Oxley College - Borneo

Dear all

We are back from the Kinabatangan rainforest - ask the kids to pronounce it for you.  Cameron M has enjoyed learning the local Bahasa Malaysian language, although he has had a few setbacks that I am sure you will hear about later.  We went to some markets last night - I apologise in advance for some of the “gifts” that you will receive, but they did enjoy negotiating a bargain!  Many found expensive brand name wallets and shoes for vastly reduced prices - and they are all genuine!!

I am also sorry for the smell you will encounter when your child opens their bag at home.  I have told them that it is their job to empty everything into the washing machine and will encourage them again!

We had a special time at Sankakan War Memorial and then had to rush to the airport yesterday.  Today we are off to go snorkelling at a coral reef near an island off KK.  We return to hotel to clean up afterwards and then again rush to the airport for our flight home.  Not sure whether i will have time to send message before we leave.  Will be in contact to let you know arrival time at Oxley.

Everyone is looking forward to getting home to share their stories and photos, but rather sad to be leaving this wonderful place.  Perhaps we may have some environmental scientists keen to restore rainforests or manage eco-tourist camps in the future!

Kind regards

Peter

Dear all

I am writing this to you from the Beverly Hotel at 4:40pm local time.  We arrived at 8:30am local time after a long journey with stops in Brisbane, KL and finally KK.  Your cherubs are still tremendously excited.  I was surprised though that Harry actually slept and Steph didn’t talk in her sleep.  All travellers are well, we had a shopping trip this morning sampling Malaysian culinary delights and trying to keep out of the way of local traffic.  Some of the boys found a watch seller and they tested their haggling skills with good results.

The heat is not too bad in KK since there is sea breeze, but I suspect that the conditions in the forest will be something quite different.  We are hoping to learn some local Malay phrases while touring KK hotspots and then try them out on unsuspecting local villagers in the forest.

Thanks for your “well-wishes” I will pass them on during dinner tonight.  After dinner we are planning to wander through some night-markets (we will insist that cash is left in the hotel), and then back and to bed.

I will tap later

Peter

This able and energetic group of students will spend the beginning of their holidays trekking and working in the rainforests of Borneo. Organised by the Oxley College Geography Department, the group sets out on a journey that will take them to Kota Kinabalu, Sandakan and points in between. Mr. Freeman will use Oxley’s Borneo Blog to post some communications for parents and then when students return, they can upload their best photos to a group collection. You can access the Borneo Blog directly by going to http://oxleylearning.org/borneo.

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It’s almost time to go!  What do you think it will be like?  Are you nervous?  Aren’t the photos amazing?

Feel free to register for this Borneo Blog so you can share your ideas and your photos when you get back!