Lessons Learnt from My Mulu Trip

Did you know we would never be able to see sunrise or sunset when we’re in the mountains? I just found that out during my walk in the woods.

At about 6pm, it was getting really dark at that time. From afar, I could see the bright colours of orange, pink and yellow brightly reflected on the carbonate rocks of the mountain. I was so eager to walk out of the woods just to see the sun set, to see the reflection from near.

“Let’s walk faster! I want to see sunset!” I urged my friends on.

“Oh?! Don’t you know? One can never see sunrise or sunset among the mountains?” Adam remarked offhandedly.

My! Oh My! I never knew that! I guess the rocks are the mirrors of the sky in the world of Mother Nature.

Did you also know that we would never be able to see sunrise or sunset from the same location? Upon our arrival in Miri Airport, I wondered aloud, “Oh! Ever since I came to Borneo, I haven’t had the time to enjoy the breaking of dawn, or falling of dusk upon this vast, green land. I will see the sunset this evening then! If not, then, tomorrow, I shall rise up early in the morning to enjoy sunrise…”

“Oh! One can never see sunrise and sunset from the same location. You either see the sun setting, or the sun rising. These both phenomena never occur at the same site. So, how do you know whether we will see the sun rising or the sun setting from the beach here?” Adam asked.

Oh? The cat caught my tongue. Stunned. Logically, I always knew that the sun rises from the East and sets in the West. But I never knew what Adam said to be a known fact. Do you know why? It’s because I have never noticed that before.

The world is a big place. It is wide and the sky is everywhere! Whenever I am at the beach, I just look to wherever the sun is shining. If it happens to be in the morning, then I will see it rising. If it is in the evening, then I’ll see the sun setting. I don’t bother to think to which direction my head is turned.

Or… If I’m at home, in the morning, the sun will shine through the balcony. In the evening, It will shine through the main door, which is opposite the balcony.

So, I think his statement should be changed to “‘You will never see the sun rising or setting from the same location if you don’t change your perspective.' If only you would turn your head, you will witness this wonderful spectacle!”