Getaway Reunion at Phuket

The story started a long time ago, a good 55 years if it needs to be mentioned. All of us hailed from the small town of Segamat and shared many common beginnings. We all began our primary school years either in Primary English School or Bukit Hampar School and then progress to Government English School ( GES ) or Seg Hwa Secondary School. Most of the girls studied in Cannosian Convent School. GES was subsequently upgraded to Sekolah Tinggi Segamat when it had two Form 6 classes. Because of the limited classes, we went separate ways to further our studies after Form Five. Some left for KL to study at various colleges, TAR College, Stamford College or Taylor's College for the higher education. At that time, were only 2 or 3  public Universities and no private universities. Places were therefore limited, made worse by the government's quota system. A handful got into the local universities, quite a number went overseas. Many went to the UK while some ended up in Australia and New Zealand. The rest continued at  local colleges and worked after completing their higher education. It's the same with those studying abroad. When they return from overseas after graduating, they too started to work, but a handful some stayed behind. Some worked in nearby countries like Hong Kong, Australia or Thailand, but most worked and reside in Singapore. And so from the small town of Segamat, we now have school mates staying far and near. But the bond in us was ever so strong, whatever the distance, however long it has been. Many of us, stayed in touch throughout the years,  and come Chinese New Year, it was always  great to catch up with everyone in the small sleepy town. In fact a big bunch of us had been together from Primary School right until this day, especially those residing in KL and Singapore. We all have siblings who were classmates in their age group, but ours were from the Class of 74/75 during Form 5 and have very strong bond.

Every now and then, we had organised gatherings, mostly in KL for everyone to catch up. When we reached our half century mark five years ago, many felt that we should do a getaway reunion overseas. That we did from  25th July to 28th July, 2008. Not everyone was able to make it, but 22 of us had the best reunion at Chiangmai, a very memorable one. It was great to have old school mates flying in not only from KL, but from Singapore, Hong Kong and Bangkok as well.

Our first Getaway Reunion at Chiangmai.

Since then, many have been pestering for another one, and so this time, we decided on Phuket. We love Thailand for their hospitality and unique destination. Their service standard is second to none. This time around, some of those who were in Chiangmai could not make it to Phuket, but we have some new faces and we had the same total of 22 that participated from 17.5.13 to 20.5.13.

17.5.13 Day 1 Ready to Go

Tow Fuh had flew in to KL a day earlier from KB, Michael flew in in the morning while Tiger and Chee Chong came together from Segamat and Malacca. Together with the rest of us from KL, we all met up at KLIA at  11.00 am. Everone certainly look forward to this holiday together. On the way to the check in lounge, we bought some whiskeys and from the duty free shop. The flight took off at 1.30 pm after a half hour delay

 The early birds looking forward to the holiday.

 The classic colour of the seventies, dull blue or grey !

 Heng Khen & Tow Fuh arrived shortly.

James, See Leong and Goh came together.

at Kopi Time waiting for the rest to do their "check in"

 Long time no see. Ah Lam and See Leong.

Yes, we had a lot of willing sponsors for whiskeys for our Grand Reunion party.

 Tiger and Chee Chong looking tired after the car ride to KL.

The Andys, Ah Wan with Heng Khen 

 all the rest...

and a pose for all those in blues...

The flight landed at almost 2.00 pm . The timing couldn't be better. Beng Chew's Air Asia flight and Suit Cheng 's Silk Air, both from Singapore landed at the same time. We all meet up at the departure lounge where our van had been waiting for us since 1.00 pm.

 Met up with Suit Cheng who flew in from Singapore via Silk Air.

Beng Chew also flew in from Singapore, but via Air Asia.

It took us almost an hour travelling time from airport to our hotel at Patong.

 Ah Wan and Chee Chong catching up at the hotel lobby upon arrival.

 The ladies savouring their welcome drink at Millenium Resort, Patong.

at the lobby doing the checking in.

 The hotel had displayed our Reunion event at the hotel lobby.

Nice landscape at interior of hotel.

Welcome Dinner at Raya restaurant, Phuket town.

