09G (5 Weekers) Project Planning Visits

For the last few days the brave Project Managers of the 09G expedition have been venturing out into Costa Rica to complete their Project Planning Visits (PPVs). These give the PMs a chance to see their project site and plan out where they and the venturers will eat, sleep and work. They have met with their project partners to agree on a work schedule and discuss how Raleigh with work together with them on the projects. The next job is to write up all the paperwork....far less exciting but very important!

The two community projects are both based in Tayni Indigenous Reserve, and will work with two separate communities to build schools.

Delta 2 - Cuchey Constructors - Freya, Charlie and Julia

Delta 2 faced an arduous walk to their project site, albeit through a beautiful landscape


They were met by members of the local community, Jeison, the teacher, Adolpo, the maestro de obra (foreman) who will manage the work on site everyday, and Elissio, the community leader who currently has some of the school in his house.


Delta 2 also has a chance to inspect their site - it may look unimpressive now, but in just 21 days this will be transformed into a fully functional school!

Nearby is a rushing river providing a lovely foreground to the mountains
Check out the building in which the PMS and venturers will sleep (plus the pigs who bunk up underneath the floor)
Delta 2 are now writing up reports and finalising their plans before the arrival of the venturers.

Delta 1 - Bajo Coen Builders

Not to be outdone, Delta 1 also had a hard walk to Bajo Coen, but weren't too puffed out that they couldn't enjoy the views
They were met by teacher Jose Felix who showed them the route in
...their worksite...
...the prepared materials being dried out...

...while Kate reciprocated by showing the school children photos of her family and home.

Alex, Rachel and Kate gave a presentation explaining the project and experienced the warm welcome from the community who each brought a bunch of bananas as a gift - they ended up with an impressive collection! The community will cook for the venturers each day, allowing them to experience local food and interact more with the community.

After a long day Delta 1 set up their beds

Delta 3 - Barbilla Trailblazers

Jana and Sandrine, accompanied by photographer Maja took several buses through Costa Rica to reach their project location in the east. Based in the jungly Barbilla National Park, they will work alongside the park rangers to restore a trail down to a river and swimming hole.

Barbilla National Park - the top of the trail
The clouds gathering round
They were met by Ranger Giovanni and Oscar, who took them on a tour of the Park and their project site - describing the wildlife they were likely to see during their stay.
Oscar, Sandrine and Jana

Part of the trail
Maja and Sandrine trekking down
Discussing making steps with Oscar
But it won’t all be hard labour at Barbilla, the Rangers also took Jana, Sandrine and Maja to a nearby waterfall - which the venturers will be able to visit during their stay.
And on the way home its back to the grinding stone - must get on with the paperwork!
Sandrine on the trail...



Time is ticking down to the venturers arrival and preparations at Fieldbase are in full swing. After finishing their reports the 5weekers have two more days of training before the venturer descend upon us!

09G (5 Weekers) Project Manager Training Continues...and project allocations for the PMs!

Having survived jungle camp the 09G PMs are continuing with their intensive Project Manager Training. Sessions are run in our handy classroom – today’s lesson was all about self-awareness – what sort of leader are you and what assets can you bring to a team?
The PMs filled out a brief online questionnaire, similar to many psychometric tests used by employers, to demonstrate the different styles and abilities within the group. This was used as a discussion starter to think about what kind of qualities are needed by a PM on Raleigh.

Julian, Julia, Alex, Jana and Sandrine in the classroom

Ross, Rachel, Maja and Freya listen carefully

Julian and Kate

Oli, our training expert and glorious leader writing up the lesson plan

Jana, Rachel, Freya and Kate in discussion

In a swift energiser Jana tests out his dance moves on the ladies...

...causing Rachel and Freya to burst out laughing

...but Jana has nothing on our Julian and Ross (in terms of silly dancing that is!)

Next Oli led a session on ‘Body Mapping’ – this made the PMs think about what kind of reactions they had to emotions such as anger, stress and hurt(also an excuse to draw cartoons of themselves). They discussed how they coped with these emotions back in the ‘Real World’ and how they might need to adapt these coping methods while dealing with the rigours of a Raleigh expedition.

