Those who are going for the EOY trip are required to do an AAR to reflect on what happened in Fusionoize Vietnam '06 and state the the lessons learned from there to be applied in the '07 trip this year. The format below is as follows:
1) What we should have done during the trip
i.e Things that we did not do or plan to do, but realized it was necessary after the trip. These are the lessons learned by reflecting and evaluating.
2)What could be improved?
i.e What we should have done and done better?
By answering the above 2 criteria in point form, we have to derive the following:
Based on the areas for improvement listed above, what could we have learned to be applied in the '07 EOY trip?
i.e To ensure we do not make the same mistakes of leaving out or not doing something crucial in the future for such trips. (In the EOY trip '07 context)
Please answer the above 3 reflections and send them to me by Sunday morning, 10am. It can be a word document or email, just make sure I can understand what you are trying to say. The writing can be in point form, continuous writing or even in a table, as I will compile everything to be made into an group AAR for submission.
Your input is particularly important as I cannot do this alone, so please do not default on this submission. Do note that this only applies to those going for the EOY trip in '07 (5 of us) and will determine the success of our trip this time.
Showing posts with label Fusionoize Vietnam. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Fusionoize Vietnam. Show all posts
Saturday, November 03, 2007
Monday, January 08, 2007
There is much more to be learnt than expected
Intellectual
- Opportunity to experience the culture and the lifestyle of the locals
Through this trip, I was able to experience the lifestyle of the Vietnamese where we got the chance to taste local food and to have some of our meals in roadside stalls (something we will never get to experience if we sign up for other tours). We also had the opportunity to stay in homes of the ethnic minorities to experience the culture of the ethnic minorities.
Deliverables
- Delivery of medical supplies, stationeries and cookies
During our trekking we carried some medical supplies and cookies we bought in Sapa before we set off. It was tough trek for all of us as we carried the supplies while going on unfamiliar tracks. We distributed the stationeries and cookies to the children in the villages we passed by. We also distributed the medical supplies to the ethnic minorities and many of us even gave away our personal medical supplies after we learnt that they do not have any access to basic medical amenities.
- Improving the learning environment of the local students
Our plan was to originally help out at Sapa Town Primary School, however, when we reached Sapa, we found out that the primary school was already quite well-off. Our guide suggested to us that the village school in Cat Cat village would deserve the help more. After purchasing the required logistics we headed to the school recommended by our guide. We helped to repaint the interiors of two classrooms and the exterior of the main block, we also set up and mini English library using the books that we received as donations. Our efforts were very much appreciated by the school and students. It was a pity that we were only able to stay there for only four days.
Emotional
- To appreciate what I have and what I am given
To see Vietnamese children being such easily contented by simple amenities such and toys (spinning tops and marbles), I was ashamed of myself who has continuously demanded for more material comfort . The children were delighted when they received gifts from us be it something significant like a pair of shoe or something as simple as a few cookies, while I complained that I received a pen as a present.
Adversities
- Weather conditions
One of the adversities we faced was the cold and misty weather conditions in Sapa. On the first day in Sapa we had to wear several layers of clothing to keep ourselves warm, but still many of us ended up shivering in cold while walking down the streets of Sapa. However, after spending several days in Sapa, we finally got used to the weather.
-Language barriers and cultural differences
We had a tough time communicating with the Vietnamese especially during our first few days in Vietnam, we were unable to speak their language and only few of the locals understand English. We had to rely greatly on our teacher-in-charge for translations when there is a need for communication such as purchasing of books and stationery and asking for directions. Throughout the days in Vietnam, we managed to pick up some very basic Vietnamese language and it came in handy especially during our last few days in Hanoi where we did most of our shopping. We were then able to communicate verbally with the shop owners instead of using hand signals and writings.
- Transportation of donations
Transporting the huge amounts of donations such as books and stationery we had received was a challenging task for us. Most of the time we did not have proper transportation devices such as trolleys and we had to carry them using our hands. We had to make a few trips from the train to the gate to bring all the donations out of the train station.
Learnability
Through this trip I was able to widen my perception of life. I was so narrow minded to think that all I could learn from the Vietnamese was just their culture, heritage and lifestyle. However after living among the locals for days I have learnt important lessons of life. One of which is to help others who are in need unconditionally. Our guide for example has stayed with us for our four days of residential project, helping out in whatever way he could, even tough he was not paid in the four days. We, on the other hand needed incentives to participate in community involvement programmes.
