1st: Prabhu Rajkumar, 12, Global Indian International
Journey to the Big Apple
“What do you mean you want to know what I did during my New York trip?” I asked my friend Danny in surprise. “Well you said that you went for a two day trip to New York and I wanted to know all the things that you did there, so please tell me what you did there,” he asked with beseeching eyes. “Alright fine, I’ll tell you what I did there, but it might take some time for me to finish, so don’t fall asleep halfway like last time, got it?” I said sternly to my friend who was, by now on cloud nine after I told him that I would tell him what happened in New York (a.k.a. The big Apple).
“It all started when I saw a tourism ad on the newspaper. It said something like ‘New York City, visit the world’s first metropolis in style, see all of its famous tourist attractions like the Empire state Building and Times Square for an offer price’. I was hooked immediately. As fast as lighting, I dialled the contact number for the New York trip and got the good news, there were still seats left for the trip! I immediately booked a seat while trying hard not to jump up and down in joy. However, as if just to dampen my spirits, they said that I would have to wait for a week to go for the New York trip. I thought that it would be good for me having to wait a week as it would give me more time to pack my things for the trip.
In three days, I got the itinerary for the trip as well as my air tickets to New York. I would be travelling in an Airbus A380! The tour organisers really meant it when they said ‘In style’.
Then, the day finally came, even though the flight was at 9 o’clock, I left for the airport at 5 am because I was extremely excited and afraid of missing the flight. The 23 hour business class flight was not my main concern, I was more eager to go to NYC as fast as possible.
As the airbus A380 finally descended onto the JFK international airport, I felt relieved. I could finally go out of the confined (though luxurious) quarters of the plane and continue on the trip to New York. However, there was a mammoth immigration queue. However, being as ecstatic as I was at that time, my spirits couldn’t be dampened for long. The immigration queue helped me gather my bearings. I and the other tourists left the immigration counter after all our legal procedures were over to meet our tour guide, Sam.
Sam was an ever-smiling man with light grey hair and a New York accent. Together with Sam, I and the others took a ferry to the island of Manhattan, where we would be staying and also where most of our tourist attractions were. We promptly reached Manhattan and checked into the Marriot Hotel (talk about travelling ‘in style’). We had a famous New York breakfast of blueberry pancakes, bacon and biscuits, crispy hash browns and eggs. We then visited the Empire state building which was bigger than I expected and the statue of liberty, which was amazing. We then had lunch at ‘Shake Shack’, a popular restaurant in Uptown Manhattan.
We took a ferry ride around the Hudson and East rivers after which we alighted in Brooklyn. We went to a library in Brooklyn followed by a hunting store and at last, the famous Brooklyn Museum. We then went back to the Marriot hotel as it was getting late and then had a delicious dinner of American Pizza.
The next day we had to wake up as late as 9:30 am, for which I was grateful for due to my jet lag. We had a delicious breakfast of pancakes and hot dogs. We then went to the Metropolitan museum of natural science, visited Times Square which was as crowded as our local Orchard road. I found people with different personalities who were mostly friendly and helpful. We spent the whole evening at Times square which is the most famous tourist spot in NYC.
We then left for JFK airport, but not before heading to ‘Shake Shack’ again for dinner. We then took the flight back home.” I told Danny.
“So you spent most of your trip in Manhattan huh?” he asked me. “Yup, that’s right” I replied. He then said that he wanted to take that trip as well. So, I went to help him call the tour organisers.
The 2 day trip, though short was a real eye opener. It really opened my eyes to the diverse culture of the world. I truly hoped that I would visit the world’s first metropolis, The Big Apple again. Until then, I will have to think wistfully about New York. This is Prabhu, signing off.
2nd: Andrew Teo, 14, Tanjong Katong Secondary
My last Wish
“Vroommm”, the aeroplane groaned angrily and started to ascend high up in the vast, azure sky. Out of burning curiosity, I peeped at the side window and looked down. Everything seemed so tiny. This was my first time taking the aeroplane but little did I know that it would also be my last time….
