HERE Aug 2013 by NTU Sports Club

HERE An NTU SPORTS CLUB PUBLICATION august 2013 Issue

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editorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s note It has been an amazing five years of HERE! Magazine, covering NTU sports events and happenings. In this new academic year, we look forward to more new exciting events and programmes by the sport clubs and also around Singapore. With us winning the IVP championship this year and with the health and fitness scene in Singapore gaining speed, be sure to follow us so as to not miss out on any of these exciting events and updates. For Sports Club, be sure to hear from us soon about our four national events taking place in the first half of the year. We promise that it will be bigger and better.

17 4

LET THE FLIGHT BEGIN

20 17 Sailing ainâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t no cruise

8 the race is on

20 Rocking on with All Time LOw

22 My European gradventure

Balance. Ride. Relax.

14 Catching winds

26 Riding solo. 24 hours. 80km trail. A RIDE to remember.

Chief Editors Tan Jin Ting, Vernon Chow Editors Xavier Koo, Darryl Leong, Deborah Wong Writers Soo Yun Xuan, Hidhir Razak, Daniel Neo, Darryl Leong, Michelle Png, Adela Lim, Jasmine Chiam, Kenneth Tan Photography Catherine Ann Chew Layout Artist Jeanette Tan Yee Ching Cover Photo Dudley Lin

events

LET THE

FLIGHT

BEGIN

The alternative sporting event to flat road marathons this year took us up 41 storeys at Asia Square. Text by Soo Yun Xuan Photos: Russell Chan, Tan Yanger 4

eld at Asia Square this year, the National Vertical Marathon 2013 (NVM) was an immense success, with a turnout of 2250 participants. In its 19th year running, the event was themed ‘Around the World’ and saw participants hailing from Spain and the Philippines. Velasco Michel, who came in 1st in the Men’s Open Category with a timing of 7:16:54, is surprisingly not a runner, but a cyclist, and he was not expecting the win. This is his 3rd time

taking part in the event, receiving 4th and 3rd on his last two attempts. The Pilates instructor had even injured his collar in May. “I guess if you’re a strong cyclist and a little bit on the lighter side, you would have an advantage in the National Vertical Marathon,” said Velasco, still reeling from the surprise of his victory. A bulk of the winners of the Youth Category came from River Valley High School, continuing the trend from last year. Lai Zi Ying Valerie, 16, who came in 1st in the Youth Female Category, says that she had been training with her peers from the crosscountry group in her school at the HDB block opposite their school. With the first detail being flagged off at 7.15am and running till 5pm, the entire

n “I have to say this event is really well-organised, especially it being solely organised by students. I personally join a lot of sports events and this is the best-organised race so far.” Velasco Michel, Gold Medalist in the Men’s Open Category

event was commended by participants for being very well-planned. “I have to say this event is really well-organised, especially it being solely organised by students. I personally join a lot of sports events and this is the best-organised race so far,” said Velasco. According to Mhd Syah, 27, the waiting time for this year’s event was significantly shorter than previous years while for some participants, the waiting time was no problem at all. “There was free popcorn and 100 Plus and so many different game stalls. I really didn’t mind waiting for my turn because I could do all these fun things in the meantime” says Diane Therese Rozario, 20, a student from NTU. 5

Games such as Run and Dunk provided, by the Roland Yeo Organisation, and Table Soccer were among games featured at the event while participants were also treated to a Mixed Martial Arts Aerobics performance by the trainers at Pure Fitness. Event-goers could also chronicle their experience through complementary Polaroid pictures taken by the roaming Cooper Vision photographers. At the finishing point, participants could reenergize with refreshments sponsored by Uncle Toby’s and 100 Plus while enjoying the scenic view of the Singapore skyline at the 38th storey. Participants could even take a photo at the photo-booth station as a memento of their journey up. This was the first time, however, that the NVM route required participants to descend. As opposed to climbing to the 42nd storey, as was done last year, this year participants climbed up to the 41st storey before going down to the 38th storey. To Mr Lim S S, who is in his early 40’s, the change from up to down “may cause a break in momentum”, but that all in all the route was a “refreshing change that was well-executed”. The event was tailored to cater to as many categories as possible, ranging from youth, to corporate, to even a lovers category. Most participants signed up with their friends as a weekend activity. Mhd Syah however, joined the event with an ex-colleague to encourage fellow amputees to be more active. “There are actually many amputees in Singapore but not many who take part in such races actively” said Mhd Syah. The 27-year-old interior designer plans to join other races in Singapore, but it will take time as his “prosthetic leg is quite loose at the moment”. H!