- Opportunity to experience the culture and the lifestyle of the locals
Through this trip, I was able to experience the lifestyle of the Vietnamese where we got the chance to taste local food and to have some of our meals in roadside stalls (something we will never get to experience if we sign up for other tours). We also had the opportunity to stay in homes of the ethnic minorities to experience the culture of the ethnic minorities.
Deliverables
- Delivery of medical supplies, stationeries and cookies
During our trekking we carried some medical supplies and cookies we bought in Sapa before we set off. It was tough trek for all of us as we carried the supplies while going on unfamiliar tracks. We distributed the stationeries and cookies to the children in the villages we passed by. We also distributed the medical supplies to the ethnic minorities and many of us even gave away our personal medical supplies after we learnt that they do not have any access to basic medical amenities.
- Improving the learning environment of the local students
Our plan was to originally help out at Sapa Town Primary School, however, when we reached Sapa, we found out that the primary school was already quite well-off. Our guide suggested to us that the village school in Cat Cat village would deserve the help more. After purchasing the required logistics we headed to the school recommended by our guide. We helped to repaint the interiors of two classrooms and the exterior of the main block, we also set up and mini English library using the books that we received as donations. Our efforts were very much appreciated by the school and students. It was a pity that we were only able to stay there for only four days.
Emotional
- To appreciate what I have and what I am given
To see Vietnamese children being such easily contented by simple amenities such and toys (spinning tops and marbles), I was ashamed of myself who has continuously demanded for more material comfort . The children were delighted when they received gifts from us be it something significant like a pair of shoe or something as simple as a few cookies, while I complained that I received a pen as a present.
Adversities
- Weather conditions
One of the adversities we faced was the cold and misty weather conditions in Sapa. On the first day in Sapa we had to wear several layers of clothing to keep ourselves warm, but still many of us ended up shivering in cold while walking down the streets of Sapa. However, after spending several days in Sapa, we finally got used to the weather.
-Language barriers and cultural differences
We had a tough time communicating with the Vietnamese especially during our first few days in Vietnam, we were unable to speak their language and only few of the locals understand English. We had to rely greatly on our teacher-in-charge for translations when there is a need for communication such as purchasing of books and stationery and asking for directions. Throughout the days in Vietnam, we managed to pick up some very basic Vietnamese language and it came in handy especially during our last few days in Hanoi where we did most of our shopping. We were then able to communicate verbally with the shop owners instead of using hand signals and writings.
- Transportation of donations
Transporting the huge amounts of donations such as books and stationery we had received was a challenging task for us. Most of the time we did not have proper transportation devices such as trolleys and we had to carry them using our hands. We had to make a few trips from the train to the gate to bring all the donations out of the train station.
Learnability
Through this trip I was able to widen my perception of life. I was so narrow minded to think that all I could learn from the Vietnamese was just their culture, heritage and lifestyle. However after living among the locals for days I have learnt important lessons of life. One of which is to help others who are in need unconditionally. Our guide for example has stayed with us for our four days of residential project, helping out in whatever way he could, even tough he was not paid in the four days. We, on the other hand needed incentives to participate in community involvement programmes.
Friday, January 05, 2007
Always view everything with a positive aspect
Intellectual
- Experience of the cultures and lifestyles of the Minority People
During this whole trip in Vietnam, I got to experience the different cultures and lifestyles of the minority people in Vietnam. It was very intriguing to me as the experience itself is nothing as compared to documentaries that were showcased on TV. Moreover, their cultures and lifestyles were different in certain aspects, each having their own unique characteristics. I also learnt about their level of appreciation for green tea in Vietnam.
-The Education System in Vietnam
In Vietnam, not every child is as fortunate as those in Singapore. Many of them are unable to attend lessons in schools for several reasons. They may be too poor or even have objections from their parents, thinking that their children are better off helping them on the farm. Thus, as a result, many Vietnamese children still remain illiterate even when they enter adulthood. Through this experience, I realized that there was a stark contrast in comparison to the attitude of children in Singapore as most of them detest attending lessons in schools.
