Kuala Terengganu, Malaysia: River Rock Climbing

February 1, 2011

Oh, the kids were so happy to climb the rocks in this river! And, what a clear, crisp beautiful river it was surrounded by jungle, up in the hilly mountainous area, miles from the beach. Kuala Terengganu is about 95% Muslim Malaysian, while the rest of Malaysia is 55%. Every Friday is a big mosque prayer day, with most of the locals having the day off. On Fridays, this river is PACKED with fully clothed women in headscarves and clothed men. This was not a Friday, and we had the entire river to ourselves. What peace.

The kids acted like a team, helping each other over the rocks. Ken was up ahead scouting to make sure it was safe (after Griffin's near-death rapids event, we've gained some healthy precautionary tactics for the children in the jungle now). I pulled up the back, helping Boom over the slippery rocks, dodging any green slippery mildewy rock spots. We went down the middle of the river which was safe, shallow, with no rapids. Click HERE for a video. The kids had such a sense of accomplishment and pride by the end! And, more importantly, they were pooped for the long ride home.

Bram, on the other hand, just starts talking a LOT when he gets tired. In fact, he started nearly talking in tongues. Just created this language that sounded suspiciously like a mockery of Malay. He was deliriously happy sitting in the cool river, talking nonstop, with me and Kenny snuggling in the cold water for a moment, watching the weather change in front of us in seconds -- downpour for 10 seconds, bright sun for 10, cloudy and windy for 5. We were already wet, so we said for Mother Nature to bring on the downpour!

I, on the other hand, was wiped out after the climb and not talking, just spacing out. I started meandering down the river looking for tumble rocks - soft rocks well worn by the river current and rocky bed. All of a sudden I found myself pulled into the current of the part of the river we'd specifically NOT allowed the children to go because it was so strong and turned into rocky rapids. I freaked out because I couldn't get out of the current and screamed for Ken, who, once again, jumped back into the river to the rescue. I got pulled into the start of the rapids and somehow stopped myself on a big rock. I pushed against the current, waiting for Ken, seeing all the rapids and rocks that I would have hit (not deathly blows but they sure would have hurt) up ahead of me. Ken somehow climbed to me without getting sucked in and we struggled to find a way to get me back out without getting sucked into the rapids. Finally, we got out, with both of us breathing fast, hearts pounding, a ripped toenail, but okay.