X-PHYSIQUE:

The race is on Text by Hidhir Razak Photos by Raffles Studio, WH Photography, Melvin Chow

While most residents staying around Seng Kang MRT station were still enjoying their Sunday morning in bed, participants of this year’s X-Physique were already gathered at a field right beside the MRT station. With the first flag off taking place at 6.45am sharp, the field was abuzz with pockets of activity, a sharp contrast to Seng Kang’s still sleepy streets. X-Physique is an annual adventure race organised by NTU’s Sports Club, a club that aims to promote active and healthy lifestyles among NTU students as well as the general public. To do this, the club organises several events every year that are open to both NTU students, students from other schools, and the public at large, with X-Physique being one of the highlights of the club’s annual calendar. With more than 350 registrants, X-Physique 2013 was among the most anticipated out of all other similar urban adventure races organised in Singapore. The event itself required around 200 volunteers from NTU Sports Club and students from various Junior Colleges to run. Months of planning had finally culminated into a day that promised new experiences, for both participants and volunteers alike. Though the sun was barely up, the excitement was already building up among the participants. Among them were 17 year olds Leonard, Janell, and Raymond from Tampines Junior College, all three of them participating in X-Physique for the first time. “We are not really competing to win,” said Leonard, “but we are definitely excited about the activities. And of course, finishing the race!” said Leonard. Participants were able to race within any one of the five different categories available, namely the Mixed Open Category, Men’s Open Category, InterVarsity Category, Junior College Shield Category, as well as in the Lovers’ Challenge. All categories required participants to race in teams of three, with the exception of the Lovers’ Challenge, which instead featured pairs consisting of one male and one female participant.

XTREME, XCITING, XPERIENCE IT 8

The actual race itself comes in the form of a foot race, with stations along the way that each team will have to complete. Beyond the physical aspects of the race, participants were also required to navigate through the entire race using only a street directory. Had any of the teams taken a wrong turn or misread their maps, the possibility of finding themselves lost mid-race was very real. Think a scaled down version of “The Amazing Race” meeting “Ninja Warrior” and maybe that will give you an idea of what X-Physique is like. Yes. An “Amazing Ninja Race”, if you will.

The winners of each category were teams that were able to complete the most number of stations and finish the race with the shortest timing. The 1st place winners of each category stood to win up to $4000 worth of prizes, with the 2nd prize and 3rd prize worth $3000 and $1500 respectively. “We have never won before,” said Amalina, 20, vice-president of Republic Polytechnic’s Adventure Learning Club. Republic Polytechnic’s Adventure Learning Club has been sending teams to participate in X-Physique every year, with a total of five teams taking part in X-Physique 2013. “But we look forward to X-Physique every year. In fact, among all the adventure races I’ve participated in, X-Physique 2012 was one of my personal favourites. Hopefully, we will improve on our ranking this year,” she continued. When asked what she thought about her previous experiences with X-Physique, Amalina answered, “X-Physique races are challenging, requiring both brains and brawn, but they are fun as well. Some of our alumni are still participating!” The many challenging but fun stations this year included the catapult station. Participants were required to assemble a fully functioning makeshift catapult capable of tossing a ball of yarn at least 10m to another team member. Each team was given a set of materials, a rough blueprint, and only 30 minutes to complete the station. The task required focus,

time management, and any latent engineering ability the participants might have. Then there were the stations that tested participants on their physical strength and stamina, such as the Cable Crossing Station. Set up and facilitated by extreme sports company Fun Asia, participants were required to cross a 15m wide canal by pulling themselves sloth-like on a cable connecting them to the other side. As if that was not gruelling enough, they had to pull themselves back again to where they started from. It was the first time that such an activity was featured in an urban adventure race in Singapore and it ranked as among the most challenging stations in X-Physique 2013. “The Cable Crossing was our favourite station in the race,” said Desiree, 20. Both Desiree and her partner Wen Yao, 23, are regulars from the Singapore Air Force who participated in the Lovers’ Challenge. “Maybe, in the future, they could have other high element stations like abseiling and rock climbing,” she added. The pair were among the first few teams to complete the last station of X-Physique 2013, the Bouncing Bridge, a steep, curved bridge of thick latex and hot air reminiscent of the bouncing castles for children commonly seen at fairs and carnivals, only a lot more steep and harder to traverse, especially after a long and gruelling six hour race on foot.

“NTU Sports Club aims to promote a sporting lifestyle to different groups of people through various activities,” said Tan Jin Ting, the Co-Chairperson of X-Physique 2013 Organising Committee, “and X-Physique is targeted at those who seek to explore a diverse range of activities and gain new experiences in a competitive and intensive setting”. Approving the objectives of the club was Mr Teo Ser Luck, Minister of Trade and Industry and Mayor, North East District, the Guest of Honour for X-Physique 2013. “Events such as this one not only allow participants to familiarise themselves better with different parts of Singapore, they also encourage them to be physically fitter and to, more importantly, bond with each other while doing so. It is good that participation rates are up. We need clubs like NTU Sports Club to organise more similar events,” said Mr Teo. For Japheth Eng, Chairperson of the Organising Committee for X-Physique 2013, the event had a personal meaning as well. “Other than aiming for increased participation rates, I wanted to learn how to be more responsible and organised. I also wanted to be closer to the rest of my committee members as well as to have fun.” The race concluded at 5pm, with prize presentations taking place at 3.15pm and 5.15pm. But though the race was over and X-Physique 2013 had successfully drawn to a close, the end of X-Physique 2013 promised more explorations, more excitement, and more new experiences for many more years to come. H!

T e x t DANIEL NEO

P H O T O DUDLEY LIN

sports

BALANCE. RIDE.