Deliverables
-Helping those in need
Our main purpose in Vietnam was to engage ourselves in community giving, helping out those who were in need. We managed to deliver stationeries and medical supplies to several villages in Xeo Trung Ho, Ban Ho and Su Pan. We also went to Cat Cat Village and helped to improve the surrounding environment of the school. We helped to paint the walls, deliver stationeries, books and food to the children. However, these were only short term and not sustainable assistance to the school and the children. We could have done much more but time did not permit us to do so. Thus, looking at it with a positive mind, I believe that our presence at the school made the difference and it is all that matters.
Emotional
I had also come to realize how fortunate I was to be living a life of comfort and luxury in Singapore. I got to experience the ‘caveman’ conditions of the minority people living in Vietnam. I was able to put myself in their situation, living in a place with a limited supply of electricity and food (all of which were taken for granted back in Singapore). The children in Vietnam were contented even without the luxury of indulgences such as toys and television. I had also realized how excited the children were at the sight of food. They were very polite as they received their food with both hands outstretched. They were so eager to have their food as they sang the local Vietnamese song. Such heartwarming moments!
Adversities
-Unfamiliarity of geographical locations in Vietnam
One problem was the unfamiliarity in many aspects of the trip. An example would be the fact that we were in a foreign land and that forced us to depend heavily on our guide for directions. His absence on the last day proved it as we found ourselves struggling trying to maneuver from one place to another.
-Cultural and linguistic differences
Another dilemma that faced us was the cultural and linguistic differences. Most of us were unable to communicate with the local people, thus unable to engage ourselves in a conversation as we could not correspond to them. As a result, confusion often arises as instructions may seem vague to us or even lost in translation. Hence, such linguistic differences proved to bee an obstacle for us. Cultural differences also arose. An example was where certain gestures like touching another person’s head was forbidden among the minority people.
Learnability
I have learnt that we have to work together as a team in order to accomplish different tasks. It had been one of my most enjoyable experiences to be able to work together with my friends in a foreign land. We forged stronger bonds of friendships, realizing our own faults and mistakes. I learnt to conquer my fears: not to worry unduly and take things in my stride for everything that I do in life. Always view everything with a positive aspect and life would be much more smoothsailing than one can ever expect. I have also discovered that Vietnamese people can also be contented without any indulgences and luxury, yet, they do not have many problems in every aspect of their lives. This may be a learning point for all of us because as much as we can boast of all the living comfort in Singapore, we had just as much to be envious about their carefree lifestyles, accompanied with breathtaking sceneries and surrounding environment that one would never be able to experience in a hectic schedule of every Singaporean.
- Experience of the cultures and lifestyles of the Minority People
During this whole trip in Vietnam, I got to experience the different cultures and lifestyles of the minority people in Vietnam. It was very intriguing to me as the experience itself is nothing as compared to documentaries that were showcased on TV. Moreover, their cultures and lifestyles were different in certain aspects, each having their own unique characteristics. I also learnt about their level of appreciation for green tea in Vietnam.
-The Education System in Vietnam
In Vietnam, not every child is as fortunate as those in Singapore. Many of them are unable to attend lessons in schools for several reasons. They may be too poor or even have objections from their parents, thinking that their children are better off helping them on the farm. Thus, as a result, many Vietnamese children still remain illiterate even when they enter adulthood. Through this experience, I realized that there was a stark contrast in comparison to the attitude of children in Singapore as most of them detest attending lessons in schools.
Deliverables
-Helping those in need
Our main purpose in Vietnam was to engage ourselves in community giving, helping out those who were in need. We managed to deliver stationeries and medical supplies to several villages in Xeo Trung Ho, Ban Ho and Su Pan. We also went to Cat Cat Village and helped to improve the surrounding environment of the school. We helped to paint the walls, deliver stationeries, books and food to the children. However, these were only short term and not sustainable assistance to the school and the children. We could have done much more but time did not permit us to do so. Thus, looking at it with a positive mind, I believe that our presence at the school made the difference and it is all that matters.
Emotional
I had also come to realize how fortunate I was to be living a life of comfort and luxury in Singapore. I got to experience the ‘caveman’ conditions of the minority people living in Vietnam. I was able to put myself in their situation, living in a place with a limited supply of electricity and food (all of which were taken for granted back in Singapore). The children in Vietnam were contented even without the luxury of indulgences such as toys and television. I had also realized how excited the children were at the sight of food. They were very polite as they received their food with both hands outstretched. They were so eager to have their food as they sang the local Vietnamese song. Such heartwarming moments!
