Yesterday Once More: 1997 Navy MSTD Trip - Day 29

29 Sept 1997 Flashback

Reach Australia coastal area today. The weather was very cold, on first watch, can feel the breeze shivering myself. Didn't do much things today. We'll anchor tomorrow. On forenoon watch, read Reader Digest and found it to be interesting. Feeling "somebody remarks" , really can't do anything about it. Increase my determination to avoid him and "somebody" . During a deck soccer game, fall down and broke the shell key-chain "somebody" gave me. Was saddened a bit by the loss of it. When I feel low, I would look at it, *private thoughts*. Maybe its a bad omen, I don't know. *Private thoughts*. Signoff, Weizhong

Yesterday Once More: 1997 Navy MSTD Trip - Day 28

28 Sept 1997 Flashback

Kept 4am to 8am watch. Was tired after my body aches probably due to the workout at the gym last night. "Somebody" surprisingly was the OOW. I didn't speak to him and try to avoid him because of the heartbreaking remark he made yesterday. I think he knew something was wrong with me and try to talk to me. I told myself to be firm and not be soft. Sleep for the whole morning, even forgetting to muster. The "port 3" duties are not settled yet. Chua did mention that he is going to volunteer , makes me feel bad in one way or another because he is the overall I/C , yet he had to be so sacrificeable. "Somebody" tried to be nice to me but I acted as low to his friendliness as I can. I mustn't be soft-hearted, that remark was like a dagger into my heart. Its not that I'm petty, I found out at these sort of situations, I've been unfairly commented or judged. Signoff, Weizhong

Yesterday Once More: 1997 Navy MSTD Trip - Day 27

27 Sept 1997 Flashback

Now its only 1.10pm. Actually I always write diary at night, but since its been declared Sunday routine today, I might as well write it now. Half a day gone, one sharp word hurts my feeling. I wake up at 10.15am in the morning as I was on middle watch last night. When I muster at cafeteria, I saw my department was doing ropework like bowlbarnelline & cargo net. I help up in the work which "somebody" make a remark that I was xxxx and another "somebody" added xxxxx.... I was hurt by it inside me though I remained composed on the outside. Whether its a joke or not, I feel they must have this sort of impression. Make me feel ...*private thoughts written half a page* .

Just half a day gone, one bad remark just spoilt the day. The other half, I'll write tonight. I'll try avoid talking to him, this is my decision which I wish I'll be able to achieve, only speak to regarding work, other things I'll try to keep my mouth shut, anyway people didn't notice what you have done.

2nd half

Went to Gym to work out. Peng made sacarstic remarks as he seemed annoyed at my attitude at working out. I knew he did that to spite me to train so I didn't take the remarks too hard. Well, that's all for the day. Signoff, Weizhong

(The below was written on same page after signoff for 27 Sept 1997)

Exactly 2 years ago, I was enlisted for NS, now 4 months to go for ORD. Still remember the trouble-ridden times in my final year in Poly, about a golden opportunity miss of the girl I like, Sxx xxx. The happy times before enlistment at Takashimaya and of course, my first days in the army.

My early Army BMT days before I join the Navy family

Yesterday Once More: 1997 Navy MSTD Trip - Day 26

26 Sept 1997 Flashback

Kept afternoon watch. In the morning, was waken up by A OPS'O' at 7.45 - 8.00am to do some simple tasks that can be secured after mustering. In the morning, Buffer said we can go ahead and rest, he seem sick. Good news, "Port 3" will have 4 days of shore leave. But that could nring problem for duty. I really hope for 3 days shore leave with 1 day duty. Been pondering over how it should be planned. The solution could be those who do on "Port 3" will have only 1 duty at "another port". But of course, everyone would want to do at "another port" rather than "port 3". Another solution could be drawing lots but for myself, have always been unlucky one, rather not resort to such games. Later in the night, heard Tan and Wong volunteer to do the "port 3" one and I do think of excusing them the first few days duties back in Singapore to make up for it. Kept middle watch which I feel "somebody" is getting more lazy and a bad attitude. A tired middle watch keeping, as the wind did make me feel unwell. Signoff, Weizhong

---------------------------------------------------------------

On the shipcrew mention, I think the A Ops O is a new officer onboard. I think we gave him a nickname during that time but will not post here.

Yesterday Once More: 1997 Navy MSTD Trip - Day 25 (Bye Bye Honiara)

25 Sept 1997 Flashback

Today at around 9.15am, weigh anchor and leave Honiara, Solomon Islands. I was on anchor watch at time 5.25am to 6.25am. Was tired and did hope the sea watch didn't put me on afternoon watch. Check out and was in first watch, that's mean can sleep for quite a while. Rumours has it we might anchor at "Port 3", what a disappointment if that's true. Really feel my last trip was a disappointing one. Unless I'm guaranteed of 2 full days shore leave. The sea state is pretty bad and many people are feeling sick. I'm ok but feel if I didn't sleep enough, I'll be sea sick too. Ok, really tired just off watch, the sea is rocking badly, time to rest. Signoff, Weizhong

