Batam Trip : Day 2

Today post will be the continuation of my Batam trip =] There was a lot more to write but I decided not to type too much details XD You may want to approach me and ask about the adventure I had in Batam =] Despite the living condition in Batam, everything seems alright to me =] They don't have a proper road but at least they had a road for vehicles to pass =] Batam is a very blissful place to stay in =] I meant for a vacation =] Visit some other countries may help your history a lot =] Learning about other countries tradition is very exciting =] More of curiosity taking place =] Since you had the chance to travel so why not learn something about their culture or lifestyle =] At least take a glance at their development =] You can make assumption whether the country is developed a not =] Simply looking at the streets, example, the street lamps: is it bright or dim.

In Batam Day 2 (7th November 2009):

I will continue from yesterday onwards =] My journey did not end there =] There were more interesting ones ahead XD

I woke up at around 4.45am local time in Batam which is 5.45am in Singapore =] We were following Singapore time =] When the alarm rang, Chun Liang was quite frustrated because he did not sleep well the day before X.X He and Rabbani kept disturbing me when I tried sleeping X.X They used the pillow to hit me X.X I think they slept quite late at night... They were unwilling to wake up... So I did not bother them and went on bathing =] Took a hot bathe and felt refreshing after that shower =] After I showered, I walked out and Chun Liang was already waiting for me. He was lying on the bed, asking me if I am done X.X Tiaos ! So I took the chance to do some packing first =] My sentiments told me that night will be tight ! It appeared to be true =] So I was fortunate to pack earlier =] Even if it does not, I still able to plan what to do after I return back to Singapore or rather what should I blog =] Hahas =] I will be away for 7days =] Could not wait ! =]

So I packed everything and started filming around the room =] Since I had left a few minutes of tape so why not use it for the hotel =] Later, brought all my necessities down to the conference room and assemble =] Everybody seem half awake and the room only the counselors screaming and shouting -.- So Quite irritated actually.. Sickening ! How boring it was in the morning ! Finally the breakfast time arrived, hoping they would get some energy to talk at least =] Very desperate to eat =] I had a hearty meal in the Nmorning =] After I ate my breakfast, the room began to be more lively =] Now the counselors were the ones who were annoyed X.X Bla Bla BLA ! I don't care =] Mr Raj came and briefed us on what is going to happen throughout the day =] Day 2 was an important day because they was a cultural night taking place. Sharing cultural stuffs with each another =]

We took a group photo before heading towards the school =] After the photo taking session, we went to the school immediately =] Same problem when we got there, the entrance was too low for the bus to pass X.X A few guys were pushing away the levelers =] It took quite long for them because i think it is heavy X.X As usual the road was soggy on the way up to the school =] Some of the students were expecting us =] I felt like a VIP on the way up =] Hahas =] Proceeded on straight to the english package =] I set myself a goal =] It was to interact with the Batam students =] At least one or two =] I will be delighted =] In the end, I made some friends X.X About seven or eight them =] Seven girls and one boy =] Since many of them focusing on the guys so I take the opportunity to teach the girls =] So as to balance up =] I taught them verbs =] taught them some games =] Hahas =] I really don't mind spending more time with them =] They were very attentive when I was sharing with them =] Appreciated it a lot =] Due to some crash in timing, we had to leave earlier =[ So bid farewell to them =] Hoping they would remember this memorable session =] I told them to read some simple english book will help to improve their english =] The nod their heads =] Which means I hope they agree to do so =]

We went for lunch first and then resumed the activities planned by the teachers and counselors =] The scavenger hunt was totally exhausting X.X We were so engaged in the activities that we almost forgotten about the reporting time X.X They were very persistence =] I was tracking for the time =] So it was almost time up =] Started making noises =] I did not really help much =[ Feeling quite terrible... I was busy filming the whole scavenger hunt =[ Took very nice shots of the scenery and people running around searching for clues =] I was very afraid we would get scoldings from the teachers if we don't report on time. I was just afraid of Milford because he always slipped off suddenly without anyone knowing X.X So our group leader went to accompany him back to the original place =] Najihah, Zaharah and me walked back together =] I could feel their tiredness as they still had rehearsal later =[ Pitied them =[ I was quite worried for them so kept asking them if they were alright =[ When we reached the reporting place, we went to crave for drinks first =] Was very thirsty X.X I was still carrying a bag =[ Many valuables inside and I can't afford if I loose them =[ I sat down and felt a little better =] They were still trying to solve the mystery =[ So I was a little irritated after a while... I approached my group and tried helping but it was too late X.X Before my words, they had done the puzzle. Never mind XD Next time =]

