2024 CAS Trip

We were able to bond through the long, 4 hour car ride towards the resort, where we chatted about our experiences academically, and of our eagerness towards the upcoming week of challenges, which are guaranteed to be full of excitement!

The first event of the trip was kayaking. It was quite challenging as it demanded us to learn a new set of physically exhausting skills within a short amount of time. The freshness of the morning Thai weather and the coolness of the stream energized us, allowing us to step out of the cityscape of Hong Kong, and graduate into the cozy embrace of nature. The technique to paddling the kayak was especially interesting, as it required both members on the kayak to cooperate and paddle in tandem for maximum efficiency and speed, this made us realise the importance of working together, and increased our bond with each other.

Then we proceeded to do a small hike, passing through a Hilltribe village. We were then told about how the Hilltribe people were financially and politically struggling due to political complications. This information exposed us towards the challenges faced by the Hilltribe people, and expanded our knowledge of the people around the world. Wat Thaton is a Buddhist temple, and different from traditional Chinese/Hong Kong Buddhist temples, Thai temples are usually round and colorful, with Wat Thaton being a prime example and demonstrating to us the beauty of different cultures.

The confidence course was arguably the most challenging event throughout the trip. As it required a large amount of mental fortitude to overcome. The first time I attempted to jump across the gap, I assumed that jumping higher would yield me better results, however the only result I got was to be the first to fall in the water, which was quite hilarious. To embody the IB learner spirit, I adjusted my strategy from my shortcomings and tried a second time, this time using more forward motion rather than vertical, which gave me much better results compared to the former.

I think the Diocesan spirit was exhibited in the cooking session. While we are asked to follow a set of instructions, we all attempted to improve upon the given recipe. For example, the individual groups came up with various ways to decorate the Pad Thai, using our creativity to come up with vastly different designs, exhibiting our ability to think and imagine.

The English teaching was a first time experience for most of us. Not only did we have fun with the kids, who were very enthusiastic about us coming, we also learned how to bypass the language barrier through interactive activities. Because none of us spoke Thai, we had to get imaginative to communicate with our students, which led me into using a toy I brought as my puppet to teach, which proved to be very entertaining for my students.

The highlight of the day was the visit to Thomas House School for Special Needs. It was a facility built to cater towards the children with special needs, such as those with mental disabilities and are unable to learn through the mainstream education system. The visit was eye opening as it exposed me to those who need support and inclusion from the majority of society. However I see people such as Rosie, one of the owners of MRVR, who is willing to take care of these children, and give them a chance at life. The existence of the special needs school is truly touching.

We braced ourselves for the day-long hike that awaited us. Unlike anything I’ve experienced in Hong Kong, this was the first time that I dived into a cave for hiking, and yet it was such an amazing experience, being able to view the vastly different biome than what I’ve seen before. The tranquility of the moment of silence in the cave under complete darkness allowed me to appreciate the beauty of nature. Along with the hike testing our physical capabilities, it was very enjoyable (yet very challenging!)

Biking is perhaps the most anticipated event, as I’m very excited about riding in the Thai countryside and connecting with nature in a different way. Our instructor also used the rest time to share with us about Thai agriculture methods and how they are applied in their unique climate. Our Environmental Systems and Societies (ESS) teacher, Mr Mark Chan, was more than happy to offer his views on the topic, which expanded the knowledge even more. The biking trip was very relaxing, as it was at a comfortable pace, which allowed me to both warm up for the rest of the day and appreciate the beauty of Thailand’s farmlands.

The high ropes course demanded me to face my fear of heights. But overcoming fears is one thing I’m always hoping to achieve, so I tried to look forward and walked onwards towards the rope course. It was thanks to my classmates and teacher cheering on that I was able to successfully complete the course and ease my fear (thank you all so much!)

The community service was very enriching, as it showed us the labour that construction workers go through to build the structures that we live in today. We went through physical exertion, carrying buckets of sand, stones and mixing them into cement, then finally pouring it down to become another part of a structure. Not only did it show us the hard work of construction workers, it also allowed us to contribute in the construction of a nursery, which will be put into good use for the underprivileged.

Rock climbing really pushed me to the extreme through testing my climbing skills, especially on slanted surfaces. I pushed myself to finish each route as cleanly as possible, in order to draw out a clear path for my teammates that are attempting after me. The cooperation led to us being able to clear most of the obstacles and enjoying ourselves greatly.

The team finale switched up our teammates and gave us an unexpected twist. We had to compete against each other in randomly arranged 5 teams instead of the usual 4. The games not only tested our physical abilities, but also challenged our ability to think and communicate, which was the key towards success. Although we did not end up winning the finale, our team efforts formed a stronger bond among us, and led us to become better thinkers and communicators. Overall, this was an excellent end to the week-long CAS trip, and it was incredibly rewarding both physically and mentally, and tested our ability to rely on not only ourselves, but our fellow classmates as well.