Months before this holiday trip, I was diagnosed with lung cancer. Furthermore, it was the third stage of lung cancer. Unfortunately, the doctor said that I had only a few months to live. When I first heard the news, it become the shock of my life and felt the whole sky crashing on me. At a mere age of fourteen, it was something extremely hard to accept. My parents were extremely devastated and cried buckles of water for me. I could not accept the fact that I had to leave this beautiful world at such a young age. I had not achieved my dream which was to go to Switzerland to see snow. Since I was five, I had always longed to go Switzerland during winter to be owed by the beauty of snow.
Although both my parents were not able to afford the exorbitant trip to Switzerland, one of my wealthy uncles had decided to sponsor my family after knowing about my condition. I was extremely elated and euphoria filled my after knowing about my uncle’s decision. I felt like the happiest person on earth. Nothing else matters now, not even death, as long as I am able to achieve my dream which was to go to Switzerland to see white snow.
I lay down comfortably on my seat and drank some orange juice given by the flight stewardess. In spite of the fact that my condition was worsening day by day, I was still happy as my dream was about to be fulfilled.
Before I knew it, we had already reached Switzerland. Switzerland is extremely cold. The moment I stepped out of the airplane, I was freezing till I needed to wear three jackets. Our tour guide told us today’s schedule. First, we were going to eat at a restaurant nearby the airport. Secondly, we would be going to the ski lodge and lastly, we would be watching and playing with snow. I knew that my dream would transform into reality today. Finally I would know the chance to be mesmerized by the snow in Switzerland and go for skiing activities at Zermatt, one of Switzerland’s best skiing resorts.
Time had passed quickly and now, it was time for skiing activities and we headed to Zermatt, the best skiing resort in Switzerland. When we reached Zermatt, we were captivated by the breathtaking scenery there. Zermatt is undoubtedly a lively and sophisticated skiing resort. I was so eager to try skiing, I had never ski my whole life before. I took my skiing equipments and went to the beginner’s section since I know not much about skiing. After learning how to balance properly on my skis, I decided to try skiing down a low slope at the Intermediate section. I could only balance with a sickening thud on the snow grand. Despite falling many times on the ground, I still felt the joy in skiing.
After the skiing activities, the tour guide brought us to JuongFraujcoh, one of the best snow tourist attractions in Switzerland. JuongFraujcoh is an eternal place of dazzling snow. The scenery is undoubtedly the best breathtaking scene I had ever witnessed. I had never expected snow in reality to differ so much from the snow I had watched on television. It was the happiest moment of my life to just gaze at the dazzling and mesmerizing snow.
The long and tired day had finally ended and we returned back to our hotel. As my parents wanted to eat supper outside, I was to slee first. Finally, my dream had magically transformed into a reality and I would now sleep in peace. Without knowing it, I plunged into darkness and went to sleep.
3rd: Aldred Han
Trip to Melbourne
Wow! It is a long long time since I travelled overseas. Well, I went to Australia when I was four years of age. I went to Melbourne, Australia. I went with my family and it was a very fun experience as that was the first time I went overseas. I also went there to visit my relatives and cousins as they live there. The night before the trip, I was very excited. Before I knew it, I left for Australia.
Soon, my family and I reached the airport and we went into the aeroplane. A few hours later, we reached Melbourne. My family and I took a taxi and went to the hotel and booked a room. We then went to the shopping centre and shopped for food and clothes. At that time, the temperature in Australia was low and it was very cold. We then had our dinner and went back to the hotel. My first night in Australia was bad. I could not sleep as the room temperature was low. My funniest moment in Australia was when I was chased by a dog around a table. The dog did not like me and chased me around. I then went up a sofa and the dog gave up in chasing me. We then went to museum. We saw many things from the 1900s. A week past, and my family were packing up as we were going back to Singapore.
Before I knew it, we were back in Singapore. It was a unforgettable experience in Melbourne. I hope I could visit other countries like Manchester, England. I want to go there as I want to watch my favourite football club, Manchester United, in the stadium.
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