What do guys do on bachelor's night? No, we didn't force FJ to put on strawberry costume shopping for strawberries in the supermarket. In the case of FJ, we decided to do an overnight camping at a secluded spot in East Coast Park. We had such a bonded time. When it's time to pack up, I felt kind of reluctant.
Prior to the camping trip, I had a crazy week. Being the organizer, I struggle to get the camping plans going and coordinating it while I am in Melaka. But things work out fine eventually. Thanks to the brothers for being super understand and accommodating. At an sms notice, they were able to make a trip to the supermarket to get the stuff. And we had BBQ for dinner too.
Arriving in 2 cars- Ya Ya and QQ. Stanley, Zach, myself, Hancong, Bernard and The Bachelor ( Fang Jing) finally arrive at ECP CP. After a short briefing, we gather our stuff and began our walk to the camping 20 mins walk away.
I chose the campsite. It is away from the other park user and campers, except for an occasional fisherman. We felt like we had the beach to ourselves.
I had volunteer myself as the cook. After gathering all the food that we've prepared, I thought we didn't have enough food. Being in a company of 6 hungry men can be a scary thought. So instead of giving the brothers the not-so-good news, I decide to market and package the BBQ. I told them the menu and thoughtfully prepare the food systematically. First the juicy corn, fellow by grilled potatoes. Now that they have the appetizer and had a portion of their stomach filled. I started barbecuing the meat. Especially prepare and marinated by my mom. We have the BBQ pork first. Oh, the pork chop is tender and juicy, grilled to golden perfection. I'm hungry already. After every one had at least 2 pieces of it. I churned out the next yummy dish- again, world-famous marinated chicken by my mom, each grilled to golden perfection too. When the chicken wing is done, we had some more potato and corn. Finally, watermelon and apple were served as dessert. Surprisingly and much to my relief, we were quite full after the dessert. Otherwise, I think I would be grilled as the final dish.
Zach brought his lightstix. Being men and creative in inventing games, we start passing the lightstix to each other. As the campsite is dark except for the almost full moon, the flying lightstix created an interested visual experience. After cleaning up, FJ and I decide to join them. We had enough ppl to play "Monkey".
We were running around chasing the neon lightstix. Feeling sticky, we couldn't resist the temptation to jump into the water just 5 meters away. It is now 2300hrs. When was the last time you swam in the sea at this hour and during the Chinese Ghost Festival (According to Chinese myth, the spirit from hell we given a month of holiday on earth in the 7th month of the Lunar Calendar). We broke 2 taboos. One is camping outdoor in the 7th month, the other is swimming in the sea in the dark. I tell you, it was an experience of a lifetime.
For some reason, while we were dipping in the water, the conversation revolves around the topic of FS. Who you like? Who is attractive? Who you know likes whom? And the standard going around to share our FS. Bernard was secretive but not for long.
Next, we came out from the sea. And we realize it'll be a bad idea to not take a shower. And so we walk 20 mins back to the CP and took at shower at midnight. Thank God for the shower, as we were walking to the shower I was feeling itchy from the sea. We felt so refreshing after the shower and took a stroll back to the campsite.
Time to open up the wine. We sat under the full moon and toasted. It was most appropriate to talk and encourage FJ since this is his Bachelor Night. We want to make him feel encourage. And so we took turns to share and offer toast to the man who is moving on the next phase of his life.
I'm hungry and so we were the brothers. Initially, someone suggest we eat the communion bread that was prepared for tomorrow’s communion. And then we settle for instant noodle. So while the rest was playing Bang!! (and still open up the communion bread), I went to cook instant noodles for us.
0200hrs- it's time to get some rest. Zach plan for us to get up at 0630 to catch sunrise and for morning devotional by the beach. Zach, Stanley and I slept on the groundsheet in the open. It's nice to sleep to the sound of sea waves. Sometimes the aircraft departing Changi Airport gets slightly too loud and I was woken up by it. Other than that, I had a good rest.
We woke up but there was no sunrise. Actually, dark storm clouds were forming overhead us. We also ran into some water crisis. There wasn't enough water to make coffee for all of us. Zach and I went to fill up the bottle at the CP.
I couldn’t get my MSR stove to work. It might be due to sand clogging the fuel line. Maybe it’s just low on fuel. So I took out my solid fuel (which I haven’t use them since my first Gunung Tahan trip) to boil water for making coffee.
We laid the groundsheet, prepare our songbook, bible, bread and wine for the communion. Just 1 min into Stanley’s communion sharing, it starts to rain. As we were discussing to move into the tent, it started to pour. I have to leave my poor pot that is boiling in the rain.
We sat in the tent and were. Bernard started to lead us in songs. I looked out of the tent and the rain was blanketing the sea. It’s a new experience to hurdle in a tent, being sheltered from the pouring rain outside, and sing praises and worship God. Rain or sun, we worship God.
We give thanks and broke the bread, which happen to be our breakfast too. This is biblical! Read Acts 2:46. We have cream cheese to spread over the bread, and we also have a loaf of banana and nut bread ( my fav). I suppose this is what the first century Christian does. Communion can be a full meal breakfast. The most important thing is that we come together to remember Jesus as he has commanded.
God stop the rain and we got out of the tent. I went to check the pot. Luckily the fire wasn’t completely put out. I set up another fire to continue boiling the water. Zach and FJ, went back to the water. Being boys, they took out their shorts and Bernard helps them take a photo of their naked photo, but with their body in the water from waist below. Fancy having a cup of coffee while dipping yourself the sea? That is what they did.
I decided that I don’t want to get wet. Instead, I wanted to pray. Stanley and I went up to the breakwater. Facing the sea, I saw the storm clouds gathering and there was lightning. Just right ahead of us, there was a dark cloud hover at just 500mt above the sea and it was slowing inching towards the coast and us. In my prayer, I thank God for the wonderful brotherhood we had. This kind of friendship is rare to find. By the time Stanley prayed, it started drizzling. The rest of the brothers are breaking camp and prompted us to go.
We walk back to the car in the rain but no one complained. We were in the company of brothers. We wish we had more time together.
Special thanks to
Stanley. Despite his love for his comfortable bed at home, he was very sporting and participant in most of the activities.
For helping me pick up groceries from the supermarket at an sms notice.
Hancong. For his enthusiasm to take photo, he walks into the water wearing his running shoes. For waiting for me patiently together with Bernard. For helping out in small little ways.
Zach for planning the programs for Sunday morning, and for delegating the communion sharing to Stanley (only on Friday).
For helping me pick up groceries from the supermarket at a sms notice too.
For bringing the light stix.
Bernard. For trying to hide from us who your favourite sister is, and for letting the cat out of the bag yourself.
For leading us in the morning worship.
For laughing loudly.
Fang Jing. For getting married so that we can plan a bachelor night.
For being such a wonderful friend and moving on to the next phase of your life (and leaving your brothers behind)
For your wacky nature, strange hairstyle and flamboyant sense of dress sense. (think Pink T-shirt and Yellow pants)
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