Day 4 - Last Day in Kuching.....Heading Back to Singapore

Heavy Hearted but delighted

The Riverlites packed their bags in the morning straight after breakfast and the teachers helped to load them up the bus.

Loading the bags into the coach

We then headed off to a pottery factory where the Riverlites had some hands-on session in pottery making. They also had a great time buying the completed products home. So, Parents, do you like what your child has bought you?

Hands-on; trying to make their very own pot

It's not as easy as it seems to be

The Riverlites then headed off to the last destination of this trip; the Kuching Tower. Over there. they had a panoramic view of the city. They had a little recap of the places they had visited and the luxurious hotel they had spent their nights in.

Sightseeing on top of Kuching Tower

This indeed has be a memorable trip for the Riverlites. We took off and headed for home via Silkair's MI375 which took off from Kuching Airport at 1715pm and touched down at Singapore Changi Airport at 1820pm. The kids were simply delighted to meet up with their parents in the airport.

Day 3 - Cultural Exposure

Immersing into the Rich Sarawak Culture

Day 3 was a day of deep cultural exposure for the Riverlites. We headed for the Ethnology Museum which was just a stone throw away from our hotel.

The Sarawak Ethnology Museum

In the Museum, Lynn, our guide gave a very detailed explanation of all the exhibits and the Riverlites learned a lot about the Sarawak history and culture of the different enthnic groups. We spent around an hour or more inside.

Group photo outside the Museum (photography is prohibited inside the museum)

After the museum, the kids were given some free time to shop around for souvenirs before we headed off for lunch at around 12pm.

You know the food is excellent just by looking at their faces

Riverlites enjoying their lunch and check out the great view in the background

The kids had also earlier visited a famous local Kek Lapis manufacturing factory where they bought layered cakes of various flavours for their family members. This a local delicacy and apparently can only be found in Sarawak.

Choosing the flavour they like to take home for their family

Sarawak Cultural Village

The next destination was the Sarawak Cultural Village where the state's rich cultural diversity reside in one single place. It is situated at the legendary Mount Santubong fronting the South China Sea with 7 authentic ethnic houses of the 7 different tribes.

Outside the Cultural Village

Taking a walk on the wide side on the bamboo bridge

Some hands on as the kids try the rice flour grinder

Taking turns to try 'hunting' using the blowpipe

The 'villagers' joined in the group photo inside the village

Bamboo dance crash course

Damai Beach and Seafood Dinner

The last stop for the day was the Damai beach where the kids had a great time playing along the shoreline. We then had our dinner by the South China Sea where the kids were treated to another wonderful seafood spread with a great view of both the sea and the mountain in the background.

Getting their hands 'dirtied' digging into the sand

Too excited to see the sea


The boys seen here were trying to corner a tiny crab

Dinner is served!

Digging into their food!

End of Day 3 and returning to Singapore on Day 4

The Riverlites ended the day with another session of reflections where they recollected and clarified what went through the day.

We will be heading back home on 8/9/07 via MI375 and estimated time of arrival would be 1810hr. However, do check the teletext for the latest update.

Day 2 - Exploring Kuching

Loads of Meaningful Fun

The Riverlites woke up as early as 6.30am and headed down to the Aurora Court Cafe for their breakfast. It was a sumptuous International Buffet Breakfast which the pupils had their fill before heading out for an eventful day.

Here are some pictures of our happy Riverlites enjoying their breakfast.

Group 7 having a great time at the breakfast table

Mr Luke and Mr Zaki making sure the kids have a hearty breakfast

Semenggoh Wildlife Centre

After breakfast, we headed out to the Semenggoh Nature Reserve at 0800hr to see the Orang Utan in their natural habitat. This is a centre where orphaned Orang Utans are conditioned to adapt to the natural habitat so that they are able to survive in the wild.

Over there, the Riverlites had a close encounter with the Orang Utans and according to Lynn, our guide, we were very lucky as we were able to see 7 Orang Utans!

Here the pictures and videos to tell the story.

Striking a pose outside the Nature Reserve

The walk into the jungle to see the Orang Utans

A mommy Orang Utan and her young coming close.

Mommy showing her child how to crack open a coconut

We left the nature reserve at around 10am and headed for the Anna-Rais Longhouse.

Anna-Rais Longhouse

The longhouse is a place where the Bidayuhs tribe stay as a community. Every Bidayuh share the responsibility of looking after the Longhouse. Imagine raised terraces arranged in a line with a 'bamboo' laden street; that's what the Riverlites saw when they were there.

Lynn, showing the Riverlites how the Bidayuhs dry the padi under the Sun

Exploring the interior of the Longhouse
Group photo of the kids. Look out for your child and see his/her happy face

Meal Time!

Here we are again, another buffet at around 1pm, Aroma Restaurant

Satisfying faces in the midst of a great lunch

Majlis Bandaraya Kuching Selatan (Kuching South Town Hall)

To understand the history of Kuching better, we headed off to the Town Hall where the pupils had a great time learning.

Everyone learns during the trip, even the teachers


Some intense learning going on here!

Reflection Time - To make the trip more meaningful and purposeful

Day 2 ended with a 6 course Seafood dinner at the Top Spot Seafood Centre. The kids were treated to 'Midin' vegetable fried in garlic, Prawn Paste Fried Chicken, Sweet and Sour Fish Fillet, Saute Toufu, Prawn Fritters and Fruits.

After which, we headed back to the hotel for a reflection on what went through the day and for the kids to clarify any doubts or questions they have about the trip so far.

Riverlites looking through the handbook to complete their reflection

Mr Lim and Mr Zaki debriefing the Riverlites and getting them ready for what's to come the next day

Thank you for all the positive comments and we hope that this has been a resourceful blog so far. Stay tuned to find out more about Day 3 where we will be heading to the Sarawak Museum and the Sarawak Cultural Village.

Day 1 Singapore to Kuching

Excitement and Anxiety

The pupils arrived at Changi Airport Terminal 2 at 4.15pm and were greeted by their respective teachers.

Mr Zaki giving a pre-trip brief. The parents of the Riverlites looked on and were assured that their children are in good hands.

The children were all excited but were listening attentively to Mr Zaki. For some, this would be their first time flying on a plane.

We boarded the plane at 1820hr and it took off on time at 1850hr.

The plane safely touched down in Kuching at 2005hr and we checked into Merdeka Hotel at around 2120hr.

Mr Zaki briefing the pupils and the parents

Mr Ismail giving a safety briefing to the pupils

Listen to what Jasmine has to say about the trip

Jiawang could not wait for the trip to start immediately

Check out the suites that our Riverlites will be staying in for the next 3 nights!! (Starring Sugu, Ernest, Gabriel and Hong Wei of Group 4)

Here they are lazing around in their bedroom

Chatting at the dining table

Lounging in the living area

They are all sound asleep now and getting ready for the next day. Will update the moment we are back. So, catch us on Day 2 of the Kuching Trip!

Pre-Trip Post

Pre-Trip

The Primary 4 Riverlites will be departing from Singapore to Kuching on 5/9/07 at 1850hr via Silkair (MI378).

We will be arriving at Kuching at 2005hr and will be heading to the Merdeka Palace Hotel & Suites.

Stay tune to this blog as it will be updated on a daily basis complete with photos and video clips.