Expedition 11D Sailed Off Into the Land Below The Wind

Good day!

Before the venturers left were asked to give their pre-expedition feelings for their upcoming expedition. Some were nervous and some excited but all will embark on the same journey many venturers have before them. They have been training and packing and buying all those that are necessary for their expedition in Borneo for 10 weeks. They are 3 weeks into within their expedition phase and be back only when the wind blows this way once again.

Below are your venturers for Expedition Borneo 11D.

Furthest back row: Ricky Cheah and Cynthia Alexander
Back row: Dharushini Bai, Zed Chan and Shu May
Front row: Chew Yoke Yuen and Carrot

Venturers are in bold (Which coincidentally they have to be when they are going for expedition)

Missing from the picture is June Yin Tan.

From the mouths of venturers themselves about their pre-expedition feeling and what they feel about their 10 weeks adventure of a lifetime;

"I am lost and confused as to why I am going for expedition. Two weeks more to the departure date. I'm nervous, I'm vacillating, I'm excited and I'm ready to get out there to go find my own answers to my own questions. ~ June Yin Tan
" 8 days to go! And how do I feel? Kan cheong, nervous, fear of the unknown,hesitant and OMG can I really do this?? Although I decided for this expedition quite some time back, suddenly it feels very overwhelming. I'm not sure if its the right path to take but I am CERTAIN that I WANT to take it! So whatever that is in store for me, Bring It On as I'm Getting Out There!" said a kancheong but not showing it Cynthia.

When I paid my deposit and clicked the "send" button for application form, I was excited and looking forward to GET OUT THERE. Like most of the ex-venturers came back with post-expedition blues, however as day gets nearer and nearer, I think I am having pre-expedition blues when I get cold feet and doubt for expedition. "What is out there? What if I cannot survive? " There are so many what if's running all over my mind. I join expedition because I am inspired by people around me, hoping to do something different during my gap year, and I know this will definitely be a once in a lifetime experience that I would not regret in life. Counting down and departing in 8 days, I am busy settling college's reports, graduation, training and packing all at the same time, the feeling of excitements, nervous and anxious are mixing up. I am getting ready to challenge myself, leave my comfort zone, and embark on my 11D expedition. Borneo is calling~ by Chew Yoke Yuen

Ricky Cheah says " I going 11D Borneo expedition!! Everyone include myself is so excited about it. Well, i'm little nervous and not ready to go. This expedition have bring me to another level which the things i'm not normally do. Let's Get Out There, Fund Raise Out There, Reach Out There. A week before leaving, not much special about me as usual everyone is packing. I'm not very happy of what i preparing, because the equipment i bringing is not fully own by my-self. I'm embarrassed to borrow others belonging. If give me second chance, i would like to start fund raising earlier.... Regret... Yeah, who ever the new venturer. I personally advice start fund raising earlier. Okay, back on life... i have no idea how to survive 2.5 months in the jungle. Although i love IW in the weekend, but this is 10x times more!! i miss facebook, google for research, and youtube! Hahaha xD. I'm cloudy that i didnt bring camera. o well, that not important of all... but i try to enjoy it... i look forward of this 10 weeks. i have a feeling i deeply felt in love of expedition... ^^"

Will they come back as a different person or will they come back same same person? Will they come back a little darker or roasted? Will they find their inner peace or their outer one? Only they would know. Follow their adventure at; www.raleighborneo.blogspot.com

Projects for Expedition Borneo 11D

Community projects @ Kindergarten – Kampung Sonsogon Magandai, Pitas district and Pulau Maliangin Besar
Environment projects @ Danum Valley – Bridge and Camp Construction and Sepilok – Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre
Adventure Projects @ Trekking and Diving in Long Pasia and an island off KK

Write to them letters of encouragement and news from back home @

Venturer's Name
Raleigh
PO Box 14182,
88848 Kota Kinabalu
Sabah, Malaysia

Want to know more what Raleigh International is about?

Raleigh International is a youth development charity which aims to develop young people by empowering them on meaningful and long-lasting conservation and community projects. Raleigh runs expeditions around the world. These expeditions are divided into three phases: Adventure, Community and Environment, each lasting for three weeks for a total of about 10 weeks.

And also visit raleighinternational.org.my for more info on Raleigh KL activities.

UPDATES!!!

They are now into their third week of their 10 week expedition. Hopefully they have already settled in comfortably at their new home.

Ricky and Dharushini in Alpha 3 @ Danum Valley where work will be cut out for them to build a new bridge and a camp.
June in Alpha 4 with the Sunbear Conservation Centre for her environmental phase.
Last but not least is Cynthia and Yoke Yuen on Alpha 6 doing their 12 day trek in the beautiful pristine rain forest of Long Pasia and then heading off the Mamutik Island for some diving.

As a special reminder, do write them letters or comment on the blog once in a while. I'm pretty sure they would enjoy seeing some familiar sentences from you all. I'm sure I would.

Want your own story book?

Write to expedition@raleighinternational.org.my or visit raleighinternational.org for more information.

Till the next update. =)