Oli expressing herself

The PMs were also treated to a session in the Bodega on tools. In Costa Rica the words for spade and shovel are they same...they call a pala, a pala.

Sandrine, Charlie and Julia digesting the tools talk

Project Allocations
The 09G-ers have also found out the crucial information of which project they will run – and who with!

09G has three projects for this expedition. Julian, Oli, Ross and I (Rachel) visited these at the beginning of June.

Delta 3 is in Barbilla National Park, restoring a dilapidated and tricky trail running from the Ranger Station down to the river and swimming hole. This project will set up its own ‘jungle camp’ – living alongside the wildlife, and will have the luxury of its own private pool to cool off in every day.

Ross and Oli testing out the pool on our planning visit

Julian standing tall on the steep trail

The other two projects are located in the Tayni Indigenous Reserve (it is a stunningly beautiful place). Both these projects will work alongside the local communities to build schools for the children. Each project includes a 5 or 6 hour walk into the communities, as Tayni has few roads that are passable by bus!

Cuchey Church, currently being used as a school - Julian and Ross discussing plans with the community, who talk amongst themselves in their native language of Cabecar.

Below is Bajo Coen's current school - the venturers will build a proper structure that will shelter them from the rain and sun.

All the projects are in fantastic surroundings and will prove to be wonderful experiences for the PMs and Venturers. So here's who go what;

Delta 1 = Kate Piggot (Medic), Rachel Beresford (Interpreter) and Alex O’Connor
Delta 2 = Freya Godfrey, Charlie Hufton (Interpreter) and Julia Bartliff
Delta 3 = Jana Suntharanathan (Medic) and Sandrine Paillasse

Deltas 1, 2, and 3 are currently out on their Project Planning Visits, so we will have more details and photos of their projects soon.

09F (10 Weekers) The Guanacaste Quest

As our resident blog-writer Sarah is currently filling up on Gallo Pinto (rice and beans – three times daily) in Achuapa with Alpha 3, the blog has again come under the control of Rachel (mwah- ha-ha!). Firstly apologies for the delay in posting blog comments, I was a little held up in Guanacaste – as I will explain…

As naturally intrepid explorers, Tim and I set out to visit the honorable knights of the Guanacaste Quest. Accompanied by our trusty steed (Bravo 3), we journeyed far and wide, through the foot hills of San Jose and yonder north to the homestead of Don Antonio and Doña Carolina -Ganadera El Laurel


Tim with Bravo 3

Here we were due to greet the venturers of Alpha One. However, although King Alpha the First (David) and Queen Chloe handpicked them for their razor-sharp minds and Ox-like hearts - Alpha One became sidetracked in their quest, and spent some time experimenting with a new definition of geography and some inventive forms of map reading.

Incapable of idling the time away – Tim and I became apprentices to Don Antonio and learnt the mysterious art of cow-milking.

Don Antonio milking (there should be a photo of me, but I was taking all the shots!)

As the mist drew in around the hills, we knew in our hearts that we would not meet this day.

The new day dawned and Alpha One, refreshed and revitalised by bowls of lumpy porridge, set out with new resolve. They quested all day, and Bravo 3 growled up and grumbled down the hills to a new meeting point, deep within the Guateso Indigenous Reserve (twenty minutes off Route 4). Following the directions from the Oracle, Fieldbase, we searched for the illusive town of Cucaracha (meaning cockroach in Spanish), receiving strange looks from the locals as we asked ‘Where is the town of the cockroach?’ Mutually deciding that while they may be many cucarachas in Costa Rica, they haven't yet named a real town after them...our paths converged in Tonjibe.

Tina, weary but joyful, followed by Holman, Tony and Fredy

Here the daughter of the Rancho chieftain led us to a place of rest - the barn behind the football pitch...

...frequently used to sell souvenirs to tourists.

