So, the final phase begins......
Hi everyone, Helena here. I'm field base medic this phase and hoping to not be busy! I've been entrusted with the blog and hope to do it justice in Amy's absence. This phase has started with the departure of 5 fabulous venturers. Some have gone home and some are travelling on, either way, we wish them well.
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Here we will keep you posted with what's happening throughout the 9L expedition, including all the news, progress on the various projects, and lots and lots of photos! You can also send messages to your loved ones and friends on this blog, and we'll make sure they get distributed when everyone is out on their project sites (Below is a guide to how to do this).
Thanks for joining us on our journey, and we hope you enjoy reading this blog as much as we enjoy writing it.
Pura Vida!
Fancy a drink?
Nearly 1.1 billion people in the world do.
Safe and clean water is a fundamental human right, yet 1 in 6 of the world's population do without.
Together we can turn on the taps
Nicaragua is the second poorest country in the Western Hemisphere and a third of the population still had no access to sustainable sources of drinking water in 2007*. Raleigh has worked in partnership with the Co-operative Juan Fransisco Paz Silva for eight years in the district of Achuapa, Nicaragua to deliver small scale water projects that benefit local communities and families.
In Achuapa, many of the people take their water from streams which often dry up during the dry season and into which flow all the pesticides that they place on their fields. In the area, there is an unusually high rate of cancers associated with pesticide usage.
Over the next two years, Raleigh, in partnership with local communities, aims to build five water projects which will directly benefit 90 families and more than 600 people.
To do this, we need your help.
One gravity water feed system costs £7,890. Think about it. Less than £40,000 to provide an entire region with clean and safe water for the next twenty years. It's not much, is it?Access to clean and safe water alleviates illness and death, including reducing under five mortality rates, increasing life expectancy and generally improving the quality of life. Less illness means more time spent at school and work.These projects will not only provide water for hundreds of people in the Achuapa region, it wil also give them the chance to build a better future for themeselves and their families.
Please donate whatever you can online or call 020 7183 1270.
Thank you for your support.
Safe and clean water is a fundamental human right, yet 1 in 6 of the world's population do without.
Together we can turn on the taps
Nicaragua is the second poorest country in the Western Hemisphere and a third of the population still had no access to sustainable sources of drinking water in 2007*. Raleigh has worked in partnership with the Co-operative Juan Fransisco Paz Silva for eight years in the district of Achuapa, Nicaragua to deliver small scale water projects that benefit local communities and families.
In Achuapa, many of the people take their water from streams which often dry up during the dry season and into which flow all the pesticides that they place on their fields. In the area, there is an unusually high rate of cancers associated with pesticide usage.
Over the next two years, Raleigh, in partnership with local communities, aims to build five water projects which will directly benefit 90 families and more than 600 people.
To do this, we need your help.
One gravity water feed system costs £7,890. Think about it. Less than £40,000 to provide an entire region with clean and safe water for the next twenty years. It's not much, is it?Access to clean and safe water alleviates illness and death, including reducing under five mortality rates, increasing life expectancy and generally improving the quality of life. Less illness means more time spent at school and work.These projects will not only provide water for hundreds of people in the Achuapa region, it wil also give them the chance to build a better future for themeselves and their families.
Please donate whatever you can online or call 020 7183 1270.
Thank you for your support.
Here we will keep you posted with what's happening throughout the 9L expedition, including all the news, progress on the various projects, and lots and lots of photos! You can also send messages to your loved ones and friends on this blog, and we'll make sure they get distributed when everyone is out on their project sites (Below is a guide to how to do this).
Thanks for joining us on our journey, and we hope you enjoy reading this blog as much as we enjoy writing it.
Pura Vida!
How to send us a message
It's easy! All you need to do is scroll down to the bottom of the current entry and click comment. A box will then appear where you can write your comment. If other people have already commented on the blog entry then the box will appear below the other comments.
There is then a drop down box that says 'Comment as:' You can either click on 'anonymous' and say who it's from when you write your message, or you can select name/URL and just enter a name and leave the URL blank. Then click on 'publish your comment' and you're done!
Sometimes the messages can take a little time to come through but when it does, we will make sure they are distributed via the wonderful 'Radio Raleigh' or sent out to the project sites with all the supplies!
