UPDATES ON SSEAYP 2003
Hi there!
So much has happened in the last two weeks! I'll do a quick run through:
Thursday - Sat, 5 - 8 Sept 2003
Dance practice. practice. practice. Like crazy. All of us sleep just 4-5 hours a night, or less.
Sunday, 8 Sept 2003
We performed our 45-minute cultural show at IYC in KL, for our vow-taking ceremony, and handover of the Malaysian flag.
The show was a success! Thanks so much to everyone who gave us all the support we needed. The Ministry, former Youth Ambassadors for Malaysia, our respective youth organisations, family and friends.
Monday, 8 Sept 2003
A mad day of packing personal and contingent belongings.
Tuesday, 9 Sept 2003
At last! We flew from KLIA to Changi. Was surprised to find myself feeling a little sad to leave IYC which had been my home, and sometimes prison, for the past two weeks.
Met the Cambodian youth ambassadors who were on the same flight. Lovely lovely people. I've met quite a few former Malaysian youth ambassadors. I only hope that I can carry on their legacy and make Malaysia proud.
Upon arrival at Singapore, we were immediately taken onboard the Nippon Maru ship which is currently docked at the Harbour Front. It's about 2/3 the size of the Star Cruise liners. Still pretty big.
All the Youth Ambassadors from all the ASEAN countries arrived today. There are about 320 of us. It was brilliant. So many young people, so many different languages being spoken. All with smiling faces and so friendly.
I share my cabin with two other youth ambassadors, a Filipino and a Myanmar.
Wednesday, 10 Sept 2003
Our very first flag hoisting at 7am in the morning. All ten ASEAN countries and Japan's flags are raised at every flag hoisting, but only two or three national anthems were sung. The others will get their turn at the other ports of call.
We were divided into Solidarity Groups (SGs) which consists of ambassadors from all eleven participating countries. Gift exchange of various souvenirs.
Inaugural SSEAYP 2003 dinner at Orchard Hotel. The Singaporean Youth Ambassadors put up a fantastic cultural show! Well done!
Thursday, 11 Sept 2003
Visited Sentosa Island where we had a picnic and took photos with the Merlion.
At night, a formal dinner onboard the ship. All were dressed in our traditional costumes. Kimonos, cheongsams, au dais, baju kurungs, baju Melayus, songket and much more. Everyone looked gorgeous! I took so many photos that night. Can't wait to develop them.
Friday, 12 Sept 2003
Visited the
NEWater Visitor's Centre. They gave us a bottle of NEWater to sample. I've drunk the NEWater. I think it's fine.
After that, we Walked about the Esplanade. Followed by Arab Street and Little India.
Upon our return, I tried the Japanese Grand Bath for the first time this evening. It's so relaxing to soak in the tub. I think it's like a jacuzzi. I'm gonna use the Grand Bath whenever I can now!
My Singapore homestay began this evening. My host family are a lovely lovely Singaporean - Swedish couple. I also have the most adorable host family brother, a toddler.
We had dinner at Holland Village, which reminds me very much of Changkat Bukit Bintang in KL. Lots of restaurants to choose from here. We went to a restaurant called Wala-Wala, where I had my first Singapore Sling. After that, we went to a pizza place called Spizza.
