Yesterday Once More: 1997 Navy MSTD Trip - Day 15

15 Sept 1997 Flashback

Kept 4am - 8am watch and in the morning does some paintwork. Was quite tired in the afternoon, lowered the EP. CO causes much rules and procedures involve more complex things like having safety belt for the mids. LKY was also reprimanded for talking in Hokkien. He was fed up with it. The EP didn't run as smoothly as I thought we could. Play deck soccer for JRM vs Mids (Tiger). Won 3-0, RP Quek netting a hat-trick. Kept 8pm - 12pm watch but went up at 10pm as Hon took 2 hours extra for disregarding pipe. Watch the karaoke competition and there were a few surprise finalists like Yam, LSWT and etc....Tomorrow is "Zhong Qiu Jie", heard there are mooncakes for makan. Quite a few days, never write to C , wonder how doing.

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On the shipcrews mention, RP Quek is a regular radarplotter and he came upon L202 later than me though we attended the same basic seamanship course at the same time after our posting from BMT. Quek also come from the same BMT camp (3 BTS) but was from different company.I only know him better via our time in L202. He's a skinny lad who can play football and laugh quite a bit.

LSWT stands for L shipwright. He's the same age as me and we stay in the same crew mess. He's a devoted Christian and looks quiet. If you know him better, he'll open up and show his interesting side. A good guy.

Yam or ME Yam is my favourite L202 soccer teammate. Some call him the Russian tank. He normally plays in defence and makes very powerful clearance. A hard tackler and never gives less than 100% commitment on the football pitch. Aside from football, he's a very friendly, fun loving and sporting chap. He's a Navy regular. Hasn't seen him since I left the Navy.

Yesterday Once More: 1997 Navy MSTD Trip - Day 13 & 14

13 Sept 1997 Flashback

Forget to write the diary last night, writing on 14 Sept 97 and time is 4pm. Yesterday, middle watch advance time 1 hour and I close up only 3 hours. Saturday routine, but I feel lethargic, head a bit heavy. A simple day where I kept 12-4pm watch followed by middle watch. The Karaoke competition is going to be held but I'm not participating because I don't think I can sing well with a microphone and moreover, don't want to malu myself. Tomorrow is the "crossing Equator". I don't think I'll be involved as I'm on middle watch. Signoff, Weizhong

14 Sept 1997 Flashback

Crossing the Equator start this morning where I'm still in bed. Did went up to take a look when I went to search for breakfast. After that, went to sleep again and the ship do rock a bit. Didn't really want to get involved in the equator crossing as I feel tired and also don't want to end up cleaning all the mess. At 12pm, all gunners will muster at the Q-deck where LKY give us a lecture off or scolding for not helping out in the wash down deck. He said a pipe was made for all gunners to muster at the fox'cle. *private thoughts* I feel since we're not involved in the ceremony, I didn't go up as I was tired or didn't want to do extra work. He seemed angry and who knows what might happen tomorrow. Kept 6-8pm watch. Tonight the Karaoke competition start off, quite a number of crews join the competition. Going to keep 4am - 8am watch and now almost 11pm. I think when my hair dry and I'll sleep. Signoff, Weizhong

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On the mention "Crossing the Equator" ceremony, all Singapore Navy sailors who have sailed past the so called equator will definitely go through this initiation ceremony by those who have went through.

Technically speaking, it was an old viking tradition. This ceremony has its roots in an old tradition from the age of the Vikings, who believed that King Neptune’s kingdom lie just beneath the equator. Sailors believed that the ceremony would appease King Neptune and ensure them a safe voyage as they crossed the equator.

On the Singapore Navy context based on my experience, I didn't really find "crossing equator" ceremony has anything to do with safe voyage wishes. Rather, its a "have fun at other expenses" day where those who haven't cross the equator before will have to clear few stations of obstacles. It like the mud games in those NPCC day where you expect to get dirty on your clothes, body and beautiful face. It was a lot of fun for those have been through it but not for those who are going through it. Special costumes are worn on this day, pending on whatever creativity one have.

I did my Equator crossing on Jan 1997 when I cross the equator for the first time to Palembang, Indonesia. I don't recall much details except that putting my face into one rubber dinghy full of coloured water. I was then given a certificate to prove that I have crossed the equator successfully.