When we were at Chiangmai five years ago, the welcome dinner we had at Hong Teaw Restaurant was great. It was arranged by Mei Chean and we loved it there for the food and the restaurant which was at an old building. This time, a friend recommended Raya Restaurant at Phuket town for it's food. Not only we love the food, but the restaurant is also in an old building which immediately brings us back to the days when we were schooling at Segamat. They had cleverly preserve the old charm and did not spoil it with any modernity. We had a great time there and dinner was superb.

 Raya Restaurant. This is exactly what we like, old charm.

The building transported us back to the days in Segamat.

Nice feeling all round. 

Catching up time.

 When we were young ......

 David with Amy Koh. She had recommended us this great restaurant.

 Ah Wan and Siong Seng having a good time eating and catching up.

Chee Chong, Ah Lam and Kim Leng have not met since school days. 

What's that sign about, Beng Chew ?.

This had to happen after some drinks. Hear ye, hear ye.

Happy together ! That's what friends are for .

18.5.13. Day 2 Out to the sea.

If you are at Phuket, you must enjoy the sea. We had planned to spent the whole day out at sea and was up early in the morning to have breakfast at the hotel. We had scheduled the vans to pick us up at 7.30 am and transfer us to the pier, which is about an hour away from the hotel. In no time, we were on the speed boat of about 30 people including 18 of us. Michael had opted out as he was not feeling too good. In fact, the night before, some of the guys were out till the wee hours. But as soon as the boat took of, we all enjoyed the wind sweeping by us. It was an hour and half before we made out first stop at Maya Bay.

 All excited on board the speed boat.

 Nice when it's not wet, ....yet.

 Stand when you can, it's more than an hour boat ride.

 Marlene is smiling happily now. Watch her pics later.

The guys, all excited about last night adventure, not about the sea. 

 Don't tell anyone about us!

Arriving at our first stop, Maya Bay.

 Yes Louis, Sean Connery stood at the same spot while filming James Bond.

 It's not really a nice spot to swim, having a few hundred other tourist all around you.

The boats kept on coming in bringing more tourist.

This is the most stunning view of Maya Bay.

After about half an hour, we were on the boat again and headed for Loh Samah Bay for a dip. The boat anchored at a spot near the rocky area and at a deep spot.A handful of us jump down and snorkel around the area for a while. See Leong wanted to pee and thought the best way was to get into the water and do it there. After slipping into the water, he realised the dept was way over his head and hang on to the rope that anchored the boat and struggled to come up on board again. Not sure if he managed to pee, but later realised he is not a swimmer. 

 Loh Samah Bay

 Snorkeling around the boat.

Water is deep in this area.

On the way out, we passed by Monkey Beach, Viking Cove and Pileh Cove before heading twards, Phi Phi Island for our lunch and some rest. By this time, we had two casualties. Chee Chong who was out galavanting  the the night before and not having enough sleep was struggling all the way. Marlene who was looking fresh, eager and excited at the beginning of the boat ride started having sea sickness. Are they glad when the boat stop for an hour at Phi Phi Don for lunch break.

Viking Cove, active bird nest harvesting area.

Monkey Beach 

Monkeys here can be ferocious.

Wet, tired but happy. 

One wet, the other stay dry.

 Pileh Cove, stunning vista.

 Must capture this on movie clip.

 Lunch at Phi Phi Don. That's Marlene, "kepala pening".

 She was having a miserable time.

Buffet lunch.

After lunch, we headed for Khai Island which is an hour away. Khai Island is near to Phuket and had beach bars rocking with loud music. You can choose to relax on the beach chairs, eat, drink or snorkel. A few of us snorkel but most were relaxing by the beach lying on the easy chair. Chee Chong and Marlene had recovered sufficiently here.

 Relaxing by the beach at Khai island.

 I hope the phrase on the T shirt did not refer to his buddy on his left.

 Guys joke.

 Nice and looking cool.

They enjoy looking at all the bikini clad swimmers walking by.

 There are three bars by that small island. It's packed with "Mat Salleh's".

 Time to leave and head back to Phuket.

Our hero was full of energy throughout.  

Very quickly he was flat after lying down.

The punctured look. 

 Tiger is struggling to stay awake.

This is definitely not meditation in progress. Everyone was completely conked out.

