Day 3 - Trekking & Papan Town Visit

Our Hai Sians experienced the tough living conditions of the indigenous Orang Asli people of Perak when they undertook a trek into an Orang Asli settlement situated about 50km from Ipoh town.

Bouyed by the exhilirating experience of overcoming the caves and high elements on the previous day, our Hai Sians woke up bright and early for their jungle trek raring to go.

Our Hai Sians traversed a rugged and steep terrain for two hours.

Today's experience was wonderful because we had a chance to see first hand the day-to-day life of an Orang Asli when we visited a small Orang Asli hamlet. We saw how the Orang Asli led simple yet meaningful lives.

In the afternoon, we visited the oldest tin-mining town in Southeast Asia, Papan. Papan is a small vibrant village of people who work as shopkeepers, farmers, professionals, labourers, builders, contractors, welders and a few tin-miners.We visited Sybil's Clinic where we learnt about a heroic nurse, Sybil Kathigasu, who during the Japanese Occupation risked her life to assist the anti-Japanese resistance fighters. It was a really moving experience to learn about how she single-handedly took on the wrath of the Japanese.

As of our third day in Perak, the teachers are pleased to inform all participants' parents that all our boys and girls are safe and sound.


We will arrive back in Singapore on Monday at around 8pm.

Day 2 - Adventure Caving & High Ropes Obstacle Course

Our adventurous Hai Sians tackled the famous Gua Tempurung by undertaking an adventure caving expedition deep into the bowels of the 400-million-year-old limestone cave.

Crawling on all fours, our boys and girls explored the cave which was submerged in knee-deep waters.

At some parts of the cave, our Hai Sians had to navigate the low ceiling of the cave with barely enough room to breathe.

But like true warriors, all our boys and girls emerged unscathed and completed the caving expedition in under two hours. This was a remarkable achievement as most teenagers will take three hours.

While in the cave, our Hai Sians learnt how to overcome their fears of the dark and tight spaces. They also picked up some geographical lessons on limestone caves.

After adventure caving, our brave Hai Sians embarked upon a high ropes obstacle course at Nomad Adventure Mountain School in Gopeng.

As of our second day in Perak, the teachers are pleased to inform all participants' parents that all our boys and girls are safe and sound.

Our Hai Sians will be tacklling a four-hour trek on Sunday to an Orang Asli settlement and sample their lifestyle.

Finally .. we've arrived in Ipoh

All 48 students and six teachers arrived safely @ Ipoh @ 7pm after an eleven hour bus journey.

We are staying @ Hotel Excelsior in Ipoh. Check-in was smooth. Dinner was good. Debrief was even better. Lights out @ 10pm.

First activity on Saturday will be adventure caving in Gua Tempurung followed by High Ropes Obstacle Course.

Note to parents: We'll be caving from 9am-Noon followed by High Ropes Obstacle Course from 1pm-4pm. Any urgent issues, call Mr Singh @ 94505434.

Final Pre-Departure Briefing

To those who missed today's briefing - the final one before we depart for Perak on Friday - below are some of the key points:

1) Report to school on Friday before 7am @ SDC Room. Attire: PE T-Shirt, School Trousers (Boys) / School Skirt (Girls) & Track Shoes.

2) Do a final check of your kit before leaving home on Friday morning. Don't forget the passport!

3) Where possible, bring along a whistle for emergency use in Perak.

4) There'll be two buses bringing us to Perak. Bus 1 (NPCC & Girl Guides) and Bus 2 (NCC & SJAB).

5) Rooming arrangements will be made known on Friday in Ipoh.

6) Nomad Indemnity Form must be brought along on Friday morning and handed over to respective UG teachers before we move out!

7) Above all, rest well next few days and go to Perak with an open mind.

Reminder to hand-in photocopy of passport details

Participants pls note:

Hand in a copy of your passport particulars page to your respective UG teachers by Friday 21 Oct.

In the meantime, rest well and load up on the carbs, get a few runs under your belt and hydrate.

In ten days time we'll be embarking on an exciting adventure!

Ops Briefing 18 Oct 2011

The following key points were highlighted this evening:

1) Standard Operating Procedures
2) Kit List
3) Clarification of departure times.

For info, participants must hand photocopy of the their passport details to their respective UG teachers by 21 Oct 2011.

For parents, the contact details of Mr Singh are 94505434 (HP) and jasbir_singh_a@moe.edu.sg (Email).

Keep the open lines of comms!