We went back to the hotel to rest and freshen up ourselves before the cultural night =] Thank GOD ! I was exhausted so do my group members =] Brilliant team of mine =] Took a warm shower =] I laid on the bed and almost fell asleep.. Our adjoining neighbour kept knocking on the door so did not sleep =[ I did not intend to sleep actually because I know that tonight there will be story tellings within my room mates X.X Finally, the time has arrived =] Pretty excited =] Indeed !

During the cultural night, my throat felt a little sore =[ Probably after eating the dinner provided.. Nevertheless, filming the entire cultural night. I was roaving around the hall and Soon Chuan was stationaring at the middle of the audiences =] Gosh! His battery went flat in the middle of the performances X.X He was in trouble X.X I sense it but there wasn't =] So it was a good news for him =] Mr Alex sang two songs =] It was probably the last journey with Sembawang for him =] After that went back to the hotel to take a rest =]

Quite crazy actually.. I was expecting a reflection tonight but there was not X.X It was postponed to the following day X.X ''It will be a very long reflection session tomorrow so better sleep well and tight tonight!'' I told myself =]

Apologise for the long term break I am having -.- I was in KL for the past six days =[ The air quality is terrible ! Coughing and felt like spitting the flams from my throat X.X Glad that I am finally back home =] Singapore, well civilised country and everything well within control =] Appreciate Singapore more than before =] Tourist will probably love Singapore a lot =] Except for one thing that is Singapore is very symmetrical. Meaning to say that everything you see on the left it will appear on your right =]

Will not be posting about my trip to KL as it was a little secrecy for it to be revealed =] I can tell some but not entirely =]

That's all. Seeing some of you this friday =] Looking forward to your presence =]

Batam Trip : Day 1

Hahas... I am back from Batam XD Quite exhausting but it was an experience for me which I had never been before =] I loved the hotel the most among all of the above =] Simply because it was cooling and relaxing for me =] I am the room I.C. My room mates were Chun Liang, Rabbani, Audric and me =] They were quite funny in the sense =] Giving you more details in a while =] I am just starting with a open greetings to my fellow blog viewers =] For this entire 3days and 2nights stay in Batam, many different types of events that took place... Mostly enjoyable ones =] There were something major that happened in the Hotel but I don't wish to recall that incident since they had already apologised =] It's over so no point grumbling about the past unhappiness =]

In Batam Day 1 (6th November 2009):

It was my first trip to other country without my parents accompanying along with me =] Moreover I was going with my peers and my beloved teacher, Mr Alex to Batam.

We assembled at the school's foyer. Awaiting for further instructions from the teachers-in-charge =] I was quite confuse whether to film them when I was in between to important points, I was not sure if I could start filming in the morning so waited for Mr Alex to arrive =] Soon he came, he raised his voice a little at both of us because we did not start doig video recording =[ The video camera was totally weighing a tonne! I was carrying both at the same time, bag pack and the video cam holder =[ I was very engaged in the morning epecially. Even though we planned the day before the trip what to film but I still unsure on what to do =[ I was a first timer so I hope everything I recorded is still acceptable =]

Our group consist of Najihah, Zaharah, Ridzuan, Kenny Ng, Chun Liang, Milford, Jia hui, Kelvin and me myself =] I was quite surprise the fact that Milford was in our group because from group six onwards all the way to group eight was only our class pupil. Nevertheless, we still took care of him =] Hoping he would learn a bit at a time =]

We boarded the bus and proceeded on to our next destination, Harbor Front terminal =] That's the place where we were going to board the ferry to Batam =] On the way down to Harbor Front, I was quite dizzy because I did not sleep or eat enough X.X So I slept throughout the entire journey so as to prevent puking. Finally we reached, alighted and started panning shot various parts of the Harbor =] I was not use to video recording but after a few practices, I managed to learn how to use properly =] Which is wonderful skill to learn =]

I remembered that I was stuck at some point where my passport could not scan through that new machine constructed for the convenience of all passengers. I think I had to renew my passport next time so as to restrain from such problems again =] Fortunately, there were still counters available. If not I will not be able to enter the ferry =[ I was quite enthusiastic in filming them =] It was pretty exciting, making them shy and timid makes me feel a lot better when I film =] No matter what it is, there were still emotion taking place if not I was like transparent.

