Sarawak, Malaysia
What is it that drives a man to attempt something ridiculously crazy? Is it the possibility of failure that causes the enchantment of success to be that much more alluring? Is it the adrenaline rush that one might experience when pushing the boundaries physically and legally? Is it the prospect of losing oneself completely to the challenge, such that anything that happens outside the confines of one's immediate sensory perception becomes completely irrelevant? Does one need to lose oneself in order to find oneself?
What is it that drives a man to attempt something ridiculously crazy? Is it the possibility of failure that causes the enchantment of success to be that much more alluring? Is it the adrenaline rush that one might experience when pushing the boundaries physically and legally? Is it the prospect of losing oneself completely to the challenge, such that anything that happens outside the confines of one's immediate sensory perception becomes completely irrelevant? Does one need to lose oneself in order to find oneself?
In any case, browsing the park brochures for potential activities at Gunung Mulu National Park, my eyes are drawn to the following: "...the Summit climb is the greatest challenge that Mulu has to offer..." That seals it. This is the one. The trip "covers 24 kilometres and climbs to almost 2400 metres above sea level". The brochure goes on to detail the seriousness of an arduous guided four day trek. Rubbish. I'll do it in a quick daytrip. Fast and light. That's the key...
Sneak Peak: View from Gunung Mulu Summit
Dear readership, as I continued to write about my preposterous misadventure, the word count mounted and I realised that the current blog format could not do the story justice. As such, I have decided to embark upon the ambitious task of writing a book. This is something I have never done before and will take some time to complete. If you are too impatient to wait for the story, feel free to quote me out of context and fabricate a whole lot of pretentious speculation about my thirteen day excursion.
Finally, I would like to take this opportunity to reaffirm my gratitude to all the people of Malaysia and Australia who have supported me throughout this absurd period in my life. In particular, the SAR participants: Police Inspector Gabriel and the Murudi Police Force, Marudi Bomba, Sarawak Forestry Corporation, Mr Hein and all the guides at Gunung Mulu National Park, the local communities of Mulu - particularly Batu Bungan and Long Iman, my good friends from Kampung Nyegol and of course Uncle Brian, my father and twin brother.
Finally, I would like to take this opportunity to reaffirm my gratitude to all the people of Malaysia and Australia who have supported me throughout this absurd period in my life. In particular, the SAR participants: Police Inspector Gabriel and the Murudi Police Force, Marudi Bomba, Sarawak Forestry Corporation, Mr Hein and all the guides at Gunung Mulu National Park, the local communities of Mulu - particularly Batu Bungan and Long Iman, my good friends from Kampung Nyegol and of course Uncle Brian, my father and twin brother.
Team Cobra: Lex, Jerome & Mus from Kampung Nyegol with the twins
Additionally, those who worked tirelessly behind the scenes including: Department of Foreign Affairs Australia, Honorary Australian Consul Kuching, Missing Persons Unit Australia and of course Master Administration Coordinator Aunty Rosemary.
A huge thankyou to the incredible people of Sarawak who have treated me with immeasurable generosity and kindness since my arrival in Sarawak at the beginning of August. I have a number of great Sarawakian friends who provided me with tremendous support in the aftermath of this insane ordeal.
A huge thankyou to the incredible people of Sarawak who have treated me with immeasurable generosity and kindness since my arrival in Sarawak at the beginning of August. I have a number of great Sarawakian friends who provided me with tremendous support in the aftermath of this insane ordeal.
Typical Sarawakian hospitality demonstrated in Long Remirang (photo courtesy of Taufiq Razak)
And of course my friends and family back home in Australia from Tasmania, to Melbourne, to Sydney, to Brisbane, to Cairns. Your support has been overwhelming. I am truly a very lucky man to have such a loyal group of people behind me.
Mitch Carnes (an ardent Angelique Kerber fan) has been so tremendously supportive, it may be time to trade in the t-shirt for a limited edition "Andrew Gaskell SAR Mission" equivalent
Nobody panic, my extremely serious articles will continue to be published on this blog next year. So please don't do anything silly before then - No running with scissors. Or feeding the cat blindfolded. Say no to suspicious looking men offering cheap lollipops. Don't eat unwashed fruit. Never look the armed hostage-taker directly in the eye and inform him that he is a bald, ugly, illiterate, repugnant freak with low self-esteem and serious mental health issues. Look both ways before crossing the road. Don't swim with crocodiles. Don't eat mouldy sandwiches. If the pavlova is green and hairy this Christmas, forget it. It's probably been sitting at the back of the fridge since the previous festive season.
On that note, do have yourself a Merry Christmas if it is your custom to celebrate the significant Christian holiday. If not, please have yourself a Merry Ordinary Day on the 25th of December.
Andrew Gaskell
Lunatic, wanderer, general advocator of senselessness
On that note, do have yourself a Merry Christmas if it is your custom to celebrate the significant Christian holiday. If not, please have yourself a Merry Ordinary Day on the 25th of December.
Andrew Gaskell
Lunatic, wanderer, general advocator of senselessness
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