Quite a day. When we got here, to the Tamarind Tree hotel near the airport. we signed up for the training session and admired our pimped tuk-tuk.
Then we went off for lunch and I finally got to get some air.
As for the training, Nigel did very well, putting his motor-cycling experience to good use; Jonathan was c**p and couldn't even find neutral (here's hoping he's a quick learner) and Harry learnt to start and stop it. Useful in a crisis, we thought.
Here's Nigel, hoping to make a few rupees as a local taxi, waiting for his first fare.
This is the view from the driver's seat.
After that farrago we headed for the pool and a 'well-earned' drink. The usual old excuse, really. However, there was some swimming. Then off to the introduction session and dinner.
An interesting number of tattoos on display round the pool. Jolly manly.
After general introductions and dinner we got to have a bit of a chat with the organisers. Look like good people with good green credentials. They stressed that speed is NOT the issue but that completing the challenges is what counts. I'm rather taken by Robyn, but she appears to have a thing going with one of the bosses, Juan.
They won't tell us what the daily challenges are until 9am each day, but we have been told to get certain pictures by the end of the challenge. These include:
- an eagle in flight
- one of us playing shot-put with elephant dung
- a male peacock with full tail feathers
- a rice farmer in traditional 'amoude'
- us saying 'ayubowan' to a local complete with spread fingers.
Each team has been given a SIM card with all the other teams' and the organisers' numbers.
One of the prizes is for the team who raises the most for charity. We should be in with a chance on that one.
For me,one big disapointment today.' Tigger' turns out to be male and a human. Stupid boy, leading a bear on like that. But maybe there's Robyn , , ,
And tomorrow, we're off!
(I'll get a sneaky picture of Robyn so you can see what I mean.)
Oliver
Dear Oliver, so gald to see that J,N & H has someone sensible to keep an eye on them and be their scribe. Floss(female)my cat was very taken by your photo, as I read through your blog and purred as she does for her other bear hero " The Bear from Peru", whose bravery she much admires.
ReplyDeleteSo I think Tigger might be a little jealous. Please give my love to your "Three Men in a TUK-TUK" and I am sure their first day will go well. Alexandra