RELAX

With the wind blowing back your hair, gliding around the sea, jumping across waves created by the motorised speedboat that is pulling you, your mind empties, your body relaxes and slowly you become one with the bright sun and calming blue waters naturally. There you are, riding the waves, or wake as it is known, across the sea comfortably like walking on solid ground. That is wakeboarding. If I have to summarise the sport in three words, it would be balance, relax and ride. But the sport is so much more. In my virgin wakeboarding experience with NTU’s Wakeboarding Club, I was strapped to a wakeboard and made to hold on tight to a handle tied to the speedboat. At this point, I would commonly be called the rider in this water sport.

For non-swimmers, do not let that stop you from trying out this sport, because interestingly, you do not need to know how to swim at all. All you need is a daring heart readied for some fun and a good level of water confidence. Do not be afraid of drowning because the life vest and wakeboard will bring you to the surface and keep you afloat at all times. So with a pair of attentive ears and an awareness of your surrounding, it is extremely safe even for beginners.

First, I had to float in the open sea in a squatting position such that my knees were touching my chest. Next, as Instructor Paul says it: “Let the boat pull you up and do the work for you.” The boat will slowly pull the rider into an upright squatting position from which he can stand up slowly and with a slight twist of the hips, he rides.

But like all other sports, there are risks even for someone as experienced and proficient as Shih Wen. “Never try to hold on to more than you can,” she warns. You can get strains easily due to the fact that wakeboarding is a full-body sport, so always let the instructor know when you are tired.

Sounds simple right? Well, let’s just say I had my fair share of seawater during my first attempt at the sport. Yet, even a stomach full of seawater was not enough to keep me from trying again and again at this amazing and thrilling sport.

A small fun fact for wakeboarding is that the harder you pull, the more likely you will be thrown off balance. So just go with the motion and keep your hands straight!

With me at the session was experienced rider and senior member of the club, Phua Shih Wen. A more than three years veteran of the sport, she rode the wakes so naturally and gracefully, allowing me to see through her the infinite possibilities in wakeboarding. “When I tried it for the first time, I just got hooked,” said Shih Wen. She confesses that she feels exhilarated but nervous every time she rides because she fears that, despite the numerous pointers, she would still be unable to perfect a trick in the short 20 minutes that she is given to ride. 12

Yet, that has never stopped her from loving the sport. She adds, “Every time I accomplish something I know it’s time to move on to a higher level. You will never get bored of it.”

For those interested to join the club or try out the sport, NTU Wakeboarding Club organises a yearly event known as Wakeboard Exposé, where participants will be introduced to the sport, learn some fundamentals, have a great riding session and have a good meal together after. The price for the half day event ranges from $85 to $95. For those who want to take up wakeboarding as a sport, it is just as easy as talking to any member and joining their sessions! Check out their Facebook group (Facebook.com/ntuwakeboarding) or email ntuwakeboard.pub@gmail.com for more details. H!

The Uphaul

Like drawing water from a well. That was the image that came to my mind as NTU Windsurfing President Tan Jit Hao demonstrated to me how to hoist the sail of a windsurfing board. Back straight and leaning back, legs akimbo, arms extended, he deftly pulled in the string that was attached to the mast. With the sail upright, and a few jerks of his feet, he repositioned his board and was all ready to catch the wind and surf towards the horizons. The uphaul, as it is called, is the first step to windsurfing. Just jump onto the board and pull in the string, I thought. As simple as that. Like drawing water from a well. Until I tried it. Righting myself on the board wasn’t that difficult. I was using a beginner’s board after all; one that is broader and hence more stable. It was the balancing while uphauling that really required skill. The sail feels heavy at first because one has to hoist it above water, but then it feels much lighter once it breaks the surface. The key is to moderate your strength, all the while balancing your weight on the board. Not to worry if you aren’t too adept; the sea will welcome you with a rapturous splash as you fall into its salty embrace. After three tries, and the accompanying three splashes, I managed to uphaul successfully, balancing myself on the board with the sail upright. “Ok, now pull in your left hand, and hold the mast with your right. Tilt the sail to catch the wind while you reposition board with your feet. Make sure to keep the sail in front of you,” instructed Jit Hao. Splash, I replied.

Pumping, in windsurfing, is very much like what recruits do in Pulau Tekong. The only difference is that it is vertical, and from the side, it looks like a violent pole dance, what with the windsurfer juddering against the mast. But while recruits find it easy, windsurfers don’t. It involves jerking the boom (a circular bar attached to the sail) inwards and outwards to create a giant fanning motion that propels the board forwards. However, violent pole dances come with their attendant destabilizing consequences. The board wobbles like jelly during an earthquake and windsurfers will have to carefully balance themselves. As expected, Andy does it like a pro. And I do not, for a single moment, suspect his nocturnal activities.

Chasing Sunsets

After my sixth try, I managed to get the board to move. Above the contentious waves I kept, and soared. For about five metres. An achievement no less! Twas only 20 minutes ago I first climbed onto a windsurfing board …

CATCHING WINDS By: Darryl Leong Photos by: Darryl Leong, NTU Windsurfing, Wall

save.com

“With the sail upright, and a few jerks repositioned his board and was all re of his feet, he ady to and surf towards the horizons.”catch the wind

Pumping the Boom

Getting the board to move with the wind isn’t easy. First you’ve got to catch the wind. No, wait. First, you’ve got to have wind. Singapore is one of those rare places on earth where you either have wind, so much that coffeeshop chairs can be blown away, or you don’t. At all. That’s what makes windsurfing here at once challenging and exciting. “It feels like freedom when you are out in the open sea with the seemingly endless boundary. When the wind comes in strong, you use all your might to pull in hard and off you go racing on the sea, with the bumps created by the accompanying waves making the ride much more exciting.” “And at the end of the run, there is a sense of satisfaction and the adrenaline in you just leaves you craving for more!” says Jit Hao. “But if there is no wind, we’ll just have to pump.”

