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St Swithun's Expedition heads to Borneo
51 girls and 4 staff from The School head to Borneo for a 4-week expedition, leaving the UK on July 12.
There are 4 main objectives of the trip:
1) To take part in building,teaching, coaching and agricultural projects
2) To assist in environmental conservation projects
3) To view and study Borneo's unique wildlife
4) To complete a Jungle Trek and climb Mt Kinabalu
The trip is organised in conjunction with Camps International and the girls has undertaken a significant amount of fundraising to fund the trip.
Updates will be posted on this news page as and when they are received from Borneo, mobile phone reception permitting. (Communication between the expedition and parents of girls on the trip remain as stated in all breifing documents)
The final blog! (Monday August 9th)
There were some emotional scenes at the airport this morning as we said our goodbyes and made our reunions with families that we haven't seen for a long time.It has been an amazing four weeks, and all the girls have been fantastic. We will all have memories that will last for a very long time. All the girls have made huge personal achievements and can be very proud of themeselves.I would like to say a huge thank you to them for their enthusiasm and determination throughout the expedition. I would also like to thank Miss Cox, Mrs Parson and Mr Shah who have all been amazing and worked very hard to ensure everything ran smoothly and was fun.
I hope that you all enjoy a well earned break over the rest of the summer holidays, and one final nag - remember to finish your course of anti-malarials!
Jonathan Brown
The Penultimate Blog - Sat in Hong Kong waiting for our flight. Have spent the afternoon doing a whistle-stop tour of the city with plenty of Starbucks, shopping and even Anna and Sophie managed 15 minute manicures. We will be home in the morning.
Day 26 - sSent the day on Mamutik Island cooling off in turquoise sea and lounging around on white sand. Having a farewell meal at our local restaurant and looking forward to karaoke! Mr Brown and Miss Cox's duet of "Don't go breaking my heart" needs a bit of work but the L6 make it look easy. All packed and ready to start our journey home tomorrow morning. It has been an amazing month.
Day 25 - Happy Birthday Alice M. We have had a chilled day - a morning of shopping and pampering in Kota Kinabalu. Alice, Franie and Ellie S won the retail therapy prize. Mr Brown's beard is no more! Many a ringit was spent on manicures and pedicures but thrifty Shona did her own. The afternoon was passed on a local beach and we are eagerly anticipating a barbecue supper.
Day 24 - Just been caught in some awesome weather fronts, just to keep this geographical! Now we are sat ready for pizza and burgers in a beach restaurant in Kota Kinabalu, our last stop before home. We are now in holiday mode after working hard this week and ready for a day on the beach tomorrow. Last night we had a great farewell at the village and our dancing went down well. Lots of sad goodbyes but, as the say in Malaysia, byes are never good, rather good journey!
Day 23 - The Community Group - As we sit here packing to leave Camp Bongkud tomorow, thoughts are beginning to turn to home: baths, baked potatoes, roast lunch, crumble and being cold are high on the list of cravings. Izzy and Millie are craving a more healthy apple! Finished work on the community centre, the foundations all dug and masses of concrete has been misxed today. Tonight we have a farwell performance; Jess has learnt the guitar cords to the local song "Tingy, tingy" or "High, high" about Mt Kinabalu.We welcomed the Mountain Group back we are happy but tired. Hattie is trying to get up the energy to move off the floor.
The Mountain Group - We made a succesful summit with great views this morning. A long walk back to the park gate - tired but happy.
Day 22 - The Community Group - We waved off the final mountain team. There was a glorious sunrise which bodes well. The others continued their project work at the water feed and also at the community centre. In the afternoon, cultural activities included local dancing where Ocy and Iona excelled. Chloe, Sitara and Jaz accompanied them on th gongs. Gigi enjoyed tasting tropical fruits. Hannah H entertained the children with Simon Says while Jess had a jamming session on the guitar.
The Mountain Group - A very wet walk to the hut but we arrived in good time and in good spirits. The rain has now stopped and the view is beautiful. Fingers crossed for the summit tomorrow morning.
