Alex Wong has always been an adventurer, travelling the impossible. Yet, he makes it seem possible. On his last trip using a 26-year-old car, he drove to Sabah. Despite the Covid-19 pandemic, the challenges do not scare him, but motivate him.
A different experience everytime
Alex Wong has always preferred to travel the long way — to see the gradual change of scenery and smell every city, town and country he passes through.
Although he might have visited a place several times, he said the experience would be different during each visit.
Just like his trip to Sabah last September. Alex shared that while he had been to the state many times, the mesmerising place continued to surprise him.
“My journey to Sabah has taught me that there are still beautiful places to visit at home. Sabah is beautiful and there is still more to discover,” said the Sarawakian.
Despite the Covid-19 pandemic, Alex decided that he had had enough. Without much thought or hesitation, he left Kuching in his 26-year-old car, the ‘911 Carrera’ for the Land Below the Wind.
“I didn’t get anything ready. I just decided to leave and I did the next day. I don’t bother planning these things.”
Most of his journeys are impromptu, undertaken either on a bike or in a car.
“I prefer travelling this way as I meet people on the road. When I’m on a motorbike, the locals will come and talk to me, asking where I’m from and what I’m doing?” It is a very enriching experience.”
A trip to Sabah
Starting his journey from the tip of Sarawak — Telok Melano, Alex’s goal was to reach the tip of Sabah — Kudat.
“I got so fed up with the pandemic, so I might as well see my own country, see it better, see it slow.”
Alex’s journey from the east to the west was approximately 4,500 kms.
Along the way, he also visited several cities and towns. He also spent the nights in Sri Aman, Sibu, Bintulu, Miri, Limbang and Lawas before entering Sabah.
“However, when I was in Miri, about to enter Brunei, I was told I couldn’t stay long. Since there were restrictions, I was only allowed inside the sultanate for two hours.”
Although it was a short trip, Alex had the opportunity to drive through the new 31-km Temburong Bridge, which was not open to Malaysians yet.
“And when I was in Limbang, everyone warned me that Sabah was about to undergo a full lockdown due to the surge of cases there.
“I didn’t care. Even if I was in, and there was a lockdown, it was fine. I wanted to visit Sabah anyway,” he added.
Six days after he had entered the state, Alex said that Sabah was placed under a total lockdown.
He continued driving to Kudat, determined to reach the tip of the west.
As he reached the quaint town of Tambunan, Alex met an old man.
“He was walking alone so I gave him a lift. I did so because I wanted to meet him and hear his stories.”
Journey through despite Covid-19
Although he was told that the Covid-19 situation might worsen in Sabah last September, Alex adamantly continued.
He disclosed that as he moved forward, the pandemic was following him from behind.
“When I reached Kudat, there were only two cases. Five weeks later, the district had over 50 cases!”
But Alex was not scared of the pandemic.
“I am not scared of Covid-19. It’s not going away, at least not yet.
“Having said that, I lost two really good friends and two acquaintances to the virus recently. It doesn’t scare me. We just need to take precautionary steps.
“If you’re always scared of something, you won’t be able to achieve anything. Understanding something is better than being scared of it.”
Just like how he understood that his almost thirty-year old car wouldn’t fail him. Alex said he had prepared spare parts in case it broke down.
“But my car never broke down on me. Before the trip, I told myself my car would not break down. If it did, I could just fix it.
“I always try to understand things. I never think of anything that can go wrong, I usually think of what can go right.
“If I keep thinking of all the bad things, then I will never leave home. Life is too short to think that way,” he added.
A month in Kudat
In Kudat, Alex stayed at a resort in Simpang Mengayau. Knowing that he would be stuck in the village, he learnt to adapt to the situation.
“I bought a drone to learn drone photography. Then I also bought a fishing rod and a casting net.
“Every day I would just hang by the beach, try to catch some fish, just go back to basic.”
It was a peaceful month at the resort for Alex. He also met two friends from Kuching.
“And together, we would jog, fish and have a good time.”
Alex left Sabah at the end of November with a heavy heart.
Although he drove to Sabah in September, he could not drive back to Sarawak.
“Brunei does not let anyone enter the country. So I had to leave my car with my friend in Sabah. I miss my car, but I will be returning soon to pick it up.”
Alex added he had never been in one place for more than three months.
“Ever since I was seven years old, I have always moved around. Unless, of course, I had to go to school.
“So far in my life, this is the longest time I have stayed in one place since I came back.”
But nothing will ever stop Alex from going on an adventure again.
At the moment, he is still uncertain when his next journey will be.
Alex also fishes. However, he disclosed that he did not catch any fish. 
At Simpang Mengayau, the tip of Borneo — Kudat, Sabah. 
Casting a net is one of the things he does at Simpang Mengayau, Kudat.
