Thank you very much Awaji. See you again. 淡路島 本当にありがとう. また会おう.

The ten and a half days spent in Japan was an experience we will remember for a very long time. Besides learning about peace in Hiroshima, we also learnt very much about the Japanese culture on Awaji Island. We made many personal friends and let's do our best to keep in touch with all of them. The children bonded with the pupils of Osaki and their host families. It was not surprising, with the care and concern shown to all members of our delegation and not just to our children. We are all very touched by the hospitality of the people we have encountered in Awaji. Thank you very much, Awaji! Someday, we shall meet again!

Departure Time

On the last morning in Awaji, everyone gathered at Osaki with their luggage. We all went to the school hall, with all the Osaki pupils and host families present. At the farewell ceremony, speeches were made and the children sang for each other. Eyes started to get teary. The Osaki pupils, teachers and host families then formed a chain and we had to walk past them. It was then time to board the bus for the airport. The floodgate of tears broke open at this point in time. Tears flowed openly, while some were crying loudly. It also started to drizzle. There was much reluctance to part, as no one wanted to board the bus. Eventually, we had to go. Do take a look at the photos for a feel of how emotionally charged the farewell was. Our children were still crying in the bus. On a happier note, we celebrated yet another birthday onboard the flight back to Singapore.

Thank You and Farewell Party

On 12 Jun, the children started the day with a calligraphy class. After some practising, all our children had to write in Kanji the word for friend. After that, they interacted with kids from the lower elementary classes. Mr Yeo presented Mr Hamabe with tokens of appreciation from our school. It was then lunch time and we had bento boxed lunches. A short rest later, our children practised their performance items for the thank you and farewell party at night. By then, it was in the evening and the children changed into their traditional ethnic costumes. The party was a grand affair with Mr Kado, Mayor for Awaji City; Mr Kobayashi, President of the Hyogo Prefecture Children's Association; Mr Takahashi, Chairman of Awaji Island and other officials all present. After the official speeches, Mr Yeo presented plaques to members of the organising committee. It was then time for our children to thank their host families. The dinner began and after eating, our children put up their performance items including songs and a dance. We were also pleasantly surprised by some dance items our hosts had arranged for us. It was a very memorable last night in Awaji, before we depart for Singapore the next morning.

Final Update from Japan but this Blog is not closed

This may be the final update from Japan, as I may not have time to post tomorrow because of a full schedule and a thank you and farewell party at night. We will be leaving Awaji on the morning of 13 Jun to head for Kansai International Airport. See you guys back in Singapore at night on 13 Jun! Stay tuned for the closure of this blog and final updates to the photo album! All these will be done when we return to Singapore.

Rice Planting, Incense Making and Interacting with the Local Kids

This morning, we boarded a minivan and went to Yanagisawa Elementary School for a rice planting session with their pupils. The rice field was just across a small road in front of the school. After removing their footwear, the children were ready to go into the field. Their first steps into the rice field were accompanied by squeals as their legs sank into the mud, right up to their calves! A rope across the entire length of the field was used to mark the spots where the rice was to be planted. All the children held on to their rice and planted a few stalks at each spot. The rice had to be planted in a backward direction and every step back meant bending down to plants the rice stalks. Now we know what the song “Planting Rice is Never Fun” really meant. Indeed, every grain of rice is precious!

After lunch, we proceeded to a famous incense making factory. The children watched a video show before taking a tour of the factory, looking at the machinery and processes for making incense. Here comes the best part: we all got to make our own! Besides the smell of the incense, even the colour can be decided. The children also received gifts of incense from the company! The later part of the afternoon was spent interacting with the local kids in their day care centre.

A Day Spent in the Great Outdoors; Making Your Own Pizza and Handicrafts

Yesterday morning, we took a 45 min drive to the northern part of Awaji for an outdoor experience. There was a gigantic structure made entirely from bamboo and ropes admist the trees. It even consisted of a slide! There were also hammocks and swings around the play area. Outside the hut were containers of shells, nuts and other natural materials with which to make our own handicrafts. The children were allowed to explore the place and take up their own activities. Soon it was time to prepare lunch and the children got to make their own pizzas! The interesting part was that their pizzas were baked in an oven heated with wood. Even the fire was started in a natural manner by using magnifying glasses! After lunch, the children carried on with their exploration. The staff of the outdoor camp then started their preparations for a German cake. It was made in a very tedious manner with two people continuously turning a bamboo pole with layer after layer of batter baked over a wooden fire. The whole process lasted nearly 3 hours! We also celebrated another birthday with the German cake on this day. The children also made plenty of their own handicrafts with natural materials. A very refreshing experience and proof that the outdoors and nature have much to offer.

Taiko and Bonding with our Host Families

This morning we met at the Awaji Cultural Centre to try our hands on taiko (traditional Japanese drums). The children were all ready to begin when they were informed they had to put on their Japanese dressing. The lesson began with the taiko teachers instructing the children on how to get the rhythm and beat the drums right. After practising the different beats, they were required to play the whole piece together! I think they did very well, as one of the teachers joined them in playing the piece together! (See the photos!) Next, this nice gentleman came to show the children how to play some games with a simple blowing toy. The best part was that the children got to make their own ones! As lunch time approached, the host families came to pick up our children and they spent the afternoon bonding．Only three more days before we have to return to　Singapore. Time sure flies when you're having so much fun!

