Wednesday, January 20, 2010

Highlights from Faster 2


Day 3 arrives and the weather was perfect for a bike ride, Hermes, Faster 2 students had spent the night on the banks of the River Pahang. They awoke and enjoyed their substantial breakfast - stocking up on carbohydrates to provide them with necessary energy they would need to complete their 52 km cycle ride.








The group then proceeded to dismantle their tents and everyone took part in a warming up and stretching excercise to loosen and prepare their muscles for the long cycle ride to their final nights campsite, again situated on the banks of the beautiful River Pahang.











Hermes students made their way off the sandy bank onto the road where they met a massive selection of bikes and after much kicking and prodding of tyres, and testing of brakes bikes were chosen and the convoy headed off down the road, a little after 9 am.







The 52 km ride was intermitted with various water and food stops throughout the day, with the whole group stopping to enjoy lunch at the 22km mark.

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Wearing a huge smile and punching the air with joy the first student rode into Taman Negara at about 4.30pm. It then took about 45 minutes for the remaining Hermes second troop to cross the finishing line.




It was certainly a jubilant atmosphere as the pupils that had already completed the 52km challenge stood and cheered in the remaining pupis as they enjoyed the satisfaction of crossing the finishing line.



After many cheers, 'well dones' and plenty of high fives, the group made their weary way down the lane to set up camp for their last night above the banks of the River.


Keeping Strong

Tuesday, January 19, 2010

How far can you go?

Race day for Faster 1

52 km cycling expedition of Hermes 1-5
On your mark

Get set


Go


Protective gear

Pit stop

Track

Final lap



Champion

What makes us Stronger?


Our Home



Our Community



Our Fire



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Our Leader

Further quotes from olympians in the making

Hermes 1

“I'm fine, don't worry about me! =)”
Erica Lee 3/1

Hermes 2

“Mum, the journey is great! Thanks for your support mum!
Soon Huat 3/1

Hermes 3

“It's so great to cycle together with my friends. Thanks Mrs Ong, and I believe that out future will be as excellent as this experience.”
Liu Yiying 3/2

“Happy birthday to my brother!”
Pavittar 3/1

Hermes 4

“To Mr Oh, you're missing a lot here, we are having so much fun!”
Sue Cern 3/1

“Good luck to temasek basketball 'B' boys and all the best for their upcoming matches!”
Benedict 3/4

Hermes 5

“I'm enjoying myself tremendously. Too bad you're not here, haha! The best weight loss programme in the world!”
Ms Fang Ci-Hui

“Mum, I'm fine. The cycling journey was tough, but don't worry about me. I love you!”
Kenneth Lu 3/5

Higher 19.01.10

"Camping in a cave is cool"!

"I hate leeches"!!

"The cave is a bit dusty"!?!?!

"Abseiling rocks, Rocks"..!

"The guides are patient and caring"

"The guides are cool"!!

"The cave is cold, hot and scary"!?!?!

"No comment" - Daphne Ang

"I wanna thank my mum, dad, older sister and I'd better include my brother"

Stronger

Athena 1

"Cooked potato never tasted so good before."
Yi Jun 3/6

Athena 3

"I find the camp very challenging, but overall it's fun getting to know about the Orang Asli!"
Nadhirah 3/9

"The camp has been rather challenging, especially cause we have to build our own shelter. However, it's very fun enriching our survival skills knowledge."
Jana Lim 3/5

Athena 4

"Never give up, even when your're failing. Teamwork is the key to success!"
Danial 3/3

"Never take anything for granted!"
Quan Heng 3/2

"Fire is essential."
Xin Yi 3/8

Faster 2

"This beats school"!!!

"Fun, Awesome, Fantastic"!!!

"I wanna do it again"...!

"Teamwork is unity"

"The current is strong in the middle!"

Faster 2 making their journey to their new campsite

Faster 2 Checking into Pasir Tambang











Olympic adventures in Pahang continue into the night...!





Nightfall of the first full day in Pahang witnessed the Apollo group take a hike through the Jungle in the dark. The students were gathered together and told to hand in their torches - light and sight were relinquished, they were to be relying on their other senses to make their way along the forest path! This experience gave them a unique opportunity to experience the jungle as an Orang Asli or even a Tiger of old.


Many of Apollo's apprentices were aprehensive at first and were well aware of the challenge that lay ahead of them - however the God Apollo must have been extremely pleased with his assembled groups effort, as they all came through the challenge with flying colours. Some students told me that they had never experienced the forest that way and they had never imagined it could be so loud!



Monday, January 18, 2010

Day II of Olympic Pahang Adventure

APOLLO

The dawn of Day 2 saw the Higher group eagerly assembling in preparation for the day's activities. After a hearty breakfast and warm up exercises, they conducted an equipment check.



The four groups were divided into three and set out on to face the mornings tasks. The abseilers were given a safety tutorial and shown how to correctly descend a steep cliff.








Great fun was had and after all the students had attempted the 30 metre cliff they were last seen hurrying towards the second, 'taller' cliff for more exciting descents.

Another sub group of Apollo spent the morning climbing a stand alone limestone escarpment. The climb is both physically and mentally challenging rising to 12 -15 metres.
Two Apollo students were climbing the face at the same time and there was a great sense of Olympic Spirit. The students waiting on the ground were shouting calls of encouragement for the climbers to persevere and not give up, giving vital assistance on where to put feet and hands.











The last bunch of Apollos apprentices were last observed prepping their equipment and getting ready for an extensive hike through the jungle to the Kota Gelanggi caves.

HERMES

As the day moved on we caught up with the Second group of Hermes contenders at Jeram Besu just as they finished their lunches. They were heading out to either take a raft ride down the rapids or cross the river twice using a flying fox and then swimming back across using a guide line in the water. It was clear to all that great enjoyment had taken place during the morning excercises and there was great excitement regarding the afternoons activities.

I visited the flying fox group first who were a mixture of wet (abandonment) and dry (apprehension) as the groups were split where half the group had already had one go and the other half were awaiting their first turn. The merriment at the base of the flying fox stand was only interrupted by ear piercing screams of exhilaration as another student flew across the wide river.



To get back across from the other side of the river students had to cross the river using a guide water that led them through the base of rapids. As the students touched back on dry land talk was of strong currents and the need to hold onto the rope tightly.










Whilst the flying foxes were flying the other group were being given their water competence briefing.

After the initiation was complete I witnessed the Hermes pupils take to the water in their rafts and hurtle there way past where I stood on the bank.
When I caught up with them later they were a bundle of thumbs up and smiles in soaking wet clothes, it was clear a great time had been had.