The ferry was shaking from left to right =[ I felt a little nauseous =[ So did not record anymore =[ I sat down and went on sleeping =] We reached within 30-45 minutes, could not remember clearly but never mind =] Everything was reversed ! The time was rewind one hour behind of Singapore's time. Hahas, it was balmy there =] Loved the scenary a lot =]

Our first visit at Batam was the school =] The journey was smooth all the way though there were a lot of hornings created by the bus. Quite dangerous to drive in Indonesia actually =[ Firstly, road are very congested and narrow. Secondly, traffic flows are very unusual. We stopped at some point because there were something blocking the way for the bus to move forward. I looked further and saw the bars were too low for the bus to cross over so some people were sent to push open the railings =] Soon, the railings were open wide =] Able to resume the decent down the dried mud road X.X

I was quite afraid at first when I stepped into the classroom, there were like forty pair of eyes staring at us =[ So scary ! Moreover I don't know how to speak simple english so totally don't understand what they were interacting about.. So did not speak for that day =[ Just standing around smiling at them =] Our lunch was so-so only =] As long as there are food to eat and it is edible, I will just try to eat =] Better to eat than be hungry and have gastric problems later =]

I was looking forward to the high elements Rope course as I loved those very much in Singapore =] We were doing some shift =] We did the ralf building first before the rope course =] It's okay XD Does not matter which is first =] Anyway we were going to do both at any time =] The ralf building was simple to me =] We had four empty barrels, four pipes and two wooden planks for pladdling =] So I decided to do something simpler =] I produced a picture of the ralf when it is done =] They understood and I was very grateful =] At least they were willing to take in my opinions =] I appreciated it a lot =] Very strong team forces within our group =] We went on tying the ropes =] I taught them what I learned during my adventure camp organised by my CCA primers =] They did learn =] I thought they would insist but never mind =] I tied them tightly so when it is carried to the shore, it would not break into a few parts =] We test the ralf and it floats ! My idea was successful =] Six of us sat on the ralf and started paddling using our planks =] When I sat on the pipe, the barrel went behind my butt ! Fortunately, we survived =] Mr Alex was proud with us =] Fantastic team =]

Next we do the Rope course =] Another funfilled program =] I wanted the toughest one and I managed to get the chance to do the one I like =] My spirits went high =] I cleared the obstacles in about 15 to 20 minutes =] I did it fast enough =] Very bouncy and high chance to slip =] luckily did not slip =] God blessed me =] Very thankful for that =] The last point was the flying fox =] I did once flying fox when I was only primary five =] I had great fear when I was climbing up for the first time... Open surroundings and very high tendacy to fall =[ Many people was encouraging me to move ahead =] I believed that I could do it and I did ! So I overcome the fear of heights when I was young =] It is always good to start learning when we are young =] We tend to absorb very fast when we were young =] I saw many people were afraid =[ My team was excellent =] They did not give up and I liked that =] Everyone at least gave a try =] Does not matter whether you pass or fail =] Those arrogant ones were unable to continue X.X CHEY

We checked in our hotels =] I was so desperate to see what the rooms looks like =] I was impressed with the quality =] Quite good facilities actually =] We rest for one and a half hours =] Showered in a very nice bathroom =]

We went for a seafood dinner after our shower =] WOW ! I guessed first day was an important occasion =] Maybe just a warm start of the trip =] Later would be tougher =] Never mind XD I told myself, I could do it regardless =] I eventually did it =] Amazing ! XD The seafood dinner was pathetic but never mind =] I had an very blissful time there =] Nice genre from the Friday night fever =] Mr Gwee and Mr Zaf sang joined also =] I had taken some photos of them =] Hahas =]

We went back to hotel and rest =] Relaxing in our vast room with adjoining rooms =] He An, Edwin Chan, Milford and one malay guy from 2E something was only a door apart =] Moreover our rooms are adjoining ones =] So quite cool =]

I slept soundly later though my room mates were quite noisy =[ Hahas =] Just think that they are still energetic =]