Back To The Jungle

A game I would play nearly every weekend since July 2009, but in the last two years I didn’t play anywhere near as often. In fact, played Airsoft only a total of 3 times last year.

And this was the third game for the year to date.

At my peak, I had a total of 15 Airsoft guns in my collection! But last year, I forecast playing this sport less thus I sold most of my toys away and keep a handy 4.

To think I spent most of my weekends in my 20s playing this. It’s been great fun, however I had also missed out on other things I could have done.

While I remain focus and committed to growing my Internet business, I find myself doing a wider variety of activities in the last 12 to 18 months alone: dated more, joined obstacle courses, attending social dances, and this coming weekend parkour and freerunning basics.

This means playing Airsoft a lot less than before but one thing is for sure: every time I’m back to the jungle, it’s always home away from home.

Operation White Rhino III

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Spent the weekend away from phone and Internet to join a 2 day Airsoft game in Indonesia.

This is my third time back in this army camp, and it had been a cold, rainy game – alternating between the jungle and local residence nearby.

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This was the least enjoyable MILSIM of the three times I came here – partly due to the heavy downpour, but there was significantly less fire fight, and more walking in the woods at night… under the heavy rain too.

I’ve shared my feedback with the Organizers and understandably there’s no such thing as a perfect game; I hope there will be more action the next time I come here. But if anything, it was still a much needed break from my Online Business. I’ve gotten a lot more busy this year; this is practically the third time I’ve played Airsoft ever for 2016. Before this, I’ve played frequently – at least 1-2 times a month – for the last 7 years.

Until the next MILSIM…

Good Men Go (R.I.P. Jayshe Han)

One of my Airsoft friends, Jayshe Han, had contracted cancer and been fighting it for around a year. We received a message passed onto us that he was in critical condition and he didn’t have long to live.

I detoured from the gym and head over to his residence in Cheras. The atmosphere was heavy and the once cheerful, fit and larger-than-life man was now reduced to nearly skeleton.

I was at a loss for words and even though I said to “stay strong” I knew it was false assurance. I wanted to hug him but he was too frail and weak, and in the company of his wife, family and close friends holding onto every part of him, we could only be careful. As he laid suffering on the recliner chair, it was the day even the toughest of men cried.

To give an insight into what kind of man he was: when I was new to the team 4 years ago Jay was one of the first people to talk to me and welcomed me with open arms; I was pretty much a loner then.

His looks might had been intimidating but he always had the best of intentions. Although without children, he had been a father figure to his nieces and nephews and stayed loyal to his loving wife up to his final day; his get well cards were gold testaments to his character and how he lived his life.

Alas, it is with great sadness that our friend, brother and comrade passed away 7:25 this morning. It was just two weeks ago that celebrated his 49th birthday.

Jay, it must had been a tough 3 weeks but you’re now free at last. We already miss your cheerful presence and great sense of humor and friendship. Rest in peace Jay.

Not only were you a great brother to me and others, you also touched lives when you were not wearing the uniform. I am truly and forever honored to have fought by your side for the last 4 years!

 

Rest In Peace Brother, Comrade, Amazing Friend, General.

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Kejuaraan Nasional Airsoft

This was the most anticipated Airsoft event of the year for me. I flew to Bali, Indonesia to join the 3 day event, in what would become Indonesia’s first ever national Airsoft tournament.

Although I came alone from Malaysia, I would join up with two other members to form our 3-men team. Malaysia, Netherland, England… truly a multinational team indeed!

The format of the tournament is a 3 vs 3 match. We had advanced to the final day before we got eliminated, but for a team formed on the spot, using borrowed guns (in not so good condition I must add) and that half of the 23 teams present at the tournament are Special Forces, Regular Army and Police… I’d say we did a good job overall.

The organizing of the event still has a lot of room for improvement; each day would begin rather late in the afternoon, and with no strict schedule to adhere to we would wait for hours before our next match – and each match would end in minutes.

Even though we won no medal, I still took back a collection of team patches from the event, because I always make it a custom to exchange team patches with every team I come across.

My collection swelled yet again… and it is still my dream to get in US and Europe team patches into my collection!

More on that next year…

 

Zombie Infection Hua Hin

First Airsoft game in Thailand, and after years of watching videos of zombie scenarios on YouTube this was also my first Zombie game ever!

The premise of the day-long MILSIM is shooting up bad guys who were doing some zombie experimentation – who in turn showed up at the later part of the day and night.

(Learned some of the ‘terrorists’ were Thai Police, which explains their skilled shooting – if it were real war, I would’ve died way back at the lake from the first stage, lol)

It is a shame indeed that despite bringing 2 GoPro cameras, I spent more time adjusting them than full immersion – or rather focused on shooting back. Hope there are better videos and pics to be collected soon.

About a dozen participants with a mix of experienced airsofters and some first-timers.

Weather was hotter than in Malaysia; I stripped my uniform along the way as time went on.

Airsoft guns used are WE M4 GBBR with the exception of the M60 AEG, which I used briefly too.

I’ve also learned to be more… understanding of ‘stupid’ characters in zombie shows. You know, those guys who stand around to be eaten and you wonder why they don’t just run away.

Because there’s fatigue, reloading isn’t as easy as in the video games, rounds are limited (all guns are gas blow back) and throw in panic, confusion, and duller sense by night… I was this close to become zombie food, lol

Check out the video here:

All in all, it was good fun!

There’s a lot of potential and possibilities for the Zombie MILSIM game to expand. I suggested to the Organizers at SIAM MILSIM to perhaps consider a survival scenario next bout with more zombies, and less ammo. That will put everyone in the REAL test for wits… and yeah, have the zombies run too!

Worth the trip to Thailand for a unique experience which I don’t have to fly to Europe or US to get. I might come back again if the scenario is unique and I’d like to come with friends next bout.