Halong Bay

We said good bye to our host at the project Ko Wha who seemed genuinely pleased with the little present the boys had prepared for her….apart from rice being served on a daily basis (usual in South East Asia) there have been very little complaints from any member of the team…even Jack Ross has been eating things he wouldn’t normally back in NI.

Mai, our Volunteer Coordinator, cracked the whip to get us away as near on time as possible…

The journey to Halong Bay was uneventful, if you have experienced motor bikes coming the wrong way down the main road, pedestrians crossing without prior warning and trucks overtaking each other like a  scene from Whacky Races (only for those old enough to remember that Saturday morning cartoon) and can deem this as ‘normal’.  We dropped the other local volunteer, Bick, at her village and said our goodbyes to her.

The boys seemed pleasantly surprised by the look and the standard of the Junk boat we were to stay on for the next two days…The boys are only really starting to trust me on this trip and when they ask me what to expect I had said the cabins are Five Star standard, they looked at me with suspicion, however, upon their further inspection they found out that I wasn’t stretching the truth at all.

Halong Bay itself is a beautiful place, only spoilt by the sheer amount of tourists visiting the area…The limestone jungle topped islands dominate the view and give plenty of interest as our boat cruised to our mooring for the evening.  First up was a visit to Ti Top Island where it is possible to land and climb to the very top of the peak.  Of course the top was the obvious place to do our daily 22 push ups and with an international audience the boys pushed their way to a little bit of glory.

Upon reaching the bottom, Ti Top has a beach and swim area which was too inviting to ignore.  A quick swim in the warm water was just what we all needed after a sweaty walk to the top.  Also on the beach was a volleyball net which we all took advantage of.  Poor Jack Ross(again) made the manoeuvre of the day but in the process split his shorts, not only on the outside but the inside too.  Playing volleyball after this with one hand, while the other kept his modesty covered proved to be Jack’s challenge of the trip to date.

During the latter stages of the project, Mai mentioned that Kayaking was planned for the afternoon; however, having been on these trips before, I realised this wouldn’t be possible without the approval of Outlook Expeditions…This was confirmed an hour before our allotted time by the manager of the Ops room back in the UK (the boys are very thankful).  Being the only experienced kayaker in the team it was my responsibility to safeguard the group…due to numbers we split the team in two, teaching a few basics in the double kayaks before setting off on a little journey around the nearby Island.  Being up close and personal with the islands from the kayaks is a great way to see their magnificence and they didn’t disappoint.  Of course Mr McMillan only had one thought on his mind… racing! And at every opportunity he was challenging the boys to paddle as hard as they could and ‘attempt’ to beat him…having me in the back of his kayak gave him an unfair disadvantage of course and we remain the INST kayak champions of Halong Bay.

Following the beautiful and tasty evening mean the boys entertained each other, and probably those boats surrounding us, with a karaoke…I’m not quite sure but Charlie et al singing Dancing Queen was a little surreal…his reasoning being the lack of choice from the five hundred other songs just doesn’t quite sit right.  A special mention has to be given to Patrick and Robbie who actually managed to sing in tune, unlike yours truly….I’ll stick to my day time job thank you very much.

At 0600hrs this morning we were awoken with a huge crack of lightning and the storm of the century, in Halong Bay at least.  The rain was leaking in everywhere as Mr Carson tried to remain calm, witnessing the cabin crew running around frantically, in his mind trying to keep the boat afloat.  Mr McMillan nonchalantly strolls into the shower again trying not alert us to his concern... Their vision of the boys cowering under their bedding was becoming too much to bear…we assembled for breakfast at 0700 hrs with a few of the boys looking like rabbits caught in the lights of a car.  At 0800 hrs we travelled the short distance to the show cave in torrential rain and full waterproofs.  Now show caves are not my scene and I struggled to look enthusiastic for the boys as I dragged my lip around the interior and tried to change the sour look on my face, to no avail!

I’m currently sat writing this blog cruising back to the main land surrounded by majestic islands and cliff faces…our trip to Halong is now over and we have the next stage of our expedition to look forward to.

Parents please note we are on an overnight train tonight to the very north of Vietnam and our trekking location of Sa Pa…Please relax these boys are doing a very good job and representing the school in a very positive way.

Cliff Lowther (Expedition Leader)

Long Live the King

Today our project at the school came to a grand finale.  In a way we were sad to go, in another; ouch.

