Hong Kong Disneyland

During this November vacation, I visited Hong Kong together with my parents and their friends. This trip was relatively fun, especially at Hong Kong Disneyland. 

Night Scenery at Hong Kong Disneyland

Hong Kong Disneyland was officially opened on the 12 September 2005 by the chief executive of Hong Kong, Donald Tsang and the CEO of the Walt Disney Company. At Disneyland, together with my parents friends' children, we spent the day with lots of fun and laughter. 

My favorite ride at Hong Kong Disneyland is the 'RC Racer' ride where you race along a 27 metres high rollar coaster. It was a terrifying yet fun experience. It allowed me to scream all i want during the ride, relieving all the stress and negative feelings kept within me. I felt so much so much relaxed when i alighted from the ride. It is definitely one of the best ride in the entire park! 

RC Racer

Other than the 'RC Racer', I also enjoy the 'Grizzly Trail' mountain roller coaster ride. This ride was very thrilling  and relatively fast, there are ample dips, climbs and dramatically banked turns. The ride includes some small moments of negative G-forces, especially at the last part of the ride where there is a powerful launch outwards.

Grizzly Trail

The 'Space Mountain' roller coaster ride was another thrilling and fast ride. Rocket at warp speed synchronised to the music played  and sound effects on this indoor roller-coaster. Launch into the inky blackness with its exhilarating hairpin turns, quick dips, high tech sound and special effects, this state-of-the-art space journey took us past shooting stars and careening comets. 

Space Mountain

This visit to the Hong Kong Disneyland was totally worth it where it brought us much fun and enjoyment. It was one of the best theme park visit I have ever had! 

UG Retreat 2013 to Bintan

One year ago, I was selected to represent my CCA to participate in the First Annual Uniformed Group(UG) Retreat to Bintan, Indonesia.I felt really thankful and excited when I knew that I was selected for this trip. This was my first experience to leave for a overseas trip without my parents. 

Group Photo taken at Bedok South Secondary School before setting off to Tanah Merah Ferry Terminal

Together with my other squad-mates and friends from other UGs,we conquered lots of outdoor activities like rock climbing, flying fox, kayaking, rafting, dragon boating, skywalk, low rope element, trekking and boom-netting together, making the five days spent at Bintan worthwhile!

Skywalk

Flying Fox

The activity that I enjoyed most was boom-netting. It was a activity that can never seen in Singapore. We boarded a boat where it took us to the middle of the sea. The boat had a upper deck and a lower deck, with nettings placed around the boat. When the boat stopped in the middle of sea, we finally had to chance to jump into the water! We jumped from the various platform on the boat into the netting placed in the sea. Surprisingly, some of my friends that were are afraid of water managed to overcome their fears and enjoy the activity! 

Boom-Netting

Another activity that I enjoyed was trekking! The place that we did the trek was a place that can never be seen in a Singapore. We were brought to a forest, there were mosquitos, mud, wet grass, fallen branches everywhere. We had to be extremely cautious, the fallen branches and mud could cause us to fall along the way. 

Trekking

Other than outdoor activities, we also had visitors from the local orphanage to visit us. The orphans came along to the resort to play games with us, games like soccer, frisbee, and captains ball were organised. Some of the orphans were outgoing and friendly, while there were some who were lonely and unwilling to talk. From the looks and life that they were leading, we saw how lucky we were in Singapore, learning to be thankful for everything we have, cherishing every moment we have with our family. 

After this trip, I am glad that it has bonded us closely together and leaving wonderful memories we had together. Thankful to everyone who have made this experience a memorable and enriching one. 

BIND Vietnam 2014

One month ago, I embarked on a 5Days 4Night BDS Internationalisation and National Education Development programme(BIND) to Vietnam with my schoolmates and teachers. This was my second time going overseas with my schoolmates and teachers and I am very glad to have this bunch of people together with me. 

Group Picture taken at Singapore Changi Airport, Terminal 3 

After the 2hours 45mins journey on the Vietnam Airlines, we finally arrived at Vietnam. 

Our journey started in Ho Chi Minh City in southern Vietnam. Our first destination was the General Post Office and the Reunification Palace. There, we saw how different the post office there was as compared to the ones in Singapore. There was no air-con, there were only small fans around keeping the place ventilated. 

Reunification Palace

General Post Office 

On Day Two, we proceed to Ben Tre City where we took a 20mins boat to visit a Coconut Making Factory. We had the chance to see how to people there use fresh coconuts and make it into small coconut candies. There at Ben Tre City, we also experienced the horse cart riding, sampan rowing and mud fishing! These were things that we can never experience in Singapore. 

Horse-Cart Riding

Sampan Rowing

Day Three, we went to visit Tam Phuoc Secondary School for cultural exchange. Thankfully, the teachers and students there were really friendly, we played lots of games with the students, and i am confident that they had loads of fun! 

Tam Phuoc Secondary School

Lessons conducted at Tam Phuoc Secondary School

Games played at Tam Phuoc Secondary School

The next day, we continued our journey to visit the Cu Chi Tunnel. The Cu Chi Tunnel is a unique project of architecture, as an underground system of tunnel deeply located in the ground bed with numerous floors that is over 200km long. The tunnel was build as part of the  Anti-American resistance, countering against the enemies to save its country. There, we learnt that the peaceful life we have in Singapore should not be taken for granted. A war might take place anytime, we should stay prepared by being vigilant to our surroundings, like a suspicious bag seen on the Mass Rapid Transit (MRT). 

Model of Cu Chi Tunnel

Trap set by the Vietnamese during the war

Bus 1 Group Photo

After the visit to Cu Chi Tunnel, we continued the day at a Paddy Field where we get the chance to experience rice planting. Through the experience, I learnt that teamwork is very crucial in this activity, without teamwork, the rice seeds are planted everywhere on the field that makes it hard for the farmers to harvest them. 

Rice Planting

On the last day, we visited the War Remnant Museum where we see how the American torture the people in Vietnam. There were graphic pictures, accompanied by a short text in English, Vietnamese and Japanese, covering the effects of Agent Orange and other chemical defoliant sprays. There were also military equipment like the UH-1 "Huey" helicopter and the F-5A fighter. 

Military Equipments used for the war

Military Equipments used for the war

Graphic Pictures of the torture caused by the Americans.

After the five days spent together with the Vietnam BIND-ers, it was time to head home to Singapore. I must admit that this trip was one of the best trips among all the trips i have been to. I brought back many memorable memories that it can never be replaced. Really thankful to all the teachers who have taken care of us for these five days, making this trip a really successful one. 

3A'2014 Vietnam BIND-ers