The Outbound School

"Let me tell you about the average Outward Bound experience. I can't There aren't any".

I strongly believe that is the ultimate phrase that would be deduced from all ex-Outward Bounders of yesterdays, including myself. After the 1995 SPM examinations the ten of us fifth-formers from Melaka, it was Overseas Youth Programme cum Adventure Challenge Course ... ready or not, here we come !

Glancing at our watches in the pitch-black darkness of the bus to count the number of hours left in the journey was a common sight on the clear-sky-night of November the 15th. We all remembered the clear sky vividly because at about 2.30 a.m. in the morning, the bus stopped and we were all told that we have reached our destination. Already ? But we have 3 hours more to travel according to the schedule ! Puzzlement crossed our faces but lugging our heavy luggage, we down from the bus. We were blur as to where we were, what to do next etcetera, etcetera. Some of us, the supposedly braver ones started roaming around in searched of the loo. Then what ? We ended up crowding around a sleeping bag and started doing what we did best ... taking and gossiping. Who say boys don't gossip ?

As the curtain drew open, we were already walking around the little town of Lumut in search for a place to have breakfast. Fussiness aside, we had roti canai in the only shop opened. Then we flagged down two cabs to get to us OBS. We were greeted by the Course director of OYP 95. We discovered that our course mates from Singapore were already there. Since the registration will only begin at 2.00 in the afternoon and we were pretty early, we just hang-around admiring the beautiful, pasture-like green surroundings and the unpolluted, vast blue sea. Not forgetting the scene Pangkor Island and the mother boats and speedboats floating atop the waters around it. Indeed, a splendour sight to behold.

Other participants started arriving from all different states of Malaysia by noon. We had a briefing session later in the afternoon where we were told what items was forbidden and what was allowed. As expected the Singaporeans surrendered loads and loads of chewing gum. We were split into groups called "watches" named after a range of mountains. I was in "Kinabalu" which meant I had to climb 200 to 250 steep steps just to get to my dorm as they were arranged according to the heights of mountains.

On the first day we began with an early morning jog at 6.00 a.m. followed by a routine of exercises. Upon completion, breakfast was served. Dining rules had to be observed including 'a moment of silence'. Following that, we went for a kayak lesson for we were soon to embark on a sea-expedition to Pangkor Island. We were paired up, the bow, we got to practise kayaking and also capsizing. Step-by-step procedure of things to do when capsized were learnt quickly. Quickly, because we were the ones in the water and waiting to be 'rescued'.

Reaching Pangkor Island after hours of kayaking was blessed. Dray land at last. Actually we were only kayaking for about an hour. But it seemed kind of long because of the blazing sun. On the island, we had to get a fire going to cook dinner. The guys started looking for firewood and pitching up tents for the night, with a little help from our course assistant. The girls started cleaning the compound, washing rice with water from the stream, were we batch and do our washing too. We Kinabaluians experienced multiple problems. Well 'too many cooks spoil the soup'. But we eventually made it through teamwork and co-operation. Lots of it too. We learn to understand one another what with the 'kiasu' spirit amongst our Singaporeans counterparts. Even the cats and dogs rain that night which flooded our tents but it did not bring down our heightened spirits. We also encountered wormy-looking creatures in our tent but who bothers ! We started singing songs to entertain ourselves instead.

We got up early the next morning for our next activity. Rock-repelling. Some of us who were afraid of heights had to be coaxed but with the moral support from 'watch-members', all succeeded. After lunch, we hiked up a trek through a lot of undergrowth and steep steps. A briefing on basic navigating skills such as the usage of the compass, topographic map reading and others was done. Due to a skilful 'rackie' and teamwork we did not get lost in the jungle and made it to Teluk Gedong where we visited an ancient fort. We saw tourists drinking chilled Coke and we, on the contrary were all thirsty and lack of water as we were trying to lighten our burden of the shoulders. Returned later to the camp-site late in the evening. As people would say ... 'padan muka'. Coke ... something we always took for granted, but now seemed so unattainable. 

The next day we had a kayak 25 kilometres around the island before heading back to the school, which would take an estimation of six long hours. It was a tedious exercise for us, as kayaking against the tide was ... wah-lau ! Again the incredible 14 of us in the watch pulled through and got back in one piece with a sun-tan so 'tanned', we can no longer a 'tan'.

Intensive map reading was the next day activity in preparation for our next excursion. We also had rope course and a rock-climbing session where we were introduced to rock climbing terms like "Am I on belay/", "Climbing !" etcetera. We were hooked onto safety lines before allowed to ascent the smooth rock surface. Gruelling challenge, I would say. But, everybody made it with our instructor encouraging us.

Early the next morning, we had our land expedition to Teluk Rubiah where we set up camp. That night, we sat around a fire and started telling jokes which proceeded to ghost stories. It was quite scary as we were in open air and there were tall lalangs surrounding the place where we set up the tent. We slept early that night in anticipation of the next day adventure. We started of at eight the next morning after cooking our breakfast, packing our lunches and clearing the compound. Imagine how early we had to riser and shine ? We had a vision to fulfil for our watch after being challenged by our instructor, that is to break the record set by participants of an older age group in the Standard Course years ago. And hereby I can proudly state that Kinabalu set the fastest hike record even though it meant running the last two miles back to the school ! We arrived in the school at 12 p.m. We were exhausted but smiles of contentment was plastered on all 14 exhausted faces because we fulfilled our dreams. We shared our leech encounters, while others complained that they have no leech-scars to show their parents ! The trek concluded the heavy, major activities of the course. 

The next day, we went to Pasir Salak to see the place where the infamous British resident, J.W.W. Birch was killed. We also had the opportunity to witness the Malay Warrior Dance, and to look at historical artifacts. The brief history was related to us for the benefit of our Singaporean buddies. What we loved about Pasir Salak was the chance to taste Coke from the local stall after seven-deprived days. From there we went to the rice mill and learnt about the stages in the processing of paddy. The oil refinery and the bakery was next on the list.

We had a 5 kilometres endurance run the next day designed to test our teamwork skills. It was not so much as to which watch came in first but to see how many watch members are willing to slow down to encourage the other team members who aren't used to such long runs. Later in the afternoon, 20 handicapped children from the nearby Bethany home visited the school. We had a whale of a time playing games, building sandcastles and singing songs.

The highlight of the Overseas Youth Programme is the Barbecue Night. Parents came to share a meal with the staff of Outward Bound and also us participants. After a sumptuous dinner, we put on a show, each watch having to prepare an item.

And now, on the last day of the course, which we looked forward to when we were in the middle of the jungle is now a total opposite. Nobody wanted to leave. The more sentimental ones started crying. We had gotten so attached to one another and then it is time to say goodbye. But as we all know, all good things must come to an end. We had the pledge and pin ceremony where the instructors and course assistants pinned collar badges on every participant OB T-shirt. It was a sad moment. many started crying and hugging and promised to write or come back the following year, or even going to Singapore to visit our new friends. We trainees were then presented with our certificates by the warden in recognition of our successful completion of a physically and mentally challenging course at Outward Bound Lumut, Malaysia.

To me the most important thing that I have learnt in the Outward Bound is that, we are;

"To Serve, To Strive And Not To Yield"

Dedicated to J, MY, A, J, D, C, G and G