Sunday, August 13, 2006
surviving 21st ERS course (week 17 out of 24)
This week wasn't spend in CDA but was spent in OBBD. Here is how my journey begin... ...(yes marcus, it'll be a long entry... lol =p)
Outward Bound Brunei Darussalam - Personal Awareness Course
7 -13 August 2006
7 -13 August 2006
Day 1
Guess the last plane I had taken was about a decade ago. This time round it was my very first experience going overseas all by myself. It was a 1hr 40 min flight from Singapore to Brunei and we took off at around 13 40. The flight started off by a Muslim Prayer to bless us for a safe trip. (Not bad eh~) Throughout the journey, I was rather facinated by the view outside the side window. Being above the clouds; viewing the majestic heavenly sight was definitely overwhelming for me. Anyhow, I had chicken with backed potatoes for lunch with salad and fruits. Ordered extra orange juice and tea afterthat. Somehow, or another, it felt fun to me just being a passenger on board. lolx
Upon arrival at the Brunei International Airport (it was like half or less than that of Changi International Airport's Terminal 1) at around 3 plus, we took a mini bus that took us to a jetty in the city. The city was akin to Singapore - all the road signs, environment etc. were exactly the same. Except their overhead traffic lights, which is positioned vertically. At the jetty, we took a 'wooden' speed boatr; destination - OBBD logistics centre. It was a 40-45min ride. We travelled through lots of meanders; surrounded by trees....and many many more trees!!
Night falls (around 18 30) when we finally arrived at OBBD logistics centre. We had a quick dinner (we did not wash our own dishes cause we were behind schedule) then we proceed to our first meeting. Everything was done in a haste.
Our Watch group was called 'Damang Sari'; our course instructors were Serene Giam Swee Lin (from OBS) and Jukarnain (From OBBD). After the first meeting of the rest of my 15 Watch members, we head straight for shower then had a rather uncalled-for night at our 'Teratak' (the dormitory over there)... ...there was actually rats running in and out from the roof in fast and swift movement. From this night onwards, I could not have a proper sleep everytime I was awaken by their disturbance.
Day 2
We had to wake up at around 05 00 so that we would be punctual for the flag raising set at 06 00 sharp every morning.
Our first activity was some transverse thingy that was to do with using a pulley system and getting our guys and baggages across the river. We had our water confidence drills after that theory lecture. After lunch we had some briefing for the next day's activity - a 3D 2N jungle trek. Then, we went for some kayaking capsizing drill.
The night was hectic as we were required to pack our group and personal items into our backpack issued to us. The food rations given to us were ridiculously overloading us!! And the tents were heavy. Wonder how can we manage to complete the trekking for the next 3 days... ...
Day 3
We set off from the logistics centre by a 'long-wooden' speed boat (forgot what is it called already). Then we need to carry out our practical side of the transverse thingy. We took more than the spitulated time (3 hrs), so we had to make use of the boat to get across. From there, that was where our trekking actually starts.
The first day of trekking was rather tiring but it was still managable cause we only walked for about close to 1700 double steps (about 2.5 km). We pitched out tents at around 17 30 and washed up to prepare for our dinner. Toilet and waste management was rather stringent as our instructor wanted us to wash the cans and squash them into thin films before keeping inside a plastic bag to take back to base and biodegradable things were to be thrown into the shit hole before continuing the trekking for the day.
Washing up in the river was fun and a refreshing experience for me as it was my first time. Collecting water from the river for consumption was also something new to me. Had to use something called 'purifying tablets' to 'clean' the water. It contains sodium dichlorocyanate.
Day 4
The 2nd day of trekking (me being the I/C of the day) we managed to get to the summit which was around 1469m above sea level. We were damn tired and exhausted as we had to trek for about 12 hours with only 1 litre of water each. (cause our i/c didn't give us an extra bottle for trekking even though our instructor told us that we needed to bring 2 bottles...sigh...) That lead us to exhaustion and dehydration. I nearly wanted to drop dead but still I endured all the way until 18 00 where we finally reached our campsite to pitch our tent in the dark. Everybody's morale was low.