There is then a drop down box that says 'Comment as:' You can either click on 'anonymous' and say who it's from when you write your message, or you can select name/URL and just enter a name and leave the URL blank. Then click on 'publish your comment' and you're done!
Sometimes the messages can take a little time to come through but when it does, we will make sure they are distributed via the wonderful 'Radio Raleigh' or sent out to the project sites with all the supplies!
Where we are
Tico and Nica Trivia
Costa Ricans call themselves 'Ticos' and Nicaraguans 'Nicas'
The traditional breakfast here in both Costa Rica and Nicaragua is Gallo Pinto, which is rice and beans fried with spices. The name means ‘painted rooster’
There are six active volcanoes in Nicaragua and five in Costa Rica
Costa Rica is home to over 850 species of bird
Nicaragua’s favourite sport is Baseball
25% of Costa Rica is designated as National Parks and reserves
At 7am, all Costa Rican radio stations play the National Anthem
Nicaragua once had an American President. In 1856 William Walker, an American, declared himself President and tried to turn Nicaragua into a slave state for the United States.
In 2007 Costa Rica planted more than 5 million new trees – that’s 1.25 for each person!
Lake Nicaragua houses the world's only freshwater sharks known as Nicaraguan shark.
The traditional breakfast here in both Costa Rica and Nicaragua is Gallo Pinto, which is rice and beans fried with spices. The name means ‘painted rooster’
There are six active volcanoes in Nicaragua and five in Costa Rica
Costa Rica is home to over 850 species of bird
Nicaragua’s favourite sport is Baseball
25% of Costa Rica is designated as National Parks and reserves
At 7am, all Costa Rican radio stations play the National Anthem
Nicaragua once had an American President. In 1856 William Walker, an American, declared himself President and tried to turn Nicaragua into a slave state for the United States.
In 2007 Costa Rica planted more than 5 million new trees – that’s 1.25 for each person!
Lake Nicaragua houses the world's only freshwater sharks known as Nicaraguan shark.
Blog Archive
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2009
(227)
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December
(13)
- Raleigh en Cabo Blanco
- Zulu 5 update
- Fun and fiestas in Cabo Blanco
- Zulu 6: B-Sides & Rarities
- Zulu 1, 4 & 6 Update
- Zulu 2 Update by Chas Nicholas
- Update from Zulu 3 by Ashley Riby
- Update from Zulu 4 by Cat Spence
- More photos from Zulu 2
- Blog from Zulu 5
- Photos from Zulu 2: Coast to Coast
- Photos from Zulu 3: Cabo Blanco
- Photos from Zulu 6: Yorkin
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November
(34)
- Zulu 6 Blog: Arriving in Yorkin
- New project allocations
- Vegas baby!
- Venturers return to field base for second changeov...
- X-ray 4's final days in paradise
- X-ray guns cross the finish line
- Xtreme 6 celebrate the opening of the community ce...
- The coast to coasters reach the Pacific!
- X-ray 5 say goodbye to El Cacao
- X-ray 3: goodbye jungle, hello beach!
- El trabajo de Raleigh en El Cacao/ Raleigh's work ...
- Gemma's X-ray 4 diary
- Latest news from X-ray 3
- X-ray 2 slay the dragon
- Video Message: Benita & Kier show us around their ...
- Video Message: Reina tells the tragic story of Voc...
- Video Message: Wellard and Sabina - Volcan Casita
- Video Message: Phase 1 Alpha 2 'Up the Dragon'
- X-Ray 4: Heavenly Paths, Beautiful Bridges and Tur...
- X-Ray 3 The Raleigh Trail...and Cheese
- Xtreme 6: Potato-picking, wall-building and Puck´s...
- Charlotte Parker´s X-ray 2 blog update
- X-ray 1 and 5 updates
- Fancy a drink?
- X-ray 4 update
- X-treme 6 update
- X-ray 3 update from Vicky Walden and Gigi Walsh
- X-ray 2 update from Charlotte Parker
- The X-ray groups begin their new projecta
- X-ray 5
- New Project allocations
- Urgent Message from Tara O'Leary from the Nicaragu...
- Venturers return for changeover.
- Alpha 4 final update
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March
(35)
- Anna Banana & The Return to Oz
- Pictures of Alpha Five in Santa Rosa
- Going Home
- Sunday in the Costa
- Alpha Group Round Up
- The story so far........