The days journeying over, the venturers set up camp and went about their duties;


Writing the SITREP - Chloe, Shane, Henry and Fee

Comparing 'tan' (mud) lines - Shane, Henry, Fee and Chloe

Preparing their beds - Shane, Tony, Harry and Michael

Fee, Shane, Michael, Harry

Jhalmar, Holman, Tony and Fredy

Analysing the route for tomorrow - David and Tim

Arising at 3.30am the next morning, the venturers swiftly (!) packed up camp, shouldered their packs, and set off into the pouring rain at 6am. Tim and I bid them farewell, and putting our rucksacks on the back seat of Bravo 3 (not feeling the slightest twinge of guilt), began our journey back to Fieldbase.

The other Alpha Groups are all happy and progressing well with their projects.

Alpha 2 are doing well on their ‘Mission Possible’, after calling in briefly to Alpha 3 in Achuapa they are just a few days walk from the impressive Volcan San Cristobal.

Alpha 3 have completed 60% of their water catchment system and are beginning trench digging.

Alpha 4 have visitors today, Oli and Bec are stopping by to pick up Guy and have a nosey around Miraflor. Oli, Guy and Bec will then spend two days with them, and all return back to Fieldbase with Sarah – so we will have photos and more detailed updates soon!

To everyone at home, thanks for all the lovely comments - we're sending them out on the food drops and project visits and I know the PMs and Venturers really appreciate them.

09G (5-Week Expedition) PMs return victorious from Jungle Camp

After a night in the beautiful (but slightly drizzly) Costa Rican Jungle, the 5-Week PMs made a triumphant return to Field Base this morning to continue their Project Manager Skills (PMS) Training with Ross & Oli. We were delighted to welcome Jana, Medic Extraordinaire to Field Base this morning where he was greeted with hugs and Mango & Banana Smoothie.

On Thursday, the group split into two for their two-night mini-expedition, with Freya, Kate, Charlie & Julia making up the indomitable “X-Ray 1”, and Alex O’C, Sand, Maja & Rachel representing the indefatigable “X-Ray 2”.

A Lean, Mean, Walking Machine
Back: Alex O'C, Sand, Freya, Charlie, Maja, Julia Front: Kate & Rachel

The locations of the first night’s camping were two glamorous football fields, attracting the curiosity of the locals and providing the girls with a chance to sharpen their Spanish (although frankly they're pretty darned good already).

After a lazy 4:00am start and a couple of 'scenic detours' the girls arrived at the River Crossing which caused them not a moment's hesitation.

Sand asks, "Is this the way to Amarillo?" (la la la la laaaaaa)
Breather at the Bridge...
The Triad: Freya, Kate & Charlie
Charlie makes light work of the water
Julia does it with style
The two groups met up again at Jungle Camp and wasted no time in drawing their machetes and hacking up their bedware. John Lewis has nothing on these ladies - Maya's Basha-Bed Mark 3 was simply a masterpiece of Jungle Workmanship. A communal feast of pasta and tomato sauce, followed by an 'Energy Bomb' dessert (oats, condensed milk, nuts, raisins & chocolate powder), and washing-up watched over by an enormous stick insect, preceded a visit from Ross & Oli. Despite the rain, the Junglists cheerfully retired to their forestry accommodation, to be woken in the morning by Julia's mild yelps as her hammock slowly descended to the ground.

Kate Makes World-Class Rice Pudding
Another 4:00am wake-up call was followed by a mock 'Casevac' (Casualty Evacuation) with faux-patient Kate and a fractured femur. She was gallantly stretchered back to safety by her team whereupon she made a miraculous recovery in time for coffee on the terrace.

The verdict: "Wet but good!"

09F (10 Week Expedition) "Fiesta de Espuma" & Deployment

A blog from Oli in Sarah's absence as she is currently in Nicaragua putting her plans for Global Communication Domination in place (and spending quality time with our fantastic venturers!).

The 09F Venturers enjoyed a cracking final night before heading off to exotic climes yesterday morning. After a BBQ, Send-Off Speeches by Julian & Oli and a superb photographic slideshow from Guy, it was all Movers and Shakers to the floor. The venturers danced the night away in a cascade of foam and banging tunes, before emerging from their tents in remarkably good form at 3:15am the next morning when called for breakfast.