But for Jit Hao and the rest of his team who have climbed onto such boards a gazillion times, catching the wind and surfing into infinity and beyond is no less a part of their lives as eating, breathing and sleeping — as long as they sail back or risk paying a fine. I spoke with Jit Hao about NTU Windsurfing and his experiences in the club.

during trainings?

Jit Hao: It is almost like sailing, except that instead of a boat, we use a windsurf board. H!: What brought you into windsurfing as a sport/hobby?

H!: Does the club, or individual members, have any

JH: I have always been interested in water sports and like to try out new sports. Therefore when I had the opportunity to participate in windsurfing, I decided to give it a try and now it has grown to become my hobby.

JH: The NTU Windsurfers have won several awards in the Inter Tertiary Windsurfing Competition over the years.

H!: What is your most memorable experience with NTU Windsurfing?

JH: There was once when the wind was super strong and I excitedly sailed very far out into the sea. All of a sudden the wind just stopped blowing (Singapore’s wind condition is very prone to sudden change). There I was stranded out at sea and I had to slowly paddle all the way back to the shore. Fortunately, after much paddling, the PA Water Venture rescue boat spotted me and gave me a free ride back to shore! H!: What are some special skills or talents one needs to windsurf well?

JH: A good sense of balance and a good sense of the direction of wind would be useful in shortening the

achting is as commonly misunderstood as it is mispronounced here in Singapore. Many, including myself, thought it was simply about pushing a boat out to sea and sailing into the beautiful horizon. It turns out yachting isn’t as smooth sailing as it looks (pun intended). The background work that goes on to produce that picturesque imagery is unimaginable. Sailors have to be light-footed and quick thinking while on the boat.

H!: How often do you guys train? And what do you do JH: We conduct our weekly training on either Saturdays or Sundays, from 1.30pm to 5pm. For the beginners, we usually start with the basics like sailing straight. After which we will move on to basic maneuvers such as changing directions and making 180 degrees turn, and technical manoeuvres such as tacks and gybes. When the windsurfer gets more comfortable, we usually let them sail on their own and they can venture out into the deeper sea!

HERE!: Windsurfing is not a very popular sport in Singapore. How would you describe windsurfing to someone who has never heard of it?

learning curve at the beginning. They are, however, not mandatory. With consistent practice, you will be windsurfing around the sea in no time!

achievements over the years?

The most recent ones are: • 2011 ITWC Female Novice 4m Category: 1st Runner Up • 2012 ITWC Female Intermediate 5m Category: Champion • 2012 ITWC Male Novice 4m Category: 2nd Runner Up H!: Why should one pick up windsurfing, or join NTU Windsurfing for that matter?

Sailing AIN’T NO CRUISE

JH: If you love the sun, the sea and the adrenaline rush from the speed, join us down at the beach! H!: How can one join NTU Windsurfing? JH: Do look out for our booth during the Welcome Week or drop us an email at ntuwindsurf@gmail.com H!

The NTU Yachting Club (NTUYC) has braved storms as well as fought hard at regattas (a term for boat races) to proudly emerge as Champions of the Western Circuit 2012 — a first for NTU. So, I trust the team when they say sailing requires as much brain juice as it does sweat and blood. The team, made up of President Daniella Ng, Vice-President Arjun, Treasurer Joanne Wee, and racers Vasily Sidorov, Vicki Chng, Darrell Leong and John Joel Seow, shared with us their experiences from the magical realm of wind and waves. HERE!: Hi guys, tell us how you first started sailing!

Daniella: I started sailing in primary school when the sailing teacher-in-charge approached me and asked if I could learn to sail just to help make the numbers in the Nationals. I agreed to it and my parents were supportive of my decision — even though it would put a huge hole in their pockets. I religiously attended trainings because it was so fun and free (apart from personal items like gloves & booties). I placed 4th in that competition, but I wasn’t upset about it. Our school managed to come in 1st place and I made that difference! That was my goal, and I’m glad I managed to make the school proud and prove that I was worth the investment.

Text by: Michelle Png Photos by: NTU Yachting Club

H!: Sailing is a rather unique sport in Singapore, how would you describe sailing to someone who has absolutely no clue what it’s about? Daniella: Someone once said, “Sailing is like running a marathon while playing a game of chess”. It requires both strength, cardiovascular endurance and involves a lot of tactics. On strong wind days, you feel it in your muscles and on light wind days it can be mentally draining.

H!: What’s special about sailing to you? Darrell: As a child, I was inspired by stories of voyagers who sailed the high seas. I think these stories, along with their Kraken-sized fictitious plot elements, has sort of developed a hunger for adventure within me. I’ve been having dreams of sailing the world ever since, and I held on to it to keep that inner-child in me alive. Joining the club feels like taking a tiny step towards realising this ridiculous goal, and small progressions like these are the things that makes me feel alive and youthful as I mature into the working world.

