During the 15-19 November, I went for OBS Pulau Ubin. Nope, I didn't bring my camera along, but I felt that my OBS experience is one that I should never forget. Thus, I'm going to blog about my experience in words, trying to recall every detail.
Day 1
Boarded the boat to Pulau Ubin, there was awkward silence in the boat as many of us were strangers.
Had our briefing on the Indiana, an sailing ship-cum-high element. I was in the watch Bo Seng and my instructor is Shee Mun.
Headed to the MPH to had ice-breakers with my watch.
Got to know people from my watch, Sheryl, Me, Shazni, Rebecca, Liang Seng, Brennen, Hazeeq, Daryl, Melissa, Marienne, Bryan, Mustaki, YingLing, WeiXuan, Salmaan and Amirah.
After lunch at the cook house, we got our rations and headed to Bo Seng's store, was surprised that it was neat and tidy.
Felt that the camp was going to be a really relax one.
As part of the Marine Mobile, our expedition was to kayak around Ubin.
After tediously unloading the kayaks onto the beach, we had our first Kayak lesson.
We learned different techniques of paddle, tasted the salty seawater and had capsize drills.
Had to pitch our tent in our wet attire, feeling very uncomfortable.
I enjoyed the beautiful sunset with some of my friends.
Wash up and had dinner, started to mingle with group members.
Had an theory class on kayaking just before we slept, Daryl was voted one of the Sea Expedition leader.
It was the first time sleeping in a tent.
Day 2
Woke up at 5am feeling a bit cranky.
After unpitching our tents, we had morning games.
Ate Breakfast in the cookhouse and went back to Bo Seng's store to divide our rations and pack our clothes.
Had more kayaking lessons, learned how to do self recovery and how to wear a spray skirt.
We had difficulty stowing our items in the kayak but eventually, we got it done.
We ate our rations (biscuits & buns) for lunch and was ready to set off.
Unfortunately, the weather was not on our side, it started to rain heavily.
Unable to set off on our expedition, the Marine Mobile headed back to the MPH to chit chat.
The rain stopped a few times, giving us high hopes that we could set off.
But when we reached the kayaks, a heavier storm poured again and we had to move back to the MPH.
Frustrated, our instructors decided to take a risk and kayak in the thunderstorm.
The next hour felt like we were in war!
We went back to the kayaks again and systematically launch off.
The instructor accompanied us in boats called sandpipers.
Braving the cold, rain and thunder, we paddled to camp 2.
Like a fleet, we were compact and fast.
There, the sailors and other OBS campers helped to carry our heavy kayaks up to shore.
Wet, cold and tired, we still had to pitch our tents and change into our dry attire.
Luckily out tent is pitched under a shelter and there was a toilet.
I did field cooking for the first time, cooked Maggie noodles!
We were accompanied by a beautiful sunset.
Felt that the cookhouse was a luxury!
Thought that Mel had fallen as she was limping, actually its because her slipper broke!
Was briefed on the event happening on the next day by the sea expedition leaders.
The instructor seems to have stepped out of the planning.
Went to sleep in our tents after the briefing.
Day 3
Woke up at 5 and started to unpitch our tent immediately.
Had our light breakfast of bread with jam\peanut butter and stowed our thing into the kayak again.
Daryl started getting on everyone's nerve!
Carried the kayak to the beach and paddled to the next destination.
The next campsite was actually only 1km away from camp 2.
However, we took one big round around Ubin instead, a full 18km.
This was because we wanted more adventure and didn't want our journey to stop so early.
The paddle was easy as the current was with us, pushing us to our destination.
Shaz and my kayak was paddling with our sister's kayak, Mel and Marienne, Sheryl and Rebecca.
We were also accompanied by Farid, from another group, and his crazy singing.
Had to keep clear of the kelongs as there might be dogs that could jump onto the kayak.
We came to a point where the current was against us and it felt difficult to paddle.
I almost wanted to give up.
Near Ubin village, the fleet stopped to have lunch.
My kayak ate with Farid's and Syakir's kayak.
Eating our rations of biscuit and buns.
Farid cracked a lot of jokes that made Syakir's partner laugh uncontrollably.
It sounded like she was having a heart attack.
After 15 minutes, lunch break was over and we started to kayak again.
Unluckily, my kayak had to tow another kayak.
We had to stay compact near Ubin village as the boat traffic was heavy and we where paddling towards a storm.
