Back from Lombong
I'm back from Lombong again! I made two trips there this December, one with NUS Rovers and one was my personal trip.
Personally, I felt that this personal trip was less fun, more challenging for me. I'm disappointed in my facilitation skills, being unable to take care of my participants. I'm also disappointed in the number of pull-outs in the last minute.
I have originally intended for a group of 12 to go, I got 11, and I thought it was alright. On Tuesday (2 days before the trek), 1 pulled out. On Wednesday, 2 more pulled out! From there I thought the 8 left were confirmed to be going. In the end, one more called early in the morning on Thursday to say that she cannot make it for the trek. From 11 to 7 - that's a big difference. And we bought food for 11 people.
I still pressed on for the trek, since everything has already been bought and arranged. We made our way to Kota Tinggi, had our lunch, and then headed off for the trail head. There were a couple of them slipping and falling along the way - quite normal for a first timer, I too, fell like crazy when I first attempted the trek. I guess it was also a fault of mine for not framing them up how technically difficult Lombong can be.
Halfway up the trek, it started to drizzle... and the drizzle was the kind of non-stop type... that made the terrain even more slippery, even more dangerous. I was so worried for the participants! And the thing is, I originally had one more helper who knew the trek, and she could probably help me lead, but she also pulled out! Gosh. That made me the only one who recognised the trek. Lots of pressure on my part. =/
When we reached the campsite, the drizzle persisted for quite a while. We had to pitch up or tents in the rain, working as fast as we could. Also set up a shelter between the tents. Nice. Washed up, changed, cooked dinner, and enjoyed the meal. We finished less than half the food! Argh! Had the carry down the remaining half!
The whole group slept really early - we were all snoring soundly by 1am. Woke up at 7am and cooked breakfast again! There was french toast and hot chocolate! Wheew! Nice! By 10am, we were all packed and ready to make our way down.
The down trip was very slow, took 5 full hours to clear all the obstacles and get down. Fortunately, the weather was good - there was no rain and the water level was much lower. Again, there were a few falls along the way. Fortunately, no one was hurt badly.
When we arrived at the main gate, the cabs were already waiting patiently for us, and we headed back to Kota Tinggi town where we washed up again and had our very late lunch. After that, transferred to a bus back to Larkin where we said our goodbyes!
Managed only take a few photos... upload later!
Personally, I felt that this personal trip was less fun, more challenging for me. I'm disappointed in my facilitation skills, being unable to take care of my participants. I'm also disappointed in the number of pull-outs in the last minute.
I have originally intended for a group of 12 to go, I got 11, and I thought it was alright. On Tuesday (2 days before the trek), 1 pulled out. On Wednesday, 2 more pulled out! From there I thought the 8 left were confirmed to be going. In the end, one more called early in the morning on Thursday to say that she cannot make it for the trek. From 11 to 7 - that's a big difference. And we bought food for 11 people.
I still pressed on for the trek, since everything has already been bought and arranged. We made our way to Kota Tinggi, had our lunch, and then headed off for the trail head. There were a couple of them slipping and falling along the way - quite normal for a first timer, I too, fell like crazy when I first attempted the trek. I guess it was also a fault of mine for not framing them up how technically difficult Lombong can be.
Halfway up the trek, it started to drizzle... and the drizzle was the kind of non-stop type... that made the terrain even more slippery, even more dangerous. I was so worried for the participants! And the thing is, I originally had one more helper who knew the trek, and she could probably help me lead, but she also pulled out! Gosh. That made me the only one who recognised the trek. Lots of pressure on my part. =/
When we reached the campsite, the drizzle persisted for quite a while. We had to pitch up or tents in the rain, working as fast as we could. Also set up a shelter between the tents. Nice. Washed up, changed, cooked dinner, and enjoyed the meal. We finished less than half the food! Argh! Had the carry down the remaining half!
The whole group slept really early - we were all snoring soundly by 1am. Woke up at 7am and cooked breakfast again! There was french toast and hot chocolate! Wheew! Nice! By 10am, we were all packed and ready to make our way down.
The down trip was very slow, took 5 full hours to clear all the obstacles and get down. Fortunately, the weather was good - there was no rain and the water level was much lower. Again, there were a few falls along the way. Fortunately, no one was hurt badly.
When we arrived at the main gate, the cabs were already waiting patiently for us, and we headed back to Kota Tinggi town where we washed up again and had our very late lunch. After that, transferred to a bus back to Larkin where we said our goodbyes!
Managed only take a few photos... upload later!
posted by Kian Ann @ 6:57 PM
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