Holman and Tony show us how to get down Costa Rican Stylee
Nobody puts Tessa in the Corner...
Oli (DEL), Guy (PHO), Julian (Da Boss), Matt A & Harry get down to the Big Beats
Hands Up in the Air
Brandon as the Abominable Foam-Man
All Alpha Groups have now arrived safely at their project destinations.

Alpha 1 have now completed Day 2 of the Guanacaste Trek (and their first river crossing!). They spent last night in Pataste Arriva and are currently heading to Rio Cantanuria.

Alphas 2,3 & 4 crossed the Nicaraguan border yesterday and spent the night at Asociacion Antorcha, continuing to Esteli today.

Alpha 2, the Maribios Trek, completed the first 6km of their journey via horse trekking routes into the village of El Guaylo where they have stunning visits of the pine forests they will be walking through tomorrow, over the mountains to the village of Achuapa.

Alpha 3 trekked 5km into La Calera, Achuapa this afternoon and begin work in earnest tomorrow.

Alpha 4 have arrived at Las Palmas in Miraflor and are tonight spending their first night in their community before having a special lunch with community leaders tomorrow.

The groups are now communicating via radio, doing twice daily SITREPS.
Zero Listening Out.....

09G (5 Week Expedition) Project Manager Training

The 5 week project managers, Sandrine, Alex, Maja, Julia, Freya, Charlie, Rachel and Kate have been busy doing their volunteer manager induction with Ross.

Here is the official staff team for 09G together with fieldbase staff. Jana, one of our 5 week medics will join the team in a few days time.The team doing the classic 'dead' pose!
Meet the project managers:-

Sandrine Paillasse - Project Manager

Alex O’Connor - Project Manager

Maja Skolysz - Photographer

Julia Bartliff - Project Manager

Freya Godfrey - Project Manager

Charlie Hufton - Interpreter

Rachel Beresford - Interpreter

Kate Pigott - Medic

Their training has included healthy and safety, water safety, first aid and of course radio training. Ross talked them through the technical aspects of how radios work as well as voice procedures. Then it was time to get out in the field and practice, ‘Hello Zero! Hello Zero! This is Alpha 1."

Ross demonstrating how the radios work
How does this work?
Kate throwing up the aerial
Sandrine and Alex giving a SITREP to Field Base
Today the team are off to jungle camp for two days where they’ll be practicing hiking with a heavy rucksack, navigate, set up camp, cook on trangias and survive in the jungle.

In the jungle, the mighty jungle, the Venturers sleep tonight!

The venturers started the day with a spot of radio training with Wendell and then split into groups and headed out to the surrounding fields to test their radios and give their first SITREPS. When they are out on project sites they will have to give SITREPS twice daily to let us know what they are up to and of course give us information to put on the blog!

Heading Out to Find the Perfect Spot
Michael and Jonathan Keeping the Radio Dry
Oli throwing the aerial over a branch
Shane holding the antenna
Holman, Jalmar, Bernado, Toni & Fredy setting up the radio
Bernado doing the SITREP
Ben guiding Tom on how to SITREP
Chloe & Jonathan calling in to Field Base
Then it was time to pack and head off into the jungle. A short trek and the venturers arrived at jungle camp full of energy and ready to learn how to live in the jungle.

Alpha 4 (Miraflor) packing for Jungle Camp
Alpha 3 (Achuapa) packing for Jungle Camp
Charlie getting ready for action
Henry, Lenin, Holman & Matt walking to Jungle Camp
Alpha 4 Ready for Action!
A Fatigued Alpha 3 arrive at Jungle Camp
Carl, Jasper & Michael enjoying a Jungle Snack
Oli & Laura put up their beds for the night
5* Jungle Hotel!
It's time for dinner...
The Evening's Entertainment: A Dance-Off
Guy taking a break from dominating the photography scene
"Batman" (Oli, our DEL) and the Yellow Fairy (Raquelle) visit Jungle Camp with a Mobile Shop
Party @ Jungle Camp

