Imogen in the Great Cave

Jodie in the Great Cave

Shivi and Imogen

View during lunch

Clive joining us on our trek

cock-ups and caves

So by now you've probably read of my shameful day as leader. Basically one cock-up after another, here's a short breakdown of events.
Originally planning to wake up at a time whereby everyone could shower, eat and pack at a leisurely pace before getting into taxi's, we were actually rudely awakened by our lifesaver Imogen, shouting that we had 5 minutes to get into our taxi's. Thankfully the taxi ride to the boat was not as long as we expected and we arrived with plenty of time to board the boat.
The boat ride was great, once again sailing through crocodile-infested waters, though disappointed with the lack of crocodiles, the amazing scenery, hot sun and cool breeze made lying on the deck an experience not to be forgotten, and one that led to my punishment for the next few days.
Disembarking the boat, we once again loaded onto to taxi's to head to the bus station. The next cock-up coming from the taxi driver of one of the cabs being adamant on taking 5 of us to the airport, 40 minutes later, suddenly remembering he can speak english when confronted by a police man, the taxi eventually reaches the the awaiting team at the bus station.
The bus taking us from Sibu to Miri was the third thing that day we underestimated, taking 6, rather than 3 hours to reach our accommodation, we then argued with the receptionist at 1 o'clock in the morning, though it was partially our fault we arrived late, they had managed to cock-up our room arrangements. We walked out and headed to the much nicer Dillenia guesthouse where an american couple noted how the same hotel had cocked-up their rooms too (see, not our fault, ha).
So that was my hectic day as a leader, though it was not the smoothest day, I did manage to get us half-way across the country and into decent accommodation for the next 3 nights and paid dearly for the day with the aforementioned punishment, after spending 5 hours on the deck of the boat, I emerged from the day with the most painfully sunburnt legs of my life. Looking like a lobster and walking like a zombie, having been ridiculed the last 3 days I at least take comfort in what Neil said, "These are the days that people remember and will laugh about".

So, onto todays event, we travelled to the Niah caves, a huge cavern 3km into the jungle. The entrance of the cave was spectacular and looked moreso from the inside. Headtorches on we descended into the caves, bats flying overhead and cave-crickets on the floor, it was always a miraculous site when Mark shined his ultra-bright torch upwards, revealing hundreds of hanging bats. Though cut short by maintenance, we had had lunch at the other side of the caves, on the edge of a drop into the jungle before returning back through the giant system and heading home, preparing for the next 5 days trek through the jungle.

Sorry for the long blog but I thought it only fair that you all get the chance to laugh at me and this is one of the last blogs heading your way in at least a week.

Hope everyone's having a great holiday so far and see you all soon! :)

At the Red Corner Restaurant on our last day in Kutching

Its 1.13 in the morning and only now does the internet allow us to fully access the site. When last I tried to post I was unable to so instead I left a comment attached to a previous post, so if you want to hear about our journey from Kutching to Miri, please review the comments on the previous entries.

Not a great deal has happened today as it was set aside for admin. We met Sampson, our in-country agent - what an amazing bloke. If he isn't related to every important dignitary in the country then he went to school with them.

The team went shopping today and bought a kilogram of rice per person for the trek. Given the fact that we will only need 4 dinners and they have got noodles too, then I think they might have over-catered. It's a shame because they were so proud of themselves.

Off to the Niah caves tomorrow - that should be quite an experience. The team managed to convince Rob that we were going to fly there. The boy should be blonde! Every day there has been something else that has put him at the top of the 'doh' league.

Jack has recovered from his day as leader, in fact, I don't think there was actually anything to recover from as he just let the whole thing pass him by.

Jon has had a quiet day since his performance with the wok at the restaurant yesterday.

Jon enjoys a curry prepared especially for him.

Jody spotted a tarantula in the toilet. It must have been at least 15mm across! She says she will be fine in the jungle.

Emma is becoming the mother of the group. Yes, she moans a bit, (no really, only a bit), but I have been so pleased with how she has risen to the challenge. She still doesn't always know whether she is asking a sensible question, but more often than not she is and she is so good at seeing that something needs to be done and getting it sorted.

Matt has had another quiet day, but I know that he is beginning to manage things in his own way and is exerting influence where he thinks he can.

Shivi was leader today and whilst, to be fair, it was not the most difficult day to be leader, nevertheless, she was calmly efficient. Abbie's turn tomorrow.

Dan has a problem! He cannot make himself heard. Really, he cannot shout. Whatever the situation he cannot raise his voice. I thought he was joking at first, but we have now set him a personal challenge. Not sure he will rise to it.

On the boat from Kutching to Sibu. Lots of bodies got fried that day!

Nigel, what kind of a reason is that to support Chelsea?

4 minutes. I have to be honest, I'm enjoying this, knowing that apart from a few angry taxi drivers there will not be a problem. 1 minute and the first one surfaces, Imogen is off to get the others. No-one has gone to tell the taxi drivers.

Yep, poo is flying and most of it towards Jack. He decided to leave wake up to Imogen, yesterday's leader. Was last one down just now. Needs to recover this quick.

Time to go I think.

What fun!!!!!!!

Neil

9 minutes to go! Taxis are booked! Still no sign. Poo will hit the fan!

25 mins to departure and Jess is up but still no-one else. Jack will be in trouble for not getting organised - he is team leader today. However, they have miscalculated how long it will take to get to the boat so will still have plenty of time. There will be a bit of a panic first though.

Last day in Kuching

Today we travelled by taxi to Matang National Park to visit the wildlife reserves, including sun bears, orang utans, crocodiles, leapords, porcupine, and other various animals. We then spent a leisurely afternoon in Kuching to find Rob in an interesting new choice of clothing which was later followed by Jack and Jon to form a tribe (photos soon to follow).  We have also had many incidents today involving loss of keys starting with the boys keys being dropped on the hostel roof by Peter which had to be rescued by Mark with a throw line.  As punishment for the room that had now lost keys on numerous occassions Mark padlocked both sets of keys to a wok! This had to be carried around all evening - even to the restaurant where we took the hostel owner, Chris, to dinner.  The restaurant was only small so once we were inside and had put all of the tables together we had taken up the entire restuarant.  During dinner Mark ordered Jon a small plate of fish stuffed with six of the hottest chillis around, normally one chilli is enough for six people, his face was one of the funniest things we'd seen all week. The next key incident involved Rob and Matt who found themselves struggling to get into their room without a key.  They both searched everywhere including the restaurant we had been to only to find out on the walk back to the hostel that Rob had the key in his pocket all along!

Tomorrow we are travelling to Miri so can't guarentee when the next blog will be but we will try to message soon hopefully with some photos and videos. 

Lots of love Emily and Fen x