Ocean

Cynthia, my husband and I only managed 3 major things for the 8 days 7 nights in Tioman.

Eat. Sleep. Dive.

Ocean

inverted a turtle at Monday, June 22, 2009,
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A little aside for the Ubin trip.

This year, we started preparing dinner much, much earlier and consequently, we were able to start our night cycling even before the sun set. As usual, the Sea Scouts took it in turn to lead the trail. We made for Nordin beach using the the off road trail and due to the construction around the prawn sluice gates area, the trail layout became unfamiliar.

It was rather daunting to cycle along that muddy, rocky, port holes filled made-shift road. It became more scary when we were trying to maneuver the bicycles across many of these obstacles in the half-light conditions. In the end, we gave up this leg of the journey totally and made a U-turn. Erhm, I wouldn't say that the hooves marks on the muddy trail did not made its point with us. I would not want my Sea Scouts and Akelas to meet with a family of charging wild boars in these diminishing visibility conditions.

If I was scared initially, I was terrified while we were making our way out of the off road trail. I was not able to make out the person cycling directly in front of me! We resorted to calling out loud. Were we relieved when we reached the tarmac road!

We went for a drink or two at the shop with no fixed prices - somehow, the shopkeeper charges different prices for the same items. The jetty was breezy and it was nice to laze around before heading back.

Nobody talked about the returned trail but well, you guessed it, we decided to stick to the tarmac road!

Ocean

inverted a turtle at Friday, June 05, 2009,
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Manta Ray Sea Scouts Hike cum photographer badge
05/06/09

I cannot believe that the last time I brought Cub Scouts to the island was 4 years ago as informed by my indignant Akela group last night while we were on the jetty enjoying the breeze. They have never been to Ubin!

After breakfast and striking tents this morning, we cycled- tents, equipments and all to the jetty to await for the cub scouts. Thanks to the other 3 leaders, Yanling, Wanling and Marcia, the cub scouts had a rather uneventful bumboat ride to Ubin.

The real ordeal began after that nice group photo. I believed the hike to be one of the most gruesome undertaken by the cubs. We hiked from the jetty to Chek Jawa, clambered onto the boardwalk, peaked the observation tower, trekked through the off-beaten trail to Mamam beach for outdoor cooking and finally concluded by another hike back to the jetty. A whole 10 km of hike. I measured.

Well done, cub scouts! You have shown us that you have courage in enduring this whole hike. I am rather proud of the majority of the cub scouts, I believed many of them enjoyed this trip.

I am even more proud of my Akelas and Sea Scouts. Even though they must be really tired after a night under the stars, they were able to facilitate and lead the hike, conduct the outdoor cooking and take care of their charges! Kudos to you guys and gal. :)

How can I not thank my leaders? I suggested a trip to Ubin and all my leaders unanimously agreed. Angie led the Sea Scouts and Akelas with me for the overnight camp, Jacques came to support for the outdoor cooking and the night cycling. Wanling, Yanling and Marcia, despite the mozzie bites and the long long trek, good naturedly ploughed through it all.

Manta Ray rocks, seriously.

Ocean

inverted a turtle at Friday, June 05, 2009,
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04/06/09~05/06/09
Manta Ray Sea Scouts annual pilgrimage to Ubin.

For once, it didn't rain in Ubin.

As far as my memory serves me, every overnight camping in Ubin is sure to be accompanied by rain. The weather this time round could not have been more different than the previous one. For that camp, I remembered that the rain came in torrents and by the time we reached our campsite, there was not an inch of dry skin to be found anywhere on our body! It was scorching hot this visit and many of us were actually reminsciencing about the weather during the previous visit! Talk about fussy Singaporeans!

We had a rather, for want of a better word, unorthodox menu from the Sea Scouts this year, it rather deviates from my idea of backwoods cooking. Oh well, like what I told Mrs Goh, let them try, we may have surprises. The banana dessert from Dolphin's group was nice. The other item's erhm....good try good try! :)

I almost forgot the presence of an irksome insect - the sandflies. I was rudely reminded this morning when I woke up inside the tent scratching my legs. My worst fears came true after we reached school, my skin along the length of my legs were punctured by little bumps that itch like mad! For others sharing my fate, I would recommend the aloe vera. Mind you peel off the outer skin first before use! Rub the jelly-like substance over the affected areas and stay in an air-conditioned room. The cool temperature prevents your skin from being irritated and hence reducing the itch.

Of course, I am sun burnt. For people with tan complexion like me, we tend to turn red before turning dark brown. This afternoon I was lobster colour, now I am milk chocolate colour. Oh well, another excuse to splash on Body Shop's white musk body lotion and switching on the air-con!

PS. I have a healthy aloe vera plant growing outside my house, if you need it, let me know.
PPS. Hey guys, do not be discouraged, looking forward to yet another outdoor cooking session!

Ocean

inverted a turtle at Friday, June 05, 2009,
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Manta Ray Sea Scouts Sports day

What an eventful day! First, we(my 2 poor groups!) waited 45 mins and 2 full buses before we managed to get on Bus 913 which brought us to the stadium. Then halfway through the bus journey, our fears became reality. It rained! Luckily, this downpour lasted for only awhile. We were held back but not too much. Thus, we were able to carry on with our telematch, 100m and 4x100m relay.

It was quite funny, really, seeing Sakthi overtake Lit Han and some of the cubs can really run!

Ocean

inverted a turtle at Monday, June 01, 2009,
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about

"Aye! Sun! Sea! and Scouts!
Name: Ariel
DOB: sometime someday
School: WDP (!)
Location: little red dot
Address: Ocean is a place to be so be there where I am