The swoosh from the boats almost made the kayak capsize.
Braving the thunderstorm, we paddled hard and fast on our last leg of the journey.
Finally, the instructor on the sandpiper pointed us to a small beach, indicating that there was our campsite.
We beached up and carried our kayak to shore.
The instuctor announced to us that we completed our journey, 17km around Ubin island, in a total time of 5hours and 17mins.
The campsite was not like camp 2, there was no toilet, no shelter, just small patches of grass.
We pitched our tents under the rain.
Unfortunately, one of the tents was wet, thus we decided to use it as a changing room.
Girls crazy over my non-existant six packs...
As the rain stopped, we changed into our dry attire and began cooking.
Had Maggie noodles again, shared with Marienne.
After dinner, the instructors brought us for a walk under the bright moonlight.
After a certain distance, we were told that we had to do a solo night walk back to camp where instructor Muru and Kamal was waiting for us.
We were not suppose to use our torch and go alone.
While waiting for my turn, I mingled with the rest, getting to know each other better.
We talked about ghost stories that freaked many out!
My turn came and started walking slowly, enjoying the moon and stars.
Soon, Sheryl caught up and we made our way back.
After the walk, we were briefed that we had to take turns to do night patrol.
Less than 5 minutes in the tent, I dozed off.
My sleep was interrupted by Daryl as my tent had to do night patrol.
After 45 minutes of night patrol, I went back to sleep.
Day 4
Woke up at 5am in the morning long before the sun rise.
We unpitched our tents in the dark and had soggy biscuit for breakfast.
After stowing all our tents and items in the kayak, we were ready to set off on the last leg of the sea expedition.
We carried the kayaks to the shore and launched off one by one.
Me and Mel's kayak were the last to set off as we help the others to get onto their kayak first.
The last leg of the expedition was a rather easy one as our campsite was only around 3/4km away.
We beached up at camp 1 and unloaded our stuff off the kayaks.
All of us were tired but we never gave up, after unloading our stuff, we washed our kayaks and kept them in the boat shed.
The instructors instructed us to unpitched our tents in the pool deck to dry them.
Sheryl was singing Empire State of mind when suddenly she screamed.
At that moment, a long but small snake slithered out of our tent!
Everyone was shocked but none of us screamed as it slithered towards us.
Just then, instructor Muru came to the rescue, taking a tent-pole, pinning the snake's head onto the floor.
After a second of silence, we continued our activities.
After changing and having our rations as lunch, we had belaying practise.
The second half of the day was spent on the rock wall.
We had to climb in pairs, helping the others to scale the wall.
The first rock wall was relatively easy to climb as it was inclined (Sloped).
Me and Shaz were first to scale the wall, as we had no fear of heights, it was a piece of cake.
Mel was afraid of heights and was reluctant to go.
Thus, I volunteered to help her.
Mel was hesitant but she climbed very fast, she didn't need my help actually.
The irony was that she cried\laughed after completing the climb.
I was really pleased with myself for helping Mel. Hugged her!!!
After conquering the first wall, I went on and tried the second wall.
The second wall was much hard as it was higher and replicating a real rock wall.
I was first to try it, it really difficult.
There was 3 really hard obstacle to overcome, but I didn't gave up and managed to completed the wall.
After touching the last tile, my hands immediately gave up.
On my way down, my arms were trembling.
Many others tried including Mel, but only 2 person was able to scale the second wall.
I was 1 of them. =D
We had dinner on the cookhouse with instructor Shee Mun.
Almost everyone in the watch was in high spirit, joking and chatting with each other.
Shee Mun then said "When you guys first came, you all were 16 strangers. Now, you all 'machap' know each other for 10 years."
After dinner, we went back to our store to wash up and return our equipments.
Shee Mun was busy, so she left us a letter on what to do.
The girls were touched, so they decided to write a letter back.
We carried our tents near the beach and went to sleep with muddy foot.
Day 5
We woke up and had a quick breakfast in the cookhouse after unpitching our tents and playing our morning games.
Had much reflection on after breakfast.
Because it was our last lunch, we cheered "Bo Seng" even though it was prohibited.
After lunch, a lot of people was scrambling to the souvenir shop to buy memories back.
Me, Mel and few others was almost late for the boat back to mainland Singapore.
We left ubin school by school.
