As the holidays draw to a close, it is only fitting to have some fun. Band chalet was a blast; full of games and retardness and singing and cycling and raining and general enjoyment.

After a crappy experience on and off the MRT, I finally managed to make my way to Pasir Ris. This is the very first time that I've been myself all the way to this end of the green line (yeah I know, what a loser), and also probably the longest trip I've ever made on the MRT (Dover - Pasir Ris).

We crashed David Zhao's house for a while to while away the time on Band Hero, then we headed to the chalets proper. The chalets were at Costa Sands Resort (Pasir Ris), and directly next to Escape Theme Park. For those who aren't familiar with the East, this means nothing, and I just followed the lead of all the Easterns.

Upon arrival, check-in, and lunch, we proceeded to play Wii and our typical batch activity.

"out on your corner in the poring rain!" - ryan

Nearer dinnertime, more people started coming, and the games expanded into 13-player Pig (the maximum number), as well as mass singing through Band Hero (link here).

Presenting band chalet 2010! Sorry to those who couldn't make it for various reasons - we'll hope to see you next time! (if there is a next time)

However, more was definitely to come, for you could say that the real fun only started at night...

... when someone decided we should go overnight cycling.

By that time only 12 guys were left: Lucas, Ryan, Austin, Leonard, Russell, Samuel, Zhi Xuan, David, Eric, Benni, Matthew and me. After playing more Band Hero and watching the movie Space Chimps, we set off. This was at approximately 2:30 AM in the morning.

Now I cannot remember the exact routes that we cycled or even the places that we visited. All I know is that from Pasir Ris, we headed deeper into the island to Tampines...

... then Bedok...

... before finally reaching the East Coast. After which we looped around and cycled further East before cutting across the island again, this time via Changi Coast Road.

It was an amazing sense of déjà vu that I felt the moment we turned our bikes into that long road. I've done this once before, a very memorable occasion (link here) with my classmates: I'm sure every one of them will never forget the biking in the rain. This time, we're doing it at about 6, 7 or 8 AM (cannot remember), it's not raining this time, but the road remains equally long.

Perfectly straight and insanely long makes for an unending journey through the darkness.

So anyway, this was our whole route (roughly). Some said it was over 45 km, Google Earth says it is 30 km (probably wrong because I estimated the Tampines and Bedok parts) and I say it was just long.

Now as to that last bit. Did I say it wasn't raining? Well it wasn't.

Until we turned off Changi Coast Road and fumbled our way back to the chalet.

Now I must admit that cycling through the night so far had been somewhat enervating. At this point I must apologize to every one of my batchmates on that treacherous journey for my agonizingly slow cycling, weak endurance, unrestrained complaining, and really bad attitude. I felt totally crappy and ready to give up anytime. Thanks to all for the encouragement, and special thanks to Leonard and Austin for cycling with me all the way, and keeping my sanity in check.

Anyway as I was saying, the energy-sapping cycle was in its last leg of the journey when the rain started poring down in sheets. I was again strongly reminded of class cycling, where we braved the rain and whooshed the whole length of Changi Coast Road and reached the (somewhat) sanctuary of the ferry terminal. This time, the rain started after the ferry terminal, and left us drowning in lostness, even in the middle of Pasir Ris.

On the plus side, thank goodness it didn't start when it was still dark and colder. That would have been really bad.

But I thank the rain. Instead of dampened spirits, the rain seemed to recharge me, washing away my foul temper and giving me the strength to carry on. Again, this was so reminiscent of class cycling that I nearly laughed thinking about it.

A little fall of rain
Can hardly hurt me now
This rain
Will wash away what's past
And rain
will make the flowers grow

So after one to one-and-a-half hours of cycling (and blading in the case of Samuel) in the poring rain, supplemented by getting split up and generally lost, we finally, FINALLY got back.

Men in White! Courtesy of Benni.

I could've cheered.

But the burst of energy which somehow managed to last us from 2:30 AM to 9:30 AM (7 hours of cycling!) was completely exhausted by the time we had all washed up and changed, and everyone promptly conked out.

Over 24 hours without sleep already - so who can blame us?

By the time we managed to rouse ourselves for checking out, returning bicycles, and go to the vicinity of Pasir Ris MRT for lunch, we were all pretty drained. By the time I got home it was nearly 2 PM, and it was 30 hours without sleep already.

Ah well. Was a very fun two days, and a great chalet! In fact, MY FIRST CHALET if you don't count the one last year where I just slept the night while the J2s (now J3s were biking to Changi Point or something.

And happy 18th Lucas!

Labels: band