That's all folks...

Emotional goodbyes were said yesterday as the venturers headed home or onwards for more travelling. Their final party was held at the beautiful beach of Bukit Naga, a few hours outside of KK. Beach games, a modified water slide (made from a tarp), body surfing and the unforgettable tunes of DJ Gerard were all part of the celebrations – giving the venturers a chance to relax and celebrate their accomplishments they achieved.

And speaking of accomplishments, in the past 10 weeks, venturers and staff have trekked more than 650 kilometres; carried more than 21 tonnes of wood, concrete, sand and rocks; transported and laid five kilometres of cable and pipe; dug four kilometers of trenches and built over 100 metres of boardwalk, completed nearly 50 river crossings and finished three bridge foundations.

All of this work has brought Kg Buayan closer to its goal of environmentally friendly power, fresh water to Kg Mananam, greater access for rangers and scientists to study Imbak Canyon and the community of Batu Puteh one step closer to a sustainable source of income.
And we can’t forget all the new friends we’ve made, obstacles we’ve overcome and new skills we’ve learned and will continue to learn. Well done, everyone for making Borneo 08H a success! It may have not always felt like it, but we’ve all made a difference!

Enjoy the pictures from the Hawaiin-themed EndEx party!

Visit to Kg Buayan

Alpha 1 has perfected the human chain in transporting materials (sand and stones) up to their worksite, making great progress on the micro hydro-electric system. The hard work is paying off, as the pipe bridge is nearly finished.

The team was greeted by the Loop with treats – cans of fizzy pop and fresh food; a rarity indeed for the remote project site. Paddy even made the trek up ‘Hell Hill’ carrying a watermelon, which was much appreciated by the PMs and venturers.

It was a quick visit, but the Loop team was to help chop firewood in the morning before they said their goodbyes. Alpha 1 was left with good weather and high spirits for their last week at Kg. Buayan.

Happy Thanksgiving

Alpha 3 and Field Base will both be celebrating the American holiday today as they both have American members of their team (Saphir and Lisa, respectively). Alpha 3 will be dressed as turkeys, rather than eating them and Field Base will be treated to a holiday meal of chicken, potatoes and greens, with the plan to ‘dress American’ as a tribute to the traditional day of feasting.

The first Loop is back after visiting Alpha 4 at Batu Puteh and Alpha 3 at Imbak. Venturers and staff are keeping very busy, but still have time for laughs. Amongst carrying wood and completing the boardwarlk at the Eco Lodge, Alpha 4 has had time for Karaoke as well as preparing gourmet meals. The Loop were treated to the dulcet tunes of the venturers with their impromptu versions of Billy Joel’s ‘Uptown Girl’ and ‘The Way You Make Me Feel’ by Steps. We also received the royal treatment of a meal of hummus and fried bread with a tomato salsa and macaroni cheese. The group is also seeing their fair share of wildlife with multiple orang-utan and macaque sightings, as well as an unexpected visitor in Alana’s basha – a mouse! They were heading out for a day out when we left – a visit to the Sepilok Orang-utan sanctuary followed by an afternoon at the pool at Hotel Sandakan – a well deserved break (and shower) for the hard working venturers and PMs!

Alpha 2 hamming it up for the camera

Tyrone and Will fan the flames

Washing on the jetty

Following our short stay in Batu Puteh, we made the journey over bumpy roads and through rivers to Imbak Canyon. We arrived in time to enjoy the shower of the stunning Imbak Waterfall for a wash and to swap stories with the venturers and staff. They are clearing trails to improve access in the canyon for rangers and scientists and had already completed one and half bridges, which they have named the Penang Bridge and the Golden Gate after their more famous counterparts in Peninsular Malaysia and San Francisco. The remaining two bridges they are in the process of finishing will be aptly christened Tower Bridge and Sydney Harbour Bridge. In their spare time, the venturers are building the ‘Imbak Tavern’ at BBC camp complete with bar stools and a sign for the kitchen area . When it’s complete, the venturers and staff will be able to ‘order’ drinks such as mocochocolate (milo and coffee) and tropical breeze (orange and mango squash).

Imbak's own 'Penang Bridge'

Enjoying a waterfall shower

Life at BBC Camp

The loop staff was also treated to more lovely food at Alpha 3 – chicken curry with rice and chocolate bread – as well as an extra day in the canyon! We spent Tuesday working with the team to transport planks and beams of heavy ironwood through the jungle so the last two bridges can be completed. Our farewell dinner included amazing pizza, pasta and chocolate peanut brittle.

A slightly wet loop staff after our triumphant river crossing saying goodbye to Imbak.

