Days 15, 16 & 17 - Miki's Camp

DAY 15

A fresh, non showering awakening started our day thanks to Maddie who somehow burst the entire water system. Then all members packed their bags for our heavily awaited return to Kota Kinabalu - all luggage was transported by human chain to the vans soon to be delivered. Next it was time to set off up a seemingly never ending hill but fueled by kitkats and will power we reached the summit. However once at the top, we had a small break which was rudely interrupted by 2 scrapping dogs and one of them got so scared it decided to urinate all over the road and all over Patrick's bag. The path ahead also hosted some casualties with Miss Searle taking a tumble in the jungle. Eventually we arrived at the infamous Mikis survival camp...

With beds being instantly set up and mosquito nets installed we awaited our first activity - blow dart making. This included yielding machetes and pocket knifes to carve etches and grooves into bamboo, each dart as sharp as the next. We also got to fire these darts with mixed accuracy attempting to hit the bullseye 🎯 on a squishy plank of bamboo. Ella and Vi were adamant that they hit it first try but we all think they're lying.(by the way Patrick is just a bit sour because it took him a hundred attempts to hit it) Shortly after Josie thought it was a good idea to slit 3 students eyebrows 🤔. Parents : if you think you're child may have partaken then you are most probably right, leave your guesses in the comments.. In the evening, some of the group rushed to the clearing to catch the beautiful sunset over the mountains surrounding us.

With the sun set, we awaited our final activity the night walk. Also just before this Jess taught Rosie how to absail down the hill without a harness and she passed with flying colors as well as clean clothes. The night walk came and equipped with head torches, we ventured into the jungle in hopes of spotting some creatures. At first we were definitely being too loud and scared off anything big but as we went deeper our luck changed. One of our guides spotted a huge horn frog and held it in his hands for us to see. Some stepped back while others called it cute - namely Raffy who was dying to hold it. To end of the evening, we sat around the fire with our eyes watering because of the smoke which now also has become the whole groups new scent. At least it's not damp cheese sweat anymore.

Goodnight 6️⃣7️⃣

DAY 16

We had an abrupt awakening this morning to Raffy screaming about his cramp once again. I believe it's his fifth one this trip. Heavily sleep deprived we all got up for another breakfast of noodles and then 5 members of the group went down to the icy cold river for a refreshing bathe.

After that, we all grouped together for yet another walk through the jungle in which we learnt a lot as long as you can cut down entire trees with machetes and eat the inside of banana trees and banana hearts which are not the most delectable. The guides taught us how to make a frog trap, Rosie and Patrick made a perfect copy and in the morning we are expecting some froggy friends for breakfast. The guides called it chicken but we are not so sure... Further on down, we learnt to whistle with leaves and drink out of bamboo, which has been the nicest tasting water of this trip.

Back at camp, we used teamwork to make a bamboo floor with the guides taking 10 minutes and ours taking over an hour but still looking half as good. Half the group took a quick power nap ready for weaving which was short lived due to the heavy rainfall. Spoon making followed with Raffy making a shank instead and Finn using his spoon appropriately to drink tea. We had a quick snack of instant noodles which were done over a fire inside the belly of a bamboo tree.

After alot of sitting and waiting, playing games and making stories, HALF the group were hyped for a night time walk which unfortunately got cancelled as it is still raining as we type. We finished the day with a lovely meal of more chicken and now the new addition of fried aubergine which seems to be a fan fav. 🍆🍆

Goodnight 6️⃣7️⃣

DAY 17

After surviving our 2nd night at mikis post our horror story telling evening (all though we did experienced a tropical storm whilst practically sleeping outside) we enjoyed another breakfast which consisted noodles and rice - what a surprise! And also some delicious scrambled eggs before heading off for the small trek out of mikis. After jules and Betty's excellent leadership (jules told me to say this) we began our hike almost on time, a new experience for our group. And for frankie and lottie.

We trekked up to Mikki's house, which involved a steep uphill stair section that had even Rainer (Ronnie) out of breath. After a quick snack of doughnuts and tea, we got in taxis to what feels like a 5 star all inclusive resort (the rooms have an ensuite and clean sheets) where we all had a chance to shower before going to a laundrette (except anyone sharing a room with frankie who took so long she was the only one who got to shower.) Once we found a laundrette, we sat around for about 2hours washing everyone's clothes while Vi booked a reservation at a restaurant called 'Little Italy' (very cultural.) We only realised once we had arrived that instead of taking the reservation under the name Violet, they had taken it under pilot. After a very confusing back and fourth, the waiter settled on the name 'Pilon' and sat us down for the best meal we've had yet.

I think it's safe to say everyone needed some western food after 2 and a bit weeks of noodles and rice for breakfast lunch and dinner. A meal enjoyed by everyone, especially maddy and Betty as they "accidentally" ate most of Mr lanes large pizza instead of their small one (bit of another miss communication with the waiters 😬) poor Mr Lane! We then headed back full and happy, making a stop at the pharmacy for some plasters for jess, though it ended up being a spy mission for raffy as he lost odds on and his forfit was to roll under the closing shutters of the pharmacy Indiana jones style as they seemed to be closing. Let's just say raffy got some weird looks from the staff still in there. We then headed back to sort out our laundry, let's just say there was some confusion on who's pants where who's.

THE END.