Day 5 - Hong Kong Wetland Park

It was the last day of the Programme and the Riverlites were at the Hong Kong Wetland Park where they learned about conservation and also to appreciate nature.

The park provided both indoor and outdoor learning centres and due to time constraints, the Riverlites managed to cover only the indoor part of the park. There were a lot to learn with static display and real living creatures of swamps and mangroves. There was also a very interactive computer game that allow participants to discover more about nature conservation.

A group photo outside the wetland


Learning about how mangrove systems can protect shorelines

Making their own badge

One more picture just before the final 'goodbye'

Flight Details for Return

Dear Parents. Do remember to go to Changi Airport's Terminal 1 at 2340hr to pick your child up. They will be flying back via CX715

See you then!

Day 4 - Le@rning Journey in Disneyland

The day that the delegates were looking forward to finally arrived! Everyone was in high spirit and could not wait to reach the magical land where dreams come true.

Riverlites were given the treat of travelling on the Mickey Mouse theme MTR.

At the Disneyland MTR station

Inside the carriage

Mdm Maria enjoying the ride with the Riverlites

Photo taking just before entering the park

YES

The delegates met up with Danny, a facilitator of the Disneyland YES (Youth Experience Series) where he brought the Riverlites through a series of activities to introduce the basics of Disneyland Animation Magic.

Lesson on how animation was done in the past

Hands-on session

Moments before entering 'Mickey's Philihar Magic'; a 3D animation presentation

Drawing their own Mickey

The delegates had a wonderful time after the Animation Magic Experience as they went on some of the rides together with the teachers.

Lunch at Stargazer Cafe

Supporting the Future of Tomorrow

Outside the ride, "It's Small World"

Showing off the purchases

A treat of ice-ream for everyone

To infinity and beyond!

The evening ended with a few big bangs as the Riverlites enjoyed a display of fireworks at the Sleeping Beautiful Castle. Back in the hotel, after debriefing, everyone celebrated Arasu's birthday.

Birthday boy cutting the cake for everyone.

Day 3 - School Immersion - Buddhist Wing Yan Primary School

The delegates had an opportunity to savour the very authentic Dim Sum breakfast. A must if you are in Hong Kong. The Malay pupils, however, had their intercontinental breakfast in the hotel's cafe.

Dim Sum Breakfast

School Immersion - Buddhist Wing Yan Primary School

The delegates visited another primary school and it is situated in Yuen Long. The pupils of both schools put up performances to show each other's appreciation. The delegates then had lessons with their ePals.

Mr To, Principal and staff of Wing Yan Welcomes Rirvervale

Lesson Time

Sharing Rivervale's ICT Experience with Principal and Staff

Heritage Trail

After recess, the delegates along with their ePals set off to Ping Shan Tang Clan Gallery and the Ping Shan Heritage Trail where they learned about the heritage of the Tang Clan who has been staying in this area for the past 800 years.

Group Photo in front of the Communal Hall with Justice of Peace, Mr Tang

Riverlites with their ePals

Visiting the study hall used by scholars many decades ago

Appreciating the culture of the Tang Clan

Wing Yan Primary also made a special arrangement for the delegates to have a special lunch of 'Poon Choi' in the Communal and Ancestral Hall. It was really a treat for both the taste buds and the eyes to have lunch in such a historical setting.

Isn't this a scene from 'Little Nonya'?

'Poon Choi' also known as 'Big Bowl Feast', is a type of age-old delicacy composed of different layers of ingredients served in wooden basins. The tradition of “Poon Choi” dates back to Song Dynasty (AD1270s) when China was invaded by the Mongolians and the imperial family was forced to flee south to Hong Kong. Villagers in the New Territories were endeavored to provide the imperial family with their best food they had. As they could not find sufficient nice containers, they used big wooden basin to serve the food. Formerly, it is a dish exclusive to walled villagers in the New Territories, which served only during religious rituals, festivals, special occasions and wedding banquets, and usually shared only among family members or their disciples. Indeed the delegates felt very honoured to have partaken in this traditional feast.

