Written by: Muhd. Mokhtar Bin Amran Class:1A3 "First I was afraid, I was petrified,"
Ok, no. However it suits the event a lot. On second thought, no. So why is it interrelated? I fear the presence of snakes and other deadly threats. No, I am not timid - just a bit cautious. The two trips were interesting, adventurous, bond-fostering and eye-opening or they put it, educational, extending potential, sparking creativity and worthwhile. For the pessimists, the description would be wasteful both monetary and time wise, hot and sickly.
For me it was a very refreshing, interesting experience and it brought a very nationalistic feel. Who would have believed that a small red dot in the world map has one of the best nature reserves? That is impressive, is not it? It was a very memorable event for me, my body and soul. It has been positively cemented to my very being. No will could ever rob me of the lingering memories, even if death tore apart my soul from this outer envelope of the body. My outer being might perish in death, be engulfed in impure flames of hatred but that moment lives on. Not even time shall part us. It just meant it was a very good trip and I shall remember it, when God decides that my time is up.
The trip would, of course, have not be as successful as it was without the selfless flow of guidance, filled with knowledge and wisdom, from the guides. I do not know about the rest of the guides; mine brought joy to the very depths of my heart. The mangrove was very interesting so was the forest. Brimming with life which we hardly take any notice of in modern-day, fast-paced Singapore.
It was the first time I went to a mangrove. The stubborn weeds held fast to their positions, refusing our tugs to draw them out. The fire ants seemed to be on the ugly greens' side as they bit us with all their bodily might. Perspiration flowed down our sun-beaten foreheads, as we continued the battle with the cussed enemies of nature. In the end Man emerged victorious, and we were satisfied with having saved the other plants. Our ears could almost hear the thankful cries of the mangrove and the forest for our sheer bravery and strength. We entered the mangrove as a reward in exchange for the weed pulling battle. The ground was cotton soft. I got my long pants attached to mud thanks the people behind me, names not mentioned so as to not reveal the identity of the underaged delinquents. I felt that the 'apek' who was fishing there was, is, and would always be blind. Could he not see the warning boards all over the jetty, titanical, billboard ones, with neon lights flashing, all of which forbade fishing of any form there? The highlight of it all was when the guide- Mrs. Grace pointed to us the mud lobsters, their home and the rescue, were just flames of miracle.
The forest trial went well with another guide, Mrs. Ooi. Through the thick forest showing animal of all sorts, we traveled till dawn arrived. Well, almost. It was rather late when I got home. I missed my Korean show, 'Save the last dance for me', and that had no recovery, even the trip. I took back my words- that nothing would make me hate the trip, save for God and family. Korean shows should be added to the list too. While the others were busy observing two birds, I saw a Colungo about 45 degrees behind the birds. It was flat on the bark of the tree. I was about to open my mouth to tell the others when it swiftly went behind the tree it was lying belly-flat on.
The only thing I was curious about was why we had to pay to for it. We were the ones who worked hard on the weeds, with no inkling if we were to see home again or otherwise. What was the $25 for? The guides? They did nothing fruitful! The bus? We could not even eat onboard it! Not even think about food or salivate. The guides were volunteers. For the nature reserve? Plants use money now? So, except for that, it was flawless to me and the best trip in my secondary school life. Ha!!!
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