A Hangover, a Goodbye, and Hitting the Road
5:00 AM. Wide awake.
I had such a relaxing time at the house last night, though I've got a slight headache from having a bit too much to drink. It happens to the best of us, right?
Just before 9:00 AM, I met up with the father who so kindly hosted me yesterday. I gave him a massive "thank you" and hit the road again.
Honestly, it's been a minute since I've done a long trek like this. The last time was back in the Philippines, walking from Bohol to catch a ferry to a friend's guesthouse. Because it's been a while, my body wasn't quite used to the rhythm yet, and I was feeling a bit apprehensive.
Hitting the Wall in the Jungle Heat
I started off full of energy and excitement. But man, the heat here is absolutely brutal.
I thought I could push through, but by the 10km mark—actually, scratch that, by the 8km mark—I was totally wiped out. The tops of my feet were screaming.
But the scenery? Absolutely mind-blowing.
I always knew Borneo was famous for its rich nature, but reading about it and actually sweating through it are two very different things. I saw stray dogs, birds with striking reddish wings, and even some wild monkeys (though they were way too fast for my camera). It felt incredibly raw and wild.
As I kept walking, traditional local houses began popping up along the road.
They have this amazing stilt design where the first floor is completely hollow, supported only by pillars, making the second floor look like it's floating in mid-air. It's an ingenious adaptation for jungle living—probably to keep wild animals out. I'm not sure if the architecture is Visayan or Malay, but it was fascinating to see such traditional craftsmanship up close.
An Oasis in a Food Desert
Despite the beautiful views, my energy was hitting rock bottom. I found myself frequently collapsing at covered bus stops just to catch my breath.
The hardest part? There is literally nothing out there. No restaurants, no cafes, no convenience stores. A complete food desert. It was mentally exhausting.
Finally, right around the 20km mark, a miracle happened: I stumbled upon a tiny mini-mart.
I practically dragged myself inside to rest. While taking a breather, I struck up a conversation with a young local guy.
In a crazy twist of fate, he told me he's planning to move to New Zealand next year—which just happens to be the final destination of my entire journey! We instantly clicked and promised to meet up when we both get there.
And then came the ultimate plot twist: he offered to let me stay at his place for the night.
The Warmth of Strangers
The hospitality I received was unreal.
Later that evening, his friends came over, and we all cooked dinner together.
He even went out of his way to drive me to a nearby region called Limbang just to show me the night views. It felt less like a guided tour and more like a fun road trip with old friends.
Coming back to a warm, home-cooked meal was everything I needed. I was overwhelmed with gratitude.
Being able to stay in local homes for two consecutive days has been such a rare and beautiful experience. It's moments like these—filled with genuine human warmth and connection—that remind me exactly why I travel.
