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LIFE&FAMILY
150
November14
THAILAND
Sky High
Student:
Kate Barclay, Year 12
School:
Tanglin Trust School
Destination:
Mount Everest Base Camp
Duration:
15 days
This adventure trip was as challenging as it was enjoyable.
We spent our first night in Kathmandu before a hair-raising
flight in a tiny plane to Lukla, the starting point for the
trek, and widely regarded as one of the most dangerous
airports in the world!
We quickly settled into the rhythm of trekking. Our daily
routine involved waking early and trekking until after lunch
through the startlingly beautiful scenery of the Himalayas.
Each afternoon we would settle into a cosy teahouse and
play card games that became progressively more inventive.
The altitude affected everyone differently; however,
during the ascent we all noticed our appetites decrease
and our fatigue levels increase. Towards the top it was so
pronounced that just packing a rucksack in the morning
became a three-person job.
This just made us feel prouder when, on a sunny and
snow-covered morning, we finally made it to the base
camp of Everest. It’s an understated spot on a glacier,
marked by strings of prayer flags fluttering in the breeze,
but rich in symbolism.
All but one of us made it, and I can honestly say that
it was the greatest achievement of my life, and that it
will probably remain so for some time. The trip was an
Children and Elephants
Student:
Alejandra Larrea Guija, Year 12
School:
Chinese International School
Destination:
Chiang Mai
Duration:
One week
In April, my class and I had an amazing opportunity to visit The
Children’s Shelter Foundation to participate in a community
service project. We had some idea of what to expect from this
one-week trip, but little did we know that we were going to have
an amazing experience that would prove to be life-changing.
We discovered much about all the children at the shelter, and
in the process became truly close to them. In two days we formed
strong bonds and by the end of the trip we had a difficult time saying
goodbye. While we were at the shelter, we had the chance to teach
them English and help build a dam and shelters. We also had an
opportunity to ride elephants and learn about their conservation.
I learnt so many things about myself and about Thai culture
during the trip. Not only did we become closer as a class, we also
made new friends that we care for, and still remain in contact with.
I’d love to get the chance to do this all over again.
60 Dunearn Road
6254 0200 | cnis.edu.sg
immense success, whether you were there for the photos or
the culture, the physical challenge or the visual experience.
We have lifelong memories and an indescribable sense of
accomplishment.
95 Portsdown Road
6778 0771 | tts.edu.sg
NEPAL