Located in the interior part of Tenom, Padas held a reputation as an extreme sport as it is recognize as 3-4 water grade which means it require sharp and significant maneuvering. I have prepared myself for an ever exciting adventure, I had my bags packed and a good book as the journey to get to the train station will take approximately 2 hours. The view is absolutely astounding as I found myself neglecting my book although I have promised myself to finish reading it by next week. It was Sunday and traffic is slow and easy. We started off from KK and slowly drive by the Kimanis road and later we took a junction to Tenom. I could see paddy field and ‘dusun’ (fruit orchard)by the road side. It was a peaceful day with bright sunny sky and occasionally we drivo to the cloudy areas. As we continue to drive uphill the bus engine roars so loud and the driver occasionally open the door to let the breeze in. I do not mind that though as I could see the original view outside, the countless trees and mists overcast the background here and there. It definitely created a mystical feeling inside me.
We then stop over to a small restaurant and a mini grocery shop, without realizing it we are already at the Kimanis division. I took a walk to the back of the restaurant and found myself a beautiful scenic riverside view. The grass hanging over the banks, the river flows smoothly and I could see small banks where people can sit and enjoy nature’s serenity or simply fishing! Though I doubt if there may be any big catch as the water is shallow with tiny rocks at the bottom.
After 20 minutes break we continue to the town of Tenom which is well known for its coffee. We stop over by a public toilet to change and continue a 5 minutes drive where we finally stop over at the train station. However the train temporarily stops operating due to technical issues.
Yet, fret no more as there is a creative alternative to replace the train ride program. We have a trolley instead!. We sat on a square board platform which at each end a steel wheels is attached to it. Later the locals which are mostly Murut and Dusun people then operate the trolley by using stick to push it forward and I feel some kind of melancholy inside and touched by the way the locals work their way out of poverty. With only RM5 charge per person, they will push us for about 30 minutes and risking their equipment which may cost them 2 weeks of trips to have enough pay to buy replacements.
A kid was pushing two ladies and broke one of his wheels while the man that pushes us is not at all bitter and whistling the whole way to the rafting starting point.
I was impressed with their strength and willingness although this is the actual way the local people maneuver from their houses to another place such us the town, yet I still could not help but thinking…what would the government do about it? And most importantly when will these people could travel easily without using much energy pushing themselves with their groceries. Some of the distance may take about 10KM and I saw a young boy of seven pushing his mother and their load of groceries along the train tracks. I sincerely hope that their adversity will stop in the future with the coming of new sets of train, however I found it to be an advantage to the locals at the same time as it offered more job opportunity.
Upon arrival we were greeted with fruits snack and followed by a briefing from the river guide. Ours is a funny one as he explained that if anybody happens to fell into the water, keep on smiling and never tangle the safety rope around your neck when being rescued…you can imagine…it’s not a pretty sight if it happen. After everyone is set with their gear ; helmet and life jacket we walk to the riverbanks and I noticed two locals were inside their kayak and I thought..”wow, it surely fun to work with a rafting agency where you could work and play at the same time! “ and I found out about the truth later within 45 minutes.
Meanwhile, we get inside the inflatable raft and took position, for about 30 minutes we practice our paddling skill and understanding instruction until we float into the first rapid, the ‘Headhunter’ rapid. It was nothing that I expected! It was way beyond what I expected; the surge was even deeper, higher and stronger. I finally understand when the river guide explained to us earlier that the water level is high on that day. The waves reach up to about 4 metres high and come crashing down into our raft. I must admit I felt panicked as I am not a good swimmer. I was thankful that day as one of our river guide is an experienced staff and standing only 5 foot tall he could simply pull a man which probably twice his own weight back into the raft.
None of us in the raft fell out accidentally, some of our guest and our river guide jump into the water during the swimming session at the milder rapid called the ‘Lambada’. However, the second boat capsized after about 45 minutes of the program and I was impressed by the team work shown during the event. The rest of the 2 raft wait until all guest successfully pulled back into their raft. Based from the guest personal opinion they did get panicked as they fell in the middle of the rapid. However, from far away you could see how simple the rescue process being carried. Two kayakers stand by near the capsized raft and both river guide swim out to reach each guest and pull them back into the raft…that is when I understand what the kayakers really doing out there in the middle of the river gush.
After swimming session we paddle to the river banks and get off for lunch at the restaurant. I did not eat much as I do not want to gain any extra weight into the raft later. Again it was a beautiful experience, the staff in the restaurant has two kids age about 5 and 6 and they run freely without shoes on the ground and I wish my kids could do the same rather than just playing at the theme park. I bet there is less stress around such serene area and not too much expense needed as there is less temptation. Yet, I am happy where I belong as the famous quote saying ‘home is where the heart is’ and my heart is with my families.
Soon after that we continue our rafting activity, there is another three rapids to go, that lunch break did not subside my fear as my heart still throb every time the waves crash our raft. When we reach to the ‘Snake house’ rapid I was feeling very comfortable as the fact that there is no more rapid upfront and the rapid flows for about 200 meters with just choppy waves and no extreme surge. The view was amazing as you can see houses far apart from each other and seems like it is out of nowhere, I started to imagine what would they do if suddenly they ran out of rice or any food supplies or if there is any emergency; how fast can they get help?. They built their houses near the river banks and surrounded by either their fruit orchard or rice field. It was a beautiful view with the sound of birds and the river while dark clouds hanging over the sky when we reach to the ending point where we took a train to the town called Beaufort.
The train ride was equally beautiful as we see houses with ponds and even cars which mean the train is not the only transportation available on the area yet we did not see any road at all as it was covered by trees. To me people who live here is lucky as they have plenty of harmony which most city people lacks. Upon arrival at Beaufort, the bus has waited for us and we change to fresh clothing at the public toilet. The journey home took another 1 hour and 45 minutes and we drive in the dark and reach KK at almost 7PM.
I went home with a sore arms, waist and legs and a happy contented feeling. I had my fun yet I will not do it again, not because it has no fun but because I have children that will need my full attention and to me that is a responsibility as a mother to give 110% attention to her children. That night I decided that I have my joy but my real joy in life is watching cartoon with my kids and occasionally reading a good book at home sipping to a sweet warm milky tea.