Day 5
Morning had broken between 05 30 to 06 00 but some of us were to lazy and tired to wake up to prepare to set off. So we broke camp rather late...around 07 06 then we managed to get everything ready. We could sense that our instructor was quite pissed off but then we still continued our trekking at arond 8 plus.
Today, everyone was in high spirits. Perhaps it was because we would be going back to base in a few hours time. Our pace was also faster than yesterday's. We manage to get back to camp at arond 12 00. We were the last group (although we were the first group to set off) but nonetheless everyone endured through the whole journey without giving up. So it was still quite an acheivement, no?
Had our late lunch, where other groups were busy packing their stuffs back to store. We had to postpone our morning kayaking activity cause we were running behind time. We quickly put our loads on the assembly area and went for a short briefing on our solo night in the jungle.
We had to spend about 12 hours in the jungle alone; without any form of communication and we were only provided with 5 litres of water, 1 shelter top, 1 ground sheet, 1 poncho, 1 pen, 1 pencil, 2 A4 size paper with an envelope, 1 lightstick (to be used for emergency), 1 air horn (to be used for emergency), and we were given the choice to bring our own insect repellent.
We were taken to our designated position in the jungle at around 16 00 - 17 00. I quickly pitched up my shelter and get ready to write something on that piece of paper. I hurriedly finish up my thoughts (even though I could barely see what I am writing and where I'm writing on! haha) and went to sleep using my poncho as my blanket.
Although our instructors had poured snake powder and sprayed insecticides around the boundary of my groundsheet, I sprayed my own insect repellent as well for reinforcement. =p
At around 20 00, the instructors came to us and placed a mosquito coil next to us. At that time, I was sub-concious, so I didn't care much about their presence. I couldn't really sleep well as there was a really huge root just below my lower back. Sian diao... ...
Day 6
When I woke up, my stomach started to growl and at the same time I was having a filled bladder and a stomache. lolx So I drank some water and went to release whatever I needed to release. And I was quite fortunate to have an extra piece of A4 size paper for me to use it as my toilet paper. hahaha =p
Had our breakfast and went to settle our trekking stuffs after that. After lunch, we had a briefing on our last and final challenge of the course - 10km run! We set off at around 16 00 and I came in 7th in position out of around 80 participants with a timing of 54:24. ONe of us broke one of the instructors previous record of 47 mins and he did it with the timing of 45 or 46 mins.
At night was the most daunting night as we need to settle all the logistics stuffs before we depart from there the next day. Luckily everything was alright but we settled everything damn late, so we had to have our supper at around 23 00. Afterthat, we were handed another's person's certificates and we were told to pass it back to the person. It was quite meaningful as we all had suffered everything together and now we were honoured to receive the certs from people who were one of us.
We slept at around 00 00 and again I was woken up by that stupid rat so much so that I suspected that I didn't sleep at all!
Day 7
Finally the course is coming to an end. Although the challenges were tough but at least I managed to get through all. Woke up at 04 10 and went to wash up and changed to our 'book out' attire. We had our last flag raising at 06 00 and set off to airport straight away. We had our breakfast just next to the jetty and then took a transport to airport until 10 10 when we were suppose to get ready in the waiting area before boarding the plane.