Yesterday Once More: 1997 Navy MSTD Trip - Day 12 (Bye Bye Ambon)

12 Sept 1997 Flashback:

At Ambon harbour with 2SG Nantha, attached Naval Diver. I first get to know him during my OJT phase attachment at Patrol Craft RSS Sovereignty where Nantha was the ship Naval gunner. He decided to become a Naval diver later and was attached to our ship for MSTD 97.

The SSD party @ Quarterdeck after slipoff from Ambon

This morning, ship sail at 10am and bye to Ambon which is not a nice port, hardly any good stuffs to buy or see any beautiful girls. After SSD, its Sunday routine and I slept for 2 hours before waking up to play soccer. Kept 8pm - 12am watch and the watch was planned by LKY. At the bridge, disturb Wee and he looks angry. Anyway, didn't intend to disturb him too much since he is angry. Tomorrow, hopefully is Saturday routine but I'm on 12pm - 4pm, so not much of a difference. Sea state a bit rocky after sailing off. I'm now waiting for my hair to dry before sleeping. Signoff, Weizhong

Some notes that I scribble at the end of my diary writing for that day. I remember before MSTD sailing on 1st Sep 1997, I went with KCP on the weekend to Peninsula Plaza to buy a camera. We're having food at fast food restaurant (BK) when I saw the girl that I had a crush on during Poly. We didn't see face to face and soon I lost sight of her. Happy to see her then, last saw her during BMT in 95 when she visiting her other friends. I bought my 1st ever camera on that weekend, the Pentax ESPIO 140 film camera @ S$400 from a Peninsula Plaza shop. It is the 2nd most expensive item that I have ever bought at that stage of my life. I bought it for the MSTD trip. I'm grateful for it as it went on to serve me for almost 8 years. Now the internal motor is not working well and it has since retired. Still keep it as an antique.

My S$400 investment for the 97 MSTD Trip

Pentax ESPIO 140 Film Camera from Peninsular Plaza Shop

My best shooting weapon for MSTD 97 & many other events


Buttons & functions on Pentax ESPIO 140 .
There's also a wireless remote control function for this camera



The Real Time Clock is still working in 2010
Still have a roll of film in it but Pentax ESPIO 140 has since retired after almost 8 years of excellent service

Yesterday Once More: 1997 Navy MSTD Trip - Day 11 (Ambon)

11 Sept 1997 Flashback

I wrote this page on 12/9/97 at 5.00pm as I was too 'shag' to write. Yesterday, my last day at Ambon. Didn't buy anything except for a "Maluku" T-shirt. Also mail the letters for C and J at a local post office. Went to a place called "Pintu Kota" with many of the ship guys and we took many photos there. The scenery of the cave and cliff & seaside was beautiful. Oops, another shipcrew got charged today as he was caught smoking by XO in the heads. He seem to be in low spirit. Have dinner at a restaurant at Matahari, see look for a while and went back to ship. A bit hesitant about the Liverpool T-shirt which I want to buy for YQ but in the end, didn't buy. Maybe I'll get it in ????????. At night, watch MTV and feeling really tired and that's why fall asleep without writing the diary. Yap, Ambon was over, next "Port 2". Signoff, Weizhong

The 500 Rupiah ticket to Pintu Kota, Ambon

LSWT, RP Chua, CPL Tey & ME OJT Yeo @ Pintu Kota, Ambon

Entrance to a small cave @ Pintu Kota

(L-R) Gunner Ang, RP Wee, CPL Tey & the Taxi-driver who took us there

Up the cliff with ME Goh Min Sern

Last day of shore leave @ Ambon was spent in this place, taking photos & admiring the view

Pintu Kota, Ambon - A beautiful place of Rocks

Photo shots @ Pintu Kota with CPL Tey & ME Yong

What are these L202 crews doing at this corner?