 Unfortunately, the concrete that was so excellently laid down yesterday was damaged by the biblical storm. Not to worry, the skilful wizard was already there (Ed. Apparently from 5.30 am) to make repairs.  My group worked hard round the back of the classroom preparing old bricks for re-use. We were a little groggy after yesterday’s work, which could be seen from how, Karl phoneless Bell (shout out to Ems)<3 11="" a="" afia="" aft="" after="" against="" aglay="" aim="" almighty="" along="" amarillo="" and="" any="" are="" as="" at="" away="" back="" be="" before="" best="" bop="" breakfast="" brian="" brick="" built="" but="" caroline.="" chased="" clambered="" could="" course="" crowd="" day="" down="" energy="" explain.="" favourite="" fire="" for="" found="" from="" gang="" gcse="" glover="" great="" greatest="" griggs="" group="" hacked="" hand.="" happening="" he="" hence="" hits:="" hours="" however="" i="" ice-lollies="" impressing="" in="" is="" it="" jack="" king="" known="" laid="" last.="" leader="" led="" lenavon="" lunch.="" m="" macmillan="" mark="" mclaughlin="" meaning="" men="" mice="" misinterpreting="" motivation="" mr="" n="" nake="" narrow="" nbsp="" new="" nice="" night="" odds="" of="" old="" on="" once="" one="" or="" other="" our="" plan="" plans="" prevailed.="" pringles="" put="" red="" return="" ringlegate="" ross="" s="" seem="" skull="" some="" span="" stacked="" street="" streets="" student="" sure="" suspiciously="" sweet="" take="" tell="" thanks="" that="" the="" then="" this="" through="" to="" tried="" unfortunately="" up="" us="" vehemently="" very="" village="" wagon="" wall="" walls="" war="" warlike="" was="" way="" we="" were="" which="" will="" with="" wonderwall="" woods="" words="" would="">

We worked hard, and we feel like our efforts were rewarded with a glorious battle of Volleyball against The King and his local Men, with Captain Carson inviting one local gent to another war, in a sporting way, I hope, with Cliff’s Captain America shirt suggesting otherwise. We fought hard, our goal to abdicate The King and claim this village under the black and yellow flag. We had valiant warriors in the form of MC Cliff (who knew some rather questionable rules) which he broadcast on The King’s microphone, Robbie ‘The Monkey’ Marrs (due to his impressive tree climbing skills upon retrieval of the ball), Adam ‘Machine’ Eakin, Charles ‘Daddy Issues’ Cloke, Bailey ‘The Beast’ Gribben, Aaron ‘we couldn’t think of a nickname to do with him being ravaged by mosquitoes, but he’s okay though’ Devine, Jack ‘Stevo’ Stephens, Patrick ‘P-Diddy’ D’Arcy, and last but not least Isaac ‘The Caballo’ Main who almost dethroned The King single-handedly. Unfortunately Cliff’s team lost; Scunderland. (Ed.  I’m afraid I cannot agree with that and will be having words with the Mathematics teaching team from INST upon our return!)

Now after that creative session, we all await our strangely sticky showers and still no sticky rice.

P.S. Mrs Cheuk, has Kai cleaned and fed the rabbit?

P.P.S. Charlie adopted a child yesterday, unlucky Conliane! (He strong-armed me to say that he misses you by the way) (Ed. He’s a big softie)

George ‘Nice juicy thighs’ Robinson and co-edited by Theo ‘Man-bun’ Millar.

22 in 22 Push up Challenge

For those not privileged to see our videos...here is a taste of the boys carrying out the 22 in 22 Push up Challenge.  This is to spread awareness of ex-service men/woman's battle with post traumatic stress disorder and the subsequent figure of 22 people per day committing suicide...

https://www.facebook.com/cliff.lowther?pnref=story

Blood Sweat and Concrete

Today the work truly began for the team in Vietnam; this was the day that our project began. After an abrupt awakening from the rooster just outside our door, which decided to start to “cock-a-doodle-do” at exactly 5am.  We began to dress with a long day ahead of us. After breakfast we made our way by either bike or a van that had the horsepower of a lawnmower and bounced up and down like there was no tomorrow. Needless to say we arrived at the project safely and were ready for the day’s work. The project would take place at a small school (Kindergarten), which required concrete  on the ground outside their building and a playground for the children who were aged around 2-4. The first section of work was simply flattening the ground for the concrete to be laid, simply meaning we placed new sand on the ground and flattened it with matics and any piece of spare wood lying around.

The second section of work began to lay the concrete down. This involved 3 hours of bringing buckets of sand and stone to the mixer, some carrying the buckets in twos and some carrying them on their heads (local stylie). We worked along the local Vietnamese men and women, who while we worked in our gear and trainers or boots, most of them did it bare foot and maintained their work for three hours despite us needing multiple rests and water breaks. The final product of our long and gruelling work was concrete where it needed to be and sixteen proud seventeen year olds (Ed. Lets not forget the proud forty something’s too) who could look on at the product they had worked so hard to get. Straight after a long three hours of repetitive work, the leaders (Ed. That’s me Cliff ) decided it would also be an amazing opportunity to do our twenty-two push-up challenge where we do 22 push ups in 22 days to raise awareness of the levels of suicide within ex-servicemen. (Ed. I will endeavour to post one of these videos on the blog)

The final event of the night took place before dinner, when within an instant the weather turned from the usually ‘comfortably humid night’, to a howling thunder-storm. Bolts of lightning filled the sky and rain poured down which, while we were having dinner, cut out the power to our home-stay, making it increasingly harder to post this blog (Ed. It’s now morning). The fans no longer provided us with cool air so, some of us sat out and watched the lightening, which I’m sure most of your sons will show you through video. One of the rooms we were staying in had an ocean running under the doors which soon filled the room the boys were lying in…Something told us this was a regular occurrence!

