Oh and almost forgot Calum had his souvenir taken by the very bold monkey at the caves. It has been returned to him by another monkey but it is not quite in the condition he bought it in. It is the thought that counts though isn't it. Ben M did not even put up a fight for his ice cream or Adam with his coconut whereby both just through their items to the monkeys as an offering.
Thursday 31 July 2014
Another busy day and first congratulations to Ollie S for being the first person in the last 7 years to have a tick! Safely removed now so don't worry. Busy couple of days in KL with us enjoying the air conditioning rooms in the hotel. Yesterday saw us go out for Mexican food where they played 70s music. Max, Ollie P, Ben F, Colin and Frazier all busted their moves on the dance floor to the amusement of the locals.
On the way out Jamie had his bum slapped by one of the lady boys which was quite funny. Yesterday evening we discovered that we had booked the wrong bus tickets and so some of the boys went off to correct this and successfully did so. The others challenged themselves with a Subway. We then left for the Batu caves. Very cultural with some Hindu significance. On the way up Teresa and Alex both got pooped on by pigeons. Poor Teresa had to stand their for several minutes until I got the iPod out.
After we went to something called breakout where you are given a set time time to escape from a room with problems to solve. Three teams went into three different rooms each with a different theme. We may do another one so we have not discussed them. The boys have really enjoyed this. The rooms I was in consisted of us being faced with series of headless dolls attached to strings behind bars - we were then handcuffed to the bars and the timer was started. Over the course of the time we had to crack codes, pull strings, open padlocks and secret doors whilst a creepy girl was singing nursery rhymes. The second room we entered had prosthetic legs and a cage which trapped Frazer in after he triggered a switch. This brought out a competitive side in me I never knew I had! We have had a really good laugh today and it I has been nice to have a break from the walking. Anyway off to elephant sanctuary tomorrow so may be a while until next blog but may have wifi so you never know.
Thanks for all the messages I will pass them on.
On the way out Jamie had his bum slapped by one of the lady boys which was quite funny. Yesterday evening we discovered that we had booked the wrong bus tickets and so some of the boys went off to correct this and successfully did so. The others challenged themselves with a Subway. We then left for the Batu caves. Very cultural with some Hindu significance. On the way up Teresa and Alex both got pooped on by pigeons. Poor Teresa had to stand their for several minutes until I got the iPod out.
After we went to something called breakout where you are given a set time time to escape from a room with problems to solve. Three teams went into three different rooms each with a different theme. We may do another one so we have not discussed them. The boys have really enjoyed this. The rooms I was in consisted of us being faced with series of headless dolls attached to strings behind bars - we were then handcuffed to the bars and the timer was started. Over the course of the time we had to crack codes, pull strings, open padlocks and secret doors whilst a creepy girl was singing nursery rhymes. The second room we entered had prosthetic legs and a cage which trapped Frazer in after he triggered a switch. This brought out a competitive side in me I never knew I had! We have had a really good laugh today and it I has been nice to have a break from the walking. Anyway off to elephant sanctuary tomorrow so may be a while until next blog but may have wifi so you never know.
Thanks for all the messages I will pass them on.
Wednesday 30 July 2014
Trek Phase
Everyone is still well as I write from my hotel room in KL. We left early in the morning for trek but as it is festival time we got caught in lots of traffic and the journey took a lengthy 9 hours. On arrival at the rainforest campsite in the dark the heaven decided to open and we all got absolutely saturated. We cheated slightly here and decided to opt for a buffet dinner at the expensive hotel next to the campsite. The boys have eaten a lot and shared their dinner with some very large moths and a praying mantis.
Some of the boys accepted Frank's chilli challenge (Adam, Frazer, Alex and Colin). A few red faces and a prolonged period of hiccups ensued from this. Back to camp and the tents were put up pretty swiftly. The temperature of the tents was well into the thirties and everyone had a rather uncomfortable night.
The morning after we went to the canopy walkway which included a series of planks tied with ropes and at one point a ladder hung by ropes. Max has successfully overcome his fear of heights and watching the boys try and complete these without touching the ropes was particularly entertaining. This was the easy part, later we climbed a hill to a view point where the boys could a panoramic view of Taman Negara. The walk was very hot and humid.
Later, we all went to the river for a swim and to cool down. The boys took turns to lifeguard. Ben M took this as a chance to sunbathe in his fake Raybands and Alex to skim stones. Another hot night at camp before we went off to do our overnight trek to a jungle view tower. This was one of the hardest days I have had on world challenge. It was physically draining with us crawling along the floor under and over tree trunks, insects everywhere. This had a varied effect on the boys. Ben F, Sam, Adam and Ollie P seemed to embrace its difficulties whereas other found it a form of torture. Not much wildlife unfortunately but the end of a python was spotted. Ben M and Adam refused to get anywhere near the creature but Ben has said he may hold part if the python at the Deerland park.