Looking down & observing nature @ work on the rocks of Pintu Kota

L202 crews Team photo @ Pintu Kota, Ambon
Backrow (L-R): RP Chua, Gunner Tey, ME Goh MS, Gunner Ang

Frontrow (L-R): L Shipwright, Cook Chan, ME OJT Yeo, our Ambon taxi guide

Bought an Ambon T-shirt in 1997 MSTD Trip

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So we spend 3 days in Ambon, the first port of call during 97 MSTD sailing trip. I remember Ambon as a relatively quiet sea town or village. We don't feel unsafe walking on the street at night when going back to the ship. The memorable portion of my Ambon trip is definitely the joint patrol to the rocky maze place. In addition, I also recall witnessing some strange procession on their street where groups of people dressed in civilian clothes were marching together in a weird manner. They march in a NPCC way but the strange thing is they do it in slow motion & weird raising of hands. I think I saw both man and woman in the marching squad. We didn't just saw one group behaving like this, we saw a few other groups in the time spent in their town. Aside from that, it seems a very peaceful island. The indonesians that live on Ambon are darker in colour & complexion compare to the normal indonesians that I seen in my earlier trip to Palembang.

So Ambon was a peaceful sea town of Indonesia in 1997 when L202 was there but it didn't stay that way. I was shocked to hear in 1999 after the end of the Suharto reign, violent clashes broke up in Ambon between Muslims and Christian indonesians that reside on the island. Read that the deadly clashes resulted from a local small incident, a fight or quarrel between a taxi driver and a Muslim Ambonese. Details of the Ambon civil war available on this weblink: http://www.fica.org/hr/ambon/enAmbonCivilWar.html

The violence escalated and many people died and many more flee Ambon to other Indonesian islands. Ambon has been known as a Christian-pocket region in Indonesia, the Muslims in Ambon had been living in peace and harmony with the Christians. But 1999, all hell broke loose. That went on for a few years and I read that the situation has improved.

I hope the peace has return for good and will continue in Ambon, like the place that we visited back in 1997 where happy school children visited our ship and looks so happy and carefree.

Yesterday Once More: 1997 Navy MSTD Trip - Day 10 (Ambon)

10 Sept 1997 Flashback

Today was my duty day at Ambon. Close up 1st detail. Had a fairly busy morning as the open house commenced at 9am. We expect 50 school children to visit and in the end, more than 100 visited our ship. Show them the A-Gun, 0.5. Also show them the bridge. Finished writing letters for C and J, likely to post them tomorrow. Volunteered for shore patrol at night. Didn't sleep the whole day despite on the ship. In the evening, lifted up the AC ladder. I also tied up the guardrails there. GY was extremely nervous and it do irritates me as I raised my voice a little. I knew I was in the wrong but I just couldn't control my frustration there. He seem to be panicking or doing things too straight. I ask him to help me keep my football magazine because CO was at the brow. He put my magazine on the chair. This annoy me and in the end, CO stared at me when I try to get the magazine to the shore patrol. I went for shore patrol with Pang at 10pm to 12am++. The places that they took us were like slums, consisting of red light district and boxing places. Its interesting to visit the place and do patrol but the conditions there are really congested and smell of bad air there. When I'm back, "somebody" was a bit drunk and began talking nonsense, I ignore him. I was tired and slept for 1 hour plus. I'm 20 minutes late for closeup, Ang seem unhappy (understandably) but he didn't say out. Now its 3.10am and I'm still the QM. Signoff, Weizhong

Doing duty as a QM @ Ambon and took a photo during break

-------------------------------------------------------------On the shipcrew mention, Pang TP was the tech-hand/ME on board the ship. I think he served onboard L202 during OJT phase before becoming a full pledged crew. A fun loving guy.

Ang is the NSF gunner, who is the batchboy of Gunner Wong and joined L202 much later than me. He's a A level graduate with the typical boy next door looks who will be entering Singapore University after his NS stint. Remember he supports Liverpool and play football.

Till this day, I still remember about that joint shore patrol with the Ambon Indonesian police. ME Pang and myself volunteered for this task during our rest hours. Wearing our white Navy No. 3 uniform, we set off in the Indonesian police vehicle, not knowing exactly where will we be patrolling. The Indonesian policeman that was taking care of us was a very tall & muscular guy, which make us looks really unlike soldiers. Haha. The 1st stop was a boxing ring premise but there are nobody competing in the ring. Next, was a remote poorly lit area of a row of houses. The Indonesian policeman were talking to one of the girls at the house. The policeman turned and told us that the girl say we're very handsome. We just smiled and keep quiet.

After completing the round in this area, I think they took us to a nearby disco where we enter it in our uniform. Oh man, this is first time in our service that we did a patrol like this. Inside a disco, all of us went towards a table where the policemen greeted their colleague who dressed in civilian clothes. I can't remember or understand if who is he but guess it should be their police leader or supervisor. We're introduced to him and shake hands with him. After a short while in this disco, we left and continue our patrol to the next area.

