Terrence Ngui-Sandakan: TRIP TO KOTA KINABALU

We spoke about making a trip to Kota Kinabalu on many occasions with the boys. The Episcopal ordination of His Grace the Most Rev John Wong Coadjutor Archbishop of Kota Kinabalu was too good to be missed. The timing though meant most of the boys cannot make it because of the PMR and SPM exminations. We managed to get what was originally intended done though. The boys that could come made full use of the time and most definitely enjoyed it. The journey starts at 3.00am and most left their houses as early as 2.00am though the actual start of the journey was 4.00am plus due to unforseen delay. We got to Ranau in fairly good time for breakfast.

Taken in Ranau car park just after breakfast.

For some, hunger pangs hit again in less than 15 minutes! This is despite having buns or breads in the car. Talk about growing kids! Anyway as in many major undertakings, local knowledge is essential if one's to succeed. After taking some more buns in the car we called our local contact in Kota Kinabalu.

We actually reached KK around 12.00pm thinking that we had plenty of time to get ready after lunch as the ordination starts at 4.00pm. Anyway, this was quickly shot down by our local "intel". We were told to be at the Cathedral by 1.00pm instead of 2.00pm as originally intended! So we told the boys, "no lunch" and we proceeded to the hotel to check in. By the time we made it to the Cathedral, it was well past 2.00pm after a quick bath for everyone and some more "makan" of buns. Fortunately we brought along extras.

Eat while walking......such great effort. Everyone must eat also. Here everybody quickly took the buns while walking to the Cathedral. We finished with the eating by the time we reached the Cathedral door. True to his words, our local contact booked us seats! The Cathedral was already almost packed with only reserved seats available. A bit later announcement was made that new "arrivals" will have to be seated at the Parish Hall. Indeed we were grateful for the seats whilst not front row but was inside the Cathedral. I did wonder though whether any of the guys will be hungry again despite my best attempts to teach them a bit of delay gratification, not giving in to our natural cravings so easily. Though everyone tried not to, they did managed to grab some needed rest while waitiing for the Eucharistic Celebration to begin as well as during the celebration. We witness an historical event and a beautiful ordination. Great sermons as well especially that as baptized Christians, we are all called to the priesthood but only those with faith can recognized the calling to religious life. At least that was what I tought I heard as it was in "Hakka". It was a moving experience for me. Though we originally intended to take photographs with the new Coadjutor Archbishop, only one managed to do so. The rest "quickly" adjourned to the Parish Hall for food.

Seated inside the Cathedral.

After some food....contended faces at the parish hall.

After the dinner, we went off for the Suria Mall. Though it was drizzling, nobody mind and we walk to our cars which was parked across from the Sacred Heart Cathedral. We managed to catch about 2 hours at the mall as we wanted to rest early so we can go for morning Mass at the Carmelite Monastery at 6.30am. Again our local "intel" was very useful as he confirmed that the newly ordained Archbishop will celebrate Mass there! Our adventure though continued even whilst visiting the Mall! This however is "privy" to our "inner" circle only and not for public consumption. Anyway, it's a good thing as we originally intended to go to the Carmelite, 2 members of our group actually thought the Sacred Heart Cathedral was the Carmelite! Talk about the need for exposure! One poor Sister received a written petition for prayer given by one of our boys!

Everybody managed to get up the next morning and we just made it for the Carmelite Mass. It was again another experience for our group and the "morning breakfast" was an added bonus. We took some photos for remembrance including 2 shots with His Grace the Most Rev John Wong. After that we went for breakfast again! We then adjourned to One Borneo for some jalan jalan cap it off with lunch in Mac D. We left KK about 3.00pm reaching Sandakan at 11.00pm plus.