Author: chyde

Our two flights couldn’t have been smoother. We landed at Tulla this morning with some of us getting a decent sleep and others still thinking it’s Tuesday. We are waiting for the bus to St Leonards. See you soon! 

 

After a teary farewell to our loveable guide Sunny, we are waiting to board the plane at Hanoi airport, bound for Ho Chi Minh city and then Melbourne. We are waiting with Vietnam Red and will meet other groups in HCMC. We are all excited to see our families in the morning so we can share our incredible Big Experience stories.

Strange Things Happen When You’re Going ‘Round The Twist’

  
Have you ever felt like this? When your foreign journey is coming to an end, and the bittersweet nostalgia of Paul Jenning’s novels are tormenting you with a sweet reminder of home. In many ways our last full day has been an amalgamation of the trip; referencing our past adventures in Hue, Ho Chi Minh, Mekong Delta, and Hoi An. 

We started the day relaxedly by going to the Temple of Literature, the first university to be founded in Vietnam. It was originally constructed for the royals by the royals and was picturesque and ornate and had a long history like Hue. We hurried off to the Hoa Lo Prison, nicknamed the ‘Hanoi Hilton’ by the prisoners there. Entering the Australian Embassy was a taste of home and excited us all for our return journey as well as being an insight into Australia’s Foreign presence. For dinner we dressed up in our Monday finest which reminded us of our times in Hoi An and foreshadowed our return to Australia and our newfound maturity.

   
             
In all, this trip has been a truly rewading experience with valuable lessons learnt. Tonight we had some time to reflect on this…

Thiago Claus: I’ve learnt how independent I can be and how I can easily do things by myself without the assistance of others.

Matt Newman: I’ve learnt that I adapt to new cultures quickly and I am able to gather a good understanding of the country I am in. I have also learnt that Vietnamese food tastes better in Vietnam :).

Bailey Allen: I’ve learnt that even with a language barrier between Australians and the Vietnamese we can still build such an amazing thing for people that have so little. I have also learnt how to manage my money properly and to look at every shop for the lowest price instead of just buying the first thing I see.

Amy Lyon: I’ve learnt that when Miss Southey and Mr Hyde ask me “do you have your backpack / camera / fan / hotel key / water?” it means that I probably don’t have my backpack / camera / fan / hotel key / water. I’ve also learnt that I have become a significantly more independent person.

Rhys Siebert: I’ve learnt that I can try new things and that I can push my boundaries; I have eaten new foods and tried new activities that I never thought I could do like abseiling. 

Nick Adshead: I’ve learnt that placing myself above people does not make me better than them.

Jay Mautone: I’ve learnt that I was not the most grateful person back in Melbourne and that this trip has changed me.

Aaron Herlinger: I’ve learnt to be more independent with my decisions over the course of the trip.

Jack Keenan: I’ve learnt that I truly value the geographical, cultural and economic position I have in Melbourne and I now clearly recognise the privilege that I have been bestowed with since my birth. 

Meg Cairns: I’ve learnt that even if you don’t speak the same language as someone you can make a great connection with them and still have a great friendship.

Max Bruten: I’ve learnt that I can build relationships regardless of prior prejudice, values and languages. 

Imogen O’Leary Quereshi: I’ve learnt that I sometimes overthink things and don’t do a certain activity because I think too much about it. This trip I have learnt to just jump into things with two feet forward and enjoy the feeling of achievement.

Jessi Esplan: I’ve learnt being away from family this long is harder than I expected and to keep positive I need to hang around people who are giving out positive energy.

Grace Viglione: I’ve learnt that when you’re in a different country, it’s really good to take in every chance you have to try new things even if you’re not completely comfortable doing it. 

Duncan McKenzie: I’ve learnt that despite the circumstances, patience is always pivotal. Even when things aren’t going your way, complaining and trying to fix it will never prevail.  

Noah Jaffrey: I’ve learnt despite the fact that you may not understand the language of the people around you, it is still possible to enjoy your time and build good relationships with others.

Ry’annah Hack: I’ve learnt that your independence is much harder to control whilst in a foreign country.

Elise Kervin: I’ve learnt that my tastes have changed since previous years and trying new foods benefited me. I also tried abseiling again and I learnt that it is a great thrill.

Rose Jowett Smith: I’ve learnt that I can face my fears which I think is something this trip has given me. A fear of heights has put me in many difficult situations but when I found myself at the top of a cliff with nothing but a rope and a harness I decided that I had to just do the terrifying thing and lean backwards over the abyss. Although I wouldn’t say it has eliminated my phobia or that I would even do it again, I think it has shown me that I can do anything if I trust myself.