H!: Why a water sport and not a land sport? I’m sure readers would want to know how you cope with the sea-sickness, if you do get sea sick.

“I’ve been having dreams of sailing the world ever since, and I held on to it to keep that inner-child in me alive. Joining the club feels like taking a tiny step towards realising this ridiculous goal...”

John: Sailing is a sport that requires constant vigilance; one also needs to be able to keep his or her wits when plunged into a sea of chaos (no pun intended). Vicki: The feeling of freedom and happiness when I’m on sea! To feel the wind in your hair and knowing that it’s just you, the boat and the sea is just a feeling that simply cannot be described.

Daniella: Sailing is like driving. When you are a driver, you don’t get motion sickness from your own driving. Sometimes when you are in the passenger seat, you feel how terrible the driving is. But when I am steering the boat, I don’t feel it. H!: Care to share with us non-sailors what it feels like to sail with the sea breeze in your hair and the sun beating down on your neck?

Vasily: What I like the most is to sail upwind because the wind blows in your face. When you sail with the wind, you don’t feel it on the boat at all and it seems like you are not really moving. Upwind, the boat tilts such that it’s almost going to capsize. You and the team try to outweigh the boat with your own weight. That’s a great feeling. H!: What was the most memorable experience you had while sailing?

Darrell: Definitely last year’s boat delivery from the West Coast to Changi. A storm built up towards the end of our journey when we experienced epic winds, waves and rain. Visibility was so poor that we had to get directions from our smart phones. The thrill I felt then is something I’ve longed to experience, kind of reminded me of the scene in “The Perfect Storm” when the boat headed into its final massive wave, and the captain went, “Come On!”. It was cold, rain was beating down like crazy, the swells were intimidating, but I’d trade a comfortable day mugging indoors for this any day! John: My most memorable experience was when I had to climb the mast in rough weather, as part of my “initiation” into the team. Although I am not normally afraid of heights, it’s not the same 11m up in a boat violently swaying back and forth! No joke! H!: Do you guys go on sailing trips out at sea or any of the like? Daniella: Currently, due to time constraints and resources, we usually only conduct trainings for people interested in competitive racing instead of recreational sailing. We do organise Fun-Sails for students 2-3 times a year. Arjun: One of our competitions, the Singapore Straits Regatta is held at the Nongsa Point Marina in Batam and we sail over. So that is a yearly retreat for us. Other than that we have been planning a trip to Lazarus island for a while now.

H!: Are there any competitions that the team takes part in? Joanne: NTUYC mainly takes part in Singapore Straits Regatta, Changi Sailing Club J24 Championships, Republic of Singapore Yacht Club Regatta and Western Circuit. We are looking to participating in more regattas in future. H!: How often do you guys usually train? And what do you do during trainings? Arjun: We have 2 trainings every week. One on land where we have physical training and one water training where we are on the boat sailing for about 2-3 hours trying to improve our techniques. Daniella: In the initial phase, we’d try to let everyone have a go at the different positions on the boat to let them have a feel at what they want to do; from the front: the bow, mast, pit, trim, main and helm. Closer to a competition, we’d decide the roles and practice them on the boat, making sure that movements are fast and efficient. H!: How do I join NTU Sailing if I’m interested? Do I need experience and is there any criteria I need to fulfil? Daniella: You can drop us an e-mail at sailwithntu@ gmail.com or sign-up for out Keelboat Fun-Sails during events like CCA Fair and Sports Exposé! You don’t need to have any sailing experience, just the love for water and some passion! H!

features Returning for their three song encore that was “more than what most bands give you” (claims Alex), they continued with crowd favourites The Reckless and the Brave, Weightless and ending their night with Dear Maria, Count Me In. After a spectacular show of tossing their guitars, Alex managed to fully move around the stage for the first time that night while Jack headed into the crowd, attired happily with a purple bra.

of their travel show. The trademark bras kept raining onto the stage throughout the night, with some even striking unfortunate photographers and security guards. While Zack did not speak much, he still hopped around the stage and even executed his signature timed jumps with Jack. Not to be outdone, Jack interacted the most with the crowd, often tossing guitar picks into the outreaching hands of girls and venturing into the crowd twice.

The crowd’s love for All Time Low clearly showed, prompting them to vow to return at least seven times and to decide to move to Singapore. Let’s hope the boys keep their promises because I can’t wait to see what else they can come up with. H!

