Special Edition - DOE '07 #2

DoE Gold Award Final Expedition to Mt. Kinabalu 2007

:: Day 1 - continued ::

(Narrator: Matt Rust)

Once the plane touched down we streaked across the hot tarmac of the Kota Kinabalu airport and passed through immigration. Chris Ho came under some close scrutiny from the immigration officer but was eventually allowed to enter (apparently he’s wanted in 3 Australian states for terrorist activities in relation to Aires Rock).

Upon leaving the airport we had to pile into standard issue taxis, much to the dismay of Ho who had been hoping for chinhooks. In groups of 3-4 we traveled the 1.5hr journey from airport to Kinabalu National Park. The sight of the magnificent Kinabalu National Park gate rising in the distance brought a tear to the eye of Chris Ho, as he recalled previous attempts to scale the mighty mountain that had sadly ended disastrously and culminating in the death of his entire Australian SAS team. Sergeant Major Christopher Ho had been attempting with his SAS team to climb the mountain in a record 1minutes 41seconds, unfortunately though as night descended a fierce rain storm soaked the slopes of the mountain in water and many of Chris Ho’s compatriots fell and died. Chris Ho was the only survivor and eventually returned to the base camp alone, 6years later, covered in shiiiiit.

Mt Kinabalu

Once we arrived at KNP (Kinabalu National Park) we made our way to the headquarters where we were assigned rooms at the Rock Hostel. Many members of the group agreed that “rock ‘n’ roll hostel” would be much cooler, with the exception of Kit who though that Stoner Hostel was infinitely cool. The reason for such a name became apparent as we walked into the living area, the walls were made of rocks and resembled vertical cobbled roads. Chris Ho immediately declared himself satisfied with the apparent military standard of the walls, and this was a relief for everyone. We had settled into our new surroundings by around 3pm, but were told that we had no scheduled activities and had free time till about 7-8pm when there would be a briefing. Chris Ho was outraged.

Well done Lee Weng Yew

Later, at the briefing, we were put into groups for the following day, as we would be walking through the treacherous and dangerous jungle. Chris Ho expressed his dismay that he had not been entrusted with the formation of such groups and vented his anger by registering a very high blood pressure. After the briefing was over, Chris Ho declared that it would be wise for everyone to go to bed early so that they would have plenty of energy for the following day. The innocent Thomas Maxwell began a rebellious party known only as Blonde Squadron who intended to resist Ho and his early bed time policies. Violent pillow fighting ensued. Consequently Chris Ho saw the error of his ways and joined Blonde Squadron in their quest for Blondeness and Blonde Rights/Equality.