PPV - Project planning visit

As I mentioned in a previous post, my project is based at the nature reserve Imbak Canyon where I have discovered, my group will be working on a suspension bridge. That's right folks, I'm project managing the construction of a suspension bridge, god help us all. The project is run with the Imbak Rangers (an organisation called Yayasan Sabah) who will direct and help us with the work, and in turn the access means more opportunities for research and maintenance of this beautiful, untouched area.

As part of the prep for our projects we're required to undertake a 3 day recce of the site and meet the people we're working with (in our case, the Rangers of Imbak Canyon), plan risk assessments, plan emergency casualty evacuation plans, write cultural and environmental impact reports, route cards and check out the local medical facilities. As well as being part of crucial planning this is also pretty good for us project managers as we get to know our projects and puts us one step ahead of the venturers. It also makes the responsibility we're taking on hit home, as I think I speak for a lot of my fellow PMs when I say, we did not realise how tough this would be, and how many things there were to think of!

Anyway, my journey to Imbak Canyon started at 6am last Thursday in one of HQ's land rovers. As there are currently a project group out there at the moment, we were taken there as part of the 'loop' where HQ staff go and visit the projects, deliver post, bring some fresh food, check you haven't gone mental yet etc. After four hours driving up windy roads past Mount Kinabalu, we arrived at a small town called Telupid, which looks like some kind of border town where you shouldn't go any further. So, further on we went, spending three hours off roading to the Imbak rangers camp, including a river crossing and some spectacularly bumpy roads. Arriving at rangers camp at 2 pm we then had to trek to the camp we stay in for project (named BBC camp, as it's where the documentary makers stayed). Now, one important thing I've learnt is that I don't really like trekking... a walk here and there is great, I can even handle the odd hill, but trekking in 100% humidity carrying 20+ kilos of kit brings out my inner brat. so off we set on this trek which is essentially a wall of mud and tree roots which we somehow have to schlep up. Bearing in mind I had been awake since the wee hours and was probably a bit dehydrated, I wasn't quite in the right frame of mind for this. Once we got to the top of the huge hill (there were tears... brat) we had to come down the other side. Although there was no slipping like the jungle training, the was severe leg shakes from dehydration, only worsened by the fact that at the bottom of the hill, the trail was replaced by a series of rocks and roots, next to a sharp drop into the river and a hand rope to pull ourselves back up another hill with. At the end of this we cross a suspension bridge and then we make it to BBC camp. So this epic journey involving two sets of tears, the shakes and rock climbing was completed in about two hours... and what distance did we travel? 2 bloody kilometres. That's right folks, 2km! I hope this goes to demonstrate jungle conditions (not my lack of fitness - I've been assured it's normal).

Anyway, BBC camp is a bit of a palace, there is a basic toilet shack with a flush, static bunks - no more hammocks for me, a sink and our own waterfall should we fancy a shower. Right, it's not that lush but there is a waterfall next door where we can go for a little swim if the weather/current/conditions are right... It is beautiful but it's in the middle of nowhere. The rangers have a camp next door to us as they have to escort us everywhere but we are completely isolated. The only way to get any medical attention is helicopter someone out or stretcher them over the route I described which is obviously rubbish (I may have to introduce a putting down lame vernturers policy to deter them getting injured/sick... harsh? but fair?). I have images of us getting a bit lord of the flies/ the beach with no real human interaction so please send letters if you can. I may bang on about water falls, but it's quite a demanding job running these projects and we need the distraction and moral support!!

Anyway, after our day & overnight stop checking out the site, meeting Rangers and picking the brains of the current PMs we had to trek back to Rangers camp on that bloody route where we were met with bunk beds - hurrah, and I managed to only cry once on route. Well done me. I've promised to not be so pathetic when the venturers arrive.

We spent the next day back in the crazy border town of Telupid where we were treated like rock stars... lots of pointing, waving, calling out in English which was really very sweet. We assume this was because we're white which is a rarity in such a rural area, not just because we're weird looking. It made me a little sad I wasn't spending more time in a community project as the Malaysians are so welcoming. We were joined in the evening by another group of PMs and shared stories, a bit of hysteria and jungle/trekking nightmares. We're all in for a rough ride. We did however stay ion a lodge which had hot water, which I haven't experienced since being in Borneo so that was pretty wonderful.

Getting back to HQ we were met with the mountains of paper work we had to complete, in all its minutiae, which took us some hours. Anyone who thinks I am on a jolly can think again - it felt like being back in the office (with less coffee breaks and banter).

All in all, I am feeling OK about the project. The responsibility we have for health and safety, personal development of the venturers and smooth running of the project is huge which is incredibly nerve wracking, and as we know, I am not excited about doing that sodding trek AGAIN, but it'll be great to finally get on with something. I'll be very honest in saying I didn't realise how hard it would be and have spent the last few days thinking I have bitten off more than I can chew, but luckily my fight or fly instincts haven't driven me to get on that plane yet. I'll just have to hope I remain proud and don't let down the lovely people who sponsored me.

Selamat Malam, Sarah xxx