I just went back from a 7-day camp in OBS, Lumut. It was damn tiring but surely it will be a memorable one. It was such an honored for me to accomplish all the adventurous activities throughout the camp coz I am not an outdoor person. But if I were given a chance to do the similar activities such as hiking and kayaking again, Nah I would definitely refuse it!
We reached OBS Lumut at 1 pm and were greeted by the professional instructors. We had a briefing session and were divided into three watches (groups) where each watch consists of eleven participants. My group was called Nuang. As expected, we have to surrender our phones, wallets, and snacks to the instructors. After that, we had our lunch together at the dining hall. Adib Alim had been assigned to recite the prayer. There was nothing much on the first day. But we did enjoy the ice-breaking session especially when Kak Reen taught us how to play a game called "show us how to get down". It was approximately 5.45 pm when we finished the ice-breaking session. Next was the time for check in. I tell you the dorms were high af! All girls stayed in a dorm named Tahan and all boys stayed in Kinabalu. I couldn't have imagined how I climbed up the stairs (approx. 190 steps) to reach the dorm for the past seven days. Everyone was gasping for air throughout the journey up to the dorm.
Day 2
We learned on how to read map and compass before going out for jungle trekking. We recalled back what we've learned in Geography during the lower form. Encik Hafiz briefed us on what to expect during the jungle trekking and Kak Reen was assigned to follow us from the back throughout the journey. There were sixteen checkpoints to be completed and we had to locate all the checkpoints by using our compass and map. I was glad that my group didn't encounter any wild animals or even insects during the jungle trekking. I applied a lot of insect repellent on my skin before entering the jungle. But the insect repellent didn't work against leeches during hiking on the third day.
In the evening, we created a flotation device or a raft by using the given materials such as ropes, PVC pipes, and water tanks. My group took quite a long time for discussion until the instructor kept reminding us to start doing it. Luckily, we got Agnes and Jawee who master in tying the ropes. We made the raft together and surprisingly it worked! It was so scary at first when the eleven of us had to ride on the raft for the sake of taking a flower in the middle of the sea. The instructor said that the flower is a ticket for our dinner. No flower no dinner! Guess what I was one of the persons who paddling the raft boat. And my group, Nuang was the only one who managed to complete the ride with our raft boat. Korbu's raft was wrecked on their way back to the island while Rabung's raft couldn't even work haha! At night, we packed up all stuff for hiking and camping for the next day.
Day 3
We started hiking early in the morning. Each of us carried a 15kg backpack (at least 15kg) throughout the journey. I didn't know how I survived the 11 hours of hiking with a backpack that was literally bigger than me! It was getting worst when I noticed that my ankles got bitten by leeches! I insisted on going back home at that time. However, that once in a lifetime experience has taught me some valuable lessons. Thank you Nuang Oi!
At the campsite, we divided the work amongst the eleven of us. Some members had to cook for dinner while some had to set up the tents. Not to forget that the toilets were 360 or literally no toilets at all. You can do your business anywhere you want. There was only a so-called bathroom (don't expect too much) for us to clean up ourselves. Tapi lantaklah yang penting ada air.
Day 4
We moved out from the campsite at 8 am. Guess what the campsite was just a 10-minute walk away from the OBS. Dalam hatiku menjerit, kenapa perlu tidur dalam hutan? Soon when we reached OBS, we had to clean up the camping equipment that we used before going back to our dorm. Surprisingly, our dorm had been attacked by a group of monkeys when we were out! Takpe, sabar.
In the evening, we learned to paddle and capsize from the instructors. At first, I got Aniq as my paddling partner. Then, we changed partner because Aniq got seasick and he wanted to become a sweeper. So yeah, Imran was my new paddling partner.
Day 5
It was a sunny morning when we started out kayaking. I couldn't believe that I survived the nine hours of kayaking around Pangkor Island (approx. 26 km). For the first five hours (before lunch), Imran and I were so energetic. Padu gila siap boleh makan biskut gula sambil berkayak laju-laju! We landed for a picnic lunch at Pulau Giam and, suitably fortified, were soon back on the water to face up the tides on our way to the campsite. We paddled vigorously against the incoming waves. During the last two hours, we drained a lot of energy and strength. It was so funny when Imran and I were fighting on the kayak. He even wanted to throw me out of the kayak if I didn't paddle correctly. No offense, I scolded him back because he took some rest frequently! Finally, we decided to stop scolding each other and start remembering Allah (zikir). Allahu!
The instructors kept telling us "sikit je lagi, dah nak sampai" throughout the expedition. We all knew that they were lying!
We were struggling to keep going through the waves and finally, we reached the campsite at 6.30 pm. Alhamdulillah. My skin was badly tanned even after applying Banana Boat sunscreen lotion SPF 110. That was my first time experienced the real painful sunburn on my hand. The instructor gave us Aloe Vera gel to be applied on the burned area. The facilities provided at this campsite were considered way better than the previous day. There were proper toilets close by and a small surau. Once a site had been selected, we divided the tasks of setting up camp, putting up tents and making a kitchen area. Shela and I stayed in the same tent. The wind was so strong that night and I thought that our tent was going to blow away with us inside haha!
Day 6
We returned back to OBS (the base-camp) using a shorter route. Hatiku menjerit lagi, ada jalan pendek kenapa nak kena guna jalan jauh?! And as usual, we cleaned up the camping equipment before going back to Tahan.
At night, we had a BBQ dinner near the beach. The food was so delicious! Each group had to do a performance to entertain everyone. We also sang the Outward Bound School song together with full of spirit 'cause we survived the challenges throughout the course and soon we gonna be the ex-bounder!!
Day 7
Our last day in OBS. Before the closing ceremony, we used to play fun games and riddles with the instructors. They were super sporting! I missed those cherished moments. After that, we received a completion certificate during the closing ceremony. Now, I'm officially an ex-bounder!
Seven days without phones and the internet were not a big deal haha!
^ white lies
ADP results were out on our second day in OBS and we could only check our results a week after that.
One down, two to go. Biro Tata Negara and Pre-Departure are waiting.
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| PETRONAS Pre-U from Taylor's ADP |
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| My teammates semua muka masih ceria lagi sebab tak tahu peritnya ujian mendatang |
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| NUANG OI! |
Future engineers except me, Aniq and Agnes.
From left: Amelia, Jun, Agnes, Teha, Mira, Me and Jasmine
Okay ni gambar nampak muka pulak.
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Girls punya dorm yang atap hijau. Boys punya dorm atas lagi dari tu. Nampak tak atap biru di celah pokok tu? Sekali pandang aku pun tak perasan kewujudan dorm Kinabalu tu.
Our kayaks
Subhanallah
Hikers katanya
That's the so-called bathroom at the campsite (Day 3)
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