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Well, the moment has arrived and the jungles of Madagascar beckon!! The rucksack is packed – I only have to try and lift it now!! (it is not as light as my Kokoda rucksack, and that wasn't light!). Alternating between moments of excitement, panic, sadness (leaving the children behind is always tough, and this time is no different) and nerves.
Ten weeks sounds like a long time to be living without phone, electricity, computer, hot or running water or flushing toilets but I keep telling myself that the locals live like that all the time, and I managed in Papua New Guinea while I was there (OK the Kokoda Survivors may have other thoughts on that one, but please don't spoil the illusion!!).
Really I guess that Kokoda is to blame for this – if I had hated it I would never have considered doing this expedition, and they've promised no day-to-day heavy trekking and a set camp to live in (ok we have to build the camp, set up our own shelters, build fires, dig our own "long-drop"but it will be home!!)
Hopefully the scientific research we are carrying out there will benefit a lot of people, and maybe even save a bit of the environment too. Previous groups have discovered new species and we all hope to follow in their footsteps.
The qualification I am working towards while there will help me get into Uni next year to study for my zoology degree – and then I really will be able to try and save the world!!
I will return (in desperate need of a shower!!) on Thursday 16th December, but if anyone gets the overwhelming urge to write to me, my address is
Bea Hallows
Frontier – Madagascar
BP 413
Tulear I (that's I for India not number 1)
Zone Portuaire
MadagascarPost needs to be marked MGF in the top left corner to indicate it is for the field expedition rather than the marine one (they are going to be travelling out with us, but will be 3 hours trek away on the coast). It takes about 3 weeks for post to arrive with us, and 3 weeks for it to return so it is more Snail mail than Royal mail!!
Well, time to go and squeeze the last bits of kit into my hand luggage
Take Care everyone, and I will be in touch!!
Luv
Bea
Belinda Hallows (Bea) on the Kokoda Trail earlier this year:
CIMG1760.JPGEditors Note: Russell who read this email remarked, that the porters like to carry for the men more than the women because we as women bring everything but the kitchen sink!….haha can any women out there reading this, relate to his comments…haha
Most men wear the same shirts and shorts for days whereas we as women, want a few changes and ten some! haha
He tries to explain to them that even their women would carry more than the men if they were to travel from a to b. Another major item is a mirror! 100% of the time men go out and never look in a mirror until they return. I cant imagine a woman going without a mirror for 9 days…..
However, for all the women out there reading this, please keep in mind that you think and then rethink again if everything you bring is absolutely necessary as it does all add to the weight of your pack.
Belinda Hallows and other fellow trekkers seen here at Isurava Battle Site earlier this year 2004:
CIMG1758.jpgBelinda being helped across a log crossing on the Kokoda Trail:
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