Project Allocations/Asignación de proyectos

Here is our official 09F group photo....... believe it or not there are two landrovers buried under all these people! Aqui esta nuestra foto grupal oficial... creanlo o no pero hay dos camionetas landrover abajo de toda esta gente!
......and the unofficial one....... y la foto no tan oficial...
After some entertaining performances from the project managers, the venturers have been split into their Alpha groups for phase 1. Here is where they are all going - Después de gran entretenimiento de los guías, los aventureros se han dividido en grupos Alfa para la primera fase 1. Aquí es donde van-- 


Alpha 1 - The Guanacaste Trek Alfa 1 - Caminata Guanacaste, Costa Rica

Project managers Chloe and David will be take the group on an adventure trek around the northern region of Guanacaste. The trek which starts near to Volcan Tenorio then continues to Volcan Rincon de la Vieja and Cerro Cacao through Guanacaste National Park. The trek finishes at the beach at Playa Junquillal. Sleeping in tents, ranger stations, and community centres along the route and cooking all their own food, this will be a challenging and fun phase for the venturers. Chloe and David selected the venturers with a performance from Guanacaste Quest with King Alpha the 1st!

The venturers in Alpha 1 and setting off on the Guanacaste Quest are Fee Pitman, Fredy Rizo Olivas, Harry, Coburn, Henry Barnes, Holman Sevilla, Jalmar Juarez Rodriques, Matt Ambrose, Michael Raymond, Shane Caffrey, Tina Paulo, Tony Morales, Vicky Lo.

Los guias Chloe y David llevaran al grupo en una caminata de aventura alrededor de la región norte de Guanacaste. El recorrido comienza cerca de Volcán Tenorio pasando por Volcán Rincón de la Vieja y el Cerro de Cacao a través del Parque Nacional de Guanacaste. El camino termina en la playa; en Playa Junquillal. Los aventureros estarán durmiendo en tiendas, estaciones de guarda parques, y centros comunitarios a lo largo de la ruta y tendrán que cocinar su propia comida, este será un fase retadora pero divertida para los participantes. Chloe y David, llamaron a los participantes al modo de Reto Guanacaste con las actuaciones del Rey Alfa 1!


Los participantes que conforman Alfa 1 y que estarán saliendo para el reto Guanacaste son; Fee Pitman, Fredy Rizo Olivas, Harry, Coburn, Henry Barnes, Holman Sevilla, Jalmar Juárez Rodríguez, Matt Ambrose, Michael Raymond, Shane Caffrey, Tina Paulo, Antonio Morales, Vicky lo.

Holman and Jalmar excited about joining the trek
Fee delighted to be chosen for the quest!
David aka King Alpha the 1st on the Guanacaste Quest
Alpha 2 - Maribios Trek Alfa 2 – Caminata Maribios, Nicaragua

Project managers Lisa, Carl and Wendell will take Alpha 2 on an adventure trek in Nicaragua The trek will take them from Esteli to Volcan Cosiguina passing through Achuapa, Mina de Agua and some of the volcanoes of the Maribios chain. The trek will end up at Volcan Cosiguina, the site of the largest volcanic eruption in the Americas, where the group will be able to relax in the Pacific Ocean. Sleeping in tents, ranger stations, and community centres along the route and cooking all their own food, this will be a challenging and fun phase for the venturers. Lisa, Carl and Wendell selected the venturers with a Mission Possible skit!

The venturers in Alpha 2 are Adam Harvey-Cook, Claire Wilson, Jake Pollock, Jasper Lee, Jonathan Gray, Joshua Gough, Louise McCallum, Matt Usherwood, Michael Chiang, Nacho Mora Barboza, Paul Milligan, Philip Maund.

Los guias; Lisa, Carl y Wendell llevaran a Alfa 2 en un viaje de aventura en Nicaragua. El camino les llevará a partir de Estelí Volcan Cosiguina pasando por Achuapa, Mina de Agua y algunos de los volcanes de la cadena de Maribios. La caminata terminará en el Volcán Cosiguina, el sitio de la erupción volcánica más grande en las Américas, donde el grupo será capaz de relajarse en el Océano Pacífico. Los participantes dormiran en tiendas, estaciones de guardaparques, y centros comunitarios a lo largo de la ruta y cocinaran su propia comida, este será un fase retadora pero divertida fase para los participantes. Lisa, Carl y Wendell, llamaron a los aventureros con una parodia de Misión posible!




