We began conditioning ourselves as early as 1 month before the actual expedition. However, as the saying goes – Rome was not built in one day; neither was our physical stamina for the expedition.  Our acceptance to partake in this historical expedition was accompanied by 3 gruelsome training expeditions around Pulau Ubin and Kallang Basin.

After much anticipation, the historical day for SMUX Kayaking Team to conquer the arduous expedition of 30km, from Changi Beach to Johor Lama. Being the first Singaporean kayakers who dare challenge the high seas of Malaysia by crossing the International Straits, the initial part of our expedition was faced with some unforeseen circumstances at both the Singapore and Malaysian Customs as they have not handled similar situations before. Despite the slight inconvenience, we did not allow the delay to dampen our moods as we filled our waiting time with card games, heart-to-heart talks and marveling at the beauty of the mangrove swamp surrounding the customs, displaying the spirit of SMUX – making the best out of every circumstance that we were in.

After a good rest at the Customs, we set off on the remaining journey towards Johor Lama. The conditions of the sea proved challenging for us as we were moving against the currents for part of the expedition. On top of that, the merciless sun drained us, adding to the obstacles we needed to overcome in order to reach our destination. Despite the adverse conditions, we overcame them as a team. Rahman, our expedition leader and the Kayaking Team Manager, made periodic stops to ensure that everyone was properly hydrated, had ample rest and to allow trailing members in our convoy to catch up with the rest. The proficient kayakers also consistently encouraged the novice team members to press on. Even though the journey was tough, we did not forget to have fun along the way as we entertained each other with singing and jokes to lighten the mood.

Eventually, after what seemed like a long time on the sea, we finally caught a sight of our final destination – Kampung Johor Lama.  Using the last of our strength, we headed towards it to enjoy our well-deserved vacation.

Upon reaching Johor Lama, we realized that we were the first ever in the history of the Johor Lama to have kayaked from somewhere outside of Malaysia to there.  For that, the locals made us a souvenir out of a horseshoe crab and some simple decorations.

After a good night’s rest, our group decided to split up to explore. Some wanted to stay on at the chalet to recuperate while others wanted to venture out into the town. The rest wanted to spend some quality time together, playing games like Saboteur and Monopoly. Some decided to go on a road trip, and they took a Cab towards the nearest town centre (Kota Tinggi).

Upon reaching the town centre, this group of adventure-seekers stopped by some roadside stalls to feast upon the local cuisine, only to realize that they were in a gourmet paradise.

Ba Kut Teh (direct translation: Meat Bone Tea), Roasted Chicken Rice, Mee Pok, Claypot Intestines and Ice Kachang may seem less than exciting at first sight. However, the locals offered these cuisines with a substantial twist of authenticity.

After the giant feast, the group hopped on the next bus at the nearest bus interchange, without any idea where it was heading towards. To make matters worse, they actually dozed off during the ride, only to realize that they were in the middle of nowhere 45 minutes into the bus journey. They decided at the next stop and realized that they were in the middle of an expressway.  After a while of trekking on the road and through some vegetation, they stumbled upon a shopping centre: JUSCO!

By a strange twist of fate, this group of adventure-seekers was rewarded abundantly upon reaching this fortress of solace. This is perhaps one of the most luxurious R&R that SMUX Kayaking Team ever had as they were treated to:

1)     Thai Massage

2)     Herbal chicken tonic with Turtle Jelly

3)     Manhattan Fish Market Dinner

4)     Body Shop 70% discount offer (be jealous girls!)

Along the way back, this group of people stopped along the roadside to purchase nearly 100RM worth of “ice-cream durian” back as their supper.

On the third day, SMUX Kayaking Team began making our way back to Singapore. Despite the ever-scorching sun, the expedition team was treated to sizable ocean waves. Riding on these waves provided ample source of entertainment for us as it drowned our body’s calls of fatigue. We also improved on our timing as we conquered 30km in just 5 hours as compared to 6 hours during our way there.

This expedition brought the whole kayaking team much closer together as we spent weeks preparing for it. In the meantime, the spirit of SMUXtremists was truly displayed: Adventure, Fun, Family. We endured the tough trainings and expedition together while sharing the unexpected R&R road trip memories and the unmentioned epic jokes that we can savour when this trip is mentioned.

Kudos to the Organising Committee for making such a legendary trip possible:

Overall IC: George Loo

Marketing IC: Elson Tan

Finance IC: Choong Zi Hao

Advisor/ Team Manager: Wan Abdul Rahman

Photos by:
Loh Yumin, Cheryl Chiang

Written By: Evans Sin

Participant

Johor Lama 2010

Expect a nice relaxing expedition plus a great lunch at the ECP food center! ;D

Interested Parties fill up this form!

http://spreadsheets.google.com/viewform?formkey=cmlDcUlxb1NVZ0ctbm5jMEpPLWpxeVE6MA..

Here, we bring you an excerpt from Shawn Tee, President of the 1st Crew and the story behind it.

It was my first time at a waterfall and the experience was great! We really had a lot of fun playing, splashing each other and soaking in the water. And it was also my first time trekking, (or hiking?) so I thought it was quite fun even though I often lose my footing and fall into the stream. And the rafting was really exciting! I would like to go for rafting and to the waterfall again! =)

cheers
Olivia =)

This trip gives me chance to try white water rafting for the first time and it is really quite a thrill to be floating down a rapid river on a yellow tube! In that short 5km rafting which I secretly hope it was far longer, we paddled, we rolled about in the float, we screamed and finally we also capsized which some people really like while others were straight scared(me). The other highlight of this trip was the Waterfall trek. We walked through pokey grass, across big fat branches, got attacked by leeches and cross the river 6 times to get to the pretty and cooling waterfall. It was rewarding as we all enjoyed soaking and playing in the waters and I bet many of us got way too lazy to trek back! This trip takes us away into the peaceful rural area where we stayed in dormitories with great mountain views and bbq for dinner, slap-jack for digestion and small cozy talks, far away from the too-many-things-to-do life which I am sure we all hate.

- Lim Yun Lu

Dear interested course participants,

The following are the available course dates at WaterVenture centres around Singapore:

Please note that not all courses are posted online! You may want to call the other water venture centres not listed in the above screenshots.

The only difference these courses are from those organized by SMUX Kayaking is that you have to take the initiative to sign-up and pay up for the course by yourself.
Should you be interested, please visit http://one.pa.gov.sg and follow these steps:
1)      Click on “Register for Courses” at the left hand side column of the page
2)      Click on the category “Adventure and Water Sports”
3)      Click on the course you are interested in “Kayaking 1 Star” or “Kayaking 2 Star”
4)      Click on “Click here to register for this session” under the Action column
5)      Call up the relevant WaterVenture Centre to make a reservation and make a trip to the particular centre to sign up and pay for the course

The contact numbers of the relevant WaterVenture Centres can be obtained at http://www.water-venture.org.sg/1178608239351/1178608239359.html

SMUX Kayaking wishes you all the best in the courses and look forward to having you in one of our many expeditions.