dad's place. Lunch awaits.

As the sky is getting gloomy and somber, my mum and I started packing up for home. My brother did the same. At 2.07pm, we cruised home. It was not at all a pleasant journey. In addition to the ever winding road, it was raining cats and dogs. Lucky me, it was not throughout the trip. Home sweet home at last, we arrived at 4.50pm. Around 15 minutes shy away from the targetted duration.

As I promised, here are some pictures...








For more images, click here.

Cheers.

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