EVENT GUIDE III

1. This guide is intended to assist you with your preparations and enable you to enjoy a fulfilling jungle experience. Some of these points have already been mentioned in the General Event Guide, but nevertheless, there is no harm in repetition to ease your journey with us.

2. The most important lesson in this unbelievable adventure is that Mother Nature rules supreme, the strongest force on earth. Paying full respects to her laws and awesome might is the wisest thing to do. The weather can change dramatically in a short period of time; and if the monsoon rains come, they pour down with a vengeance. You will require all your inner strengths to cope with the challenges of a cool, wet and damp jungle. However cold it gets, you will never suffer from hypothermia, this is tropical country.

3. The weather, the uncertainty, the route and the adventure gives the event a real unmatched dramatic feeling.

4. The way of life and culture here are different from where you come from, so respecting the locals is a must. Learn from your local press officers assigned to you.

5. Even though the organizer tries its best to be as “media-friendly” as possible to enable you to take your footages/shots as you possibly can, we cannot guarantee you total access in the entire route (and see all the Special Stages). Some embedding will be done for some, others will be on more well prepared press vehicles and the rest taken on shortcuts (escape routes) whenever possible. However, you must be aware that no plans are foolproof in the event.

6. Your understanding that you may not get to the places at any one time means that you must be willing to share your photos among your peers, to get a complete overall picture of the event.

7. Please remember that a tropical jungle event is quite unlike the conditions from any “temperate zone countries” – where routes do not change dramatically in a matter of hours or days, or where accessibility is not a problem. Over here, the weather assists the jungle to reclaim, transform and chisel/sculpture the terrain beyond recognition in a matter of hours/days. And that makes the going in the RFC so much harder and unpredictable.

8. Come with an open mind about a jungle event and its constraints. Taking on the daily happenings with a good team spirit and a smiling face means earning the respect of your peers and the officials. These traits will certainly make your time with us most memorable and enjoyable. Listen to daily briefings, as there will be changes in ground conditions/operations, quite different from the schedule given to you prior to the event. Get ready physically and mentally and let us roll.

9.1 Preparations

9.1 Food & Water
All members of the press and touring adventurers will be assigned to press officers’ vehicles throughout the event. Press members must contribute approx USD100 for the purchase of food/water (for cooking hot meals) with the officers in whose vehicles they are assigned into. Cooking utensils are provided in the vehicle. Please also bring your own dry rations especially during daytime journeys where sometimes it is not possible to cook meals.

9.2 Camp beds/Sleeping bags/Utensils
Bring or buy a stretcher bed and a light-weight sleeping bag (cotton liners). Evenings/nights in the jungle beside a river or waterfall and on higher attitudes are cooler than in the city. Bring your own mess tin with cutlery, or plates and cup/mug; also bring your own toilet paper. At campsites, the tent will be the first to be erected, please help in the teambuilding of setting up the tent (Tarpaulin or plastic type sheets hung over two vehicles).

9.3 Toilet Etiquette
All toilet business must be conducted some distance from the campsite and away from a water source. Bury your excrement with a small shovel or “changkol.” Do not leave it exposed or simply covered with toilet or tissue paper or leaves. The items can be easily purchased in Kuala Lumpur outdoor/camping stores.

Before doing your business in the bush, it is advisable to ‘rattle the bushes/grasses’ to ward off any unwanted wildlife. Do not do your toilet business in the river as indigenous villages could be downstream using the same water for their daily needs.

9.4 Rubbish
Everyone is socially responsible to collect accumulated rubbish and dispose them in town. Rubbish sacks are provided. Compact them as much as you can, separate dry and wet ones whenever possible.

9.5 Luggage
For your own comfort, you are only allowed to bring one hold-all or soft bag no bigger than 30″L x 18″W into your assigned vehicle. Remember that there will be two or three more of your peers in the same vehicle, with their respective baggage. Excessive load may lead to vehicle breakdown in the jungle, which you will want to avoid at all cost.

9.6 Waterproof Bags
Keeping clothes and sleeping bags dry in the jungle can be difficult. Canoe bags (or similar water resistant types) are most effective for this purpose. These bags, if not given as gift items in the event, can be purchased easily in most outdoor/camping stores in the city. These water resistant bags will be very useful in the dampness/rain or during river crossing

9.7 Walking/Jungle boots/Sandals
A good stout pair of boots is required. Green canvas lace-up boots are easily available in the outdoor/camping stores. They are light and quicker to dry than normal boots. The high leg types also give protection from leeches/insects. However, sizes for large feet are very difficult to obtain. Wellington type boots made of rubber are also advisable (and cheap) to have as spares especially in muddy campsites.

It is advisable to wear strap-on sandals in the river for bathing and walking around campsite. For your comforts, allow your feet to ‘breathe’ and keep them dry whenever possible.

9.8 Personal Hygiene I
Important to wash/shower/clean your body daily in whatever water source is available. Humid conditions and wet clothing can cause irritable rashes on the skin. Dry clothing and medicated powder highly essential.

9.9 Personal Hygiene II
Anti-fungal powder/cream. The heat, humidity, dampness, mud, rivers and rain can cause “sweat rash” under arms, groin and chest, and can be very uncomfortable. A good relief from this is an anti-fungal cream like “Caneston.” Feet should be kept dry as continuously wet situation or not dry properly will result in skin peeling.