On arrival the boys set up their mats and beds. We shared our room with a colony of bees. Every time the head torches went on the boys were bombed by bees as if it was a scene from the blitz. I found this very entertaining. The boys forgot to bring one of the trangias and so food was a bit limited. The boys saw some wild buffalo and tapirs. Our final day was a short walk to a motor boat where it took us bank to camp. Another afternoon at the river saw the boys enjoy themselves but we were pleased to leave and be back on our way to KL. I am off out in a bit but will try and blog the next couple of days this evening.
I hope you are all well.
Everyone is still well as I write from my hotel room in KL. We left early in the morning for trek but as it is festival time we got caught in lots of traffic and the journey took a lengthy 9 hours. On arrival at the rainforest campsite in the dark the heaven decided to open and we all got absolutely saturated. We cheated slightly here and decided to opt for a buffet dinner at the expensive hotel next to the campsite. The boys have eaten a lot and shared their dinner with some very large moths and a praying mantis.
Some of the boys accepted Frank's chilli challenge (Adam, Frazer, Alex and Colin). A few red faces and a prolonged period of hiccups ensued from this. Back to camp and the tents were put up pretty swiftly. The temperature of the tents was well into the thirties and everyone had a rather uncomfortable night.
The morning after we went to the canopy walkway which included a series of planks tied with ropes and at one point a ladder hung by ropes. Max has successfully overcome his fear of heights and watching the boys try and complete these without touching the ropes was particularly entertaining. This was the easy part, later we climbed a hill to a view point where the boys could a panoramic view of Taman Negara. The walk was very hot and humid.
Later, we all went to the river for a swim and to cool down. The boys took turns to lifeguard. Ben M took this as a chance to sunbathe in his fake Raybands and Alex to skim stones. Another hot night at camp before we went off to do our overnight trek to a jungle view tower. This was one of the hardest days I have had on world challenge. It was physically draining with us crawling along the floor under and over tree trunks, insects everywhere. This had a varied effect on the boys. Ben F, Sam, Adam and Ollie P seemed to embrace its difficulties whereas other found it a form of torture. Not much wildlife unfortunately but the end of a python was spotted. Ben M and Adam refused to get anywhere near the creature but Ben has said he may hold part if the python at the Deerland park.
On arrival the boys set up their mats and beds. We shared our room with a colony of bees. Every time the head torches went on the boys were bombed by bees as if it was a scene from the blitz. I found this very entertaining. The boys forgot to bring one of the trangias and so food was a bit limited. The boys saw some wild buffalo and tapirs. Our final day was a short walk to a motor boat where it took us bank to camp. Another afternoon at the river saw the boys enjoy themselves but we were pleased to leave and be back on our way to KL. I am off out in a bit but will try and blog the next couple of days this evening.
I hope you are all well.
Thursday 24 July 2014
Our first day back in KL has been an admin day. Teresa took one group and I the other on what only can be described as a complete tour of the city. We had previously asked our bus driver which bus station we needed to go to buy the next set of tickets. After walking for nearly forty minutes, asking three locals and standing in the middle of the street frequently, we stumbled upon what we thought was our bus station. Unfortunately, as with most locals, the bus driver had decided to guess an answer to our question rather than seem unhelpful. Another two hours later and numerous miles travelled we finally had the admin done and were back at the hostel.
Max has asked the question today 'whether it was possible to burn the skin on your legs?' - as his biology teacher for the last two years - I was slightly concerned whether I have done my job properly.
In the evening we went to a sailor themed restaurant. Three courses tonight and it has been very enjoyable to eat without the cast of 'life on earth' flying around you.
Yesterday was rafting day. The day did not start well with me getting stuck in a toilet cubicle. Fortunately, after a short time of panic I put my climbing skills into practice and scaled over the top of the door to the other side.
On arrival at the river the boys were divided into groups of four and let loose onto the course. It has been quite dry in Malaysia since we have arrived with only one torrential downpour since day one. Consequently the water level was a bit lower than expected and more rocky than usual. Ben M was our only fall out of the boat by accident but every one ended up in the river eventually after the numerous splashes, wars, take outs and dunkings. Poor Teresa tried her best to avoid this but could not manage to evade Colin's rugby tackle.
The boys have had a really good day and have come away with relatively minor grazes and bruises.