The Alpha 1 loop set off today, so we’ll have more news from them soon. The trek groups (Alpha 5 and 6) are doing well – Alpha 5 has a complete set of qualified divers and Alpha 6 will leave the jungle behind for the dive island on Monday. Well done to everyone!

Message from Alpha 3

Message from Amy Holmes:

Dad,
Good luck with the op. Hope you are up and walking quickly.

Thinking of you. Take care.

Loads of love,
Ames xx

Loopsie Daisy…

The Raleigh Loop heads out tomorrow for the last visit to project sites of the expedition. We’ll be visiting Alpha 3 at Imbak, Alpha 4 at Batu Puteh and Alpha 1 at Kg Buayan. We’ll come back with stories, photos and full bellies – apparently some of the Alpha groups started planning their Loop meals on Tuesday of this week!

We look forward to the journey and sharing the news upon our return.

Our trek and dive phases are faring well -- Alpha 5 finishes diving today and will tackle the challenge of their 12 day trek starting tomorrow. Alpha 6 continues their journey through Long Pasia, trekking 4 -5 hours a day, keeping high spirits thorough rain, leeches and river crossings. They will begin their dive phase on the 30th.

Message from Chris B

Hello to Mrs. Billington -- your son, Chris, would like to wish you a very happy birthday! Best wishes and enjoy your day!

And they're off...

After second changeover at Borneo Paradise this weekend, the new alpha groups deployed bright and early yesterday morning to their final project phases. It was a weekend of special VIP guests, including Raleigh CEO, Stacey Adams and Colin Merr, CEO of Raleigh project partner, Bridging the Gap. Stacey and Colin spent their time interacting with venturers and staff and learning the inside track on our expedition.

Raleigh CEO Stacey Adams delivers

inspiring words

Colin Merr addresses Borneo 08H

They delivered words of welcome, thanks and inspiration to all of the participants in Borneo 08H and enjoyed the entertainment of the Alpha group skits. The competition was tight, but Alpha 1 and Alpha 3 were declared the best skits of the evening – Alpha one for their bizarre delivery of life at Kg Buayan, complete with Josh and Sophie’s ‘Anchorman-esque’ delivery of their narration. Alpha three gave a nod to ‘Grease’ with their medley of ‘Raleigh nights’ that had the audience be-bopping along to the catchy tunes of life at Imbak Canyon.

Alpha 3 and Alpha 1's winning skits (above)


The judging panel watching intently

Becs and Sarah enjoy the entertainment

The final allocation of groups and departures yesterday was bittersweet – hard to believe the third and final phase has already begun! The next three weeks will no doubt fly by and we will all be reuniting for the last time at Borneo Paradise before the final goodbye celebration at the end of expedition!

Alpha 1 - Kg. Buayan (in no particular order): PMs - Becs, Mostyn and Chris B. Venturers - Rebecca Stanbury, Laura Thompson, Polly Flaxman, Emilie Deiters, Roel Vogels, Dale Oates, Josh Salter, Marc Harmeling, Josh McIntosh, Matty Davis, Woon Chin Farm, Fadzylie Dullie

Alpha 3 - Imbak Canyon (in no particular order): PMs - Amy, Pete, Mark Fernando. Venturers - Shelley McDonald, Dennis Gan Chye Sheng, Lee Lee Chai, Tom Carter, Vivian Mohr, Ilona Hamilton, Alison Walker, Camilla Loat, Saphir Glynn, Joost Vermeijden

Alpha 4 - Batu Puteh (in no particular order): PMs - Em C, Claire, Perkins. Venturers: Alana Ingham, Heidi Manning, Ryan Stidi, Lu Ying Yap, Kiki Janssen, Zhi Yong Cheong, Will Harvey, Katie Hartshorne, Emma Hankinson, Tyrone Timm

Alpha 5 - Dive/Trek (in no particular order): PMs - Sarah Y, Andrew. Venturers - Selene Ng Shih Ling, Lewis Hone, Ollie Peirik, Florine Scheer, Will Thompson, Kate McQueen, Laura Gaskarth, Luke Dorey

Alpha 6: Trek/Dive (in no particular order): PMs - Doc Em, Dave, Jo. Venturers - Mei Ng Hui, Annie Hodge, Lee Grimsley, Jessica Henderson, Aimee Farrar, Job de Beer, Sophie Deed, Will Newell, Josh Lambert, Emma Kingdon

And finally, a complete staff photo...

Including our newest arrival, Mark 'can you hear the drums' Fernando, pictured here upon his arrival to Field Base