Tech workers ate dead tarantulas, crawled through fire ants in corporate retreat from hell
Share this @internewscast.com

A corporate retreat intended to be a relaxing escape for a tech company turned into a nightmare, complete with armed guards, encounters with fire ants, and even a dead tarantula on the menu. The experience was reminiscent of the chaotic scenes from the film “Apocalypse Now.”

Approximately 120 employees from Plex, a streaming service, traveled to Honduras expecting a tropical vacation filled with engaging team-building activities inspired by the TV show “Survivor,” a favorite of the company’s CEO.

However, the reality turned out to be a daunting test of endurance, as recounted by employees in an interview with the Wall Street Journal about the 2017 event.

Upon arrival at the secluded island of Utila, Honduras, the staff was unexpectedly greeted by armed guards.

Throughout the day, participants were led to the beach to partake in physically demanding challenges under the scorching 100-degree sun.

One such challenge required employees to army-crawl through sand. This led to several collapsing from exhaustion, and one unlucky participant found herself crawling through a nest of fire ants, resulting in painful welts.

“The medical area didn’t have any regular antihistamine. So they’re like, ‘Oh, we can shoot some into your butt cheek.’ That was a first for me,” employee Greta Schlender, 41, told the Journal.

Another challenge forced survivors to choose covered platters and eat whatever they held — which in one case was a dead tarantula. 

One could argue the challenges were simply staying faithful to the Survivor TV show, in which exhausted, half-starved contestants battle it out to stay on the island.

But even the supposed luxury resort part of the trip turned out to be a nightmare.

The compound was infested with sand fleas that feasted on anyone brave enough to take a stroll through the grounds.

The power, water, and showers kept cutting out.

At dinner, the guests were instructed to cut their chicken and beef in half before eating it because the kitchen had been serving it undercooked.

In one incident, a porcupine fell through the roof into an employee’s bedroom, they recalled to the Journal.

Plex CEO Kieth Valory had intended to play the part of Survivor host Jeff Probst and hopefully moderate some of the chaos.

Unfortunately, he spent most of the trip in his hotel room battling an E. coli infection.

“I lost 8 or 10 pounds … They nailed an IV bag to the bedpost,” Valory told the Journal.

The retreat did have one thing the Survivor show lacked: A former commando hired to scream at the miserable employees.

“One of our biggest mistakes was hiring a former Navy SEAL to pump the team up,” Valory recalled to the Journal. “I could hear them out there doing all their drills and yelling. So I’m in here thinking, ‘This is terrible, but it sounds terrible out there, too.’”

Finally, on the night they were meant to leave the hellhole, the island’s air strip didn’t have enough planes to get everyone away, leaving some workers stranded.

By then, the tribe had spoken.

“I just said, ‘Guys, there’s nothing we can do. Let’s just make the most of it.’ We found some beach hotel and drank beers all night,” said retreat-goer Sean Hoff, whose company helped plan the trip.

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like
Man accused of murdering world renowned CalTech astrophysicist smirks in court

Shocking Courtroom Twist: Accused Murderer of Renowned CalTech Astrophysicist Smirks During Trial

In a chilling display during a court appearance on Wednesday, the man…
Male model beaten to death in 60-second Halloween street attack

Tragic Halloween Assault: Male Model Fatally Beaten in 60-Second Street Attack

A male model, under the influence of alcohol, was fatally attacked by…
Illegal immigrant admitted posing as Border Patrol agent in calculated scheme to disrupt deportations: DOJ

Shocking DOJ Revelation: Illegal Immigrant’s Bold Ruse as Border Patrol Agent Uncovered!

A man accused of targeting federal immigration agents by masquerading as one…
Proposed Illinois referendum protecting redistricting paused after Supreme Court voting rights ruling weakens Civil Rights-era law

Illinois Redistricting Referendum Halted Following Supreme Court Decision Impacting Civil Rights Legislation

A pivotal ruling from the U.S. Supreme Court on Wednesday is stirring…
'Mission Impossible' Star Ving Rhames Hospitalized After Collapse at Los Angeles Restaurant

Ving Rhames Hospitalized Following Sudden Collapse at Los Angeles Restaurant: ‘Mission Impossible’ Star’s Health Scare Shocks Fans

Renowned actor Ving Rhames was rushed to the hospital after collapsing in…
High school sweethearts' marriage ends in gruesome murder-suicide less than 2 years after wedding: police

Tragic End for High School Sweethearts: Police Report Gruesome Murder-Suicide Just 2 Years Post-Wedding

A talented young woman tragically lost her life when her husband, who…
Suspect arrested after mom, pregnant teen, 12-year-old found bound and murdered

Tragic Triple Homicide: Suspect Apprehended in Shocking Murders of Mother, Pregnant Teen, and 12-Year-Old

Law enforcement officials have apprehended a suspect in connection with the horrific…
Final displaced dog from Eaton Fire finds a forever home

Last Eaton Fire Rescue Pup Finds Loving Forever Home: Heartwarming Adoption Story

In the aftermath of the devastating Eaton Fire that ravaged Altadena and…
Royal family's past NYC visits as King Charles heads to Big Apple

King Charles’ NYC Trip: A Look Back at the Royal Family’s Memorable Visits to the Big Apple

King Charles and Queen Camilla are set to embark on a whirlwind…
Valero’s Benicia oil refinery hit with $3.25M fine by air district

Valero’s Benicia Refinery Faces Hefty $3.25M Penalty for Air Quality Violations

A California oil refinery has been hit with a substantial $3.25 million…
Man accused of repeatedly trespassing at CIA headquarters in Virginia

Repeated CIA Trespassing: Man Faces Charges for Persistent Intrusions at Virginia Headquarters

A man from Texas was taken into custody following multiple attempts to…
Gavin Newsom leaves California facing $30bn deficit as state can’t track worker pay

California Faces $30 Billion Deficit as Gavin Newsom Exits: State Struggles with Payroll Tracking Issues

Gavin Newsom is poised to leave California with a staggering legacy of…