All Time Low delivered, much to the delight of their fans. Their years of road tours experience showed itself clearly, and at no time of the night did the tolls

TEXT ADELA LIM photos Kenneth L./Morethangoodhooks.com

Rocking Rocking with Low AllonTime All Time Low

On March 6, under the shelter of the Hard Rock Hotel Coliseum, local band Dropbeat Heartbeat took the stage at a little past eight. While they managed to get the crowd singing along, it was clear which band the largely teenaged crowd were there for. Chants of “All Time Low” punctured the set in between songs but Dropbeat Heartbeat took it in their stride and delivered their own brand of pop punk goodness. When All Time Low finally strolled on stage and played the opening chords of Somewhere in Neverland, the screams that started never ended. Despite it being their fourth week on the road and away from home, their fatigue did not show. Lead singer Alex Gaskarth had flawless vocals and guitarist Jack Barakat’s infectious energy got the crowd jumping together with him. 20

After their usual greetings, the band quickly moved on to Forget About It, much to the audience’s excitement. The songs from the band’s album on a mainstream label, Dirty Work, received the loudest cheers and sing-a-longs. For Baltimore moved the entire crowd into a singing frenzy, earning a smile from Alex himself. Despite moving away from the theme of partying in their latest album, Don’t Panic, the band didn’t forget their true love in life. Alex, happily yelled, “This song is about beer!” before launching into Stella, off 2009’s Nothing Personal. For all their current fame and success, All Time Low did not forget about their earlier fans. After crowd favourite, If These Sheets Were States, Alex informed the crowd that they were going to play some earlier stuff and launched into Jasey

Rae. While the enthusiasm level was not as high as their recent songs, many older concertgoers made up for it with their heartfelt sing-a-long with Alex. Two more fast-paced songs, Damned If I Do Ya (Damned If I Don’t) and Coffee Shop Soundtrack followed before the band decided to slow it down. Stripping it down to just a guitar, Alex launched into Remembering Sunday and Therapy. Screams of “I Love You Alex!” did nothing to drown the crowd’s voices as they sang as one with the band. All too soon, they returned to their upbeat songs that showcased Rian Dawson’s spectacular drumming and Zack Merrick’s bass lines. Moving from Lost in Stereo and ending with Time Bomb, the crowd did not rest on their feet, gamely jumping along. 21

lifestyle

n a e p o r u E y M

To book or not to book?

e r u t n e v Grad

When our favourite homegrown star, Mr Huang Wen Yong, passed on suddenly at the relatively young age of 60, my mother, along with the rest of Singapore, was shocked. That was when a sudden wave of revelation struck her; he was 60 and she was 5*(shh, a woman’s age is a highly guarded secret). Life is indeed short and accidents and illnesses can befall anyone in the blink of an eye. And she was musing about the need to take a holiday. “Hey mom, how about we backpack to Europe together?” I chirped, praying fervently she’ll say yes. Within 15 minutes, the plane tickets were booked, marking the advent of our adventure.

Paris: visiting the city of Romance and Love… with mother dearest After 14 hours of flight, we finally touched down at Charles De Gaulle Airport. Bonjour Paris! With my handy Deuter bag slung carefully in front of me and waist pouches tucked safely underneath our jeans, we purchased a two day museum pass and dived straight into the famous Parisian museums. Housing some of the globes’ most important and rich collections, these museums — Musée du Louvre, Musée d’Orsay, Centre Georges Pompidou, Musée Rodin and more — are outstanding for their breadth and historic importance. Our eyes were literally kept wide open in wonder for the entire 2 days. Our second night was spent exploring the Montmarte area — my favourite place in Paris. Interestingly, Montmarte used to hold as studio and homes to some of the most famous artists of the century like Pablo Picasso, Vincent Van Gough and Claude Monet. Wandering down the streets, we asked a local for directions to the Basilica de Sacre-Coeur and recommendations for dinner. We ended up at a café nestled at the end of the streets serving simply the best scrumptious frutti de mare (seafood pasta). Wandering into a nearby alley, I immediately drank in the sight of beautifully and romantically lit streets with open air cafes. Ordering a glass of white wine and declaring cheers to the start of our holiday, my mother and I clinked our glasses, smiled and relaxed into the beauty of the night.

Paris: Au revoir!]

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“Ah Girl ah, tomorrow wake up at 5 am okay,” my mom nagged. “What?! 6 am lah, our flight is at 10 am leh!” I grumbled, rolling my eyes heavenwards. The haggling continued. Little did I know, this number one “kiasu” aspect of my mother was going to come in handy. We were taking Ryanair, a cheap domestic flight to Bordeaux Airport and according to the locals, was only a short bus ride away from the train station. The shock of my life came when I bought the tickets at €14 per person. That was half the cost of my plane ticket. Asking the bus instructor, we were aghast to find that the bus was a 2 hour long drive to the airport, practically at some remote countryside. Apparently, since it’s a budget airlines airport, their location was budget-friendly as well. This threw our schedule off and we ended up in a mad-rush to the airport with no time to spare. Taking a budget flight was ridiculously insane; we had to beat the long queues, tried to squeeze and shove to ensure our baggage could fit into the miserable 55 x 40 x 20cm dimensions. It was total mayhem, but my mother and I had a hearty laugh after it all. What a way to start our trip to Rome.

ROMe: When in Rome, Do as the Romans do

I am not sure if the Romans threw coins in the Trevi Fountains, took jump shots at the Colosseum or visited the Vatican Museum, but that’s definitely a must-do in Rome. We were surprised to find that the saying “All roads lead to Rome” held true; indeed, there are numerous streets and winding roads you can take to reach your destination. What I recommend is to just stow away your map and wander around. Be sure to visit some Piazzas as well and spend some time chilling and people-watching. Speaking of food, the pizzas, pastas and gelatos in Rome are simply mamma mia! So, eat away, but be careful to avoid the touristy cafes and opt for hidden delights at little streets with plenty of Italians dining there instead. If there’s anything I’ve learnt about them Italians, it is that they really savour their dinner. These hearty people can sit down for a good four hours, just chatting, eating slowly and drinking. Italians drink, a lot.