The bus journey home saw most have an afternoon nap apart from Sam, Ben f and Adam who have played multiple games of top trumps and cheat.
Just before dinner Adam had his group money returned by the laundry woman as his group money fell out of his shorts just before they went though the washing machine! Lots of life lessons here.
AI am sure you are aware by now that we are getting a new leader and Teresa and I have just met him. We both feel he will be a better match for the boys. Thanks for all the messages. I will continue to keep passing them on to the boys.
Max has asked the question today 'whether it was possible to burn the skin on your legs?' - as his biology teacher for the last two years - I was slightly concerned whether I have done my job properly.
In the evening we went to a sailor themed restaurant. Three courses tonight and it has been very enjoyable to eat without the cast of 'life on earth' flying around you.
Yesterday was rafting day. The day did not start well with me getting stuck in a toilet cubicle. Fortunately, after a short time of panic I put my climbing skills into practice and scaled over the top of the door to the other side.
On arrival at the river the boys were divided into groups of four and let loose onto the course. It has been quite dry in Malaysia since we have arrived with only one torrential downpour since day one. Consequently the water level was a bit lower than expected and more rocky than usual. Ben M was our only fall out of the boat by accident but every one ended up in the river eventually after the numerous splashes, wars, take outs and dunkings. Poor Teresa tried her best to avoid this but could not manage to evade Colin's rugby tackle.
The boys have had a really good day and have come away with relatively minor grazes and bruises.
The bus journey home saw most have an afternoon nap apart from Sam, Ben f and Adam who have played multiple games of top trumps and cheat.
Just before dinner Adam had his group money returned by the laundry woman as his group money fell out of his shorts just before they went though the washing machine! Lots of life lessons here.
AI am sure you are aware by now that we are getting a new leader and Teresa and I have just met him. We both feel he will be a better match for the boys. Thanks for all the messages. I will continue to keep passing them on to the boys.
Wednesday 23 July 2014
We have now arrived back in KL after out trip to Tasik Chini. During the trip, we took a short walk to the chief of the village and then played football with some local boys. The accommodation was very basic with a variety of wildlife sharing the room.
On day two we got up early to start our day of activities. First, we went to the local school and then into the rainforest to go on our trek. Everyone surprised by just how hot it is in the rainforest. Ben M won the tree climbing contest and we were taught how to set a trap for chickens. We were expecting a slow boat ride back but instead went by motor boat through the rainforest at times very fast. This has probably been the highlight so far. Max and Ollie P spent most of the time splashing themselves and reenacting scenes from titanic.
Next onto our blow dart competition where both Max and Spencer hit the target. All the boys seemed to enjoy this and as a short warning there are 9 boys coming home with blow pipes. Back at camp we had a fish dinner and on to our presentation of the Macarena to the locals.
On day two we got up early to start our day of activities. First, we went to the local school and then into the rainforest to go on our trek. Everyone surprised by just how hot it is in the rainforest. Ben M won the tree climbing contest and we were taught how to set a trap for chickens. We were expecting a slow boat ride back but instead went by motor boat through the rainforest at times very fast. This has probably been the highlight so far. Max and Ollie P spent most of the time splashing themselves and reenacting scenes from titanic.
Next onto our blow dart competition where both Max and Spencer hit the target. All the boys seemed to enjoy this and as a short warning there are 9 boys coming home with blow pipes. Back at camp we had a fish dinner and on to our presentation of the Macarena to the locals.
Sunday 20 July 2014
Morning everyone. Yesterday we managed to get most of the accommodation booked, go on a short tour of KL and visit a place that sells desserts. Very sunny day here travelling around using the monorail.
On a more humorous note Ben M, Frazer and Colin bundled a bed and broke it. It is currently being propped up until we get out of the hostel. Last night we went to Reggae Bar restaurant.
Off to Tasik chini today. Night walk hopefully later.
On a more humorous note Ben M, Frazer and Colin bundled a bed and broke it. It is currently being propped up until we get out of the hostel. Last night we went to Reggae Bar restaurant.
Off to Tasik chini today. Night walk hopefully later.
Saturday 19 July 2014
Good morning everyone. It is 3 a.m. here and it is so hot I cannot sleep so am learning how to upload photos. Here is a photo from our first meal.. We have just discovered that curry is much hotter here than its equivalent in England.
We found bull's eye on the menu and Ollie P decided to order it to give it a go. Unfortunately it turned out to be a fried egg. Credit where credit is due however for bravery.
Fraser has just completed his days as leader and it is now over to Max for the next couple of days. We are attempting to book everything today so it is going to be very busy.
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