My life changing experience on 06E

Contributed by Tho Eilyn, Expedition 06E Malaysia

The long awaited moments have finally arrived. Raleigh International Expedition 06E has officially begun with the arrival of UK and Bermudan venturers. We Malaysians greeted them with a hearty rendition of “Rasa Sayang” at Jungle Camp. The first week was pretty hectic with lots of survival skills to master and getting to know our group members. It was great fun throughout. On the last night at the Jungle Camp, the Project Managers came up with a skit to tell us which was our first phase. Exciting stuff!

Community Phase- Alpha 2: Kampung Panaitan

Kampung Panaitan was the name and building a resource centre/ library was the game. I was extremely delighted to have Patricia in Alpha 2 with me. And together we conquered Kota Marudu! :D 3 Project Managers and 8 venturers spent 19 days living on school ground, working as a team and with the help of local villagers, we completed half of a community library.

Alpha 2 worksite

Our job was to occasionally hammer nails in – badly :P Everyone integrated well and comfortably with the warm, friendly and welcoming community.

Holding a mock key of the library with my PM

Had an amazing time with the Brits and Bermudan in my group as we taught them Chor Tai Ti and got them addicted to the game. Pat and I had a marvelous time there with the locals, had our mini-adventures together and we were invited to the staffroom to makan-makan almost everyday by the ever-so lovely principal.

Fishing with the locals

Phase 1 ended pretty fast and I had to move on, physically and emotionally for Phase 2 in Danum Valley. We were constructing a suspension bridge there and after work it was usually FUN time engaging in activity like floating down the Segama River all the way to Field Centre in rubber tubing. Me and some of the other venturers also went to work with the scientists to do a small-mammals research or frogging.

Environment Phase- Danum Valley

Another banterous and memorable moment from phase 2 was Jungle Valentine. Gifts were exchanged and we dined in a lovey-dovey ambience with love songs playing and candlelight on the 14th August. My project manager, my Scottish chum and I decided to have a little adventure on our last day by going tubing at 5.00am from our campsite to the field centre and then climbed a 100-feet tree to catch sunrise on the last day.

Banana in his mouth!

And finally, the gruesome Adventure phase took place. We were the uncaring, non-sharing, winning Alpha 6. Had an amazing team members and PMs. I started off with diving in Mamutik Island. The place is a paradise - it’s beautiful and relaxing. Diving was really enjoyable and managed to sneak out on a boat dive with the divers on my last day there.

River Crossing

After that, I trekked for 12 days in Crocker Range and enjoyed it, surprisingly. There were some highs and lows during trekking but the highs dominated the lows! :D

Dipping in the cool Crocker stream

My group members were such darlings as they constantly support each other and always helping the slower trekkers, like me. Haha!

Sun salutation Raleigh-style!

Lastly, Mount K was a real challenge. I almost gave up halfway through and giving stupid excuses like “Oh sudah boleh Nampak matahari. Ok lah tak payah naik lagi” to the guide but he was always encouraging me to reach the peak. Not wanting to regret for not reaching the peak, so I continued and phew!!.. reached the peak 10 minutes before the sun rose.

Party Girls

Dressing up for the end of expedition party.. Notice Sailor Moon? :P

This expedition is a once in a lifetime opportunity and I am really glad I went for it. It was definitely the best 3 months of my life. Another one next year? Definitely! :D