The Admiralty of the Liechtenstein Princely Navy inaugurated the 2010 dragon boat season with the most grueling boot camp yet. Under the competent and sadistic leadership of LTCMDR Streun, participating Sailors were put through a cold, wet and otherwise miserable 10 hour mission to determine prevailing fitness and stamina levels.
All good missions commence at o-six-hundred-hours! Whether you plan to invade a country, attack an enemy outpost or raid a Foster’s fuel depot, 0600hrs is the time to do it. Thus, eleven determined Sailors assembled at this cold and dark hour at the pole that marks the Center of the Universe, commonly known as the Lockhard Road and Luard Road intersection in Wanchai. Despite the early hour, Wanchai was still busy with various forms of human life crawling about, shocked and awed by the fit and ready appearance of our combat unit.
LTCMDR Streun led the way out of this seedy jungle towards the construction site of Tamar in Admiralty which posed the first significant obstacle to our progress. We eventually found our way around the monstrosity, past the sleeping PLA barracks and onward to Central where a rigorous Circuit Training session was conducted under the command of Chief Training Officer Jenny. With barely an hour into the Operation, Sailors were already churning out push-ups, sit-ups, burpies, planks and other cruel forms of exercise by the truckload!
Thus sufficiently warmed up in the 10 degrees morning temperature, we boarded a ferry to Cheung Chau island, leaving Sailors in the false hope that such a small and gentle island could not possibly provide much of a challenge. That hope was rudely shattered as we arrived Cheung Chau and promptly boarded a sampan across the sea to Lantau island – the largest, wildest, tallest, roughest of all islands in Hong Kong. Fertile ground for plenty of pain.
Having arrived on a cold and empty beach, LTCMDR Streun promptly directed all crew to jump off the pier into the freezing waters. Following initial thoughts of mutiny and protest, the Admiral lead the way followed by the rest of the Navy – some more enthusiastically than others. After this initial wake-up call, Sailors had to crawl, wheelbarrow-style, through the oncoming surf, perform pull-ups on shoulder-held bamboo poles and, finally, “water boarding” in order to familiarize themselves with the latest CIA torture methods.
Now sufficiently awake and warmed-up, we penetrated deep into the island, through dog-infested villages and up into the countless hills of the hinterland. Stair climbing, it seems, is a recurring theme at Boot Camp and 2010 was no different! These endless stairs started to take their initial toll on some Sailors’ knees and legs – not normally strained to the same degree in a 2-minute dragon boat race!
At 0950hrs we topped out on our first high point of the mission. Spirits were high as the Liechtenstein anthem was sung and push-ups performed at the edge of the mountain.
Descending the other side we arrived at another beach – familiar from the inaugural Boot Camp in 2007. Here we proceeded with more fun and games, including a hard fought tug-of-war. The “plank crawl” was the most despised exercise, not because of its physical demands but due to its close body-to-body proximity and the rather smelly state of some of these bodies.
At this point Boot Camp 2010 claimed its first victim as Chief Petty Officer Dave dropped out of the mission due to broken footware and a wobbly knee. He denied allegations that the shoe damage was self-inflicted.
Down to ten men (of which one was a woman!), the Navy proceeded further along the coast, climbing over large cliffs that presented a formidable obstacle – particularly to Petty Officer Martin who is more comfortable in a gym than on a rock!
Further along, we headed up what became known as “Shit Creek” – a small stream that provided an endless series of rocks and boulders, pools and waterfalls that needed to be forged and climbed. Most Sailors trying to keep their feet dry were eventually forced to abandon the idea as the terrain became trickier and slippier along the way.
Half way up the hill we stopped at a small water reservoir that provided yet more opportunity for exercise and entertainment! Climbing over the fence, Sailors were hanging from the underside of a platform that allowed them to perform the twelve pull-ups required under the new “Ten Commandments” rule – followed by a drop into the icy waters below. Petty Officer Alex showed off his white underpants which matched his pale white body and which would make him an easy enemy target to be picked up on any satellite worth its money.
Soon we were on the move again, further up Shit Creek which we eventually topped out at 390m from sea level and some eight hours into the mission. Despite frayed nerves, scratched bodies and torn muscles this was plenty of reason to celebrate with more PowerBars and Gu gel.
By now the sun had come out and temperatures were soaring into the twenties. Not having anticipated such a dramatic change in weather, most Sailors had failed to pack sunglasses or sun screen and were now being punished for their lack of preparation. At least now it was downhill all the way. Setting a wolf-inducing pace, we raced all the way back to Mui Wo – with only a brief stop for more push- and sit-ups.
We reached the civilized world and a cold beer shortly before 1600hrs – almost ten hours into the mission. The early morning streets of Wanchai and Circuit Training in Central were a distant memory by now. Bruised, battered and chaffing we enjoyed our beer in the safe knowledge that if you survive Boot Camp in the Navy, you will survive anything!
Congratulations to all surviving Sailors and to Chief Petty Officer Dave for a valiant attempt! Congratulations also to LTCMDR Streun on an excellent mission: well planned, thoroughly scouted, expertly executed and led from the front throughout!
Thus sufficiently warmed up in the 10 degrees morning temperature, we boarded a ferry to Cheung Chau island, leaving Sailors in the false hope that such a small and gentle island could not possibly provide much of a challenge. That hope was rudely shattered as we arrived Cheung Chau and promptly boarded a sampan across the sea to Lantau island – the largest, wildest, tallest, roughest of all islands in Hong Kong. Fertile ground for plenty of pain. 
Now sufficiently awake and warmed-up, we penetrated deep into the island, through dog-infested villages and up into the countless hills of the hinterland. Stair climbing, it seems, is a recurring theme at Boot Camp and 2010 was no different! These endless stairs started to take their initial toll on some Sailors’ knees and legs – not normally strained to the same degree in a 2-minute dragon boat race! 
Descending the other side we arrived at another beach – familiar from the inaugural Boot Camp in 2007. Here we proceeded with more fun and games, including a hard fought tug-of-war. The “plank crawl” was the most despised exercise, not because of its physical demands but due to its close body-to-body proximity and the rather smelly state of some of these bodies. 
Further along, we headed up what became known as “Shit Creek” – a small stream that provided an endless series of rocks and boulders, pools and waterfalls that needed to be forged and climbed. Most Sailors trying to keep their feet dry were eventually forced to abandon the idea as the terrain became trickier and slippier along the way. 
Half way up the hill we stopped at a small water reservoir that provided yet more opportunity for exercise and entertainment! Climbing over the fence, Sailors were hanging from the underside of a platform that allowed them to perform the twelve pull-ups required under the new “Ten Commandments” rule – followed by a drop into the icy waters below. Petty Officer Alex showed off his white underpants which matched his pale white body and which would make him an easy enemy target to be picked up on any satellite worth its money. 
By now the sun had come out and temperatures were soaring into the twenties. Not having anticipated such a dramatic change in weather, most Sailors had failed to pack sunglasses or sun screen and were now being punished for their lack of preparation. At least now it was downhill all the way. Setting a wolf-inducing pace, we raced all the way back to Mui Wo – with only a brief stop for more push- and sit-ups. 
