Hey Joseph, I feel I need to give BOAC a great pat on the back particularly you and Amanda for making this trek so enjoyable. This is our first trip with BOAC and definitely, I am looking forward to more.

First off, the short briefing that you gave to us prior to the trek prepared us and this was the key. It prep-ed us on what to expect from the trek. The tips you gave out were personal and so TRUE especially the leeches (I have pictures to prove that).

Secondly, I will like to comment on the outstanding trek leader BOAC has. Amanda was very accommodating to us for this whole trek and she really felt like part of our group instead of a tour guide. Her advice were personal and that led to the safe trek up and down Gunung Datuk. Furthermore, the way she guided the girls down left me impressed. Never once did she leave her eyes on the girls knowing that this was their first trek and it could be difficult for them.

BOAC have made a simple 2D2N trek into one of my most memorable adventure. You folks definitely live up to your company name. Blazing Outdoor Adventures.

Mr Dave LIM K.K
Gunung Datuk Hike
12 - 14 Octber 2007

Thanks a lot. We enjoyed the trips of BOAC. The staff of BOAC are warm and approachable. To us, it is more than just a company.

Ms TAN Hui Tong
Taman Negara Classic Explorer (8 - 12 August 2007)
Ken Waterfalls Hike (19 May 2007)
Mount Kinabalu (19 - 24 July 2006)

Hi Joseph,

I hope it's not too late for me to give some feedbacks ... cos I just managed to read my emails ... heheh
I just want to say that Amanda is a good leader. She really takes care of us during the trip especially me and my sister. (We were the last to arrive at Gunting Lagadan..shagged...totally exhausted and we got to know that she didnt sleep cos she waited for us to arrive and she had to continue the trek up to the summit abt a few hours later). She helped us to buy food cos we were all tired to get down to get food at Laban Rata when we are at Gunting Lagadan mountain hut and I think she's very caring. Imagine she's a girl and she has to go up and down ... and she's doing this for us ... Nice lady.

I didnt get to join my team to the summit as I arrived late and got the AMS (nauseous and vomitting). I only get to to have a taste of the climb to the summit the next day after Amanda helped to talk to the guide but only managed to get to Sayat Sayat Checkpoint as we didn't have not enough time to go up to the summit.

Overall, I think I am happy to follow BOAC for the last Mt KK trip because the price for the trip was quite reasonable (as compared to my friend's, her expenses was much more expensive as she uses SMF ... heheh) and also the helpful & friendly Trekking Leader : )

I think I will use BOAC again for future trips. Hope to see u BOAC soon : )

Ms Zareyna
Mount Kinabalu Trek #51
14 - 19 June 2007

Thank you very much to Tim and the members of Trek #28 from Laban Rata Room # 12.

I was suffering from AMS when I reached Laban Rata via the Mesilau Trail on 7th Aug 2005. I was in quite a bad condition, heavy headache and vomiting out all the food.

To Tim and the team members of Trek #28 from Laban Rata Room #12, I was really lucky to meet you guys and thank you so much for the kindness and help rendered. This is especially so when I was not a member of BOAC's trek team.

BOAC definitely does more than just organizing a trip and packing off the members for an adventure. Throughout the journey, the team leader doesn’t hesitate to go the extra mile to the non-members. It was my pleasure to meet such a caring leader and the team members.

Thanks again for everything. BOAC is definitely my top recommendation for the adventure programs.

Camillia LEE
Mount Kinabalu
10 August 2005

This is my testimony of my Mount Kinabalu trek done on 28 Oct to 2 Nov 2005 with BOAC.

As I approached my 60th birthday, I realized that age was catching up on me and if I don't do it (climb my mountain) while I am still fit & healthy, I may not be able to do it this lifetime. Mountains have always fascinated me and I thought that climbing the highest peak in SE Asia at the age of 60 would be my personal challenge.

Believe me, it was a very gratifying experience, viewing the bright twinkling stars as we ascended at 3am was memorable. The sense of fulfillment & exhilaration when we finally reached the peak is indescribable. And the view from the peak is really awesome !

Honestly, I wouldn't have been able to do it without the personalized attention and moral support of our BOAC group leader. Joseph is very reliable and professional. He'll give you the space when he senses that you can cope on your own and yet he is always around when you need him.

My only regret is that I didn't get to know this company earlier. Otherwise I would have had many more memorable trips with them.

Thank you BOAC for helping a 60-year old lady climb her mountain !

MDM HENG Ngee Koon
Mount Kinabalu
28 March 2007

Below is a testimonial by MR EDDIE LUI who summitted Mount Kilimanjaro on 20 December 2007 at the age of 56 years old plus.

