The Loop returns!

A little later – and quite a lot muddier – than anticipated, the intrepid Loopsters (Ed, Martin "Bob" W and Anna) have now safely returned to Field Base after an exciting and eventful week driving around Sabah visiting Alphas 1–4 at their project sites. A fantastic time was had by all, and we’ve got plenty to tell you about how everyone’s doing and what they're all up to. So here goes…

DAY 1
The views were stunning as we headed off at first light last Thursday, driving out of town, up into the hills and past Mount Kinabalu. Squeezed into a 4x4 with tons of kit plus two extra passengers (team coach Penny and participant Anu, both transferring from Alpha 6 to Alpha 1) the Loop’s first destination was the village of Tampasak.

Getting to Tampasak from Field Base involves a 3-ish hour on-road drive from KK to Telupid (the kind of town you would only go to if you’re on your way to somewhere else, although the Loop Crew developed a certain affection for it) and then an off-road drive that could take anything from two hours to two days (see posting from 5th Feb). We managed the whole journey in a respectable ten-ish hours, despite being faced with The Hill of Death (very steep muddy track) and The Bog of Doom (very deep squelchy track).

On arrival at Tampasak the Loop was greeted by sugar-crazed Alpha 1s desperate to get their hands on the fizzy drinks and chocolate on sale in the Loop shop. Cravings satisfied, the group then gave us a guided tour round their campsite, which is on a gentle slope on the edge of the village, with a nice cooling breeze and amazing views. They've been given the use of the community hall (see left) and have set up their basha (sleeping bunks) inside, with a kitchen and lounging area at the back under a tarpaulin.

Alpha 1 have settled nicely into the community - teaching English (the song Heads, Shoulders, Knees and Toes is a particular favourite), playing football and badminton with the local kids, and receiving Malay language and cooking lessons. They are making good progress on their kindergarten construction site, where they have now put in the supporting stilts and begun work on the floor.

DAY 2

After another pre-dawn wake-up call, the Loop bid a fond farewell to Alpha 1 and set off bright and early, having dropped off Penny and Anu and picked up Expedition Photographer Mark. However, we had not reckoned on The Revenge of The Bog of Doom, which despite our best efforts, and much pushing and pulling, had us well and truly stuck in the mud until a truck came from Tampasak to tow us out. Undeterred and in true British fashion, we awaited the cavalry with a nice cup of tea brewed up at the roadside, and a slice of fruitcake...

Without enough time to get to our next destination - Alpha 4 at Danum Valley - in daylight, we stopped off at the river to wash our now extremely mud-encrusted vehicle, then had an unscheduled overnight stop in (yup, you've guessed it) Telupid.

DAY 3
The Loop set off once again at Early O'clock the next morning, fortified by porridge cooked up on our trangia stove, with a magnificent view of the sun rising over Telupid's carpark, rubbish bins and resident pack of stray dogs. We continued on the main road towards the south-east coast of Sabah and the town of Lahad Datu. From there, it was off-road once again as we entered the Danum Valley Conservation Area and were wowed by the awesome scenery.

Alpha 4 are living in a fantastic campsite in the middle of the forest, built by Raleigh volunteers on previous expeditions and with a few improvements added by the current group. It has wooden walkways connecting a sleeping area, kitchen and dining area, and - incredibly for a Raleigh project - a loo and shower block with running water. The participants have been fine-tuning their cooking skills too, and the hungry Loopsters were impressed by a delicious two-course dinner rustled up from Raleigh rations.

The day the Loop was there, some of Alpha 4 had spotted an orang-utan in the trees above their camp. We were also visited by a bearded pig and her piglets, who seemed to be taking quite an interest in the camp kitchen...

Day 4

Reluctantly leaving Danum - and Mark, who has stayed on there for a few days to take some photos - the Loop headed back to Lahad Datu and on towards Batu Puteh and Alpha 2.

On the edge of the Kinabatangan River, the Alpha 2 campsite boasts spectacular views. Situated about 15 minutes' walk from the village and about 15 minutes by boat from the site of the eco-lodge the group is helping to construct, Raleigh Palace (as it's become known) has the usual basha for sleeping, and covered areas for cooking and eating, as well as a jetty for washing, lounging around and keeping an eye out for wildlife along the riverbank.

Just like Alpha 1 in Tampasak, Alpha 2 are making the most of living and working alongside the local community. Post-work volleyball matches have become a daily fixture, and the participants are also getting stuck into Malay cooking, language and culture. To show off their new found skills, Alpha 2 treated the Loop to an evening of local cuisine (curry, rice and pumpkin, with home-made donuts to follow) accompanied by traditional music and dancing.

Day 5

Having woken to a stunning sunrise over the Kinabatangan River the next morning, the Loop hit the road once again. Our final destination was Imbak Canyon, which meant a third trip to Telupid and then another off-road stint, mainly through palm oil plantations. This time we managed not to get stuck in the mud, and were met by the rangers, who helped us to get our stuff across the Imbak River in a little boat, followed by a drive to a second river next to Alpha 3's campsite. There, the group helped to carry all the Loop kit across the water and gave us a guided tour of their fantastic new home - which was built by previous Raleigh volunteers for the film crew of BBC documentary series 'Expedition Borneo' - and their work site, where they are making a fantastic start on the new suspension bridge.

The Alpha 3 set-up is amazing, with tons of space to hang out. The sleeping basha has lovely long, comfy bunks and is connected by wooden walkways to a big dining area, kitchen and another space to sit and chill out. There are 'proper' loos (not plumbed in, but they look nice) and the river provides the best washing facilities anyone could wish for.

After seizing the opportunity for a refreshing swim and much needed scrub-down, the Loop sat down to a sumptuous Alpha 3 feast featuring home-made veggie burgers and Raleigh-style banoffee pie. Suitably stuffed, we spent the rest of the evening playing games (superbly compered by participant Mike) and listening to the sounds of the jungle.

Day 6
Gutted to be leaving beautiful Imbak and hospitable Alpha 3 (and to be getting up outrageously early for the umpteenth day in a row) the Loop set off back towards Field Base. Escorted off the campsite and back over the river by Project Managers Bec, Skinner and Sancia, we happily whiled away a few spare minutes waiting for the rangers to pick us up at 7am (see left). And then, after another roadside porridge breakfast by the Imbak River, we were off. With a fourth and final stop to enjoy the sights (well, yummy fried noodles and iced coffee) in Telupid, the Loop hit the surfaced roads again and drove back to Kota Kinabalu, civilisation and Gill's delicious home-made cakes at Field Base.