Los aventureros de Alfa 2 son, Adam Harvey-Cook, Claire Wilson, Jake Pollock, Jasper Lee, Jonathan Gray, Joshua Gough, Louise McCallum, Matt Usherwood, Michael Chiang, Nacho Mora Barboza, Paul Milligan, Philip Maund. 


Lisa, Carl and Wendell - Mission Possible!
The team getting ready to self destruct in 5, 4, 3, 2, 1...........
A video of the mission possible selection!


Alpha 3 - Achuapa - La Calera Water Project Alfa 3 - Achuapa - Proyecto de Agua en La Calera, Nicaragua

Project managers Alex and Laura will take the group to Achuapa in Northern Nicaragua where they will build a water project in the community of La Calera. The group will building a gravity feed water system for the various families in the village. Water projects are a high priority for the communities as the community is often without access to clean and safe water or the water sources they currently use are polluted. The venturers will be staying in pairs with families in the community and enjoying authentic Nicaraguan meals. Alex and Laura put on their boxing gloves and selected with venturers with a performance from Rocky 15!!

The venturers in Alpha 3 are Benjamin Maine, William Arnot, Patrick Brunton, Harry Hughes, Olly Millward, Deven Naran, Jane Oladgha, Bernardo Jose Rodriquez Quiros, Robert Smith, King Chi So, Karla Ugalde Watson.

Los guías Alex y Laura llevaran al grupo a Achuapa a el norte de Nicaragua donde se construirá un proyecto de agua en la comunidad de La Calera. El grupo construirá un sistema de agua por gravedad para las familias en la aldea. Los proyectos de abastecimiento de agua son una alta prioridad para las comunidades ya que a menudo no tienen acceso a agua limpia y las fuentes de agua que utilizan actualmente están contaminadas. Los participantes se alojaran en parejas con las familias en la comunidad y disfrutaran de auténtica comida nicaragüense. Alex y Laura se pusieron sus guantes de boxeo y llamaron a los participantes para este proyecto con una actuación de Rocky 15!!




Los participantes que conforman Alfa 3 son; Maine Benjamin, William Arnot, Patrick Brunton, Harry Hughes, Olly Millward, Deven Naran, Jane Oladgha, Bernardo José Rodríguez Quirós, Robert Smith, King Chi Así, Karla Ugalde Watson.
Alpha 4 - Miraflor - La Palma Alfa 4 - Miraflor - La Palma, Nicaragua

Project managers Zoe, Gemma and Ben will be taking the group to Miraflor in northern Nicaragua. During this phase they will be building a multi-use community centre at La Palma found at the south of the Miraflor wildlife reserve. The multi-use community centre will be used as classroom in the local primary school, local museum, adult education, training, village meetings and cultural events. The venturers will be staying in pairs with local families and getting to know the community. Zoe, Ben and Gemma rode in on ‘horses’ and selelcted venturers to join the wellington brigade!

The venturers in Alpha 4 are Hin Hong Chan, Tom Culverwell, Laura Dorrington, Brandon George, Olly Halls, Will Higham, Charlie Knight, Dawn Lee, Ross McFarlane, Adrian Pilbeam, Joel Rojas Salazar, Tessa Tracey.

Los guias Zoe, Gemma y Ben llevaran al grupo a la Rserva Natural Miraflor, en el norte de Nicaragua. Durante esta fase construirán en La Palma un centro para la comunidad de usos múltiples. Este centro servirá para la comunidad como salón de clases para la escuela primaria local, museo local, educación de adultos, reuniones en las aldeas y eventos culturales. Los participantes se alojaran en parejas con las familias donde tendrán la oportunidad de conocer la comunidad. Zoe, Ben y Gemma llegaron montando a "caballo" y seleccionaron a los participantes preguntando si querían unirse a la brigada de las botas de hule! 




Los participantes de Alfa 4 son; Hin Hong Chan, Tom Culverwell, Laura Dorrington, Brandon George, Olly Salas, Will Higham, Charlie Knight, Dawn Lee, McFarlane Ross, Adrian Pilbeam, Joel Rojas Salazar, Tessa Tracey.