We are all disappointed that it’s coming to a close, but the image of our eagerly awaiting parents in our minds couldn’t make us happier. 

Nick, Max, Jack.

Hanoi(ss) Welcome 
 

Clunk, clunk, clunk – the train was quite a bumpy ride which made it hard for some of us to get to sleep (but others slept like logs). When most of us were woken up by the train engine and the sound of the tracks clashing together we were ready to eat our pre-packed breakfast and greet Hanoi. 

We were tired and some had headaches so when we found that another 2 hours of train travel were coming our way you can imagine we were slightly Hanoi-ed. We managed to keep ourselves busy by playing cards, charades and generally talking to one another in the tiny rooms and the corridor. 

As we traveled through Vietnam we had a great opportunity to view rolling hills, grazing buffalo, small towns, and fields. It was eye opening to see the people in their small houses in the little towns with next to nothing as we cruised along past on an overnight express train. This was really quite a stand-out factor for some of us and it caused us to think and reflect on our current situations.

The overnight train experience was a really enjoyable (although uncomfortable) trip for many of us. The idea of doing it again someday is exciting considering we now have the knowledge that we are capable of doing so, but we think we can speak for all of the group when we say it will be lovely to sleep in a bed that does not move tonight!

The rest of our first day in Hanoi consisted of lunch on small plastic stools in a squashy 4 story restaurant that had more stairs than chopsticks, and dinner at the famous ‘Little Hanoi’. In between we explored the ‘Old Quarter’ where every street is named after the product it sells. This makes it easy to find the shoe shop…they’re all in Shoe Street! The Water Puppet show was our last event for the day and while the fire-breathing dragons were impressive for some, others took the opportunity to relax their eyelids for a bit. We will sleep well tonight!

Imogen, Elise and Rose

          

Tour de Hue
  
Of all the bike rides we have been on so far, today was the longest and most adventurous. We rode through busy streets and intersections, winding alley ways, and quaint villages on our Hue to the coliseum, war bunkers, an incense factory, and a Buddhist monk house for a vegetarian lunch.

        

Our last few hours in Hue were spent either in the hotel pool or playing cards. After dinner we boarded the Reunification Express, a very rickety train, and found our cosy cabins where we would spend the next 15 hours travelling to Ha Noi. This gave us time to reflect on the dynamics and relationships that have formed within the group during this Big Experience…

Thiago Claus: I’ve learnt how nice, genuine and respectful our Big Experience group is. I’d never spoken to most of the people in the group before, but now, after spending three weeks with them, I have found and made new friends outside my friendship group and I wish to continue this even after the BE.

 

Matt Newman: I’ve learnt that we can see another side of everybody that is not present at school. It is great to see everyone ‘opening up’ and talking about things that are close/personal to them.

 

Bailey Allen: I’ve learnt that there will be good days and bad days for everyone. Giving people space and giving yourself some alone time is needed on a big trip like this. We are also much closer as a group and a few people might have made friends with someone they think they wouldn’t have.

  

Amy Lyon: I’ve learnt that even though everyone may have different personalities, hobbies, interests and friends, we have all become so close with each other over the past three weeks and we are all like a little community now. I am so happy that I have been able to get to know everyone in this group and I am so sad that it is almost over.

 

Rhys Siebert: I’ve learnt that everyone in this group has a nice side. I’ve got to know a lot more people in a way that I wouldn’t get to know them at school and I’ve learnt that everyone has a lot of positive traits.

 

Nick Adshead: I’ve learnt that, although a community, each individual in our group has differing opinions and approaches to life and they are all valid.

 

Jay Mautone: I’ve learnt that there are no friendship groups on the Big Experience, there’s just one big group of friends.

 

Aaron Herlinger: I’ve learnt that everyone has made a new friendship with someone who they may not have been friends with at school.

 

Jack Keenan: I’ve learnt that a community becomes more tolerant and accepting of each other in tough circumstances.

 

Meg Cairns: I’ve learnt a lot about everyone in my group and made heaps of new friends. We all get along really well and have become a big family.

 

Max Bruten: I’ve learnt that despite our contrasting interests and personalities we have grown together as a community, one in which the students are the body that is held together by the glue, namely, the teachers. 