Dragnet Fishing and Soap Making

After meeting in school, we set off for the beach together with pupils from Osaki for a first-hand experience of dragnet fishing. The sky was somewhat cloudy but rain did not fall. The pupils were given briefings, including one by the local fishermen. Then the pupils got into their position. A short wait later, the boat casting the net could be seen. The ends of the net were then brought to shore where the pupils from both schools combined efforts with the teachers, facilitators and local fishermen to haul the net in. Initially, there was some disappoinment as no fish or other sea creatures were seen. It was when we hauled in the last part of the net that we saw our catch. There were fish of different varieties (including harmless small sharks), octopuses, crabs and squid! As the children examined the sea creatures, their host families and teachers took many photos. The harvest was immediately sent to be prepared as sashimi while some were to be barbecued. As the food was being prepared, the children played by the beach. What an idyllic setting! Soon, the food was ready and everyone tucked in happily. More games followed after the sumptuous lunch of super fresh seafood.

All of us took a rest in school before proceeding for a soap making experience. Before the soap making, we were welcomed to cut our very own fresh lavender flowers. Then we made two of our very own soap with tea leaves!

First Day in Osaki Elementary School

Yesterday was our first day in Osaki Elementary. After the welcoming ceremony and speeches by the principals, our pupils introduced themselves to their new Japanese friends. The children then played some sports games. This was followed by lunch in the school's meal room. Our pupils had their first taste of what lunch is like in a Japanese elementary school. They had to serve their classmates food and everyone ate the same dishes. After lunch, they had to clear their trays and even flatten their milk boxes for recycling!

A short rest later, our pupils helped the Osaki pupils to clean their classrooms. It was then off to the school hall for some traditional Japanese games. The highlight of the day was the tea ceremony, where our children also got to savour the green tea. The richness was unlike any of the green tea we have experienced before!

Greetings from Awaji Island and... ... Photos Are Up!

We arrived on Awaji Island last evening where we were very warmly welcomed with a grand reception. At the reception were the Mayor of Awaji City, Principal of Osaki Elementary School and other government/education officials. The children were then introduced to their host families and spent their first night with them. This morning, we met in Osaki Elementary School, where many activities have been arranged for our Riverlites and their Japanese pupils. The photos which I'm sure many of you are eagerly waiting for have been posted. They are available here: http://picasaweb.google.com/jerry.cksoh Currently, they are organised by their dates. I'll try to add some simple captions if internet access and time are more available. By the way, I'm posting the photos through the kind courtesy of Osaki's principal from an internet access point in his office! Do stay tuned for more updates and photos!

Downtown Hiroshima and Miyajima

Yesterday, we had sandwiches and tea for breakfast in a local deli. After breakfast, we headed to the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park. At the Cenotaph for the A-bomb victims, we laid some flowers and a speech was read out by one of our pupils. Next, we presented the paper cranes from our school at the Sadako Memorial. Mr Yeo read the school's message for peace and registered it in the paper crane registration database. The pupils were then shown a video about the atomic bombing of Hiroshima before they proceeded to tour the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum. After a lunch of udon noodles, we had a stroll around the Peace Memorial Park where we saw the A-bomb Dome. It was then off to a 45 min cruise down the Hiroshima River. Later, the pupils had their first taste of shopping in Japan in a Daiso shop. Dinner was baked cheese rice before we returned to Aster Plaza. The pupils discussed the day's learning and each group made a presentation to the others.

After breakfast this morning, we rode Hiroshima's streetcar (electric tram) to the ferry terminal to head for Miyajima. The views were indeed beautiful and the pupils were delighted by the free-roaming deer on the island. We also had the opportunity to witness an actual Shinto wedding ceremony of an American man and his Japanese bride! We returned to Hiroshima in the late afternoon for more shopping and ended the day with a dinner of Hiroshima's famous okonomiyaki. As I'm posting this, the pupils have already packed their luggage and are resting in their rooms. Tomorrow, we head to Awaji Island for the beginning of the homestay attachment. Meanwhile, do stay tuned to this blog. However, don't be concerned if it's not updated as I've yet to discover the internet access on Awaji. I'll post the pictures taken so far and provide further updates once internet access is more functional. Good night!

Arrival in Hiroshima

Our delegation has arrived safely in Hiroshima and our programme is according to schedule, other than a two and a half hour traffic jam when we were only about 30 minutes away from Hiroshima City! As there is no internet connection at our current lodging (this blog is being updated from an internet kiosk), no pictures can be uploaded at this point in time. Those of you who are expecting pictures will have to wait until we arrive in Awaji Island on Wednesday. Meanwhile, we are looking forward to our paper crane presentation ceremony and the trip to the Hiroshima Peace Museum tomorrow. Good Night!

Link to Picasa Web Album

Dear parents

If you would like to see all photos that have been uploaded without reading this blog, click on the following link:

http://picasaweb.google.com/jerry.cksoh

Mr Yeo's email

Dear parents

You can email our principal, Mr Yeo at this email address: atyeo1@gmail.com