Filed under: Ervin
Team 1:21 has just got back from our two day, one night trek!
After an arduous two days of mountain trekking beginning with a bumpy elephant ride and culminating in a wet and wild river rafting experience, stepping through the doorway of the room in the guest house never felt better.
I’m aching to the bones, body threatening to shut itself down-the aftermath of the punishment of the past two days and struggling to keep my senses about, as I labour to bring you this blog article.
We spent the night in a thai village at about one thousand feet above sea level after journeying through the forest and passing, emerald green carpets of rice fields and waterfalls along the way.
As the chilly light of dawn illuminates the skyline, the roosters’ cry roughly rouse everyone, prompting some of us to have thoughts of roasting the roosters alive cross our minds. The team roused and hiked down the steep, craggily path of the mountain.
At the foot of the mountain we were brought via song tiao (2 Wheels), a type of open air pick up truck, to a river where we river rafted down the stream, I tried my hand at being the rear oarsman, utilising a long bamboo pole to push against the river bed to guide the raft. I had to stand on the raft and balance for most of the ride which was incredibly fun being tossed and speeding along the river.
After that, we all went back to the guesthouse via song tiao again, exhausted but happy, and went up to our rooms to rest.
Which is what I should be doing now myself, so see you all again soon! Ciao!
Filed under: Ervin
Shafts of golden sunlight filter through the room window, heralding the arrival of early morning. The time is 7:30am here in Chiangmai.
Seating myself at a table beside the gardens with slices of toast, condiments and a fruit, the melodious humming of java pipes and thai instrumental music weave through the cool, refreshing air of this picturesque area of the Guest House. At the table just beside the gardens breakfasting, I am struck by the sheer tranquility of the place, something very uncommon back in Singapore. Serene. Surreal. Beauty in its simplicity.
As stronger sunlight creeps through, a few more half-asleep members of our team trudge into the hall to get some breakfast. The sound of more toast-laden plates seating themselves against glass tables gently breaks the dreamy mood.
The day has begun.
-Ervin Liu
Filed under: Ervin
3 meetings and 3 days more to go!
over the past 4 weeks,1:21 has met up, discussed the schedule that we are to keep over in chiangmai, several cultural differences to keep in mind whilst over there to prevent potentially, (and possibly highly) embarrassing situations, preparations to make, as well as engage in heated debate about colour and sizes of the 1:21 shirts. =)
The team awaits this friday with eager smiles and great anticipation. When we will finally get to meet our thai counterparts who we’ve heard much about and with whom we will be collaborating with through the duration of this trip. Wednesday will be a final meet up for 1:21, to ensure that all relevant preparations have been made and a final briefing before flying off to thailand this coming friday.