Adversities
-Unfamiliarity of geographical locations in Vietnam
One problem was the unfamiliarity in many aspects of the trip. An example would be the fact that we were in a foreign land and that forced us to depend heavily on our guide for directions. His absence on the last day proved it as we found ourselves struggling trying to maneuver from one place to another.
-Cultural and linguistic differences
Another dilemma that faced us was the cultural and linguistic differences. Most of us were unable to communicate with the local people, thus unable to engage ourselves in a conversation as we could not correspond to them. As a result, confusion often arises as instructions may seem vague to us or even lost in translation. Hence, such linguistic differences proved to bee an obstacle for us. Cultural differences also arose. An example was where certain gestures like touching another person’s head was forbidden among the minority people.
Learnability
I have learnt that we have to work together as a team in order to accomplish different tasks. It had been one of my most enjoyable experiences to be able to work together with my friends in a foreign land. We forged stronger bonds of friendships, realizing our own faults and mistakes. I learnt to conquer my fears: not to worry unduly and take things in my stride for everything that I do in life. Always view everything with a positive aspect and life would be much more smoothsailing than one can ever expect. I have also discovered that Vietnamese people can also be contented without any indulgences and luxury, yet, they do not have many problems in every aspect of their lives. This may be a learning point for all of us because as much as we can boast of all the living comfort in Singapore, we had just as much to be envious about their carefree lifestyles, accompanied with breathtaking sceneries and surrounding environment that one would never be able to experience in a hectic schedule of every Singaporean.
Thursday, January 04, 2007
Going to Vietnam was a great experience outside of school.
Intellectual
Going to Vietnam was a great experience outside of school. We were able to be involve with the natural environment and learn from it. Though we might have already learnt and seen much of the landscape through textbooks, we only managed to learn the bulk of our studies by really feeling the environment itself. An example would be the lifestyle of the farmers in the rice fields, which we have so often neglected when we blindly studied about just the process of farming itself. This trip was also an insight into the Vietnamese way of living and how different it was from a typical Singaporean life. Food aside, which clearly lack variation, it was the clealiness factor that distinctly seperate a Singaporean from a Vietnamese. As a Vietnamese walks through a muddy pathway decisively, a Singaporean would tip toe through the same path at snail speed. I realised at the end of the day, it all boils down to the different living environment in both countries. It was not up to either of us to influence the other party.
Deliverables
Biking, trekking, kayaking, painting, library-ing, swimming, diving, shopping and eating were just some of the many things we did. Of that many, i feel that only one or two, probably fits the bill of a contribution. Even so, it might not be comparable to the standards that have been set by other schools. Painting was a job well done. But then again, these are just superficial forms of a contribution. Library-ing on the other hand, might prove to be a much significant gift to their lifestlye. Our sense of accomplishment was duly fulfilled through biking, trekking, kayaking, diving and swimming. I believe that any single one of those activity was already sufficient to satisfy our desire for challenges.
Emotional
On the first day in Hanoi, it had already struck a deep first impression on me. It was the "River of Life" aka dirty water flowing at the side of the pavement. The sight of totally puts me off. Maybe it was just the difference in living environment. It was not until Sapa that another heart wrenching moment hit my heart. That was the lifestyle of young children the age of equivalent to Primary 1 kids in Singapore, how totally different it was when compared to the much more fortunate Singapore counterpart. As our kids walked around in branded Nike or Addidas shoes in school and still feels unfair about how their parents is not buying the newly released PSP for them as compared to their peers, who could imagine how much less fortunate the kids in Vietnam were, possibly just hoping for a shelter over thier head or even a happy family.
