I’ve had an interesting weekend, and a tiring one! Watched 2 movies (300 and Mukhsin – reviews to come) on Saturday, and witnessed how a good movie can make you cry, even if it’s about 300 tough men slaying other men. On Sunday, went to Sungai Gabai, had fun, but due to the lack of sense in some people’s head, I had to write these letters and hope it gets published in our local papers.
On the other hand, I’ve found out that I’m actually afraid of things that I cannot control, and things I cannot control are all over me now. I can’t face it though. I’m running around avoiding it. Facing it cause too much pain and suffering, and worst, I can’t do anything about it.
I’ve been to Sungai Gabai Waterfall recently, after not having the chance to visit any waterfalls for several years. I’ve put high hopes on the experience, after seeing some photographs of the said waterfall, and the satisfying experience I had at Sungai Congkak. For those who don’t know, Sungai Congkak and Sungai Gabai Waterfall are situated several kilometers from each other.
However, what I see was disappointing. As soon as we arrived at the site, we were charged RM2, where I think is not worth it, judging from the amenities available. For starters, we had to park our cars by the roadside, where a single miscalculation could send our cars tumbling down into the slope.
Upon getting out of the car, we’re expecting to hear birds chirping, and the thunder of the waterfall, but instead, there was none! Sungai Gabai Waterfall administrations have prepared a Karaoke system, playing Malay Rock songs. Customers are charged RM1.50 per song, which is cheap for the singer, but an earful of pain to others.
Not just the blaring karaoke sessions disturbing other paying customers, the play lists are not suitable especially for a family and tourism spot, and for those escaping the hustle of city life, for some peace and quite by the waterfall.
We then had to choose to climb to the top levels, where the noise pollution is least felt. We thought that our issues are going to end there, but how wrong we were!
Amongst our group, there were 2 women, and they had to change before they can swim in the river. It’s true, that there’s a toilet on the top level, but it was so filthy and smelly, that the simple changing huts in Sungai Congkak looks grand. A place to change is nonexistent, that some parents had to allow their daughters to clad in a towel to change, for the viewing pleasure of many.
I’m hoping the administrators of Sungai Gabai Waterfall to take actions for the safety and comfort of paying visitors, and not just taking it for granted. I’m feeling very ashamed to foreign tourists I saw coming over that day. Is this how Sungai Gabai Waterfall administration promoting one of our natural beauty in Visit Malaysia Year 2007?