Day 21 - A rainy afternoon has turned into a beautiful evening. a day of project work followed by football, diary writing and packing for the mountainfor Mr Brown's group. Fiona showed her weight lifting talent by carrying large rocks for the water feed. Ella and Zoe spent a morning throwing stones to fill in the side of the cesspit and Anna managed to also throw the wheel barrow down into the hole. Shona, Sarah and Livi discovered that badminton is the national sport and this means that the competition was tougher than we imagined! So, we'll leave you for now - it is 6pm and 30 degrees celsius and Ali B is trying to get her head around her american histry book. Dr Burt please take note!
Day 20 - Happy Birthday Katie! Sunday began slowly with a long breakfast. Some of us went to church where the girls gave a beautiful rendition of Deep River. After lunch project work continued on the community hall and water feed. Laura G, Alice B and Charlie C are definitely builders in the making. The English teaching continued to a group of 13-17 year olds and some girls are now off to play football. We are in awe of how Elysia and Emily K manage to always look so clean and glam when the rest of us are sweaty and muddy. We are now preparing for our Miss Bongkud Contest tonight.
Day 19 - The Mountain Group - After an early breakfast in the mountain hut, we donned our layers ready for the ascent, only to discover that the previous 12 hours of torrential rain had turned the track over smooth granite into a waterfall that was too dangerous to scale. The rangers closed the access to the summit. We were very disappointed. We headed back to bed for a few hours before having a second breakfast and descending back to the park gates in 3 hours. Although this was a bitter blow for the girls, they reacted very positively and should be proud of themselves. They are all safe and well and looking forward to being reunited with the rest of the team.
The Community Group - Happy Birthday Meelie! A very damp night did not dampen our spirits. After an early start, the water feed and cess pits are really coming on. Mr Brown should not apply for a jonb as a concrete mixer but Alice L could be a brick layer. Hattie H is to e commended for her foreman skills but Izzy H needs lessons in wheelbarrow driving! The Sixth Form prepared and taught lessons thids afternoon and Sophie B has brought Splat to Bonkhud. We welcomed the Mountain Group back - good to be back together again.
Day 18 - The Mountain Group - We have reached the hut and been well fed. It was very tough and rained a lot and although we have walked 6km we only ascended 1500m. Mrs Parson has sore knees but Katie and Ellie S have helped with moral. Everyone is in bed - they went voluntarily at 5.30pm ready for a 2.00am push for the summit tomorrow. Hattie D, Georgia, Amy and Torie have been on fine form as a result of their sugary mountain snacks and are still smiling!
The Community Group - We waved goodbye to the Mountain Group this morning. Sad to leave the Longhouse (with it's hot showers) after a great BBQ last night. Mr Brown and Mr Shah kindly gave up a luxury chalet to the female members of staff and slept on the veranda - very honorable! Really good day of project work today; cement mixing, trench laying and stone throwing. If anyone needs a building quote, we are your team!
Day 17 Time is flying by! Today we have had some R & R, beginning with a tour of the tea factory before heading off to Poring Hot Springs for some much needed time in the water...the girls alternated between the hot baths and the very cold swimming pool with a spot of sun bathing in between. Also, quite a bit of ice cream was being eaten! Mr Brown donned his swimming trunks for a quick dip while Gemma and Miss Cox managed a paddle. This afternoon we headed off to Ranau, the nearest town for shopping, internet and food. The teachers took Camilla and Hannah H to a local restaurant for stuffed roti (pancakes with chicken curry) and coke whilst everyone else played it safe with KFC!!!Tonight we will round off a great day with a BBQ back at the plantation.
Tomorrow, Group B head for the mountain and the rest of us return to Camp Bongkud to carry on/or start their community work. We are now the only school at the camp and we all have an idea of the things we want to achieve in the next 6 days before we say goodbye.
Day 16 The trek and mountain groups are together again, clean and happy after the first hot showers for a while. We have all came to Sabah tea plantation for a two night break for some R & R. We are staying in a long house on the plantation. It is great to be altogether again and we are busy catching up witrh eachothers news.