The boat ride back to Singapore was fun and crazy, everyone in the boat was talking to each other.
I left ubin feeling abit sad but a great sense of accomplishment.
Day 1
Boarded the boat to Pulau Ubin, there was awkward silence in the boat as many of us were strangers.
Had our briefing on the Indiana, an sailing ship-cum-high element. I was in the watch Bo Seng and my instructor is Shee Mun.
Headed to the MPH to had ice-breakers with my watch.
Got to know people from my watch, Sheryl, Me, Shazni, Rebecca, Liang Seng, Brennen, Hazeeq, Daryl, Melissa, Marienne, Bryan, Mustaki, YingLing, WeiXuan, Salmaan and Amirah.
After lunch at the cook house, we got our rations and headed to Bo Seng's store, was surprised that it was neat and tidy.
Felt that the camp was going to be a really relax one.
As part of the Marine Mobile, our expedition was to kayak around Ubin.
After tediously unloading the kayaks onto the beach, we had our first Kayak lesson.
We learned different techniques of paddle, tasted the salty seawater and had capsize drills.
Had to pitch our tent in our wet attire, feeling very uncomfortable.
I enjoyed the beautiful sunset with some of my friends.
Wash up and had dinner, started to mingle with group members.
Had an theory class on kayaking just before we slept, Daryl was voted one of the Sea Expedition leader.
It was the first time sleeping in a tent.
Day 2
Woke up at 5am feeling a bit cranky.
After unpitching our tents, we had morning games.
Ate Breakfast in the cookhouse and went back to Bo Seng's store to divide our rations and pack our clothes.
Had more kayaking lessons, learned how to do self recovery and how to wear a spray skirt.
We had difficulty stowing our items in the kayak but eventually, we got it done.
We ate our rations (biscuits & buns) for lunch and was ready to set off.
Unfortunately, the weather was not on our side, it started to rain heavily.
Unable to set off on our expedition, the Marine Mobile headed back to the MPH to chit chat.
The rain stopped a few times, giving us high hopes that we could set off.
But when we reached the kayaks, a heavier storm poured again and we had to move back to the MPH.
Frustrated, our instructors decided to take a risk and kayak in the thunderstorm.
The next hour felt like we were in war!
We went back to the kayaks again and systematically launch off.
The instructor accompanied us in boats called sandpipers.
Braving the cold, rain and thunder, we paddled to camp 2.
Like a fleet, we were compact and fast.
There, the sailors and other OBS campers helped to carry our heavy kayaks up to shore.
Wet, cold and tired, we still had to pitch our tents and change into our dry attire.
Luckily out tent is pitched under a shelter and there was a toilet.
I did field cooking for the first time, cooked Maggie noodles!
We were accompanied by a beautiful sunset.
Felt that the cookhouse was a luxury!
Thought that Mel had fallen as she was limping, actually its because her slipper broke!
Was briefed on the event happening on the next day by the sea expedition leaders.
The instructor seems to have stepped out of the planning.
Went to sleep in our tents after the briefing.
Day 3
Woke up at 5 and started to unpitch our tent immediately.
Had our light breakfast of bread with jam\peanut butter and stowed our thing into the kayak again.
Daryl started getting on everyone's nerve!
Carried the kayak to the beach and paddled to the next destination.
The next campsite was actually only 1km away from camp 2.
However, we took one big round around Ubin instead, a full 18km.
This was because we wanted more adventure and didn't want our journey to stop so early.
The paddle was easy as the current was with us, pushing us to our destination.
Shaz and my kayak was paddling with our sister's kayak, Mel and Marienne, Sheryl and Rebecca.
We were also accompanied by Farid, from another group, and his crazy singing.
Had to keep clear of the kelongs as there might be dogs that could jump onto the kayak.
We came to a point where the current was against us and it felt difficult to paddle.
I almost wanted to give up.
Near Ubin village, the fleet stopped to have lunch.
My kayak ate with Farid's and Syakir's kayak.
Eating our rations of biscuit and buns.
Farid cracked a lot of jokes that made Syakir's partner laugh uncontrollably.
It sounded like she was having a heart attack.
After 15 minutes, lunch break was over and we started to kayak again.
Unluckily, my kayak had to tow another kayak.
We had to stay compact near Ubin village as the boat traffic was heavy and we where paddling towards a storm.
The swoosh from the boats almost made the kayak capsize.