Adversity
The ability to adapt ourselves to the condition of Hanoi on the very first day was probably one of the first difficulty most of us faced, especially with the air pollution in the city. But i believe that all of us managed to overcome it within a short period of time. Throughout the trip, trekking was undeniably the most torturous part. This was further justified on the second day morning which pushed our limits and endurance level the maximum we can take. However, i have to say that most of us suffered most mentally as we kept telling ourselves that the end is near which most of the time never came. But of course, all of us conquered it after all. Unthinkable, but not impossible was the near 10m dive from the junk boat at Halong bay. It was definitely a adrenaline rushing experience that seriously worsen our thirst for adventure and excitement up. A real regret was the inability to bring our jump to a higher level up on the next day. At the end of the trip though, what really struck me was how an individual's living environment can become so unhabitable, with such a great disparity from a fellow being, a thing that had never occured to me right in fornt of my own eyes.
Learnability
I do not know everything and will not know everything on the surface of the earth as i have realised from this trip. Working in a team has been the most enjoyable experience and also one of the best learning methods in a group. One can realise one's own fault and mistake through a group, not after someone points it out, but after self reflection of his own actions that he had taken in the group. Most importantly, everyone is not perfect and self reflection is the way to character development and maturity. Yet, it is that very group that often stands in the way personal improvement and leanring. Thus, I believe that there is always a time that one has to work with others and there is some other occasion that one has to go in seperate ways. Different people has different leanring ability and it is always more difficult to progress in a group. At the end of the day, self dilligience and proper character development is still the key no matter in a group or individually.
Going to Vietnam was a great experience outside of school. We were able to be involve with the natural environment and learn from it. Though we might have already learnt and seen much of the landscape through textbooks, we only managed to learn the bulk of our studies by really feeling the environment itself. An example would be the lifestyle of the farmers in the rice fields, which we have so often neglected when we blindly studied about just the process of farming itself. This trip was also an insight into the Vietnamese way of living and how different it was from a typical Singaporean life. Food aside, which clearly lack variation, it was the clealiness factor that distinctly seperate a Singaporean from a Vietnamese. As a Vietnamese walks through a muddy pathway decisively, a Singaporean would tip toe through the same path at snail speed. I realised at the end of the day, it all boils down to the different living environment in both countries. It was not up to either of us to influence the other party.
Deliverables
Biking, trekking, kayaking, painting, library-ing, swimming, diving, shopping and eating were just some of the many things we did. Of that many, i feel that only one or two, probably fits the bill of a contribution. Even so, it might not be comparable to the standards that have been set by other schools. Painting was a job well done. But then again, these are just superficial forms of a contribution. Library-ing on the other hand, might prove to be a much significant gift to their lifestlye. Our sense of accomplishment was duly fulfilled through biking, trekking, kayaking, diving and swimming. I believe that any single one of those activity was already sufficient to satisfy our desire for challenges.
Emotional
On the first day in Hanoi, it had already struck a deep first impression on me. It was the "River of Life" aka dirty water flowing at the side of the pavement. The sight of totally puts me off. Maybe it was just the difference in living environment. It was not until Sapa that another heart wrenching moment hit my heart. That was the lifestyle of young children the age of equivalent to Primary 1 kids in Singapore, how totally different it was when compared to the much more fortunate Singapore counterpart. As our kids walked around in branded Nike or Addidas shoes in school and still feels unfair about how their parents is not buying the newly released PSP for them as compared to their peers, who could imagine how much less fortunate the kids in Vietnam were, possibly just hoping for a shelter over thier head or even a happy family.
Adversity
The ability to adapt ourselves to the condition of Hanoi on the very first day was probably one of the first difficulty most of us faced, especially with the air pollution in the city. But i believe that all of us managed to overcome it within a short period of time. Throughout the trip, trekking was undeniably the most torturous part. This was further justified on the second day morning which pushed our limits and endurance level the maximum we can take. However, i have to say that most of us suffered most mentally as we kept telling ourselves that the end is near which most of the time never came. But of course, all of us conquered it after all. Unthinkable, but not impossible was the near 10m dive from the junk boat at Halong bay. It was definitely a adrenaline rushing experience that seriously worsen our thirst for adventure and excitement up. A real regret was the inability to bring our jump to a higher level up on the next day. At the end of the trip though, what really struck me was how an individual's living environment can become so unhabitable, with such a great disparity from a fellow being, a thing that had never occured to me right in fornt of my own eyes.
