It was a historic day for Brunei and a momentous day for the Sultanates women when the countrys Dk Najibah Era PAM AlSufri and six other women from various Commonwealth countries battled subzero temperatures and 900 miles of treacherous icy terrain and arrived at the Geographic South Pole at approximately 11.09pm (Antarctica time) yesterday, 38 days after they began the arduous journey.
Dk Najibah Era, or better known locally as the Polar Girl, became the first Bruneian to ski to the South Pole as part of the Kaspersky Lab Commonwealth Antarctic Expedition team.
Era called the Bulletin from the South Pole to share her joy last night.
As she spoke from her tent, her teammates could be heard lustily cheering Era.
"Congratulations Era," was all this Bulletin reporter said. "I have achieved it! I have done it!" shouted Era from the other side as she was literally jumping with joy.
"I was so afraid that I would let my people (Bruneian) down but I set my goals and I went on to achieve it."
She said she was overcome by emotion during her last leg of the journey when she realised that this would be the last time shell be skiing together with her teammates.
"My eyes started to swell and I started crying. As we set up the tents and opened our boots, we all realised that this was the last time we were doing this as a team."
Nonetheless, the teams high spirit offset the sadness and tears of joy flowed.
"We all are happy and proud of our achievement of conquering the white snow and looking back at the hardship there were some memorable moments that I will remember for the rest of my life," said Era.
The allwomen explorers will spend two nights at the South Pole station in their tents and will be expecting their first visitors on New Years eve Mr Eugene Kaspersky, founder of Kasperskys Lab and Harry Cheung, the Managing Director of Kaspersky Lab APAC, the main sponsors of the expedition.
"We will then place the seven countries individual flags across the mirror ball that sits at the South Pole overlooking the station in the background," Era said.
When asked whether she will do a handstand at the bottom of the Earth, she replied, "Yes, I will. Ill be holding the world with my hands! That would be a memorable picture."
She took the opportunity to thank BARA for the endless support and commitment. "BARA has been with me since the very beginning. When I felt nobody was able to help me organise my expedition, BARA came with full force. They helped me to reach my goal today," said Era before adding, "Im grateful that they (BARA) chose to help me without expecting anything in return."
Before calling the Bulletin, Era called her husband Mohd Faierony Hazelin Hj Mat Jair or Ronny, her mother, Pg Hjh Basmillah Pg Hj Abbas and her patron Haslina Taib, CEO of Bag Networks on this historical day.
"I am proud of Era, I was always confident that she would complete her journey, and today she has proven it to all of us," said Ronny, who was quite excited to say the least.
Ronny was able to speak to Era after she reached the South Pole, where team members were allowed to contact their loves ones.
When asked about Eras health, Ronny said, "Shes doing fine, I can hear the sound of excitement and relief in her voice. I just cant wait for her to come back home," he added. Era is expected to return to Brunei on January 30, 2010 after attending several welcoming receptions in United Kingdom on January 11 and in Singapore.
"My husband is going to visit me when I arrive in London, Im quite excited about that and Im looking forward to eat Bruneian food when I reach home," she exclaimed and added that her first dish would be Ambuyat.
Eras aunt, Pg Basmalawati Pg Hj Abbas, said, "I have been following her progress since day one to make sure she is in good shape. Now I know she has completed her journey safely, I am eager to see her come home. The worst is over and the best is yet to come for her," she added.
The allwomen team reached the South Pole two days ahead of schedule with one member from Jamaica, KimMarie Spence, forced to drop out due to frost bite on her fingers earlier during the journey.
Saipul Ibrahim, Vice president of BARA, also shared his joy with the Bulletin. "Shes an icon for all Bruneians, especially for women and our youths. She took the challenge and completed it. We at BARA are very proud of her achievement. And we are thankful that everything went well for."
Meanwhile, Dk Aniza Pg Hj Ishak, who was selected with Era for the training before the latter got the nod, said she was very proud on her teammates accomplishment. "Brunei sent the best candidate and she deserved to be the first Bruneian to reach the South Pole."
The expedition marks the 60th anniversary of the Commonwealth as well as demonstrating the potential for greater international understanding and exchange, and highlighting the global climate change.
According to Era, she will conduct talks and lectures in schools and share her experience with youths and help to bring awareness on the climate change and environment.
"Even though Brunei is a small country, it can never stop us Bruneians to do what we aim for. You have to know what you want and then you go for it. The most important thing is that you have to dream because without dreams we are just like robots," she told the Bulletin on how the expedition has inspired her.
The Kaspersky Lab Commonwealth Antarctic Expedition saw women from seven Commonwealth countries Brunei Darussalam, Cyprus, India, Jamaica, New Zealand, Singapore and the United Kingdom ski 900 kilometres to the Geographic South Pole, a symbolic and prestigious journey highlighting the achievements of women across the world. Aziz Idris
http://www.borneobulletin.com.bn/thu/dec31h1.htm
http://brudirect.com/index.php/2009123013164/FirstStories/erabecomesfirstbruneiantoreachsouthpole.html
http://news.brunei.fm/2009/12/31/erabecomesfirstbruneiantoreachsouthpole/