A Trek Through the Trees

One of the highlights of not only our weekend in Malaysia, but of the entire trip thus far, was the bike tour through the Malaysian forests. It was fitting that this capped off the weekend, since it was a great way to bring the group together and leave us with a lasting impression of Malaysia.

The tour miraculously began well into the morning, close to 9 o'clock, and required getting twenty-five college students up and on a bus by 8 o'clock. Still in a daze, we assembled near a small house by the side of the road deep in the Malaysian palm oil plantations. After carefully choosing our bikes, making sure that the wheels weren't about to come off, or the gears weren't already broken, we embarked out into the homogeneous rows of palm oil trees. While the endless rows of palm oil trees were an interesting aspect of the trip, it was instead the various houses along the roads that most intrigued the group. With each passing house, unique in color and form, we would also pass by a family, often excited and intrigued by how foreign we appeared. In these circumstances, without exception, the residents waved and yelled out "I love you." These instances of affection were only augmented if you were accompanied by a camera and offered them the chance to pose.

Along with immersing the group in the life of Malaysians, the bike trip also offered a chance for the group to come together. The trip lasted more than two and a half hours, and covered over 10 miles. In addition to this, the typical Malaysian heat and humidity, even when protected by the shades of the palm trees, did not help the cause. Drenched in sweat, each of us was pushed out of our comfort zones in some way. For some, this meant riding a bike for the first time in years, or ever. While it wasn't particularly easy, in hindsight we all agree that it was worth it. This is because we did it as a group, and we helped each other get through it. So, while it may have been easier for some, everyone was able to get a good deal out of the experience.

While it is easy to simply take the bike trip for what it is worth, a scenic ride around an unfamiliar location, I found myself getting more out of it. When we were biking through the plantations of palm oil, rubber, and fruit trees, we were biking through the livelihood of both the people in the area, as well as Malaysia as a whole. The plantations, stretching out endlessly, are more than just trees, they are the sustenance of Malaysian life. Malaysia is the single-largest exporter of palm oil, and also ranks highly as an exporter of fruits and other natural resources. The rows of trees, cultivated by the local Malaysians, are no different than the rows of corn cultivated by a Nebraskan. Whereas the agriculture of corn, wheat, and rice has become a symbol of the heartland of America, so too have the palm oil plantations become a symbol of Malaysian economic progress. It is the mark of a developing nation.

We often take for granted the daily amenities that come with living in an industrialized nation. Throughout the entire trip, thus far, these "necessities" have been available to us. In Singapore, it has been hard to feel far away from home for this reason. However, in Malaysia, we were able to have our first experience of a developing nation. This is likely to continue when we depart Singapore and make our way into Thailand. The bike trip was a great first encounter with the rural aspect of Southeast Asia. In many ways it was more enchanting and endearing than the cosmopolitan background of Singapore. The general friendliness of the local Malaysian planters was uplifting and heartwarming. While we may not have had enough time in Malaysia, characterized by the frenetic schedule during the weekend, it has undoubtedly left its mark on us. The bike tour was emblematic of this. We will remember our time in Malaysia long after the sights of palm tree pillars or the smell of durian trees escape us.

-Peter