Unlike our drama-filled ferry ride from Muara (Brunei) to Menumbok (Sabah), our ride for the trip back was a breeze.
The drive from Kota Kinabalu to Menumbok Ferry Terminal though, was a different story.
On normal days, this part of the trip takes about 2.5 hours. On NORMAL days.
The day that we chose to return was obviously not a normal day because we encountered slow traffic from Kinarut (about 15 mins from Kota Kinabalu) all the way to Beaufort.
An 1.5 hour trip that turned into nearly 3 hours!
Everyone was out in full force and cars were turning into every single junctions there were along this stretch. Not even the most daring drivers could over take.
Fortunately the last 60km was rather deserted – and we made up for lost time, pleaded with the ferryman to wait, willed time to slow down and telepathically shooed all animals off the road as we stepped on the gas pedal as much as we dared.
We reached the ferry terminal with only minutes to spare.
It was a moment worthy of any Amazing Race Asia episodes. The kind of moment that acne-prone individuals would scramble to get their treatment for acne supplies ready for the eruption that was sure to come from the STRESS – of nearly missing the ferry and the possibility of having to take the alternative : 14 hours road trip!
