Wednesday, February 20, 2008

Sabah Trip cont.: Idyllic Village

The Art of Haggling
We got to the Wet Market, and looked around for the 'jetty'. There was no signpost, just a bunch of people gathered in a roofed open-wall shed. This must be it!

We went down the stairs leading to the sea and found the speed boats. Drivers came up to us immediately, offering 'charters'. The cost: RM40, RM30, RM20; one way? get off? how long stay?

We haggled, with me as a go-between. K is a much better haggler than me.

After several haggling sessions with 5 or 6 drivers, we finally found a potential driver, and lobbed RM15 and RM10 back and forth with him a couple of times. If we waited for a boat to fill, it will cost RM1.50 per person per trip. But it would take some time, so we opted to charter.

I guess in haggling, the party in a hurry loses. So we pretended we had time, could wait for the boat to fill, chatted idly about the water village conditions. Finally the driver came back with an acceptable offer: RM12 per one way trip.

Okay, we said, and got onto the boat.

Boat Trip
Off we went to Gaya Island! It was a quick trip, maybe 5-7 minutes. Great sunny weather, invigorating salty wind, bumping on the gentle waves.

We headed for the landmark we always saw from our hotel window, the Green Mosque. Are you sure? asked our boat driver. Wouldn't you rather go to the school?

We're sure, we said. Besides, we can walk to the school later right?

You have to cross two hills, said the driver, looking a little anxious for us.

We were too excited to take notice.

We arranged for him to pick us up after an hour, and he agreed.

Rickety Steps
First impression of the water village? The steps sure are rickety.

We climbed up onto the walkway. I'm not fond of heights, so walked with cautious timidity at first. K of course was in his realm. He'd walked roof parapets, climbed steel bars, slept on narrow wooden benches... well, you get the picture.

While he's excitedly snapping pics, I'm trying not to imagine how falling into the water would feel.

Friendly Villagers
We walked around. It looked like a normal village. No evil pygmies sharpening knives in readiness to rob and kill us (saw the Mummy 2 recently).

The people were normal, a little curious of the two strangers suddenly in their midst, but friendly, smiling and greeting us. The houses were a little ramshackle, but they had roofs and walls.
(to be continued...)

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