I arrived on Layang Layang Island not for diving activities but for work actually. I was tasked to set up a satellite communications network on the island for the military base there and the only way to arrive on the island was a chartered Antonov Russian built plane.
As a frugal manager, I needed to watch the budget for this site. The cost to travel all the way there is high and no mistakes can be made because if one forgets to bring even an Allen key, no work can be done on the island, thus a costing disaster. I was tres tres careful during the preparations.
Usually it takes 4 people to install,test and commission a satellite communication network. Three men to carry out the civil works(cement, cabling, wiring,etc) and one person to commission the equipment(usually me).
In order to cut cost, I decided that I was up for the civil works portion and so, my colleague and I took the flight to Layang Layang Island(RM800 each). From Kota Kinabalu's airport, the flight took at least an hour to reach Layang Layang Island it was an awesome view to see atolls and charming islands along the way.
The moment we landed, it was work work work like removing the equipment and raw materials out from the cargo of the plane.
military
After identifying the site,
I started constructing the base and that's where the ordeal started. We did not bring sand for the cement base as we were on an island and sand surrounded us the whole time. Also, I needed to pay for the extra load on the chartered plane. So, there I was, with a shovel and a wheelbarrow in tow, I headed towards the beach. Shovel after shovel, I poured the sand into the wheelbarrow. Once filled, I carried it back to the site and dumped it nearby and headed back to the sandy area. I took at least 30 trips to and fro. Oh how my skin got burnt by the sizzling sun.
I've gathered enough sand now to start mixing it with the cement that I brought. I learnt this trade through watching other people and so we went on mixing and mixing.
After 3 hours of mixing cement and pouring the cement onto the base, we left it overnight for it to dry. We continued the next day with the installation of the antenna and finally the commissioning.
We were scheduled to fly back to KK in 2 hours time and I took some time off so that I can visit a nearby island to watch migratory birds from Siberia nesting. Also I managed to catch an unforgettable sunset here before I left.
Although it was a back breaking and tiring task,
I'm glad I completed the job with satisfactory results and more importantly, a sense of accomplishment.
4 comments:
...now a kuli too.... but the scenery was nice....
where is your red speedo? Hahaha
Those nesting birds are adorable looking. Great sunset pic too
hey, nice work :D is that Hasmailee i see in the photo? at least you got some good pics out of the whole ordeal
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