The Heli Experience

Back from the community camp over the weekend! It's hot hot hot here.

The landing of the helicopters

Well, I had the honour to fly with the helicopter into a remote community which would take abour 3hrs by road and if the road condition wasn't good, it could stretch up to 5hrs. I still remember the previous time I went during the rainy season and it took us whole 5 hrs for the journey as the road was really muddy and dangerous.

Our helicopter

Me in the pilot seat

But this time was an exception. I was flown in by a helicopter with a few colleagues and it took us a freaking 7mins! Yea, freaking cool too. It's the first experience flying with the heli and the pilots were really friendly and cool. When we left on the Saturday, I was seated at the back. The weight was slowly lifted up and the ground got smaller and smaller. In no time, we were on the air already. I was dismantling the apparatus in the heli. We had to put on our gear and safety belt. Though I was drenching in sweat, it was really exciting.

Looking down from the heli

Quickly I open the side window even I dunno if that's allowed but it was so relieving the heat. Slowly I could see the river, the hills and the settlements. It's everywhere. Then we arrived at the destination. We were told before hand not to move backward but forward after jumped off the heli. There were 5 of us, 4 at the back. So, after taking our bags from the cabin, we were greeted by the locals.

The kids and big kids!

I've been there, so it wasn't so fancy for me. The difference is that, the VIP was dropping by, so did the luxury. My team had arrived a day earlier. So, I was there to run for the rest. The VIP later arrived with the press. I was working abit. Even when they were giving speeches, I was still working. I met the 2 pilots. Raz was surprisingly 50yrs old when he looked like some 30s! That day itself, 1 pilot with his 2 crews were stung by the hornets. Kesiannyer... They received treatment soon later.

Trying to be funny

After the performance, they had the cock fight event, followed by the kids playing session. I pretended like a kid, being with the crowd, singing and laughing. I dunno if that looked silly, but who cares, I just wanna have fun. The kids are so cute! Many see them sympathetically coz they were deprived of modern facilities. But I have an opposite feeling. We can't expect others to live the same like the rest. I treat them like how I treat the other kids coz we are all the same inside even we look abit different outside. That at least gives them some respect and self dignity when we see them equally. Not everyone wanted to be seen and treated sympathetically if you know what I mean.

Fighting cock

Then we had our tea, enjoy chatting with the people and colleagues. I got to meet lots of people from different background. We proceeded to our rest house and placed our stuff. the evening breeze was really soothing. The weather slowly became cool. The sky was getting darker. I took the clothes and moved to the water piped behind a house. It was an open area. I took the shower there. The sky was so naked as the stars were coming out. Every now and then I had to look around if anyone was approaching. I was seeking refuge under the darkness until I had finished taking bath. But the experience of bathing freezing cool water in the opened area and witnessed by only the stars is surely unforgettable.

Very calm and quiet neighbourhood

Look from above

Dinner was not served right away. There was a dialogue session. And we listened and listened. Then dinner was served. The food was extra salty as the fish were preserved with salt. There was a mini cinema as the the information department took along a vcd and played a movie for the folks. We gave out some gifts at the same time. Later, we heard the noises from outside. Fireworks were played. Boom Boom Boom, the sky was once again splashed with bright hues. The thick cloud had obscured the stars. The weather was getting cold. I was shaking coz my shirt was short sleeved and thin.

During the night, we had a game. Cultural game. The organizer insisted we took part in male and female categories. It was just for the sake of fun. The event lasted very late but we adjourned to rest, while other colleagues suffered the night long dance and drinking sessions.

Getting ready wif the gears

The next morning, the sky was clear once again. After the wash, we lined up to bid farewell to the people. The helicopters were there. Nice, the crews had recovered. After taking some pictures, I was given the honour to be the co-pilot, wakakaka... just sitting next to the pilot. It was a cool experience. We arrived shortly and heading back to our hot and warm place once again.

Alright folks, that's part of the experience that I could sum up. Have a nice week ahead!

PS: More pics would be posted once gotten from the colleagues.