Day 15 The Mountain Group - Well, we can now tell you that all 26 girls in this team summitted Mount Kinabalu at 6.00am. Mr Shah and Miss Cox also made it to the top and everybody is feeling very pleased with themselves. We got up at 2.00am to start the 2nd part of our ascent at 2.45am and made it up and then back down to base camp by 2.00pm. There are a few sore legs after a total clmb and descent which we estimated took 6500 steps. We will sleep well tonight. It was great to get back to camp this afternoon and we are preparing to go and stay at a tea plantation tomorrow where we will be meeting up with the Trek Group who, by all accounts, have had a great time in the jungle.We then have a day of R&R together before we begin our community work.
Day 14 The Mountain Group - We made it up to the mountain hut and are now drinking hot chocolate at 3500m above sea level. We are mistaken for a sports school by some other climbers who are amazed at the girls charging up the mountain. Mr Shah is feeling his age and Miss Cox is feeling 20 years older than she actually is. The girls look like they haven't even started yet! We are relaxing now - its bed at 8pm for a 2.30am summit walk.
The Trek Group - A wonderful day trekking in the dry and we arrived at the camp early. Isabel W had a close encounter with a cobra! All safe and well and spirits are high. We feel like we are in an Indiana Jones film. Looking forward to tomorrow.
Day 13 The Mountain Group - Happy Birthday Zoe! Well, the trek group is now the mountain group. We waved off the community group, who are now the trek group (confused?) and we've given them lots of tips. We have had a relaxing day before the ascent of Mt Kinabalu tomorrow. 10 of us went to church this morning where we sang an impromptu 'Shine Jesus, shine' for the congregation. This afternoon, most people have been shopping - the second-hand t-shirt shop seems to be popular and we have sampled all the local chocolate bars, stocking up for the mountain. We had our mountain briefing in the afternoon with cards and reading occupying everyone happily. We are bracing ourselves for tomorrow!
The Trek Group - Hammocks up, everyone tired but spirits very good. Early night!
Day 12 The Trek Group - We are out of the jungle! All happy after a 3-hour quick march through the edge of the jungle to a tea plantation. Tash managed to get 4 leeches in 4 minutes, Ellie and Kate kept us going with singing and Mr Shah upped his bite count by quite a bit. A bus picked us up after we were treated to lunch and ice cream at the tea plantation. It was great to be reunited with the others and hear what the community group had been doing.The teachers put together a quiz in the evening and we rounded things up with a gorgeous birthday cake for our 6 birthday girls this trip. A lie in tomorrow we think!
The Community Group - 2 projects on the go: some completed the cesspit while others worked on the water supply, moving a lorry load of hardcore. In the afternoon, we packed for the jungle trek. Tonight we will have a celebration for the birthday girls with cake and quiz as we are all together. Great excitement about the trek tomorrow.
Day 11 The Trek Group - Great day today. Good sleep last night and then a good 3 hour trek trek to camp in time for lunch of noodles. Lovely clear river which Miss Cox and Laura Goble took the opportunity to sit in. Everyone paddled. Miss Cox spent much of the day falling over, but general consensus is that this was less than yesterday so she must be improving. We all seem to have got used to the bugs - we now sit on the jungle floor without caring and don't even brush the ants off. Hannah cooked some great porridge for supper. Last day tomorrow with a 5 hour trek out of the jungle and then the bus home. Smiles all round tonight - we are feeling very proud of ourselves!
Day 10The Trek Group - Mud, sweat and tears. Sleeping in hammocks either gives you the best sleep of your life or none at all it seems. But we made it to the second camp after a river walk and quite a bit of sliding down muddy banks in the jungle and after lunch and dinner round the fire are feeling good about tomorrow.Leeches galore today, much to people's dismay! Cleudi thought she had a squid on her foot - turned out to be a blister plaster!
The Community Group - Continuing work on building a base for the community centre by diggin out footings. Hot work in the sun when it is 35 degrees in the shade so the girls have worked in rotation. 6 girls did agreat job of teachin English to women in the village. We are enjoying fresh local dishes and tropical fruit.
Day 9 The Trek Group - A bit of a shock today. The trek was quite hard but we got to camp in one piece, despite an Indiana Jones rope bridge, complete with wobbles. We put our hammocks up in the rain and settled down to cook our supper on the fire. Mash and beans. A bit wet and muddy but it will be early to bed tonight and an early start tomorrow.
The Community Group - We started working on building a new community centre. Girls worked hard to clear and level the ground ready for digging footings and toilets. Made such good progress that they finished early!
