Travel group 1 is in KL

Dear Parents and Friends,

Just to let you know that Travel group 1 is back in KL and all flights at this stage are expected to be running on time. Please note our expected arrival time does not include making our way through customs. Please alow 45mins to 1hr for our transition.
Cheers
Matt T

A day of reflection

Today was our last day in Singapore, we woke up fairly early. Early is 7am (which isn't so early, unless you have been doing it for a fortnight with late bedtimes). As a group many of us went down for breakfast dumplings a tradition that I for one will miss terribly!

We arrived at Changi memorial early in the day, the students were both respectful and caring - taking the time to carefully explore each exhibit and learn about part of our shared history. If you ever get the chance it's certainly worth a look, but do watch how many of the letters you read and photos you look at. It is confronting, highly emotional and necessary. The students certainly gave the experience and the history the respect it deserves which is a testament to the maturity that the group is capable of showing. This is something that would be highlighted again later that day.

As you may recall our intention was to go swimming atop 3 skyscrapers - unfortunately we learnt that this is a privilege afforded to guests only. As a group we went to the markets in Orchard, each student was given $10, they had to provide food for the rest of the group to share, within a time frame. In a style that would put most first year arts students to shame they arrived with fruit, soft drink, sandwiches and fresh meats. We sat in the gardens and had a picnic then explored the park.

At our agreed time, we meet as a group and faced the problem of 'Poolgate' rather than the teachers make the decision, the students took charge, half wanted to return to Geylang and explore, others wanted to return to Sentosa. The next 30 minutes or so would have made Socrates proud and in the end was a fine metaphor for the current australian political climate a hung parliament with impassioned debates on both sides.

In the end the group decided that the majority makes the decision and those who choose not to vote voted with the majority by default. Authentic learning at its best!

The afternoon was spent exploring Geylang and packing for out flights later tonight back to KL.
Tonight we went out for dinner at the nearby dumpling restaurant. Students ate Siu mai, Char siu baau amongst many other dishes!

After dinner the group presented both Lucas and Declan with tokens of appreciation for their efforts in getting the program off the ground. An intricate hand painted glass dome made at the local market. Each dome took two weeks to paint and create by hand.

Students took turns reflecting on fond memories of the camp and shared experiences.

The students have been sensational ambassadors both for their school and for their country. Many of them have reflected on how they have grown more confident about being able to navigate a foreign country, talk to locals, develop self esteem and explore ideas such as the price of luxury is and how race and religion can shape identity- amongst many other elements. We will all have wonderful memories. Thanks for following our post!

Please plan on receiving tired, amazing a slightly more travelled kids back on Thursday/Friday.

Cheers
Matt T on behalf of the crew.

Our second last day of exploring!

Sentosa and Chinatown

Today we went to Sentosa island, a monument to consumerism and opulence. The sentosa resort is home to the Merlion, a half lion, half mermaid that is the icon of Singapore. We spent most of our day lounging around in the shade of an 'oil well' which is situated off the coast of Singapore, despite the strange surroundings and the water being idyllic and the sand soft. This sort of mergence of culture and business interests seems to be typical in Singapore.

Highlights whilst we lounged around at the resort include:

- Burying Lucas' shorts
- Downhill Luge
- The Merlion tour (Including the story of the Merlion)
- Whirlpools in the water
- Wrestles in the water
- Shadebaking
- Skewers and hot sauce
- Romane saying 'get over it and harden up'
- Skyrider

Then we all set off to Chinatown this was an amazing experience in Singapore much more so than in KL. Little India and Chinatown are like small cities, shops food and culture floods the streets. We ate noodles, soups and chilli as we listened to a chinese pop sensation, yet still found time to fit in some shopping!


Tomorrow we are heading out to Changi Prison, then we are going to the Botanical gardens for a picnic. We are then heading to the Skypark - a 200m infinity pool that sits on top of three skyscrapers. In the evening we are heading to dinner as a whole group back in Geylang.

Shortly after we will be flying to KL Malaysia then onto Melbourne.


Group 1 arrive ins Melbourne at 11.30pm, Thursday. Flight No: D72-722, Air Asia.

Michael B
Cosmo C
Lucas DB
Tanjil E
Declan H
Lochie LV
Bella L
Hugo M
Gabe N
Megan W
Hannah P
Uma R
Liv T
Josh W
Deanna S
Rex W


Group 2 arrive in Melbourne at 8.20am, Friday. Flight No: D72-724, Air Asia.
Jake R
Ruby NJ
Ruadh OS
Beatrice
Alice
Toby
Willo
Romane
Finbar
Emil


Cheers
Matt T

Photos to come in a separate upload

Quality Accommodation at an affordable price!

This is our hostel in Singapore!

Hotel SG98: Respect the Stink

Dear Parents and Friends,
Today was a big day in education and international camping.
We trekked over to little India and made our way through the tiny streets and explored various stores, shopping and chatting with locals looking at mosques, street vendors and 3 for 10 junk.

Later we hiked out to Assumption Pathway school, it was an incredible experience we meet students and teachers and had a guided tour around the school that even has its own Hairdresser and Hotel room so students can learn how to clean the toilet and make the bed! The students even made us mock-tails.

After our school immersion we travelled to Mustafa market, the easiest way to describe it would be to imagine the population of victoria squashed into 17 Big W stores on an inner city house block.

Tomorrow we are heading to Sentosa island then onto China town!

