Kota Kinabalu

Sat, Feb. 16, 08
In medium rain, we leave the hostel in BSB. There are six of us traveling together-2 Morroccans (Adam, Omar), one Japanese man (Naji), and the three of us (Chanad, Paul and me). Paul has no protection against the rain, so I hand him my umbrella. I have a light weight jacket and my wide brimmed Tilly hat. Muara, the port, is 45 minutes by bus B$2 (2 Brunei dollars equal to about $1.50). The rain is washing mud onto the road. Gushing water flows swiftly through a wide drainage system along the roadway. We are dropped at the ferry terminal and I am granted a Senior ticket. Senior! I feel insulted for a moment then happily accept the half price ticket (B$7.50). Breakfast is several bananas, an orange, and some cashews. The ferry is a 50 passenger enclosed vessel which should rock us to Labuan Island. There is a strong smell of moth balls. One hour later we are on Labuan Island, part of Malaysia. Since the ferry left late, we have missed our ride to KK (Kota Kinabalu) and will have to wait for the 1:00 ferry. The Chinese dragons are out bringing blessing and good new year to everyone, especially the shop owners which have contributed a small sum to be included in the blessing. Malaysia is distinguished from Brunei by the motorbikes and casualness of the people. Brunei is an ordered and strict society. This one suits me better. In Brunei there are "No Spitting" signs. In Malaysia you can spit and burp at will.
Finding something to eat, we wait for the ferry to depart. Now on a 2 deck ferry, we ride 1st class for 3 ringgit more than economy class. For that we get a better view, and later will regret the swaying of the "better view". The total price is 39 ringgit ($1=3.5 ringgit). Labuan has been cooler because of the sea breezes. The rain stopped half through the first ferry ride but now has picked back up.
The rain brings heavy seas. At the 2 hour mark the rain increases and so does the rolling. The bow is airborne and slaps the waves as it descends. Sick people are all around. Poor people! I look over and see Chanad taking pictures of the heavy seas and having a snack. That gives me some courage. I watch the horizon intently, keeping a watch on my breathing. I change the poem "If" to read, "If you can keep your lunch when all around..." The sea birds are swooping low over the surface and soaring to catch better vision. 2 1/2 hours into the ride the seas calm slightly. Hope returns. Land reappears and we are in sight of the city, Kota Kinabalu. The 3 hour ordeal has us waiting at the ferry terminal for a let up in the weather so we can walk into town and find lodging. Someone says, "I'm excited!" Yet, we all agree that this doesn't have to be experienced more than once in a lifetime. The city has a good feeling to it. I like KK. Here we are in a backpacker hotel which has hot showers, AC and fan, and breakfast all for 20 ringgit, around $6, and a towel. Tomorrow will be a day of looking around the city, catching up on sleep, and visiting nearby sites.