Sorrento: of lemon trees and beautiful coast lines

While planning my itinerary, I was bored of visiting the usual museums and churches and chanced upon Sorrento. Set in

Southern Italy, Sorrento is a small town in Campania with beautiful coastlines. It was love at first sight the moment I touched down. The tantalising scents of lemon trees and fresh flowers greeted us warmly as we strolled down the streets. The next three days passed in a flash — visiting the ancient ruins of Pompeii, taking a refreshing dip at the Mariana Grande and strolling by the beautiful Almafi coasts and Island of Capris with the most crystal blue waters available. After dinner at one of the alfresco restaurants, a charming waiter even treated us to our first limoncello (a shot of Italian produced lemon liquor) made fresh from his backyard. To our delight, the limoncello was refreshing and very addictive, leaving even my mother wanting more. On the last night, a local Italian friend took me for a ride around the piers and surprised me with a long drive up the cliffs. On top, I was treated to a panoramic view of the stars and the twinkling coasts of Sorrento. Nearby, fireflies lit up the world as they buzzed around the lemon trees and I couldn’t help falling in love with the city all over again.

Venice: completed with a gondola ride

Having received plenty of warnings from my friends that Venice was an over-touristy place which charges €1.50 even to use the toilet, I was duly warned. Nevertheless, nothing could prepare me for an astronomically expensive gondola ride with rates going at €80 per boat and €100 per boat at night.

Taking a gondola was definitely one of the few things I wanted to tick off my bucket list and so I came up with a brilliant plan to find two more people to split the costs. I mustered my courage and asked random passersby if they were interested. Sadly, there were none that were. About 10 people rejected me until we realised that the only people who wanted to take gondola rides were all couples, who probably wouldn’t want to share for obvious reasons. In the end, we paid for the ride. On the bright side, sitting on the gondola was an awesome experience as the gondolier introduced us to the various architectures alongside the river while the boat rocked gently along the Seine River. Not that I will do it again though.

Switzerland: yodeleyheeehoooo

Switzerland is a beautiful and very expensive place for a vacation, but anyone who has been to Switzerland will tell you that it is worth it. The famous Swiss alps, never-ending lakes and rapid streams are bound to leave you breathless and craving for more. We were lucky to be blessed with good weather the day we decided to visit Jungfrau, Europe’s highest mountain with an elevation of 4,158m. Few of my friends who went previously were unable to catch a glimpse due to the mist and fog, which happens frequently. (Tip: Always check the live video broadcast of the views the mountains before purchasing the ticket to head up. Tickets tend to be expensive so you do not want to spend a ton of money only to miss the sights.)

The second day at Interlaken was well spent taking a 2 hour boat ride along Lake Lucerne before proceeding to take a ride on the world’s steepest cogwheel railway up Mount Pilatus. These are still considered the tip of the ice berg for activities in Switzerland. For the more adventurous, why not try your hand at bungee jumping James Bond 007 style from the Verzasca Dam or hang gliding in Luzern? And if you’re tired, you can spike up your adrenaline level with the truffles, pralines, cakes or good plain ol’ chocolate made by the famous Swiss chocolatiers. There’s already a huge pile of swiss chocolates stocked up in my fridge.

Paris: There and back once more

Our last few days were spent madly shopping at the Avenue des Champs Elysees — commonly known as la plus belle avenue du monde (“the most beautiful avenue in the world”) and arguably, the most expensive too. Louis Vuitton, Long Champ, Pierre Hermes’s macaroons — this is your heaven, ladies. Instead of taking the elevator up the Eiffel Tower, we opted for a picnic breakfast at one of the grass patches nearby with prosciutto, sandwiches, fruits and some wine. Don’t forget to visit the Eiffel Tower to catch a glimpse of its light shows and head on to Trocadero to take the mandatory (and obligatory) self portraits with the Eiffel Tower.

What happens after?

As my short getaway steals to a close, I’m well aware of the fading buzz that comes with the end of holidays. But to my mother and I, this trip to Europe only marks the beginning of other adventures. Not only has the bond between mother and daughter strengthened, but my mother has also sworn off agency tours forever and has future plans to go backpacking with her friends. For me, I was simply inspired by the many girls whom I’ve met along the way who dared to backpack alone. The roads may be frightening, especially if you’re going solo. But adventure does not come when you’re well within your comfort zone. So, I have decided to take baby steps and plan a backpacking trip alone to Thailand first. How about you, dear reader? Don’t just dream about it, dare to do it. H!

n retrospect, bring a map, know your game. Learning this lesson never came at a more appropriate time. Sitting in a Taiwanese police station cold, muddied and not having a single cent to your name. Wait, for that to happen you first needed a name. I didn’t have that then, nobody could identify me, not at least for the next 50km radius or so. So how did this holiday go all so wrong?