- A lonely field base misses its venturers.......
- Phase Three deployment
- Alpha Group Updates......
- Phase 2, Alpha 5- Horizontes
- Phase 2, Alpha 7- Los Playones
- So, the final phase begins...... Hi everyone, Hel...
- Max Barnes the constant MC of the expedition, ke...
- Alice Weston. Thank you for thinking everything...
- Ivan Chiu Ka Ho. Your cheery disposition and yo...
- Emma Britton. Thank you for all your energy and ...
- Kishan Ghandi. What a pleasure it's been meeting ...
- Final project allocations...
- Top of the mornin' to ya...
- Changeover begins!
- Pictures of Alpha seven in Achuapa
- Pictures from San Ramon and Alpha eight
- Pictures of Alpha five from Horizontes
- Friday 13th March, Alpha group updates
- Thursday 12th March
- Wildlife Watch
- Laura and Lizzy meet Alpha 2 and 4
- Wednesday 11th March Alpha 2
- Wednesday 11th March Alpha 4
- Monday 9th March 2009
- Over half way through
- Get ready for amazing Alpha nine pictures...
- Beaches, Olympics, wild horses and pictionary!
- More Alpha group updates
- Alpha 2 - I want to be a Macho Trekker!
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December
(13)
23 comments:
To Charlotte in Alpha 4, am determined to send you more messages this time so am even going to teach Dad how to do it! Congrats on getting the jungle project - all those bugs will be good company. Just seen Ben off to Val D'isere at 6.30am today - hope the resort survives the onslaught. Anna's home today and instantly off to a couple of parties so no change there. Miranda had her braces put on yesterday so is a bit miserable but eating ice cream. Good luck darling - lots of love Mum xxxx
Dean Hedman Alpha3
This look to be a great hike!! I hope you guys take care on this very loooooong walk. I am sure all will be a beautiful adventure
Be careful \\
Love Mom&Dad&Ewok
To Jo Thompson Alpha three
Hi Jo
Lovely to get your email, unfortunately there is no internet now at Jumby until the new Media Room is finished so we could not reply until we returned home on 21st because dad did not have his laptop with him.
Sounds as if you have been grafting for a change but having a great time also. You seem to have been away forever and we are all missing you. We talked about you a lot at Jumby but no doubt you will have seen many places equally as beautiful.
This last trek sounds amazing but no doubt it will be a big test for you. Hope your feet hold out, no blisters.
WE are all tanned from the holiday but probably nothing compared to you.
Take care on your trek but I am sure you will love the experience of a lifetime. Counting the days till you come home.
All our love Mum and Dad
PS Going to Ragdale in the morning with the girls.
Miss You xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Hi Bliss
By now you'll be well into the trek- hope your doing okay Your biggest challenge I know. You CAN DO IT, I know you can. We are all so proud of you.
Everyeone is fine here,Amber off at a disco party, already been to a swimmng party- a party animal! Dad is cooking tonight- his speciality-can you guess?
Love you lots,miss you loads and think of you always!
Mumxxx :-))
Hey hey Trekker Pooch!
I got Moonpigged today, and was mighty happy about it too!
Thank you for my Mothers Day card; t'internet is a wonderful creation indeed.
I hope the trek has started well; have you persuaded any of those strapping Alpha 1 boys to carry your bag yet?
Love you x x x
Cathelijne van de Graaf, Corcovado trekkers Alpha 1: Lieve Kaat, van je lang-zal-ze-leven en van je hieper-de-piep hoera! Proficat met je verjaardag daar midden in de jungle. Geniet er nog maar lekker van. Veel liefs van papa en Silvy
Hello, Tom W and all the Alpha 3 treckers. Hope you are enjoying the scenery, the company and the rations lol...
Having a happy Mother's Day here - a run with the Pont mums who are doing the Edinburgh Marathon (as a relay - don't worry, I haven't gone bonkers!), a cup of tea in the bath, and some lovely gifts from Josie (including sunflower and butternut squash seeds for sowing in my new veg patch). I'm sure you sent a card that is just lost in the post....
Can't believe you'll be home in 3 weeks! Hope you're savouring every minute - even the tough bits will be good to look back on.
Look after each other, keep the laughter flowing and share the excitement of every day of this adventure.