9.10 Drinking River or rainwater
Use water purification tablets and/or boiling process.

9.11 Mosquito nets
Essential to have it to keep mosquitoes and sand flies (to a certain extent) away. Easily available in outdoor/camping stores in the city.

9.12 Insect repellent
Recommended to use a good repellent that can combat not only mosquitoes, but also sand flies. The sand fly is much smaller and harder to see but it is common in some campsites and they hit around the same time as the mosquitoes – early mornings and evenings/nights. Their bites can cause slight swelling on the face too)

“Off” is a good local insect repellent and available in most pharmacies in the city. It is safe on the skin (orange citrus smell in orange can).

To keep insects at bay around sleeping area use local “mosquito repellent coils” – quite effective as they burn slowly all night (with smoke), which will also keep the flies away.

In Malaysia, you can also buy “Baygone” brand to keep insects/leeches away. It comes in a green can with a green cap. When sprayed on the floor/grass around the sleeping area, its excellent repellent for both mosquitoes/sand flies/insects/leeches. When trekking, use it on your trouser leg area and boots – “leech proof” until the smell wears out.

9.13 Insects /Wild animals
The jungle is alive with diversities of wildlife of which 99% will avoid human contact (they see and hear you long before you see them). Leeches are quite common and they latch on everything, even on wet clothing, however, they don’t hurt and can easily be removed. Expect slight bleeding for a while. Before sleeping always check your legs, arms, neck and feet for them. They can get inside socks and boots and hide between toes. During the night, they feed on your blood and the first thing you know is a bloody sleeping bag in the morning.

Make sure your feet are dry and powdered each night. Check your boots before putting them on each morning.

9.14 Clothing
Please note that all clothes used in the jungle will get stained by the mud/dirt, especially if wet. It is recommended that you bring clothes you don’t mind getting soiled.

• T-shirts (cotton), long trousers – thin material for easy drying, shorts.
• Thin long-sleeve shirts, sweat shirt/thin fleece
• Stout boots (bring an extra pair)
• Sandals (strapped on types)
• Personal toiletries and thin towels
• Small thin hand towels for the neck (local Good Morning types will do) – helps to wipe the sweat.
• Underwear (extras, or the disposable types)
• Socks (plenty of extras)
• Hat, head torch & spare baterries
• Working gloves (several pairs - easily obtainable in the city)
• Immodium tablets
• Personal medications/first aid plasters/small first aid kit

In the daytime, t-shirts and trousers are ok for working. Shorts can be worn the rest of the time. In higher attitude and rainy days in the campsite, the temperature can drop a few degrees, so you will want your sweatshirt or maybe fleece.

9.15 Sun Block
Essential as temperatures can rise to 34-36 degrees with bright sunshine.

9.16 Camera Equipment
Humidity is very high in the jungle. Rainfall is frequent and can be very heavy at times. A hotel shower cap makes an excellent cover for cameras! Camera bag should be padded for protection. Some of the vehicles will not have charging facilities for batteries but at campsites, the camaraderie is always there (put on a smiling face always) if you know how to ask around

9.17 Dehydration
Recommended that you drink plenty of water and fluids throughout the day. You lose plenty of moisture in your body in the heat and can suffer exhaustion easily under the hot tropical sun.

9.18 De-hydration Salts
If you do become dehydrated, it is essential to get liquid and salt back into the body quickly. You can purchase Re-hydration salts in sachets in local pharmacies (Farmasi), which are much cheaper than your country. One sachet to a 75 cl bottle of water is the usual dose. Rest and drink at least a liter of water. High energy drinks are also essential (high glucose drinks). 100 Plus is the favoured drink in Malaysia and available everywhere.

9.19 Watch out for one another (Buddy System)
A person who is becoming dehydrated may not realize it. Diarrhoea or loose motions is one of the first symptoms, it can dehydrate a person extremely quickly. Notice if a member of the group keeps dashing off into the bush with toilet paper. Other symptoms include possible feeling of nausea, dizziness or feeling light headed, lethargic/tired, headache, sweating or urinating less. Buddy system also means taking take of one another in true camaraderie style, you will need to be united in the face of the challenges ahead.

9.20 Vaccinations
Malaysia is relatively free from tropical infectious diseases. However, please consult your doctor for advise before coming here. Malaria tablets should be taken before you depart from home.

9.21 Insurance
The event is covered by Public Liability and Group Personal Accident insurance. However, it is always advisable to take extra insurance (travel/holiday/accident) on your own as those covered by the event might not be enough for your personal needs. How you value yourself is a personal matter.

9.22 Transfer from KLIA airport to RFC official hotel in the city
Upon arrival and immigration/customs clearance, proceed to purchase your coupons for taxi or KLIA express train, just after customs. Taxi takes about an hour and KLIA express train takes about 25 mins. While taxi (purchase a budget not a limo service – its approx RM 100 to your hotel. If you choose the train option at RM 35 single, it will take you to KL Sentral station (Central Station). Disembark, proceed to the exit and take a taxi to your hotel (approx RM 10).

9.23 Currency
1 USD is approx Ringgit Malaysia RM3.40, 1 pound sterling is approx RM6.00 and 1 Euro is approx RM4.90. You can easily change your currency at any bureau d’change at the airport and in the city.

Be forewarned. Mother Nature does not respect our timing and programme. Event schedule subject to changes.