L202 sailing towards the Rainbow bridge on that day of departing Solomon Islands

--------------------------------------------------------------

Honiara is a place where probably I won't have a chance to visit if it is not for the MSTD trip. My memory of Solomon Islands is that the local people there are very friendly towards us. Everywhere we go, we seem to be centre of attention and greeted with smile and warmth. I vaguely remember there is one teenage girl even wave at us. We just smile back. The cost of things there however, is expensive. I bought a "Nguzu Nguzu" keychain at around S$7-S$9 but it was a special logo of Solomon Islands that I wanted so badly. The keychain was with me for almost 12 years before retiring last year. I forgotten where I kept it since. Other memories include my best meal of the MSTD trip was at the hotel at Honiara. I think its a simple chicken teriyaki meal but it taste so good. Maybe I was really tired during that phase of MSTD trip that I gave such high rating for a simple luxury. I think the Honiara FCEP duty day ranks among the busiest day of my MSTD trip. The body really feel the fatigue and I think I'm not alone. I also have the 1st time experience of swimming in an area where sharks are around. Finally, I remember the midshipman batch has an opportunity to play the Solomon Islands football team. The ship crews are not involved in this game, only the midshipmen. I think I heard Solomon Islands won 9-0 against our young navy officers to be, the midshipmen.

I do read about Solomon Islands news occasionally since that trip. I think near year 2000 or so, there is a civil war that broke out there. Near end 2003, the Oz govt under John Howard send in a peacekeeping force to Solomon Islands to maintain peace. I think the situation isn't as bad as the Ambon one but during that time, the Ozs are also involved in Iraq or Afghan operations, so maybe Solomon Islands involvement may take off some pressure to send more troops to the George Bush crappy ops in Iraq.

Sunset photo at Honiara, Solomon Islands - Photo courtesy of EM Ong

Yesterday Once More: 1997 Navy MSTD Trip - Day 24 (Honiara)

24 Sept 1997 Flashback

An extremely busy day for me as I'm on duty and on anchor watch. Even right now, 10.44pm I'm feeling shacked because in another 15 mins time, I'll run the EP again.

A day of tired work, now I just return from the hoisting of EP and since 11pm till now 1.20am, been working non-stop. During the securing of EP, I was left alone by my own department on the EP, when I request for help, they pretend didn't hear my message. Was angry and with help of Kuek and Yam, lowered the straps and after squaring up the place, just walk away from the area. Was vexed up. Today afternoon, read C letter and *private thoughts*. Today LSWT help me to buy the things that I ask him to buy. He got most of the stuffs except the keychain which I wanted badly. He know the design I show him but he didn't buy , instead try to pick another for me. *Private thoughts*. Also today, CO allow us to swim in the sea, it was nice. But most of the day, very busy with EP and didn't have much of our own time. 2nd time so busy during duty. Signoff, Weizhong

Giordano - World of Strangers @ Honiara

---------------------------------------------------------------

The above is my favourite photo of the MSTD trip. It is taken on EM Goh's camera (green shirt guy on the left most side). Remember he say our photo can be used for Giordano advertisement slogan, "World of Strangers". On EM Goh, he is the electrical guy onboard L202 and same ORD date as me. He may be small size but has a fiery temper, don't step on his toes on a bad day. Heard he work in a big IT firm (Sun) after ORD but actually not very sure because didn't stay in touch after L202 dinner in 98. Think saw someone that looks like him during last year RT @ Khatib camp but didn't talk as wasn't really sure its him and the person also "bo chap".

Back to Honiara, Solomon Islands, I remember the final duty day as a very tiring day because running many rounds of EP, to/fro the ship. Everyone was super tired, that why I got abandoned by my fellow team at night during securing of EP. Was damn pissed & tired on that night.

However, the thing that I have the strongest impression about my trip to Solomon Islands without refering to my sailing diary, also happen on this day. On that Solomon island duty day, the ship was anchored out at sea. During off duty watch period, CO allow us to swim in the sea near our ship. He also swim in it and many of us join him by jumping from the ship into the Solomon island calm sea. It was fun until after we finished the swim, our dear RO Wilfred informed us that this area is actually a SHARKS area. What the...why didn't he tell us before we jump into it. Haha, we all have a good laugh about how naive all of us were at that time, enjoying the swim, not aware of potential danger of sharks.

Yesterday Once More: 1997 Navy MSTD Trip - Day 23 (Honiara)

23 Sept 1997 Flashback

Wake up at 6.30am and enter harbour. Prep for the cocktail and all ends at around 10am. Yap, good news, received C and J letter. 2 from C and 1 from J. I only read J and little bit of the first letter from C. I intend to post a letter to C. I went for shore leave with Wee, Yeo, Ang and GY. Hesitate about a few things because I only have limited Soloman dollars cash. Bought a few postcards. "Somebody" didn't seem happy with my slow thinking of getting the stuffs I want. Went to have lunch at a restaurant which the food wasn't nice and costly too. Buy some souvenirs from the souvenir shops including a keychain, a banner and a T-shirt. Also went to post office to post the letters & postcards. Early today, when just went for shoreleave, did call Mum and talk a while with her. Everything ok. Went with a cab to 2 war memorials at Skyline and Auston, a great place to take photos at the village but not really nice. Took same taxi passing through Chinatown. Only few chinese can be seen. Honiara, really not much fun place. Went to a hotel and stay there throughout the evening. Have a nice Japanese teriyaki meal at a restaurant there. My money not enough and GY borrow some to me. At night, visit the casino and went back to ship soon after. Feeling tired as tomorrow got to run anchor watch and FCEP. Signoff, Weizhong

A visit to Honiara City Police station with "mata" in shorts

Scenic photo with our taxi guide and Solomon Islanders

Before there was Resort World Singapore and Marina Bay Sands, there is Honiara Casino

My 13 year old souvenirs from Honiara, Solomon Islands

A written postcards posted in Solomon Islands and to Singapore