Lots of love Mum, Dad and Josie xxxx
PS guinea pigs still here, but psychologically tormented by what happens to their Costa Rican relatives. Ours aren't fat enough to make kebabs with...
Massive shout out to Stu, Libby, Anna, Ross, Phillipa, Lizzy and Laura whom I know either from 08J or the Assessment Weekend... Have an amazing final phase; just remember it’ll end relatively soon so pull out all the stops and enjoy every last moment –if not for yourself, do it for those of us back at home. James (O'Halloran)
Macho Trekker William Zhao
Dearest Huhu, I have just come back from India, everyone had a divine time last week. Nichola spoiled us all. Talked about you a lot. I missed you so much so that on two dinners, I bursted into tears talking about you. Each of us had a tummy upset,some more serious than others, and Issy was so sick this morning that she was lying on the floor of the airport. I could not tell you how happy I was to read your short email in India, and glad that you called home. Granny was so sorry not to talked with you. Hugo still recognised me after one week, and the amazing thing is that he now knows how to applaud when Granny asked him to welcome me. It is the very first time that he does things as told. I was shocked to witness this development, Hugo is like a little monkey being trained by Granny every day. I will definitely write to you on any news from universities, Some of them notified that the D-day will be on 31 MARCH. Shall write to you more now I am back in London. Just hope that you do remember to put on sun cream on you trekking if exposed to sun. I am sure that the trekking will be hard, I just cannot bear imaginig that you guys will be trekking each day for three weeks!!!
With enormous pride to you all, love you so much, Mum
To Caroline Borstlap. Hej liefste schat! Hopelijk loopt alles goed daar met jou op het strand! Zal echt wel een super ervaring zijn! Ik ben net thuis van bij de oma... ze gaf een drink voor haar verjaardag! Ik moest heel veel groetjes doen van haar! Vandaag hebben we 4-1 gewonnen van white star! De kans dat we stijgen is nu wel heel groot want wellington heeft gelijk gespeeld :) Verder was mijn weekendje vrij rustig! Ben vrijdag iets gaan drinken met Co en heel de hoop! Gisteren ben ik op school geweest om mijn diploma af te halen van vorig jaar! Best wel een leuk gevoel om zo'n papiertje in handen te hebben ;)
Verder ga ik heel deze week weer op de lijn zitten voor men eindwerk en stage!
Liefste baby ik mis je echt enorm hard en tel nu echt wel super hard af naar ons weerzien! Wordt echt zo'n leuk en spannend moment :) Geniet in ieder geval nog super van je laatste weken en ik zal er met al je wensen staan als je terugkomt ;) Have fun en engeltje ik denk heeeel veel aan jou!! Super dikke kus xxx love you!!! xxxx yeki
Hello, Emma Britton here, never used this before so not sure hw its supposed to work but i´d like to make a couple of shout outs to people.
All - hope you´re having a wicked time on phase and that my Macho lot aren´t missing the hills too much.
Alpha 6 - Me and Al are now in Quito so aren´t going to be turning up for any suprise campsite visits. Soz. Hope all´s well though. Sophie, Ecuador´s wicked so far,get excited. Also very cheap. we´re about to go make ourselves a 50 cent dinner!
Vee, Bruno and Charlotte - hope the Jungle´s dandy and that your enjoying your refried beans. Big hugs to all.
All old Alpha 7 hope all´s good and was wicked being on phase with you all.
Everyone STAY IN TOUCH.
Love to all xxxxxxxxx
Hola lucy!! and everyone in alpha 9!!!!!
hey lucy Good luck in your project!! enjoy every moment and remember smile ;) take care!!! Te quiero Muchisimo!!!! x (now i know that means x hehe)
well everybody good luck!!!! i feel jealous of you hehe enjoy please! i'll see you soon kei again ;)
To Steph in Alpha 4.
Hi Steph! Just thought you'd like to know Liverpool are on fire at the moment - put 4 goals past Real Madrid and Man United last week and they beat Aston Villa 5-0 yesterday! Looks like they are on course for the Premiership title now. Hope you are well. We're all missing you loads.