The next area is the highlight of my Ambon trip. I find the place strange or unique as it is mainly made up of rocks and many passageways & stair steps that make it looks like a maze. Though late hours, there are quite a few people hanging around this area compare to other parts of Ambon that we seen earlier. There are also karoake shops in this rocky maze.The public eyes were not on the Indonesian police but on the two white uniform guys which is Pang and myself. We felt really weird and uncomfortable with the attention given. Just stick closely with the Indonesian policemen. We made our way up a staircase and to a corridor passageway with many rooms. The Indonesian policemen begin knocking on the doors and questioning the people who open the door. I didn't understand what are they talking about.

Next, the policeman ask me to proceed to start knocking on another room straight ahead. So, I go and knock, knock. A lady open the door and I let the policeman talk to her. In one of the other room that was open by the policeman, I actually saw one old man with two women inside on the bed. I saw many other sights in other rooms that I could not recall now. I realise this area may have been the red light district of Ambon. Its a messy place and I would have got lost in this maze if not for the local policemen. The place doesn't smell good but this is really unique patrol experience that I have in Ambon. It was an eye opener to another part of the world & their way of living.

Yesterday Once More: 1997 Navy MSTD Trip - Day 9 (Arrival in Ambon, Indonesia)

9th Sept 1997 Flashback

The day I reach Ambon, my 1st MSTD port. Kept morning watch, during my watch at 7am, saw a swarm of dolphins diving around our ship. Its look beautiful. I'm on watch, otherwise I would bring my camera, take a picture of these beautiful sea creatures. We enter the harbour at 9am. The place looks remote, like a village. There is one Matahari shopping centre. We had our shore leave at 2pm onwards after finishing all the preparations for the cocktail. I leave at the 2nd liberty at 3pm. The place doesn't look nice as the market looks dirty and smell horrible. I bought a Juventus T-shirt at Matahari, had a meal at KFC, call home but nobody at home. Call "san kim" and inform her everything is smooth. The place looks boring, congested and though there is karoake, it doesn't look attractive. I went out with a group of shipcrews including Hon, Ang, Yeo, Wilfred, Jerry, KCP, SK Tan and etc....We went back to ship around 10pm. I think I will post my letter to my friend on the 3rd day as CET know where to post letter. "Sian", tomorrow still got to attend colours. Signoff, Weizhong . 12.20am

Day One shoreleave @ Ambon Convenience store

Day 1 shore leave @ Ambon. L202 crews with Ambon fire engine in the town area.

Day One Shoreleave with the Ambon sea vessels

Yesterday Once More: 1997 Navy MSTD Trip - Day 8

8th Sept 1997 Flashback

Kept 12-4pm watch today. Today was quite busy as we will be entering Ambon harbour tomorrow. The duty watch was planned today and I'm on the 2nd day duty in this port. Hopefully for 2nd or 3rd day, a miracle happen and the open house won't need as many people as the original plan. One of my Kakis was charged for smoking. Sigh, "mei you ren qing wei zhe xie officers". At night, a port presentation was given and it seem the port is not nice. Now its 11pm, feel sleepy but still want to write to my friend. Help out Ops 'O' and GY at night, still Ops 'O' say I not steady. They have no watches while I still have 1 morning watch next day. Going to be shag. Signoff, Weizhong 11.05pm

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On the shipcrew mention, GY is Gunnery Yeoman. My first GY is LKM but he did not sail for this trip as he's due to ORD and clearing leave. He's very handsome. The GY that sail for the MSTD trip is our new GY though we already spend some time working together onboard prior to this trip. He's a nice guy but sometimes blur as he's new to the ship. I think he came from MGB (Missile Gun Boat) ship.

Ops 'O' is the officer in charge of our seaman dept and has been around since Buffer Yong's time though he's not the first Ops 'O' that I have during my stint. We got along well during that time. He's a workaholic & the rare officer that would get his hands dirty together with the seaman. MSTD period was challenging due to change of dynasty in our dept and somehow I feel he's different from the past person that I knew. Today, I still remember him as a good officer.

On Ambon, it is our very first port of call during the 2 months MSTD trip. Ambon is part of the Maluku Islands, popularly known also as the Spice islands located in the Indonesian archipelago.