Learnability
I do not know everything and will not know everything on the surface of the earth as i have realised from this trip. Working in a team has been the most enjoyable experience and also one of the best learning methods in a group. One can realise one's own fault and mistake through a group, not after someone points it out, but after self reflection of his own actions that he had taken in the group. Most importantly, everyone is not perfect and self reflection is the way to character development and maturity. Yet, it is that very group that often stands in the way personal improvement and leanring. Thus, I believe that there is always a time that one has to work with others and there is some other occasion that one has to go in seperate ways. Different people has different leanring ability and it is always more difficult to progress in a group. At the end of the day, self dilligience and proper character development is still the key no matter in a group or individually.
Saturday, December 16, 2006
Day 16 in Vietnam
There was to be an extra day in vietnam apart from our schedule. From another perspective, we can lay our hands on a $100 insurance claim and a full refund from tiger as we soon found out. yet, it was nothing compared to arriving safely back in singapore.
We were told that we were on the flight at 1300 back to singapore. What happened was actually that a bird had struck the front of the plane as it arrived in Hanoi the previous night and the flight had to be cancelled for safety reasons. It was absurd.
As a result of that, one of our friend had to miss another flight to the states. The three hours back was a sound sleep for most of us (and the other passenger as well) after a hectic night.
By 1800, it was sure a great feeling to be back in Singapore. We were all hungry and annoyed at that time. Some people told us to follow them to make up the numbers so as to confront the staff at the airport. Some of us followed.
The feeling of going home is great.We are finally returning.
Friday, December 15, 2006
Thursday, December 14, 2006
Day 14 in Vietnam
We awoke much later then usual because we did not have to run by a tight schedule that day. For today,the choice of breakfast breakfast resumed to the traditional pho (fer) we had for the past 12 days. After breakfast we made our way to vinhcom plaza, the shopping equivalent of suntec city in singapore. We had much sights to see along the way, every street was different and unique. There was a street selling shoes where some of us wanted to buy some shoes, but never did for fear of its durability. Then there was the street selling bags where many bags were being sold. Again no one bought anything for the very same reason. The only street that was lacking might be that of a games street though we occasonally found some game stalls and bought some pc and ps games, this time without fear.Perhaps the happiest thing of the day or the whole trip was the discovery of a KFC outlet in Hanoi. The food was utterly delectable (even though it was similar to the Singapore KFC).Difference was that it was served on a porcelain plate and the drinks were in glass cups.
After that we went on to vinhcom plaza. The interior was an exact replica of Suntec city, with the exception of the crowd. Things were costly. The only place that we found interest in was the arcade there(being totally similar except for the price). We went off soon after.
by 1500, we returned back to vega guesthouse. we proceed to jacket street which many of us spent our remaining cash on "real" jackets and pants. i believe it was real though.
dinner was in a real posh bar. food served was pizza, ribeye, steak and everything nice. the prize was nice too, at 4.50 sing dollar, even cheaper than singapore macdonald.
the night went fast and all of us were prepared for tomorrow's EXPECTED flight back home.
Wednesday, December 13, 2006
Day 13 in Vietnam
It was a good night's sleep on the junk boat, maybe even one of the best in the trip. The morning was cool, probably due to the sea breeze. Breakfast, for once was different, we had bread, butter and jam. By 0915 we were already leaving for the harbour, away from halong bay. Our stay in halong bay was a rather short one.
We began another 3 hour journey back to hanoi when we came onshore. We had lunch at a Hong Kong restaurant nearby prior to that. We saw several cemetaries along the 70+ km trip back. Other than those, the view had remained constant throughout.
We reached Hanoi by around 1300. All of us were held in great anticipation regarding the JC(junior college)we were to be posted to for the first 3 months. Fortunately for us, there was a computer there for us to check our posting.
We met 45 mins later to tour around Hanoi. Many of us were quite worn out and we did not explore too far a distance from the guesthouse. Dinner proved to be quite novel this time round. All of us did not manage to eat much though. We had the traditional bánh cuon of Vietnam(which costs only 2 sing dollar). It bears some resemblance to a local Singaporean food( meat fillings wrapped in thin layers of steamed rice flour). It was quite interesting to run into fellow Singaporeans who identified us through our accents when it occurred that night.