 How can you smile when you sleep????

 The boat ride back was tiring, but totally satisfying.

We reached the Hotel at 5.00 pm and arrange to gather for dinner at 7.00 pm. The venue is just across the road from the hotel at a seafood restaurant. Ah Wan and I had walked over earlier and pre ordered the food. Siew Suan who had came in earlier today with Christopher meet up with us for dinner.

The ladies at the lobby before dinner. Siew Suan had flew in today.

 Before food was served.

 Start with some drinks and it'll make you cheerful.

To infinity and beyond.

No prize for guessing what the shout is about ?

The class of 74 is always more sober.

But not this group.

David Tan...

...always the ladies' man.

You see these two together the whole day, even over dinner.

 See Leong getting Christopher to have a drink.

Ah Lam looks happy, but not the rest.

The Villeger Cigar pose.

 Beng Chew telling his story," 3 of us drank 20 jugs in 3 hours" ! Notice nobody is listening .

See Leong, the energiser.

After dinner, we adjourned to the Simon Cabaret Theater, a 4 km away. This trade mark show is a must in all of Thailand. It's a world class act and performed entirely by a cast of transvestites.

Must have a group photo outside the theater.

 You hardly see Goh dressed up smartly like this. That's because James told him it's a dressed up night !

Another group photo.

Waiting at the lobby for the show to start.

Siong Sing and Beng Chew.

Inside the theater.

No cameras allowed when the show starts.

James have a lot to talk about.

The seat is comfortable and nice.

 After the show, the entire cast lined up outside and you can have your photos taken with them.

 Tow Fuh in love.

Heart attack after mind is cleared, these are " Ah Gua's "

See Leong having a ball.

The show ended at 10.00 pm. Nobody seems to be tired despite the fact that we had  woke up early today and spent the whole day at sea, drinking all the way until dinner time. And when we were transferred back to the hotel, everyone took a walk to nearby Bangla Street and dissappeared in matter of minutes.

Across the road from the hotel is Bangla Street, the happening area at Patong.

We were all walking together here, but within minutes, everyone dissappeared !

Everyone have their own favourite place to go.

There are many bars for you to go to. Choose your favourite.

Sir, come and drink here, sir !

Hammering the nail into the log with a sharp edge hammer. It's a game.

 See Leong got it done.

These are not "Ah Gua "

 These are the real deal !

The guys like the bar top "go go" girl dancers.

 At a bar called Roxy, there's a Filipino rock band playing.

That's where I caught up with the ladies and the rest.

Obviously, they were having a good time rocking to the band's rock music.

The lead singer is a 50 year old "mama" !

Rocking on the dance floor is not good enough.

You have to get on the stage !

Delirium !

In no time, everyone at the bar are friends !

 Because the next day is as a free day, most of us hang out until the early morning hours, ladies included !

19.5.13 Day 3 Free day.
A free day allows everyone to indulge in their own interest. Most slept right through morning with the much needed rest. When they're up, it's the Thai massage that they headed straight for. The ladies too spent their free day at a local spa and do their shopping later in the afternoon. Siew Suan and Christopher went for the cruise to Phi Phi Island as they had missed joining us having come a day later. Ah Wan, David, Beng Lam and I had arranged for a golf game at the Red Mountain Golf Resort. This is the most popular golf course in Phuket currently and the green fee plus cart cost each player BHT 6,000.00 ! It had rained when we were on the way there, and we had to wait for an hour before it stropped. After teeing off, the rain came on and off making it a wet day for golf.

 At the first tee box before the tee off.

 David Tan teeing off.

Ah Wan despite not playing too regularly still have his touch.

 Ah Lam played well all the way.

I did not have a good game, even the teeing off was not right.

 Red Mountain is a well constructed course and challenging.

The signature hole at 17th Par 3. The drop from tee box to green is at least 10 storey high !

We had spent almost the whole day at the golf course, and by the time we got back to the hotel, it was already 4.30 pm. That's when we had our lunch at JungCeylon ! David went off immediately to have an hour massage. The rest went back to the room for a rest before our grand reunion party.