Overall it was an interesting day in the trip, the guys worked hard to produce work they can be extremely proud of and it was our first experience of the “rainy season” in Vietnam. We are now off to bed with a feeling of satisfaction in our hearts.

Patrick D’Arcy 

The Project - Day 1

After breakfast this morning we met Mai, our guide and interpreter. Who will be with us until after Halong Bay.

This morning, we woke up from a well needed sleep; the first sleep in 23 hrs for some of us, ravenous and ready for a big breakfast.  We were very excited anticipating what was ahead of us at the project. I was a bit apprehensive; as how could anything live up to our expectations. Believe me it did! However, as predicted, the bus was a sauna. Hot and humid. My journey was saved by our moral booster, George, who put up with me for 2 hrs. We were squeezed into the back seat, noses practically touching. Our guide and interpreter, Mai, is lovely. She is very polite and helpful, and can give Mr Carson a run for his money as the group joker. We were pleased to hear that we would be travelling by bike to the kindergarten. However I was surprised with a broken chain. A small run to catch up with the group left me drenched in sweat (nothing changed there) and gasping for breath. When we finally arrived to the nursery we were very pleasantly greeted by lots of happy waving kids. They were amazing, overflowing with energy and all too keen to jump on your back. The toys went down a treat. Especially Robbie’s bubbles! However it dawned on me that the complex origami I brought for the kids was a tall order, but made a quick save and we folded paper planes. The playing escalated and we ended up running around, throwing the kids up it the air (which gets sore after the one hundredth time) and singing heads, shoulders, knees and toes. Meeting the kids will be a highlight. A gruelling game of volleyball concluded the action of the day and we returned to the host house ready for the amazing Vietnamese food and a good rest. The trip is amazing so far; a trip of a lifetime.

Bailey Gribben

Ed.  We have just cycled 30 minutes to get to a cafe...This is the only form of wifi connection we can get near the Project site...Riding the bikes in the dark with head-torches was fun....Don't worry folks they are rickety bikes and we are not going much faster than walking pace. For those parents wanting it the detailed itinerary we are following can be found on the Outlook Expeditions Portal.

Arrival in Hanoi (Tired but excited)

Goooooooooood Morning Vietnam!

Since 4am yesterday, the team has already experienced hardships, turmoil and frightening encounters. However we’re sitting in a youth hostel in the bustling city of Hanoi and I’m guzzling a breakfast of pancakes and honey so we’re all safe and happy and ready to go on to our project.

You (Parents) left us in George Best City Airport, not knowing what to expect just like us, preparing for the emotional battle of missing your dear children for three whole weeks. I however, was trying to stop myself from dying from a mind splitting headache, so my father got a hug and was sent back to his bed. The first flight out of Belfast was quick and clean and we made it to the busy hub of London Heathrow. When we saw the monstrosity of a plane we would take for the eleven hour flight to Bangkok (And as Patrick D’Arcy keenly reminds us all too often that it was an Airbus A380) we knew that it was to be a long ordeal. We sat on the beast in our colourful chairs, getting to grips with the endless amount of movies, music and features of the little TV we had at our disposal. It’s needless to say, with us being teenage boys, (Ed. Not all of us ) we were content for this world-wide voyage. We landed in a new world, but we had no time to marvel. We rushed through the airport as a wave of rucksacks and busy chatter to catch our final flight. This was spent mostly sleeping, most of us still in the same consciousness as when we left. Then finally….. we had arrived. And it was humid…..  and overcast. Just as we were ready to begin we hit a problem. The transport had not arrived. Therefore for the next hour we sat, slept and some of us played cards which was a great source of amusement to some of the locals passing by. Finally we were on the bus and we arrived to our hostel. We walked around and started to see our surroundings. The traffic was chaotic, no laws or patterns. Buildings we had never seen the like of were high above us and street vendors pushed their home made merchandise. We split into groups for lunch and went in search of new tastes. My group found a wee family establishment and we tried two of everything and it was delicious! The owners were lovely and homely and served with a genuine smile. As we arrived back at the hostel we were assigned our rooms and proceeded to go and unpack and shower, as we were all a bit wiffy. Dinner was a Mexican feast of fajitas and fruit (Ed. Hostel special). We were given the option to go to the local market or to turn in for the night which I took gladly and was out like a light and now I’ve had a twelve hour sleep and we’re all packed and ready to go for our project.

We’re all here, safe and happy and it’s time to go and see this far-away corner of the world.

Robbie Marrs

Ed. Hi Parents and Friends….Not sure how much wifi/internet use we will get over the next few days so please do not worry…we will of course post when we can.  The boys are all good and ready for the trip ahead….may be a little tired J        We will up load photos later...