The plane took flight at around 10 40. (finally able to sit at the window seat haha =p) Had Fish fillet with baked potatoes in butter. (Didn't knew we could ask for chilli sauce until my friend told me just now! lolx) Also had a piece of chocolate cake and sphagetti-like salad I suppose. Bryan G. didn't want his share of cake, so he gave it to me! Yes ah! haha Anyway, I ordered an orange juice and tea again. haha
Touched down at Singapore around 12 45. Bid farewell to all the paramedics as this was the last time we would be seeing them before they return back to their base stations. Finally, back to our comfort zone. HOME SWEET HOME!~ =)
(long enough marcus? hahaha)
Guess the last plane I had taken was about a decade ago. This time round it was my very first experience going overseas all by myself. It was a 1hr 40 min flight from Singapore to Brunei and we took off at around 13 40. The flight started off by a Muslim Prayer to bless us for a safe trip. (Not bad eh~) Throughout the journey, I was rather facinated by the view outside the side window. Being above the clouds; viewing the majestic heavenly sight was definitely overwhelming for me. Anyhow, I had chicken with backed potatoes for lunch with salad and fruits. Ordered extra orange juice and tea afterthat. Somehow, or another, it felt fun to me just being a passenger on board. lolx
Upon arrival at the Brunei International Airport (it was like half or less than that of Changi International Airport's Terminal 1) at around 3 plus, we took a mini bus that took us to a jetty in the city. The city was akin to Singapore - all the road signs, environment etc. were exactly the same. Except their overhead traffic lights, which is positioned vertically. At the jetty, we took a 'wooden' speed boatr; destination - OBBD logistics centre. It was a 40-45min ride. We travelled through lots of meanders; surrounded by trees....and many many more trees!!
Night falls (around 18 30) when we finally arrived at OBBD logistics centre. We had a quick dinner (we did not wash our own dishes cause we were behind schedule) then we proceed to our first meeting. Everything was done in a haste.
Our Watch group was called 'Damang Sari'; our course instructors were Serene Giam Swee Lin (from OBS) and Jukarnain (From OBBD). After the first meeting of the rest of my 15 Watch members, we head straight for shower then had a rather uncalled-for night at our 'Teratak' (the dormitory over there)... ...there was actually rats running in and out from the roof in fast and swift movement. From this night onwards, I could not have a proper sleep everytime I was awaken by their disturbance.
Day 2
We had to wake up at around 05 00 so that we would be punctual for the flag raising set at 06 00 sharp every morning.
Our first activity was some transverse thingy that was to do with using a pulley system and getting our guys and baggages across the river. We had our water confidence drills after that theory lecture. After lunch we had some briefing for the next day's activity - a 3D 2N jungle trek. Then, we went for some kayaking capsizing drill.
The night was hectic as we were required to pack our group and personal items into our backpack issued to us. The food rations given to us were ridiculously overloading us!! And the tents were heavy. Wonder how can we manage to complete the trekking for the next 3 days... ...
Day 3
We set off from the logistics centre by a 'long-wooden' speed boat (forgot what is it called already). Then we need to carry out our practical side of the transverse thingy. We took more than the spitulated time (3 hrs), so we had to make use of the boat to get across. From there, that was where our trekking actually starts.
The first day of trekking was rather tiring but it was still managable cause we only walked for about close to 1700 double steps (about 2.5 km). We pitched out tents at around 17 30 and washed up to prepare for our dinner. Toilet and waste management was rather stringent as our instructor wanted us to wash the cans and squash them into thin films before keeping inside a plastic bag to take back to base and biodegradable things were to be thrown into the shit hole before continuing the trekking for the day.
Washing up in the river was fun and a refreshing experience for me as it was my first time. Collecting water from the river for consumption was also something new to me. Had to use something called 'purifying tablets' to 'clean' the water. It contains sodium dichlorocyanate.
Day 4
The 2nd day of trekking (me being the I/C of the day) we managed to get to the summit which was around 1469m above sea level. We were damn tired and exhausted as we had to trek for about 12 hours with only 1 litre of water each. (cause our i/c didn't give us an extra bottle for trekking even though our instructor told us that we needed to bring 2 bottles...sigh...) That lead us to exhaustion and dehydration. I nearly wanted to drop dead but still I endured all the way until 18 00 where we finally reached our campsite to pitch our tent in the dark. Everybody's morale was low.
