24/03/2002
The atmosphere is tense here. I am surrounded by natives, mostly women and some children. I tried to start teaching them a little English, and an older woman came other and started "Shhh"ing me. I waited for her to go and tried again but she said "Man no speak", so it looks like these natives have had some conact with Westerners already. This was confirmed when I saw a Coca Cola T-shirt on one of the children.
It is so disappointing to risk my life getting out here, to escape from the merchandising, the materialism and the ugly concrete of man's world and then find that Coke got here before me.
22/03/2002 - 23/03/2002
I have just had the most amazing couple of days. Yesterday I was walking through the jungle, worried about where the river was and aching with pain and nausea, when I heard the screams again, but this time they were close enougth to pinpoint. I ran towards them and almost fell over a native woman lying on the ground.
I'm no doctor, but from the baby's head that was starting to emerge, I guessed she was giving birth. The woman seemed scared , but from her face I could she she need my help, so I helped deliver the child as best I could,and cut and tied the cord. The mother then seemed to pass out.
Then this other woman, younger and angrier, emerged from behind a tree and starts gesturing at me and the newborn. It was all very confusing, and there was lots of crying, screaming and shouting, but once I pulled myself together I put the infant in my backpack. I picked up the mother and followed the younger woman. We were within a couple of miles of a village, with a longhouse and a community of around thirty natives. Thats where I am now typing this. I have been greeted warmly, the child and mother both seem well and I am at the end of the longhouse waiting to see what happens next.
I haven't seen any men, just young boys, so either there aren't any men (which seems unlikely given the recent birth) or they are all going to come home soon. I have not had good experiances so far with the tribes in Borneo. I am preparing my least aggressive smile.
I tried to tell the natives my name when I first arrived, and they managed to repeat it quite well - "Marr-low" , but then they started pointing to the child and saying it. I think they named the child (It's a boy) after me. This could take some explaining if any men arrive.
21/03/2002
It's taken me just one day back in the jungle to get completely and utterly lost. I walked for a few hours this morning, heading towards where the river should be, but it isn't there. So either somebody moved it or my orienteering skills are not all they might be. Giant sunbeams are filtering thorough the canopy and they are quite beautiful, some of the plants are stunning-
It is just so good to be away from the madness of manmade life and soak in the nature that surrounds me as I type this. I feel almost as if the jungle around me is my mother and I am a beloved son, nurtured and cared for in the sweet, warm, green arms of a loving parent.
On the down side, I think I might have radiation poisoning.
20/03/2002 THE RESULT OF THE MARLOWE BIDFORTH TOXIC WASTE VOTE IS FINALLY WITH US...........
Voting is closed. Before I tell you the exciting outcome, here is some of the mail I have received regarding my decision to take an internet vote on whether or not to open the sealed door I found in the underground complex.
Micheal Garland wrote-
Good luck and remember its not the winning its the taking part!Anyway should
you be unlucky at least we can all say we were with you in spirit as you
leave this mortal coil. I voted yes. :)
Grace Roberts wrote-
If you leave the door unopened now after banging on about it for so long it will be a total disappointment man. Just swallow your nerves and let loose those toxic dudes onto the planet, it deserves it.
Well , I can tell you that a staggering 394 people voted for me to open the door, thanks to everyone that voted.
Gea* Jones wrote-
there is a strong danger ahead, reist the tempatation to open the door, or you will die from radiation burns, come back and tell your story, or it will be lost,
Don't open the door, I am a very strong psychic, you will die from
immediate radiation burns, no-one will ever find you.
now you have done the hard bit, finding it,
come back , and tellyour story,
you have enough people to back you, and people need to know THE TRUTH, you have the opportunity to come back now,
Best Wishes
Gea* Jones
Thanks Gea* , I can tell you that 411 people voted for me NOT to open the door.
So thats 394 voted YES, 411 voted NO , so I will not be opening the door. Apologies to all those that voted yes, and thanks to each and every one of the 411 that voted NO and saved my skin after I foolishly decided to make this an online vote.
I did find some documents down in the complex, and they mention "French Aquitane ELF" alot, whatever that is, I am leaving all the stuff I have found by the doorway, along with the metal ball that got inexplicably heavier. A mystery for someone else to solve, some other day.
I'm leaving the complex now and heading out into the unknown once again, no more pictures of man-made corridoors, drums or doors, just green beautiful rainforest, giant man-eating creatures, angry natives, poisonous plants, my laptop, my backpack and my will to live.
BORNEO DIARY 
THE RESULT OF THE