About 72 hours ago, I arrived in Taipei along with my bicycle. I had my equipment checked and packed. All that was needed was to assemble the bicycle, get myself psyched for the biking expedition and never look back. The reason for this was a cyclo-camping trip. The term cyclo-camping involves the use of a bicycle to portage camping equipment such as tents, sleeping bags and whatever that is needed for the trip. Getting the bicycle ready for the trip involved evening out the weight from the various packs that was mounted on the frame. The packing convention is simple; put as much weight onto the bicycle so as to unload the rider. When doing so, remember to adjust the air pressures for the tires and the shocks as additional load present. What made this trip special for me was that it was going to be an unsupported solo cyclocamping trip into the trails of Taipei. The night before the trip, I took the extra time to enjoy the comforts of the first world. Just in case, I purchased a switchblade, a lie to myself for the self-protection I was unable to render. Ride to Wulai, ride to Tonghou, ride out. The plan was simple enough not to have a map. I knew the general direction and I knew the distance, what could go wrong? I followed the plan and rode from Xindian to Wulai. Wulai was my last and final chance that I could restock my supplies. I purchased about six meals worth of food and a couple of chocolate bars before heading into the Tonghou trail. Heading into the trail was definitely a pleasant change. Gone were the worries about the countless emails and messages I had to reply. As the phone reception diminished, so did my worries of my responsibilities, at least till the trip ended. I had nature all around me and the only electronic equipment working was my Suunto Ambit tracking my distance and giving me direction. I was on my own. The Tonghou trail followed the river all the way into the mountains. As civilisation faded away, the roads were increasingly replaced with hard-pack dirt tracks and eventually just mere rocks. At certain points, some obstacles required the bicycle to be split into its components and portaged separately over them. Failure was certainly not an option as it meant a six metre fall down the cliff and into the flowing rivers. With each difficulty that I cleared, I told myself that this was a traverse and that the only way out was forward. I wasn’t going to turn back. However with the increasing number of cross roads, I began to doubt my game plan: Was I on the right track? Were the obstacles that I had cleared part of the correct track? These questions certainly weren’t helping my morale. Looking at my scarred and muddied shins on the wooden bench in the police station, I laugh at the fact that I somehow managed to crawl through the trail. Wearing a clean set of clothes was a huge contrast to who I was just 24 hours ago. The most memorable obstacle I had encountered then were the slippery log steps. I had no way of climbing them with my bicycle as these cleats had no grip. The only way possible was to sit on each individual rung and lug up the 25kg bicycle. As they say, the only way to eat a proverbial elephant is to have one bite at a time, one step at a time.

As the night got lighter I immediately got out of my tent to check if it was true. There it was, a sign facing the opposite direction! All the crossroads, which I had bypassed, brought me to this; the possibility of opposite human traffic. I quickly broke camp, topped up my water supply and proceeded onto the trail. At 770m above sea level, the trail was heading in the completely wrong direction and increasing in altitude. It started to feel like I was pushing against a stationary wall. I didn’t know where I was or how long more it was going to be. Although I should have gotten a detailed map, now was not the time to ruminate. Since I was already here, I wanted to see it to the end, with or without a bicycle.

Soon the sun began to set, and I had to get my tent set up before it got dark. I found a nice spot next to the river where I pitched my tent and changed out of my muddied attire. Before the sun was completely gone, I caught a glimpse of a sign, a special one. I quickly got into the tent as night blanketed us. When you’re alone in a 1.8m by 50cm tent, you are quickly accustomed after the fear of being robbed dissolves into the mountain sounds. First, you think of the people that want you safe, say your family, friends and perhaps a special somebody. After a while you start to run out of people to think of, then you begin to fiddle with your equipment. You start to explore every feature of your watch before you stop with the fear that the battery will run out when you need it the most. Finally, you dissolve into the sounds of the river and cicadas, watching the fireflies as you doze off. Remember that special sign? There was something different about it. It was facing the opposite direction, which could mean that there were people coming from the other direction. During the night it gave me hope and something to look forward to the moment day broke. I didn’t know if I was on the right trail; my exhausted mind was certainly not helping. All I hoped was that I wasn’t hallucinating when I saw the oppositefacing sign.

The trail was getting impossible even to push. I decided that the optimal decision was to hike out as far as I could to see if there were any more “ridable” sections. This hike took me up the mountain and above the canopy, and from that vantage point I saw the possibility of riding out. I cached my bag into the bushes and took a GPS log of the spot before going back for my bike. I split my bicycle into its components once more and portaged it up the mountain into the clearing where I had logged my bag. It took a good hour and countless trips and backtracks to shift everything but finally, when I made it back to my logged location, my heart sank. My bag was gone. There I was with no food, no water and no idea how long more the trail was going to be. Stripped of all the criteria of survival and left only with a tent, my mind was riddled with a million questions. Should I turn back because I knew the road or should I just plunge forward into the unknown? I had no form of communication with the outside world. After calming down, I decided that the shortest way was to chase the person who might have taken my bag. It was a risky decision given that the trail might require an additional night, since it wasn’t the original trail. Following this trail led me to civilisation, where I was picked up by a kind-hearted local who sent me to where I am now — a Taiwanese police station in Yilan. The loss of my bag stung, but at least I made it out of the trail in one piece. Now here, I smile to myself, knowing that this will not be the last of my solo expeditions with my bicycles. It had definitely been a memorable trip, leaving me hungry for much more. H!

Life is like riding a bicycle. To keep your balance, you must keep moving. -Albert Einstein

mci (P) 151/12/2012