Braving the thunderstorm, we paddled hard and fast on our last leg of the journey.
Finally, the instructor on the sandpiper pointed us to a small beach, indicating that there was our campsite.
We beached up and carried our kayak to shore.
The instuctor announced to us that we completed our journey, 17km around Ubin island, in a total time of 5hours and 17mins.
The campsite was not like camp 2, there was no toilet, no shelter, just small patches of grass.
We pitched our tents under the rain.
Unfortunately, one of the tents was wet, thus we decided to use it as a changing room.
Girls crazy over my non-existant six packs...
As the rain stopped, we changed into our dry attire and began cooking.
Had Maggie noodles again, shared with Marienne.
After dinner, the instructors brought us for a walk under the bright moonlight.
After a certain distance, we were told that we had to do a solo night walk back to camp where instructor Muru and Kamal was waiting for us.
We were not suppose to use our torch and go alone.
While waiting for my turn, I mingled with the rest, getting to know each other better.
We talked about ghost stories that freaked many out!
My turn came and started walking slowly, enjoying the moon and stars.
Soon, Sheryl caught up and we made our way back.
After the walk, we were briefed that we had to take turns to do night patrol.
Less than 5 minutes in the tent, I dozed off.
My sleep was interrupted by Daryl as my tent had to do night patrol.
After 45 minutes of night patrol, I went back to sleep.
Day 4
Woke up at 5am in the morning long before the sun rise.
We unpitched our tents in the dark and had soggy biscuit for breakfast.
After stowing all our tents and items in the kayak, we were ready to set off on the last leg of the sea expedition.
We carried the kayaks to the shore and launched off one by one.
Me and Mel's kayak were the last to set off as we help the others to get onto their kayak first.
The last leg of the expedition was a rather easy one as our campsite was only around 3/4km away.
We beached up at camp 1 and unloaded our stuff off the kayaks.
All of us were tired but we never gave up, after unloading our stuff, we washed our kayaks and kept them in the boat shed.
The instructors instructed us to unpitched our tents in the pool deck to dry them.
Sheryl was singing Empire State of mind when suddenly she screamed.
At that moment, a long but small snake slithered out of our tent!
Everyone was shocked but none of us screamed as it slithered towards us.
Just then, instructor Muru came to the rescue, taking a tent-pole, pinning the snake's head onto the floor.
After a second of silence, we continued our activities.
After changing and having our rations as lunch, we had belaying practise.
The second half of the day was spent on the rock wall.
We had to climb in pairs, helping the others to scale the wall.
The first rock wall was relatively easy to climb as it was inclined (Sloped).
Me and Shaz were first to scale the wall, as we had no fear of heights, it was a piece of cake.
Mel was afraid of heights and was reluctant to go.
Thus, I volunteered to help her.
Mel was hesitant but she climbed very fast, she didn't need my help actually.
The irony was that she cried\laughed after completing the climb.
I was really pleased with myself for helping Mel. Hugged her!!!
After conquering the first wall, I went on and tried the second wall.
The second wall was much hard as it was higher and replicating a real rock wall.
I was first to try it, it really difficult.
There was 3 really hard obstacle to overcome, but I didn't gave up and managed to completed the wall.
After touching the last tile, my hands immediately gave up.
On my way down, my arms were trembling.
Many others tried including Mel, but only 2 person was able to scale the second wall.
I was 1 of them. =D
We had dinner on the cookhouse with instructor Shee Mun.
Almost everyone in the watch was in high spirit, joking and chatting with each other.
Shee Mun then said "When you guys first came, you all were 16 strangers. Now, you all 'machap' know each other for 10 years."
After dinner, we went back to our store to wash up and return our equipments.
Shee Mun was busy, so she left us a letter on what to do.
The girls were touched, so they decided to write a letter back.
We carried our tents near the beach and went to sleep with muddy foot.
Day 5
We woke up and had a quick breakfast in the cookhouse after unpitching our tents and playing our morning games.
Had much reflection on after breakfast.
Because it was our last lunch, we cheered "Bo Seng" even though it was prohibited.
After lunch, a lot of people was scrambling to the souvenir shop to buy memories back.
Me, Mel and few others was almost late for the boat back to mainland Singapore.
We left ubin school by school.
The boat ride back to Singapore was fun and crazy, everyone in the boat was talking to each other.
I left ubin feeling abit sad but a great sense of accomplishment.
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