Day 5
Morning had broken between 05 30 to 06 00 but some of us were to lazy and tired to wake up to prepare to set off. So we broke camp rather late...around 07 06 then we managed to get everything ready. We could sense that our instructor was quite pissed off but then we still continued our trekking at arond 8 plus.
Today, everyone was in high spirits. Perhaps it was because we would be going back to base in a few hours time. Our pace was also faster than yesterday's. We manage to get back to camp at arond 12 00. We were the last group (although we were the first group to set off) but nonetheless everyone endured through the whole journey without giving up. So it was still quite an acheivement, no?
Had our late lunch, where other groups were busy packing their stuffs back to store. We had to postpone our morning kayaking activity cause we were running behind time. We quickly put our loads on the assembly area and went for a short briefing on our solo night in the jungle.
We had to spend about 12 hours in the jungle alone; without any form of communication and we were only provided with 5 litres of water, 1 shelter top, 1 ground sheet, 1 poncho, 1 pen, 1 pencil, 2 A4 size paper with an envelope, 1 lightstick (to be used for emergency), 1 air horn (to be used for emergency), and we were given the choice to bring our own insect repellent.
We were taken to our designated position in the jungle at around 16 00 - 17 00. I quickly pitched up my shelter and get ready to write something on that piece of paper. I hurriedly finish up my thoughts (even though I could barely see what I am writing and where I'm writing on! haha) and went to sleep using my poncho as my blanket.
Although our instructors had poured snake powder and sprayed insecticides around the boundary of my groundsheet, I sprayed my own insect repellent as well for reinforcement. =p
At around 20 00, the instructors came to us and placed a mosquito coil next to us. At that time, I was sub-concious, so I didn't care much about their presence. I couldn't really sleep well as there was a really huge root just below my lower back. Sian diao... ...
Day 6
When I woke up, my stomach started to growl and at the same time I was having a filled bladder and a stomache. lolx So I drank some water and went to release whatever I needed to release. And I was quite fortunate to have an extra piece of A4 size paper for me to use it as my toilet paper. hahaha =p
Had our breakfast and went to settle our trekking stuffs after that. After lunch, we had a briefing on our last and final challenge of the course - 10km run! We set off at around 16 00 and I came in 7th in position out of around 80 participants with a timing of 54:24. ONe of us broke one of the instructors previous record of 47 mins and he did it with the timing of 45 or 46 mins.
At night was the most daunting night as we need to settle all the logistics stuffs before we depart from there the next day. Luckily everything was alright but we settled everything damn late, so we had to have our supper at around 23 00. Afterthat, we were handed another's person's certificates and we were told to pass it back to the person. It was quite meaningful as we all had suffered everything together and now we were honoured to receive the certs from people who were one of us.
We slept at around 00 00 and again I was woken up by that stupid rat so much so that I suspected that I didn't sleep at all!
Day 7
Finally the course is coming to an end. Although the challenges were tough but at least I managed to get through all. Woke up at 04 10 and went to wash up and changed to our 'book out' attire. We had our last flag raising at 06 00 and set off to airport straight away. We had our breakfast just next to the jetty and then took a transport to airport until 10 10 when we were suppose to get ready in the waiting area before boarding the plane.
The plane took flight at around 10 40. (finally able to sit at the window seat haha =p) Had Fish fillet with baked potatoes in butter. (Didn't knew we could ask for chilli sauce until my friend told me just now! lolx) Also had a piece of chocolate cake and sphagetti-like salad I suppose. Bryan G. didn't want his share of cake, so he gave it to me! Yes ah! haha Anyway, I ordered an orange juice and tea again. haha
Touched down at Singapore around 12 45. Bid farewell to all the paramedics as this was the last time we would be seeing them before they return back to their base stations. Finally, back to our comfort zone. HOME SWEET HOME!~ =)
(long enough marcus? hahaha)
DSZeng scribbled this at 4:10 PM
