Yes, we really had to make fire, build the shelter, find food and so on... But as you can see in the show there is drinkable water available, so it's fine. Btw I thought hunger will be the worst thing there (I love food, hungry me=angry me) but it was ok! The adrenaline that strikes because you actually play Survivor overcomes the hunger.

The social game is the most difficult aspect indeed! I found it especially hard because my tribe was constructed by a schoolyard pick so it was a little difficult to fit in. And all the paranoia also hit me :D "why are they talking?" "what are they discussing?" haha, that was hard, I expected to be better at that social part