Love Matt
xx
sophie, alpha two
WW! EB! I'm leaving Ta'iz very early tomorrow morning and flying to the UK early the next morning. All's well, spent most of my time with a very nice Yemeni family. I really miss you, hope trek is plodding along fine without too many serious injuries. I love you. X
Hoiya Amy,
How amazing is that I send you a blog and just as I press the 'post comment' button the phone rings and it's you!!! Wonderful to hear your happy, cheerful voice! You're having a fantastic time by the sound of it.
Love as always, ML xxxx
Hi William (Macho Trek),
We haven't had any news of you all yet but hope it is going well! Hope the achilles is holding up - you can do it!! All fine here, Helen is coming home on Friday which will be lovely. We are going to Chris and Fiona for the girls' birthday tea on Saturday - we will send them all your love! Lots of love to you and good luck with it all, M, D, H and T xxxx
Trekker William Zhao
Darling Huhu, I may have told you that NYU accepted you already, and the dean of Economics asked you to be in touch since he knows that you are interested in his area. On 31 March EDT after and/or 17:00, we will know most of the Ivy league decisions. Cornell even warned that there would be 30k students signing on line to check the decision. I am so nervous. I cannot wait for that moment. It would be London's 22:00. I will write to you straight away. Enjoy your hardship in good spirit! Issy will take two boys of hers to come for Hugo's christening, they will go to Eton in future. I am now arranging a lunch with Fr William when you are back, perhaps on 14th April. Xiaoxiao will come for weekend this Sat, and he seems to enjoy his new degree. Shall write more in the next few days. Love you, Mum xxxxx
dion en marvin poelgeest
Hallo jongens. Het overboeken naar 24 april is gelukt. Jullie zullen wel spierballen kweken en wat kilootjes verliezen. Lijkt me heerlijk om te zweten. Hier in Nederland is het nog steed koud en veel regen. Dus alle reden om er nog 14 dagen en vast te knopen.
Dikke kus xx marianne
Hi Jackie
It was a lovely surprise to hear from you tonight. Please give our compliments to the photographer for the excellent photographs and especially the one of you preparing a food drop.
Speak to you soon. Take care. Love you loads and loads from Mum and Dad. XXXXXXXXXXXXXX
to caroline borstlap, alpha7.
heej car! me mich ier!! :D amaai das lang gelede! ik heb u nog gesmst , ma ik weet ni of da is aangekomen?!s en toen hoorde ik dat ik via hier iets kon posten dus... voila! hii.
alles goed me je? kheb wel gehoord dat der wel plezant is!? das heel goe, ben echt blij! geniet der nog maar van... binnekort ben je al terug! wieeh :) kmoet u nog veel vertellen se!
... kheb nen nieuwen boyfriend, mss had je da al gehoord fzo? ... sebastien delforge :) hi. jaa raar om te hore mss e , ik know .ma kvertel u alles als je terug thuis bent e! 10 april kom je terug e ? kben wel van 4 tt 12 april in mexico, ma dan zien ik u zeker derna e! dan moete we maar is snel afspreke! kheb u wel gemist zenne carlosje! nog veel plezier daar! en ik zie je snel e! :D
xxxxxxx dikke kusse. xx mich
Hi Mark(alpha 5).Just seen latest blog,not been on for a while.I cant find any pictures of you!I am sure you are continuing to have a great time.Great weather in bcn,and all well I have been this week making plans for CA in August!
Sue and Simon sailing in west indies.
LOve and miss you loads and cant wait to see you and hear all about your adventures.
Mum xx
hola viviana!
esta haciendo unos dias increibles en cartago, me dio gripa otravez, me aceptaron un varios SROP's, vamos a presentar una obra de titeres (eli y santiago) el sab y dom en la u; y me rape la cabeza!
Un saludo de mami y papi
mari
Hi Jo
Just been reading the report on your trek and your special mention about the theme parks conversation. I did not think you had it in you to complete what you have achieved so far, fantastic well done, dad and I are proud of you.
Missing you like crazy you seem to have been away for so long, counting the days till you come home. Will get you a fancy dress outfit for the party on your return, if you make it in time.
Chris and Jane have just booked their honeymoon, a week in Positano on the Amalfi Coast, Italy and three nights in Rome staying at the same Hotel dad and I stayed in last year.
See you soon,
Love you loads Mum and Dad xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
PS Will have to have a good shopping session when you come home, and a new outfit for the wedding.
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