What a trip!
I can’t emphasize enough that doing my podcast recently on self-control helped me out tremendously upon flying here to KL.
2.5 Hour Delay!
Honestly, there was absolutely nothing I can do about it. Who knows what the story was (although someone said something about a plane being in a hanger somewhere at KLIA1 at Kuala Lumpur International Airport). 2.5 hours camping out at the gate after security – was brutal….but I was able to finish a good amount of blogs and communicate with folks.
More Delays!
Once we arrived, it seemed as if the biggest cruiseline in the world docked at the airport and unloaded all their passengers to clear customs and immigration. 45 minutes in the line with people from I-Dont-Know-What-Country looking at me and making comments about me in their language. YAWN! At the same time, I was nervous about someone taking my luggage, given the fact it had been sitting there 45 minutes. Nonetheless, I had to be one of the very first of my flight to get through the extensive lines before rushing to the conveyor belt – only to find that my luggage WAS STILL THERE! *Hands to the sky*
Sheraton Hotel = True 5 Star Hotel
The check-in, service, elevators, unbelievable breakfast buffet, stunning food, state-of-the-art facilities, wonderful steam room, comfortable bed, desk in the room, tub, shower, meticulous room service, shoe shine service…..not sure if I should keep going? Sheraton was exceptional. I have to say that checking in and having them hold a crazy deposit on your debit/credit before charging you a full amount after is extremely excessive. There has to be another way around it.
Uber and the MegaMall
This was my first time ever taking an Uber, and man, what a success! He picked me up right at the train station and took me to my destination in a hurry. The second Uber was even better because he was very attentive and interested in my life, just as the reception at the Spa/Massage on the 5th floor was (minus the pushy-trying-to-sell-you-stuff method). Uber is the next wave of getting around, and it’s much safer, especially in a country like Thailand because taxi drivers have the worst rep of them all.
Mid-Valley MegaMall had tons of shops; however, I had to take a train and walk for 25 minutes to get there. Oh, I should’ve taken an Uber. LOL.
The Spartan Super – the good, the bad, the ugly, the ‘COMMON, MAN!’
The Good
Met the most wonderful muslim who had the hazel(est) of eyes that I have ever seen. OMG! She was awesome….later, met a a cluster of Malaysians from all types of backgrounds who were just incredibly personable and charismatic. Also, met a South African who I had a wonderful pleasure of talking to at KL Sentral before going in different directions (and who also did the race). Ahhh…just wonderful. Nexus International School is WONDERFUL! Perhaps a new place for employment in the future? The students there were splendid in both the English Language and in regards to their personalities. Doors are wide open for a relocation!
The Bad
Stood outside for 1.5 hours to get into the venue. That was a complete discombobulation on Spartan Malaysia’s side, given the fact they held registration in a very confined area. YIKES! Starting heats were backlogged up to an hour.
The Ugly
The comradery and cooperation I’ve seen at other Tough Mudder events worldwide just wasn’t there. It was difficult getting through the race when you had only yourself and others just minding their own business.
The ‘Common, man!”
Water, water, water! By the time the afternoon rolled around, the water supply was diminishing like crazy. This apparently was a problem the last time the event was held in the same location. Yes, I understand it’s a lot, but you have months to prepare a good amount of water that needed to be used for all spartans post-race.
Oh, can I mention the cooperation again? Come on, man! Honestly, indigenous Malaysians didn’t have a problem, but I do have to state the obvious whereas Chinese Malaysians, Chinese Singaporeans, or mainland Chinese (the most obvious) people just stay within their own circles. Like NO ONE matters but only them. I just don’t understand the “Chinese” culture, but perhaps someone can help me understand….because I’m at a loss of words with that. However, I know the Spartan Spring that’s approaching in Thailand is going to be comical beyond belief. These people will trample each other. LOL!!
Achieved!
Focusing on the grand of achievements, what a difficult race! Carrying a bucket of rocks 600meters and sandbags over your shoulders before trekking into a gorge was unbelievably strenuous – and I thought it was a bit over-the-top. Hey, I get it, it’s a competition, but being a competitive event and borderline insanity should have a very fine line in between. In summary, this was the most brutal event I’ve ever endured in my lifetime. It was only 13km! I know what parts of my body I should work on going forward when the absolute BEAST comes up on October 8th. I’m still contemplating doing it, though. If I do, I’m going to allow myself two days rest and leave on a Tuesday rather than a Monday. Carrying luggage after having a vicious deep-tissue massage AFTER the most difficult race in my life is a NO F*** NO!
And now, as I write this blog at the airport, I’m deeply saddened for leaving KL. That same feeling I had when I left wondrous Bali – heading back to doomsday. It’s hard, but opportunities are still there in Thailand. When opportunities run dry, I’m heading for the hills – the luscious green hills of Malaysia.
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