We took a boat to the Mekong Region in the morning. There were many pythons there. We tasted some local snacks, tea and tropical fruit there and also got a chance to buy some of the food. We were also allowed to do some shopping at the handicraft village and buy some snacks from the villagers. After that we took the ‘sampan’ back to the jetty. It was interesting as all of us wore hats on while cruising through the canal on the sampan. The canal was quite muddy. Although there wasn't much scenery to take in, it was still a once in a lifetime experience to be able to sit in the sampan! We took the boat back again, and made our way to the restaurant for lunch.
Lunch was at a local restaurant, where we had a taste of some of their local specialties, such as the deep fried elephant ear fish and the sticky rice ball. The dishes were very unique and special, which we cannot find back in Singapore. They were rather delicious as many of us were craving for more.
Next we visited the war historical musuem. We watched the water puppet show. It was an eye opener as it was something new we do not usually get to see. The puppets were all moving in the water.
Reflections: It was a very interesting day today as the whole day was filled with activities. The Mekong Region was particularly interesting and the sampan boat ride was a great experience. Lunch was great too as we tried a few local dishes. We completed the day at the musuem and the water puppet show which we enjoyed watching as well. We had an enriching experience as there was a lot to take in. We saw for ourselves the village life the people there lived. It was very different from the lifestyle we have in Singapore. We also had many chances to appreciate the food, culture and history of Vietnam.
Thursday, January 1, 2009,4:59 AM
Day 2 comprised mostly of the travelling to Dalat and the short lessons we were given accompanied by interesting stories told by our tour guide.
It was a long journey to Dalat, also known as “City of Villas” with its French architecture and cold weather and along the way most of us got tired and ended up taking naps. We were told stories to keep us more enthusiastic about the trip so far. For instance, the story of some haunted house that most of us listened to.
During lunch we went to a restaurant at a small town, Bao Loc, enroute to Dalat. We were finally able to stretch our legs for some time. Near the restaurant there was a gift shop which most of us entered to do a little gift shopping as well as have a look at what there was to offer. The speciality was coffee and tea.
However, the journey got much more interesting along the way after lunch when we ended up getting stuck. Our bus wasn’t the one that got stuck but a truck in front of us that was blocking the way. We ended up waiting in the bus for some time and some of us anticipated what would happen. Then teachers and the tour guide informed us of the situation, and that we were to walk to the tea and coffee plantation and factory that we were heading to. Some started asking questions immediately, like what to bring and how muddy the road was. Soon after that, we were out of the bus and some of us were given raincoats as it was drizzling. Now came what we personally think was one of the most memorable highlights of the day, WALKING ALONG THE MUDDY PATH, it was something most of us squealed and moaned about. It was entertaining watching everyone dodge a muddy area every now and then, and hearing the squishing sounds our shoes made when we stepped into the mud.
When we reached the tea and coffee plantation and factory it seemed to stretch on for miles. The plantation was huge. Then we took a short walk up to the factory while we enjoyed this lush green scenery before us. With our cameras by our side we started snapping pictures. Since it had rained and our shoes were muddy, we ended up standing outside the factory, looking through the large door where we were given the lesson about the process of how these produce are made. We gained much more insight and knowledge about tea. As we made our way back to the bus, it was another episode of ’DODGING THE MUD’. By the time we were on the bus, everyone had their shoes covered in mud and we started to clean it up with wet wipes and tissues. And it was no mistake that we’d dirtied the bus.
The trip back after that was the same monotonous journey, with the bus really quiet at times and noisy at another when people started waking up. When it was noisy, people were chatting, listening to music, or playing with their psp. We modern people can’t stand doing nothing.LOL. After that we had dinner, and we enjoyed the meal and took photos outside the restaurant, which was the best in Dalat, before we got on the bus and were given a briefing about Dalat in which we came to know about the famous and most beautiful lake in Dalat that we passed on our way to the hotel and more.
Though the travelling took up most of the day, it was nice admiring the scenery that surrounded us.
By Jana The day may not have been as exciting and activity filled as other days, but it was a day that we could take in the beautiful sights around us. Living in Singapore we don’t have the opportunity to see mountains near us as well as have a feel or see what life outside so much luxury has in store for us. In Vietnam, life was simpler and more carefree. The food served to us at the restaurant was grown by them and not bought at a nearby supermarket like what we do. We have come to appreciate the comfort and luxuries we have in Singapore after seeing for ourselves how much more fortunate we were. All in all, day 2 was a learning experience, not of just knowledge but of coming to be grateful for what we have that others don’t.
By Leona and Jana
Wednesday, December 17, 2008,6:17 AM
Day 1
We went straight to the Post Office after arriving in Vietnam. We look around inside the building but not how they worked. Souvenirs are also available for us to purchase there.The post office looks quite big from the outside. It looks impressive. However it is regretted that we cant see how they work. I learnt how the Vietnamese use mail as a form of communication. It is very old fashioned as compared to Singapore as we seldom send mail by the post office anymore. It made me realised how fortunate we are to live in Singapore, where most families owns a computer each and they could just send an email to the other party. They can save the time neededto travel to the post office and spend the time on more useful things.