Tuesday, December 12, 2006
Day 12 in Vietnam
The overnight train to Sapa was much easier in terms of transportation due to substantially reduced baggage which came from the stationery and books(all delivered to the intended schools) . This time round, the train ride was made considerably more comfortable as the train compartment was in a better condition then the previous train ride from Hanoi to Lao Cai. We reached Hanoi in the early morning hours at around 0530. It was still pitch dark at that time. We were then brought to the guesthouse in Hanoi, the same one we stayed in originally. Breakfast ensued as usual but many of us were not used to the blaring sound of the traffic which was absent in Sapa. We had a short break after breakfast before our bus ride to Halong bay.
It was a 3 our long bus ride to halong bay and most of us fell asleep, because of the fatigue that had built up from the overnight train ride from Lao Cai.We reached there by 0930. we were all surprised when we got onboard our very own junk boat in which we all did not need to share with any other tourists. The conditions exceeded our expectations, bettering those in Sapa and even Hanoi.
The scenary we saw was equally breath-taking. Furthermore, we made a stop at a fish farm where large species of different fishes and also the "predator" like horse-shoe crab could be seen. We decided to chip in money to buy extra seafood for dinner, mainly crabs and cray fish. By 1100, we had managed to start kayaking, around the many islands (2000 to be exact), though expectedly we did not manage to kayak to all. We went around into caves and lagoons in the area, and even had a short dip in the cool waters of the bay.Shortly after 2 hours, we were back on board. With spare time on our hands before dinner, we took a dive from the second tier of the junk boat into the cool water. It was a refreshing experience! All of us repeated the activity again and again. It was such a pity we did not have time to try for the third deck.
Monday, December 11, 2006
Day 11 in Vietnam
We are going back to the village primary school in San Sả Hồ for the last time and they will be holding a farewell party of a sort for us. Upon arriving, the students are assembled in the parade square. Our last bit of work this day was to clean up the assembly area in preparation for a time of games, songs and fun. The games which kickstart this party come with prizes of biscuits we bought for this occasion. A H'mong boy and girl came to perform their traditional musical instruments; The boy a pipe of a sort, the girl a bronze mouthpiece of a kind.
We then put up a performance, a little something we learnt from all the campfires we have attended from our CCAs.We then teach them musical chairs as part of our contribution of games to this farewell party . After this minor celebration and after the students have left, the teachers and us sit down to a cup of tea before we leave in which we have a mutual sharing session of our thoughts over the days we spent doing the Residential Project. Before we leave the school for the last time, the teachers wish us goodbye with many gestures of gratitude which was really quite touching . Since we started working at the school on Day 5 to this day, we had developed a sentimental link with it. With great reluctance we said our goodbyes. We had definitely been enriched in our sympathies for things.Tonight, we will be taking an overnight train to Hanoi
Sunday, December 10, 2006
Day 10 in Vietnam
Day 10 is probably the last working day of our Residential Project though we will still be coming back to the school tomorrow for a farewell party held for us. After breakfast, Edmund Cai followed our guide to buy the necessary materials for the final part of the Residential Project.We made a stop at San Sả Hồ secondary school a stone's throw away from San Sả Hồ primary school-about 200m away. In this trip to the secondary school, we gave the school the bulk of the stationery and story books brought from Singapore. We had a small observation session in which we got a slight glimpse into the timetable of the secondary school. Also, in a friendly goodwill gesture, we gave them a Victorian 130th Anniversary Commemorative yearbook.
We all reached the village primary school at San Sả Hồ in the late morning to begin the last finishing touches on the painted classrooms and the exterior of the school, at the same time organising their books for them. We completed our work at the school by around mid afternoon and went back to Sapa after cleaning up. It had just occurred to me that in all our modernity, there is not a view back home that compares to the mountain range surrounding the school.
As we left the school, we inevitably felt a sense of wistfulness.
Instead of having dinner at the usual time, we had decided to play table tennis since we were not that hungry. We each got to play against the guide, subsequently losing the game to him but at the same time gained interesting tips too! Our teacher had played an interesting and intense match against the coach but eventually lost still by a small margin, a very exciting game.
The guide had decided to bring us to a special place this time round, it being our last night in Sapa. It was a cosy cafe of a sort that aids physically challenged children. The place served decent western food and we thoroughly enjoyed our last dinner in Sapa. Upon further inquiry, we learnt that the cafe was set up by NGOs(non-governmental organisations) in Hanoi.
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