Ben presenting the group with their wellies!
A very excited Alpha 4 can't wait to get out there!
The venturers are now out in Jungle camp learning how to set up hammocks, basher beds, use trangias and enjoy camp life. Early tomorrow morning they will all head off in buses to their project sites.

Los aventureros están ahora en el campamento de la selva aprendiendo a construir hamacas, camas Bashas, uso de trangias y disfrutando de acampar. Mañana por la mañana temprano todos los participantes estarán saliendo en autobuses contratados por Raleigh a su proyecto.

The venturers are here!

All the venturers have now arrived and are settling into life in Costa Rica. Julian welcomed the venturers, introduced the project managers and explained what Raleigh life would be like. Then we had a record breaking electric disco wave to wake the venturers up!

Enjoying a breakfast of Gallo pinto

Harry being served by Rachel and Carl
Jonathan and Harry tucking in

Julian welcoming the team
Shane, Oliver, Will and William enjoying breakfast
Jonathan, Joshua and Henry
Harry, Micheal and Ross
The electric disco body wave!

The venturers were split into their Hotel groups and the PMs took them down to their tents to make their beds, set up their mosquito nets and get to know each other. The it was off to the local university pool for a round robin of swim assessments, admin and foreign exchange. After a hot and sticky morning the venturers enjoyed cooling off in the pool! Back at field base the venturers began radio training with Wendell before heading out into the fields to do their first SITREP.

Oli, Hin Hong, Jalmar doing ice breakers with the group
The venturers settling into their tents
Rob, Adrian, Ben, Karla, Ross, Harry, Bernardo, Holman, Tony doing ice breakers with PMs David and Chloe
The human knot!
More ice breaking!

In the evening it was time to find out about the community, environmental and adventure projects and get to know the project managers. Then it was early to bed for the jet lagged venturers.

This morning the venturers will find out which projects they will be doing in Phase 1 and will set off to jungle camp. More on that later................

Ready Steady Cook!

Yesterday the venturers from Costa Rica and Nicaragua arrived along with some of the 5 week project managers. Ale, the host country venturer co-ordinator together with ex host country venturers Ivan, Vivi and Kei, did some ice breakers to get to know the group and then they got settled into their tents. In the evening we had a cooking competition. The project managers, field base staff and venturers were split into teams and had to race each other to pick the best ingredients from the table. We then had one hour and one trangia to create three delicious courses. Julian, Vivi and Kei were the lucky judges getting to sample each dish. Some were delicious and the judges couldn’t stop eating them while others were described as ‘the worst food I’ve ever tasted!’ Group 4, Ben, Rachel, Bec, Zoe, Kate and Ivan were the lucky winners creating an amazing array of dishes starting with galaxy tuna bites that bite back! Followed by salty nut pasta surprise (with jam!) and finished off with some guava fruit layered extravaganza! Yum yum!

The teams running for ingredients
Freddie and Carl picking the best ingredients
Chloe, Holman, Freddie and Charlie
Holman checking out the guava jam
Laura explaining her recipe ideas to Carl, Sarah, Nacho and Jalmar
Alex and Freya preparing a feast
Gemma, Wendell, Ivan, Carla, Joel and Alex getting ready to present their dishes
Zoe and Kate preparing tuna balls that bite back!
Nacho, Jalmar and Laura
Alex and Joel putting the finishing touches to their meal
Wendell, Carla and Joel setting up the trangia
Jalmar, Laura, Carl and Sarah - lots of laughter but not much cooking!
Freddie - its all about the presentation!
Zoe tasting some roasted nuts
The judges, Vivi, Julian and Ivan tucking into the winning dishes
This was the worst meal they'd ever had!
The winning group 4, Ben, Rachel, Zoe, Bec, Kate and Ivan
This morning some more of the 5 week project managers arrived together with two buses full of venturers from around the world. After a traditional breakfast of Gallo Pinto and a warm welcome from the team, they began getting settled into their tents and getting to know each other with an ice breaker mega mix. More venturers are being collected from the airport tonight and will be warmly welcomed at field base tomorrow morning. We can't wait for everyone to arrive!