A Spontaneous Invitation
July 28th. Today is all about the big move from Keningau to Tawau!
I actually got pretty lucky. I managed to connect with a local bus driver who casually asked, "I'm heading to Tawau, wanna hop on?" You really can't just walk your way across Sabah—the distances are massive—so I immediately took him up on the offer.
Call time was 9:00 AM, so I rolled into the bus terminal around 8:30 AM to be safe. Next stop: Tawau!
A 7-Hour Rollercoaster Ride
Let me tell you, the journey was intense.
They said it would take about 6 to 7 hours, but they left out the part about the extreme turbulence. Shake, rattle, and roll doesn't even begin to cover it!
The road was an endless series of ups and downs. I tried to catch some sleep, but I was bouncing so high out of my seat that my head was literally hitting the ceiling. Eventually, I just gave up and accepted my fate. Sleep? Absolutely impossible.
Football Jerseys and Free Meals
During one of our pit stops, something amazing happened.
A local Malaysian guy walked right up to me... wearing a Japan national soccer team jersey!
He excitedly asked if I was Japanese, and before I knew it, we were deep into a passionate conversation about soccer. He was a massive fan, even complaining about how some of our key players were out with injuries. It was so surreal and heartwarming to find someone repping a Japanese jersey all the way out here in rural Sabah.
But the kindness didn't stop there. Another local guy we were chatting with actually paid for my meal.
Experiencing this level of pure, unprompted hospitality from strangers in a town I'd never been to before... it really hit me. People here are just incredibly warm.
The Beautiful Seaside Nights of Tawau
Around 4:20 PM, we finally pulled into Tawau.
I was completely exhausted from the bumpy ride, but I made sure to snap a quick photo with the guy I traveled with before we went our separate ways. Such a fun memory.
I checked into my hotel, which thankfully has a really cozy and relaxing vibe.
Why am I in Tawau? I'm currently playing the waiting game for my Indonesian visa. Because I'm planning an extended stay, a standard visa-on-arrival won't cut it, so I have to wait for a special pre-approved visa to clear.
Since I had some free time in the evening, I decided to wander around the town.
Tawau is right by the ocean, so the sea breeze was absolutely perfect. The streets are lined with bustling food stalls, but everything is surprisingly clean. The whole town is lit up with colorful lights, giving it a vibrant, energetic feel.
Walking around tonight, I just thought to myself, Yeah, I'm really glad I came here.
For the next couple of days, the plan is simple: take it slow, get some chores done while I wait for my visa, and just enjoy the relaxed vibes of this beautiful coastal town.