Next, we went to the Cu Chi Tunnel. The journey to there was a long one and most of us were sleeping on the bus. Upon reaching the place, we attended a talk and watched a video to understand the history behind the tunnels. We learnt more about the Vietnam War, how they used the tunnel against the Americans and experienced how the Vietnamese travelled in the tunnel. It was amazing to know that the Vietnamese built the tunnel, which was about 200km long, manually with simple tools. They also created many amazing traps that were useful against the Americans. The journey in the tunnel was very tiring. We had to duck walk all the way as the height of the tunnel was quite low. The living conditions are simply unbearable. It is beyond imagination how the Vietnamese soldiers survived through the war in these harsh conditions. Although it was physically demanding, we endured it and realised it was quite interesting. After the journey, most of us had muscle aches for the next few days. It is definitely an enriching experience to go through what the Vietnamese soldier experience during the war. I learnt how the Vietnamese persevered against the Americans in the Vietnam War and had to live in such cramped living conditions just to fight for their own independence.
Day 4
After breakfast, we went to the Bao Dai Villa. The villa was quite big and magnificent and had many rooms. The place was well preserved and was in good condition although it was built in 1938, which was 70 years ago. Portraits of the emperor, empress, prince and princess were present in each of their bedrooms. We explored the building and learnt about this emperor that was previously unknown to most of us.
It was finally time for us to leave Dalat. We spent close to 10 hours on the bus before we reached Saigon, which is Ho Chi Minh City.
Boon Kiat
Reynold
Weng Lum
Tuesday, December 16, 2008,3:03 AM
Hello we are back again!
After breakfast we proceeded to the VietSing Industrial Park where we were welcomed by the Manager of the Vietnam Branch. He gave us an insight of the foreign investments made to the company. He also introduced economical statistics of the company to us. Next we proceeded to a room where there were sample products which the company manufactured. Next we went for a tour around the industrial park and were showed the different buildings and factories.
Next we went to a Pottery workshop where they had pottery with fine craftsmanship. An interesting fact was that most of the workers were actually handicapped in one way or another. We were given a tour around the workshop and we got to see how the products were done.
The highlight of the day was the CIP project to an Orphanage. We had planned many activities prior to the trip but unfortunately were unable to carry them as the older children were out at resort enjoying themselves. We were slightly dissapointed but nevertheless we enjoyed the time spent with the younger kids. As we were given a tour around the orphanage to see the kids, we were disheartened to see the different kids who had deformities and were physically impaired. We then realised how fortunate we were to have been able to be born without physical deformaties. We also were told that these kids were abandoned by their parents upon birth because of their states of handicap. We were assigned to certain rooms to play with the kids. It was a very fun and enriching experience for us and from this visit, we learnt to treasure what we have at present.
This is a Reflection by Weng Lum about his experience at the Orphanage.
" This CIP made me realise how fortunate we are to have our parents with us. We realised that the children are very determined to overcome all difficulties to live without their parents and also the phyical disabilities. We intereacted with them and also played some games with them. They were very happy as this might be one of the few times that they had visitors to visist them and also to play games and interact with them. "
By Reynold. " I think that the visit is very fun. I realise that I am very fortunate as compared to some of the physically challenged children. But these children learn to lead a happy life and I hope to learn from them. I think that they are very happy because they are satisfied with what they have and do not ask for much."
Finally, we had to leave vietnam back for Singapore. We headed for the airport and at the Airport we Bade farewell to our trusty Tour Guide, Hoang(Pronounced as Wank). Also to mention, Long joined us and followed us on the last day. If you don't know, Long is from Zhonghua and is in 2e5'08. He is a citizen of vietnam!
The following are pictures taken on the last day, and the first picture was our Lunch. The fish is going to eat you!
,1:35 AM
Hello we are Dave Tay and Joseph Lim and we are here to blog! This are some pictures to arouse your interest before we start.
Day 3 was an early day and we had an early breakfast as we had a school visit to Bui Thi Xuan high school in Dalat. We were excited to attend the school as we were able to meet the vietnamese students. We were warmly welcomed by them and the introduction of the school and of Dalat allowed us to understand their pride in the country. They put up a performance which contained of a dance and a song. We had a question and answer session and through this we understood more about their life as a student and their school curriculum. They were very friendly during interaction and we had a chance to attend one of their lessons. Unfortunately, their teacher's computer was not working and thus that lesson was used for interaction between the student. We then bade farewell and made our way to the next destination.
Next, we went to the Strawberry where we learned how they cultivated strawberries. It was a nice hands on experience as we were given the chance to pluck the strawberries.
Next, we went to the Lat village to do our CIP project which was one of the main objectives of the trip. On arrival, we got a briefing and introduction by the village chief. He was relatively fluent in his languages and he could even speak French. Our objective was to build a barrier which was to protect the village from wild animals.
Here's one of the reflections of our group member, Reynold.
" It was very meaningful. The villages used primitive tools to construct the barrier. It shows that the villagers were very creative in maximising the tools that were available. We put in a lot of hard work. The village chief kept encouraging us and helped us when we were unable to chop the wood. With the united effort we were able to finish a large part of the barrier."
On the day 3 was a very meaningful and fufilling day and we also enjoyed ourselves and learnt much from it.
xoxo, With LOTS OF LOVE, David Tay and Lim Kiat We
Friday, November 28, 2008,3:53 AM
This is the blog for Group A (under Mr Chong) of Zhonghua Vietnam Trip 2008.
Team members are to blog about what happened during these 6 days.
Please make the blog as nice as possible, with pictures, videos e.t.c.
I trust that you can do a much better blogskin and layout compared to this.
HELLO.
