The irreplaceable Tobs

I'm sure I'll think of much more to write on Toby over time, I'm not yet at the point where I've gathered all my favourite quotes and moments, I'll do that in due course. We had such a great time together. The guys are doing grand, they're getting special treatment in KK. Pizzas, trips to town, iced Milo courtesy of Raleigh.... total luxury. I've had time out today which has been great and Vicci and I spent much of the afternoon talking about Toby and life in Coffee Bean, it was much needed. I've uploaded some pics of him. Take a look. http://www.flickr.com/photos/10618273@N00/sets/72157600139139333/detail/

I am thinking of everyone in the village who have just blown me away with their support. I am looking forward to going back and seeing them all although I know it will upset me a lot. Toby loved the guys, he loved the ecolodge and the Kinabatangan. I'll make sure you see why once I have plenty time to sort my pics. Toby's Mum and Dad and Emily, his girlfriend, are never far from my thoughts. He was 29 just 5 days before he died. We had a great birthday evening for him, he was so against us celebrating it and we arranged it all in secret. And he enjoyed it, the grumpy sod.

Not sure what the title of this should be

The last few days have been very surreal and it's hard to know what to write - I don't want to use this to talk about the accident and the aftermath, I really want to use it to talk about how wonderful Toby was and how much I respected and trusted him and how much of a laugh we had. I've got no time just now, I have to get back to the group, but I'll write more tomorrow.

Surviving

Back in KK for a couple of nights to pick up the third and final group, I can't believe it's all going so quickly. No internet access in the back of beyond, hence the lack of news. Thanks for the mails, they are making my changeover, I miss all my lovely friends. Highlights so far: the boat ride to work in the morning, getting a cuddle from a lovely lady orang-utan, adopting Martin the monitor lizard as our camp pet, Toby (my fellow project manager) streaking through the woods for a dare, mud sliding down the river bank in the pouring rain, drinking iced Milo after work, sunset over the Kinabatangan river, playing forfeits with some crazy Malaysian guys, doing a mini ceilidh with the locals for my birthday. Which was a bit hot and sweaty but there you go, it was fun. Lowlights: infected mozzie bites, dreadful toothache, crackers and peanut butter for lunch every day, sweltering heat, never being clean and generally feeling like an androgynous being as opposed to a woman. I painted my toenails today and am in as full make-up as I can manage. It is bliss! Back in the land of tinternet proper sometime after the middle of May so will sort out pics then. For some reason I'm grappling with a Norwegian version of blogger. In Malaysia? Not sure what's going on.....

Getting to grips with the eco lodge

I have the best project with one of the funniest guys on this Raleigh trip who also happens to have the practical skills I don't. He is/was a tree surgeon and is now training to be an environmental architect. Basically I have lucked out. Just back from a 3 day trip to check it all out, we had a right laugh being bitten by fire ants; waiting for buses that never came; eating with our right hand only and grappling with some crappy radio that didn't work. (We gave up and took a trip to the mobile phone shop, none of this alpha bravo boy scout nonsense, I will be ringing the ambulance direct when one of the guys chops his leg off with a circular saw.)

For the next 10 weeks or so I'll be based on the Kinabatangan river which is one of the best places to see wildlife in Borneo. I'll be going to work by boat, the site is 10 mins downstream. Saw a monkey yesterday. Check out the location of the lodge, it's overlooking an oxbow lake, isn't it amazing? I'll write more about the project when I'm a bit more awake, it's all very interesting, part of a sustainable tourism project to support the community. Pics to follow too.

Back in the big brother house tonight for more jolly hockey sticks Raleigh stuff which has been hysterical but you'd never believe it if I told you about it. The guys all arrive in a few days time so it'll be full on from then. Our first bunch have to build the camp and for the first couple of nights they'll be sleeping in their hammocks in a make-shift site. It's pretty hardcore and I expect tears (probably mine). Michelle, I keep repeating your mantra: "assumption is the mother of all f*ck-ups" so we have an alternative plan should all the hammocks fall down. I will keep you posted. It's pretty likely. I'm desperately practicing my knots.

First days in the jungle

Just back from 2 days training in the jungle. A bit too tired to scribble much right now.

Saw a mushroom that glowed in the dark, a plant that closed up when you touched it and the tallest type of bamboo in the world. This was some of my group coming over the wobbly bridge back to the main camp.

We've covered a lot in 2 days and I'm now supposed to know about navigation, emergency first aid, tropical medicine, long drops and basher assembly, amongst other things. As to whether I can practice all of this: let's just say I wasn't the happiest of campers at 6am this morning wrestling with a hammock having just fallen over in the mud and broken my glasses. I think I still have some way to go before I'm Jungle Jane..... More pics here http://www.flickr.com/photos/10618273@N00/sets/72157594544397283/

Last few days of city living

Final day in KL before I fly out to Borneo first thing tomorrow morning. Have shifted into a backpacker place after 2 'free' nights of luxury in a fabulous hotel. Oh how I enjoyed the open air swimming pool on 33rd floor. Struggled in from the airport with my ridiculous pack so promptly repacked and sent a package back home. Honestly, a denim mini skirt for a Muslim country/ the jungle.... did I think I was going to Ibiza or something??!

Haven't quite got the hang of the budgeting lark yet. Example: Decide to save money by walking 20 mins from station to hotel in boiling heat with aforementioned ridiculous pack. Then promptly guzzle beer and cashew nuts from hotel mini bar, negating saving just made. Oh well, I guess I have lots of time to practice.

KL is an amazing juxtaposition of western consumerism and eastern culture. There's so much energy here, I'm not surprised business is booming. Here are the pics. http://www.flickr.com/photos/10618273@N00/sets/72157594535025865/

Getting with the kidz at last

Another rainy Saturday in London.... well, it's going to be the last one of these for a while. Yippee! I fly out tomorrow at 6pm. And look, I've now got a blog, I'm a social networker at last. I guess this will be my lifeline to the world for a bit as I'll be leaving my faithful mobile behind. How am I going to cope without my daily text habit? My fingers will get edgy, I'm sure of it.

I've had such a great January. There's nothing like making a change to make you realise what you've got is actually pretty good after all. I highly recommend it. This morning I even thought Wood Green shopping centre in the rain was lovely....it must be time to leave the country. Having a few problems with the packing though - as you can see I've called in the reinforcements.

I think I've just about managed to work out this photo site thing too. I promise I won't be boring you with tales of me finding myself but will show you fun pictures instead. You have my word. I won't send those missives, I just won't. So here's a starter for ten. My last weeks in London. There's a good one of Daf in wellies. http://www.flickr.com/photos/10618273@N00/sets/72157594527668477/