Hope your all well!
Cheers
Matty T on behalf of the crew.

The Sunday report

Today we explored Singapore by land and by sea.
The day started off with the Duk tour that explored all over the city and then into one of the few reservoirs in Singapore.
We spent the middle of the day squeezing in 'Clark Key' for lunch followed by a wander around Raffles city plaza and hotel. We explored using the Hop on Hop off tour bus.

During the evening we went out to the Singapore night safari this was an amazing chance to get up close and personal with a huge array of animals after an entertaining performance.
We saw:
Rhino
Elephant
Wolves
Lions (Not Fev)
Tigers
Bears

Oh My!

Tomorrow we are heading out to a local school, little india and hawkers markets.
A few students (and teachers) are feeling the drain of a two week odyssey, but spirits are high!
Cheers
Matt T

Brave young Man: Josh the charmer!

Our trip to the night Safari allowed brave Josh to shine, and I thought the fish were scary!
Cheers
Matt T (On behalf of the crew)

Feeding Frenzy

So thats how they do it in SE Asia! This is a definite experience!

Arrived in Singapore: Toilet and shower in one= convenience!

Dear Parents and Friends,
Just a brief note to let you know that we have arrived in Singapore- everyone survived the airport and has made it to the hotel. The hotel is 'grungy' but typical hostel type accommodation. The students are loving the opportunity to share rooms with each other and be so close to the action, dumplings downstairs and a park filled with glowing lanterns and live performances.
For dinner many of us enjoyed a steamboat cook your own buffet!

Tomorrow we are heading out for a ride on a Duk amphibious vehicle and exploring the city, culminating in a night safari!
Cheers
Matt T on behalf of the crew.

sunway lagoon

romane, liv and beatricee here :)
yesterday we all went to a theme park with five different sections including water park, the wild west, extreme, scream and a zoo. some people went bunjee jumping and we all went on heaps of rides. we went to little india for dinner and everyone has learnt to haggle.
the transport here is much better than the trains in melbourne. its a monerale which goes over the city. the traffic is crazy - we have nearly been run over many times. the weather is soo hot its so great to be able to wear shorts and t-shirts.
today we're off to singapore and we're leaving in 12 mins so we have to go. bye bye for now x

Off to Singa.... Yeah!

Hi its Hugo, Ruby and Cosmo here.

HaVING faBBO time so far, loving the cultural differences and the weather. Missing our rents sso muchh.

Off to singapore today and yesterday we went to Sunway Lagoon with so many things to do. There was extra things we could do like bungi jumping, quad bikes, go carts, paint ball, sling shot (which went all the way up in the air!!!!) a few people did the extreme stuff like Cosmo, Rex, Toby, Michael, Gabe and Declan. The rest of us just went on the norm rides such as the water slides and the rollercoasters.

Last night for din dins we went to little india which was really busy and nice.

Everyone here is well, we hope you are too.

GO LABOR.


Bye for now.


Gen Y. Because we can!!

Bye bye Malaysia, Hello Singapore

Dear Parents and Friends,
Our whirlwind tour of Malaysia comes to an end today. Most of the ACE crew are very tired but in high spirits!
Yesterday we went to a theme park called Sunway Lagoon, it sits behind a pyramid which masks a shopping centre. The theme park itself is actually 5 theme parks - built on former slums and an old tin mine. Quad bike riding, Bunjy Jumping and waterslides. Incredible place. We spent our evening undertaking the little India walk, markets, hijabs and tandoori chicken all round as students bartered down prices on Rolex watches, shoes and all manner of items.

We leave our hotel in just over 30 mins for the 1hr trip to the airport, the flight should be about an hour then we will be making our way to the Singapore hotel 98sg. A functional but compact experience is expected!!!
The temperature is still in the low 30 degrees as Finbar says "hot, humid and wet".

Cheers
Matt T (On behalf of the crew)

A few photos!

Mum & Dad, we need more money!

Dear Parents and Friends,

Our first few days have been as fun as they have been hectic. They in

clude such highlights as...

• Very little sleep on the plane.
• Coffee withdrawals
• 2 for 20 sleeping pillows.
• Spending copious amounts of time waiting for the students to find shoes, brush hair, eat subway!
• We have travelled to the Petronas sky towers and traversed the amazing sky bridge that overlooks the spectacular KL skyline
• We have wandered through night markets, negotiating deals on helicopters, antiques an 'genuine' Louis Vuitton' handbags .
• Today we went to Batu caves and climbed 1,000 steps, later we were attacked by monkeys who drank our Coke, and had our photos taken with snakes and iguanas
• We spent considerable time at 'Times square' shopping centre (which is like 15,000 'Highpoint Shopping Centres' stuck together with an indoor theme park. The only shopping centre you can see from outer space!
• The group was lucky enough to watch Uma on the DNA mixer at Cosmo's world (An indoor theme park that includes a roller coaster), not only was it a wild ride but it mixed up her stomach as well!
• Today is Cosmo's birthday so we are planning on going out for dinner to Jalan Alor to celebrate!
• Many of us have had our feet cleaned by fish!
• Most of the time the weather is 32' with 85 % humidity!
• Our hotel in KL has advertising in each suite but is otherwise extremelycomfortable! The students in particular love the 7/11 on ground level.

Tired and Happy,

Cheers

Matt T ( On behalf of the ACE Crew)