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I wanted to climb the Mount Kinabalu in the end of 2005. Before the journey, I had a lot of fears and worries. What kind of preparations and equipments are required? Am I physically fit enough as I was already in my fifties? Will I be down with AMS-Acute Mountain Sickness?

On the recommendation of a friend, I came to know about BOAC, an adventure travel agency run by a group of trekking enthusiasts. They have the knowledge and experience. They give sound advice and information to the clients. They also organize physical training for the participants before the trip. With their help, I was able to reach the summit of Mount Kinabalu without much difficulty. It was an enjoyable experience.

It’s natural that I would choose BOAC as the organizer when I wanted to climb Mount Kilimanjaro in the end of 2006. Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro was a dream since my childhood. I watched the movie “The Snow of Kilimanjaro” more than forty years ago. I was so captured by the sight of the snow capped mountain. I was to realize my dream after so many years.

Again, Tim and Joseph from BOAC gave their valuable help and advice to all the participants before the journey. We would be able to buy the necessary gears at their company at reasonable price. Some of us did not have a down jacket and thermal sleeping bag for the cold mountain weather. They were so nice to lend us one. To tackle the potential danger of AMS, Tim had designed the itinerary to let us have ample time to acclimatize. There were three detailed briefing sessions. In addition, there was a specially prepared 70-page thick booklet containing all the relevant information of the trip given to each one of us. All of us were sufficiently equipped, physically in terms of gears, as well as mentally in mind for the trip.

On the actual trekking part, the African organizer was doing the best they could. There were 20 porters, 3 cooks and 5 guides for the 10 of us. A bonus was the high altitude equipment support such as oxygen tanks and Gamow bag. The tents are not in their best condition yet acceptable and serviceable. The quantity and quality of food were better than what I had been expected. The workers are friendly and helpful. The chief guide speaks good English. He would sing us songs and tell us jokes every time after he finished his briefing in the dining tent. That enlightened us a lot after a hard day’s trekking.

I was nursing a cough before I set out on the trip. Once I reached the 3000 meter altitude, the cough was getting worse due to the irritation of the cold air. The national park had put up advice to trekkers that one should not go above 3000 meter if he/she is having a cough. It was very difficult for me to give up after all the efforts spent. I wanted to go on but of course not endangering my health and safety. The cough continued to get worse as the temperature got lower. I coughed a lot at the dining table and while sleeping. I was very thankful to all the fellow trekkers for their understanding and tolerance. They also offered me (lots of) lozenges and melantonin. I was deeply touched by their care and concern. In particular, Rena and Mr. Ang had looked after me and giving me a lot of encouragement.

Since my cough was so bad, I was not able to eat well all those while. I was feeling fatigued and I felt I was not fit enough to start the final climb to the top in the extreme cold at midnight. I opted to start the final climb to the top in the morning. I started about 6:30 am with Joseph, our trek leader from BOAC who had stayed behind just to see that I’ll be alright, and two local guides (Wow!! What an excellent service.) With their patience and encouragement and of course my determination, I was able to reach the summit about 5pm. I was exhausted and shivering but I cannot describe the exhilaration at that moment.

The journey was very challenging. I guess all the participants had enjoyed it a lot. All 10 of us made it successfully to the summit; we all came back stronger, both in our will power and physically. When Joseph asked me to write the passage, I did not hesitate because I want to express my thankfulness to Tim, Joseph and the fellow trekkers. They helped me realized my dream. They are really a batch of kind and adorable people.

MR Eddie LUI
Mount Kilimanjaro (12-24 December 2006)

Tang Ling and I had a very enjoyable trip to Nepal. Overall, we think the trip was well run and implemented. We would like to thank BOAC for organised the trip.

TAN Wee Hock
Everest Base Camp Trek (10 - 29 November 2005)
Taiwan Yushan Trek (19 - 24 June 2006)

Just a note to tell you that my family of 2 adults and 2 kids (6 & 4 years old) really enjoyed the Sungai Waterfalls with Yeow Hwee. He was an excellent trek leader, who took good care of big and small alike. We hope that if you have future trips that allow young children, do let us know so that we could consider joining. Once again, thank you.

TAN Sally Regina
Sungai Yong Waterfalls Camping Trek
11-12 June 2005

WOW, had a great time on Saturday.

I thought I wouldn't make it at one point but thanks to Teck Leong, Koksoon, Lurlin waiting paitiently for me, I was able to rest enuff and make it back! Thanks also to Michelle who's very nice and helpful all the way. Wah, was a long trek for me but soooo much fun.

Looking forward to seeing you all again.

David PATRICK
MacRitchie to Bukit Timah Hike
10 March 2007