 

Imogen O’Leary Quereshi: I’ve learnt that everyone in my group is really accepting and caring towards one another. When some of us were feeling down the others really went out of their way to help that person and lift their spirits.

 

Jessi Esplan: I’ve learnt that at the start of the trip, there were lots of little groups of friends within the big group, but as the trip has continued, all of those small groups have merged into one and we’re all like one big family!

 

Grace Viglione: I’ve learnt that even though we may all not like the same things or share every interest, we all can still get along really easily, create amazing memories and can all have a great time together.

 

Duncan McKenzie: I’ve learnt that some of the best people you will hang out with on the trip are the ones you don’t usually talk to.

 

Noah Jaffrey: I’ve learnt that the people that you don’t know as well or spend time with most at school are people that you can share a lot of similarities with, and you can only find this out by becoming closer with them.

 

Ry’annah Hack: I’ve learnt how easily our entire group gets along. Even though we’ve all had our ups and downs we’ve come closer together, to become a little family called Vietnam group Orange.  

 

Elise Kervin: I’ve learnt how accepting, happy and inclusive everyone has been. Through sharing rooms with new people I was able to become so much closer with them. At the start of the trip I was a little worried about how well I’d fit in as I hadn’t spoken to the majority of the people before. We are towards the end of the trip now and I can confidently say that I’ve talked to everyone and I’m so sad it’s nearly over.

 

Rose Jowett Smith: I’ve learnt how much I have in common with the other members of Vietnam Orange which really surprised me. Before the trip I hadn’t really spoken to many of the people in our group (including having never met two of the teachers) and I was honestly quite scared that the trip would be a bit awkward but as it turned out conversation has been easy, especially through our (almost) nightly games of 500 or other card games. 

 

Mr Hyde: I’ve learnt that this group is always prepared to take advantage of the opportunities presented to them and they love to rise to a challenge. We are all vulnerable when outside our comfort zones but when we approach each day with enthusiasm and curiosity we become stronger and more confident amongst each other, allowing us to share an amazing experience.

 

Mr Hill: I’ve learnt that, just as nothing rhymes with Vietnam Orange, no two members of our group are the same. Each responds to challenges and opportunities in different ways. Tolerance, curiosity, resilience, excitement and laughter from everyone have created our Big Experience.

 

Miss Southey: I’ve learnt that a group as cohesive, open-minded and kind as Vietnam Orange can only be formed through every single person embracing each other’s individual qualities. The students and staff of Vietnam Orange have done this beautifully and I’ll miss seeing their smiling faces daily.

Teachers get their Hue

 

National Teachers’ Day in Vietnam is a big deal. Temporary florists flood the streets and local students take the opportunity to show their appreciation for their much valued teachers by buying them flowers. Vietnam Orange students showed their gratitude in a similar Hue by buying hand-crafted cards and writing heartfelt thank you messages on them. The students were definitely not prompted by our considerate guide, Suny… but seriously, the three of us were so touched by the messages and we feel very lucky to have such a grateful and united group to travel with.
  
This group of students have embraced every aspect of the Big Experience so far and the student-teacher relationships have flourished in this environment. Conversations have been in-depth and stimulating and the students are keen to fire out questions to broaden their understanding of the similarites and differences between Australia and Vietnam. We have learnt a lot about each other through activities such as brick lines, card games, charades, joke telling, singing on the bus, puns, and meals. These good times will come to end soon but the memories will stay with us for ever. As teachers, we are fortunate to travel with such a kind, respectable, interested, and considerate group of Year 9s and they are representing their families and the St Leonard’s community beautifully.

Today involved a cyclo ride from our hotel to the old Imperial Palace. Hue was the centre of the Ngyuen Dynasty from 1803-1945. A lot of the old buildings had unfortunately been destroyed during the American War but the ones that were left, including the 10km wall, the main gates, and the concubine houses provided a sense of what life was like during the feudal system days.
   
   
   
   
The second activity for the day was a river cruise to a buddhist pagoda where a small group of monks still live. This pagoda is famous for being the home of a particular monk who, in 1963, set himself alight as a protest against the persecution of buddhist monks. Buddhism is now an accepted religion among Vietnamese and there are many pagodas spread throughout the country.

   
   
   
   

We dined like royality tonight, at a themed restaurant where King Aaron and Queen Imogen ruled over the rest of us. The 9 course meal was accompanied by traditional live music and some interesting garnishes. It was difficult to maintain 19th century conversation so we reverted to our usual Hues and joked about our day.

Mr Hyde, Mr Hill, Miss Southey