Day 8 A lie in! The first relaxing start to a day so far and well deserved. The most important news is that we have all washed clothes and got them dry again! Half the group are preparing for tomorrow's 4-day jungle trek and contemplating only having one t-shirt for 4 days! The other group will start project work tomorrow.
Day 7 Today we made a move to our new camp, our main camp for the next two weeks. Amazed to find flushing toilets, taps and showers! From here we will do our project workas well as our mountain and jungle trek. All is well in our world and we are ready for our next stage!
Day 6 The end of the first week! We have had a great day. Left camp at 6.00am having spent last night packing up. We went by boat back to the village and were lucky to see both orangutan and crocodile before 7.00am! Have been back to civilisation today with a day of sight-seeing: Miss Cox was excited by a trip to a budhist temple in the morning after a week of geography! We spotted a viper in a tree in the car park. We also visited the POW camp memorial which we all found extremely moving. This afternoon we were lucky enough to witness feeding time at Spilock Orangutan Rehab Centre. The visit to the supermarket proved equally exciting as everyone stocked up on sweets and baby wipes! So, after a mud free day we are returning to the village for our last night with all the guides we have met this week. As a thank you for being so much fun we are putting on a littlw performance with the L6s medley getting another outing! I think we may also get to do some local dancing. Tomorrow we make our way to our next camp. We will let you know how we get on but in the meantime we are appreciating the air con and clean feet!
Day 5 Today the four groups set off separately to undertake Indiana Jones/Lara Croft style expeditions through the jungle to caves with 1000 year old tombs and bones inside. We held on to trees, swung ourselves down on vines and clambered over rocks. All happy, hot, muddy and very sweaty! One group saw a wild orangutan. Climbing to the top of the ridge, standing in the canopy and surveying the whole rainforest was pretty awesome for everyone after being on the rainforest floor yesterday. A river crossing finished the day off nicely and the daily downpour was very refreshing as usual! Then had an amazing river cruise during which we all saw two adult and one baby orangutans in the wild. Everyone very happy. Last night in the camp tonight as we are moving to the village tomorrow.
Day 4 Spent the day tree planting in the rain forest. Heavy showers in the afternoon used as a chance to wash our hair! Today seemed to be washing day and the camp is festooned with washing. We planted 350 trees today and our leader Jai tells us we are healing the world!
Day 3 Happy birthday Iona and Jaz! Long coach trip across to Batu Puteh,then river trip to the camp in jungle where some, including Jaz, saw a wild orangutan! Began conservation work in rain forest. Collecting seeds in the morning and then clearing land for afternoon. Some went on a night walk and saw a tree frog. Super capm food and afternoon tea! All well.
Day 2 After two plane journeys and a long day yesterday we have arrived in Borneo! The journey went smoothly: we've all watched enough films to keep us going for a while and our transit through Hong Kong was quick and easy. We got to Kota Kinabalu at 11.15am local time and were met by the Camps staff already out here. A short bus drive dropped us off at our hostel and everyone is now relaxing and making themselves feel human again! It is hot here, and very humid so we are already beginning to understand what the next four weeks will be like! This afternoon we going to have a walk down to the waterfront, a browse in some shops and probably a nap....tomorrow we have quite a long bus trip out to our first camp where we will be starting our conservation project. It will be early to bed tonight...not much sleep was had on the plane last night!
Day 1 Sitting at Heathrow. All checked in and waiting to be called to gate. Glad to be leaving rain behind. Off to find a raincoat for Mr Shah, the only member of the team who's kit was incomplete! The next time we write we'll be in kota kinabalu...we'll keep you posted.
One sleep to go... I hope packing is well under way. Remember to weigh your luggage -20kg for the hold, and 5kg for hand luggage. Please pack your malaria tablets and essential medication in your hand luggage. We will be checking kit on Monday morning, so please don't be upset if we ask you to unpack a bit. Any last minute queries please email me: brownj@stswithuns.com Meeting in the dining room at 0430 on Monday morning. Set your alarm clocks!
Five days to go! We hope everyone is getting excited. We are meeting at 4.30a.m. on Monday outside the dining room, please wear your blue Camps International t-shirts and remember to have taken your Malerone tablet the night before.