How to finish all??

With a heavy heart and stomach, the delegates bid farewell to the pupils and staff of Wing Yan and went on to the Avenue of Stars for some 'stargazing' activities where they learned more about the film industry of Hong Kong.

Avenue of Stars

The night ended off with the colourful display of lights and laser show known as 'Symphony of Lights'; a 15 minutes light show involving many prominent and famous commercial buildings on Hong Kong island.

Legend of Kung Fu - Bruce Lee

Everyone wants their hands on Jackie Chan

The delegates then had their daily reflections and today was a special day as they celebrated Arasu's birthday in advance. HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!

Day 2 - School Immersion - Buddhist Chi King Primary School

The delegates woke up to the first morning of their immersion programme trip to a very good intercontinental breakfast at the cafe in the hotel.

Looking happy to have good food

Can't wait to start

School Immersion - Buddhist Chi King Primary School

After breakfast, the delegates set off to Buddhist Chi King Primary School in Kowloon Bay with a pupil population of 500. There, the delegates immersed in the school's curriculum. They attended Mathematics, Chinese and English lessons with the pupils and the teachers there.

A warm reception by the Principal, Mr Chong and his staff

A very beautifully made notice done by the staff to welcome the Riverlites

Paying close attention to the teacher

Solving a Mathematical problem set in the Cantonese language

An interesting English lesson with a NET (Native English Teacher)

Pupils and teachers in the primary school have their meals together in the classrooms and the delegates had a taste of what that is like.

They seemed happy with the lunch provided

Lunch with new found friends

Delegates then visited the homes of their Hong Kong friends after lunch to find out what home in Hong Kong is like. One important lesson is to appreciate the space we have in Singapore (every inch of it).

Miranda's room (which is about the size of a standard bomb shelter in a Punggol flat)

The Hong Kong Story

The next destination was the Hong Kong History Museum which gave the delegates a very clear insights into how did Hong Kong become what it is today.

A group picture just outside the museum

The boys understanding what padi farming was like

Dinner Time

The feature today is the malay's meal and here is what they are eating in Hong Kong.

Day 1 - All Routes Possible

Everyone met early this morning at Terminal 1, Changi Airport at 6.45am to get ready for an exciting day 1.

Mr Yeo met the delegates and wished everyone a fruitful and enriching learning journey ahead.

Mr Yeo briefed the delegates before departure

Group Photo

The plane landed at 1245hr in Hong Kong to a cooling temperature of 25 degrees celsius. Then, it was lunch for everyone. (will upload scenes of Malay pupils eating tomorrow)

What a small world.....

Repulse Bay

After a really hearty lunch, it was off to the first part of the learning journey. The delegates visited Repulse Bay to learn about the history of Repulse Bay.

In 1841, the bay was used as a base by pirates and caused serious concern to foreign merchant ships trading with China. The pirates were subsequently repulsed by the British Fleet; hence the name. In the 1910s, Repulse Bay was developed into a beach. During the World War II, Repulse Bay was an important strategic location.

Picture time

Ask the delegates for Jackie Chan's house

Everyone on Longevity Bridge

Victoria Peak

The next destination is Victoria Peak where the delegates got a taste of "Top of the World" kind of feeling as they overlooked the skyline of Hong Kong island.

Top of the world

Famous Faces!

They also had the opportunity to take the historic route on the tram that has been servicing commuters since 1888.

Just before entering the tram station

Waiting for the Tram

Golden Bauhinia Square

Last destination for the day just before dinner was the Golden Bauhinia Square. The Golden Bauhinia Square is an open area. The square was named after the giant sculpture of a golden Bauhinia Blakeana at the centre of the area, situated outside the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, where the ceremonies for the handover of Hong Kong and the establishment of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region was held in July 1997.

It was really an eventful day. The delegates flew, went under the sea, through the mountains and down the hill to finally get to Hotel Empire in Kowloon. Remember to check tomorrow to see what other exciting activities are installed for the delegates.