Shu Woan's second phase In Expedition 09B - Part 2 of 3

First changeover. Allocation to new Alpha groups. I prayed so hard that my name would be called out by the Imbak PMs. I was quite disappointed devastated when George called my name. Nonetheless, I walked up, hugged (or did I just shook hands with them? can’t really remember.) both PMs who were stationed in Batu Puteh. Not only was I in an Environmental project that was more ‘community’ than both Community projects combined, I won’t be able to go to Imbak, and I would not get to be with Lorna, who was my PM during trek & dive! I was seriously unhappy.

During dinner that night, I spoke to Huub and Juicy, both went to Batu Puteh in the previous phase. They had nothing but praises for that place. They made really good friends over there, spotted loads of wild life and cried so hard during their last night there. Sounds interesting. They even gave me tips on where to sleep in the goat shed, so that the leaking roof won’t bother me. OK. I was less unhappy.

“Because tonight will be the night that I will fall for you

Over again, don’t make me change my mind

Or I won’t live to see another day, I swear it’s true

Because a girl like you is impossible to find

Is impossible to find”

“Fall For You”, Secondhand Serenade

This song was sung repeatedly by the guys in Batu Puteh, since day 1. From the moment work commenced, until we went back. We hated it, loved it. Hated it again, loved it again. Halfway through the phase, we were singing along as well. We carried rocks, sand and gravel from the jetty to the boat. Unloading every single bag at the platoon of the Eco Camp. Carry them through the pathway into the Eco Camp, across the mud all the way beside the reed bed. Emptied the bags. Started all over again. The reed bed functions as a filter, to filter out whatever that goes from the toilet into the antiseptic tank before it enters the river. Hence the need for rocks, sand and gravel. Sounds tough. It actually is. We enjoyed lifting every single bag. We had breaks in between which was termed ‘Sabah time’. It has now become my motto. It signifies working hard, but taking time off to reflect on what you’re actually doing.

There were some individuals in the group that were less diligent than others. Maybe it was the weather. Maybe it was the food. Maybe it was the long working hours. Maybe there was a breakdown in the way we communicated. It did affect the group dynamics. Everyone felt it, but we couldn’t figure out how to get it sorted. Our analytical skills were slightly impaired for some reason. Although we had a schedule written out, things were just not as smooth as my Adventure Phase. I talked about it with George during my one-to-one sessions with her, on a lovely sunny day, at the Eco Camp (after we camped overnight at the Eco Camp). All we had to do was voice it out. Everyone felt something but no one said anything. Another lesson learnt.

When the guys from Batu Puteh made a special appearance at the Closing Ceremony of Expedition Borneo 09B, one of them played the guitar and ALL the venturers (and the two PMs) who were at Batu Puteh at some point of the expedition, sang ‘Fall For You’ together. I couldn’t be happier that I was allocated to Batu Puteh.

Shu Woan

Editor's Note: Watch out for Part 3, phase 3, new challenges, Mount K views everyday, plus photos as well of course, all that all that... ~to be released soon! If you had missed out on Phase 1, read on here. Want to experience the amazing experience Shu Woan had in Borneo? What's YOUR first challenge to expedition? Introduction Weekend! Register now! Cheers!