19.5.13, 6.30 pm. Reunion Party for Segamat High School at Patong Room, Millenuim Resort.
We thought it would be nice if we all dressed up for the occasion. Since Phuket is a beach destination, a holiday beach wear or bold floral design was the theme we chose. In addition, the committee welcomed everyone with a lei, courtesy of Kim Lay. We had also arranged with the hotel to decorate up the place and they had it in a theme of beach with marine life. It certainly was decorated beyond our expectation and matched our beach wear theme nicely. That itself set the right mood for everyone to begin with. Our party started with  cocktail at 6.30 pm. Below are the pics of early arrivals for the cocktail.

 See Leong and Louis, happy mood.

 Tiger and Heng Khen.

 Winston flew in today just to join the Reunion party.

Catching up with Winston.

 It Pen ( 2nd from L ) too flew in today just to celebrate the getaway reunion.

 Ah Lam joined us for the first time and is happy that he came.

 Beng Chew missed the Chiangmai reunion but was glad to make it this time.

 The Singaporeans !

 Three ladies and a gentleman.

 A lot to catch up.

Siew Suan and Christopher, "when the mother and child reunion....."

Soon, we all moved into the dining room and immediately started taking a lot of photographs together.

 Yes, we had not met since High School.

 This group had always met regularly in KL.

 We're all still school boys when together !

Best friends forever. 

 Hang loose, guys !

This signage now becomes our signature backdrop for reunions .

 Lovely ladies.

  Happy looking guys.

 Nicely decorated desert table.

 Appertisers alone is sufficient.

 Salad bar.

 Thai menu kept warm.

 Ms. Saruta from the hotel gives us value for money for our function.

 See Leong is always upbeat and full of energy with Ah Wan.

 Michael with It Pen, another long time no see class mate.

What a wonderful world .

 The face tells it all.

 The Organising Committee.

 Signature "can can" kick.

 Everybody's beautiful.

 Thumbs up everybody.

All together now !

 Class of 74.

 Classic roll over now.

 Class of 75.

 Bosom buddies.

 What grouping is this now ?

 The Bald Eagles !

Together they weigh 750 lbs !

After all the photography, dinner starts.

 Food was plentiful.

 Even the starters can fill your stomach before the main course.

 Christopher and Winston enjoying the food.

 Why are you not eating, Mike ?

 After dinner, Kim Lay took the floor to welcome everyone. This was followed by a 20 minute video of Segamat with James doing the narration. That video clip certainly brought back memories of the days when all of us were studying at the Segamat high School.

 Kim Lay took the stage to welcome everybody.

 She was all excited doing the job.

 I now pass over the mike to See Leong.

See Leong doing his antics with the 4 ladies on the floor.

Everyone had a copy of the video clip presented by James as a souvenir.

After the video clip was shown, we were all in a mood to take to the floor to sing and dance.

We had a barrel of beer and 8 bottles of these for our party.

 Winston came here to enjoy himself. Enjoy he did.

 See Leong jumping up the stage...

 ...and jumping down the stage. He's doing his Highway Star.

 Dancing to Una Paloma Blance.

 Marlene and Tiger belting out the song of the seventies.

 James, Ip Pen and Tow Fuh singing along.

 and the singing continues.

 The more we get together, the merrier we'll be.

 It started with Winston and Siew Suan.

 Then it was four.

 Then, we had more.

Only yooouuuu, can make this world seem's bright.....

 I've got the move.

I want to break free..... 

 Just give me some of those rock and roll music, any way you choose it......

 Common let's twist again, like we did last summer ....

 Everybody swaying to and fro.

Im a highway way starrrrrrrrrrrrr ! Goh very deep into Deep Purple.

Beng Lam very deep in La la land towards the end.

We ended our party at 1.00 am and everyone was still in the hall. Some decided to adjourned to Bangla Street and continue partying there. Even Beng Lam whowas knocked out towards the end decided to adjourned to to the bars again. Without doubt, the same group went to Roxy and party till they gassed out.

It was an exhilarating evening for everyone, an evening to remember. We had been friends for so long, and it was good, many make it a point to meet up. There are many more close hometown friends that could not make it. But we all stayed in touch variously within our group. The e mail and social media had made it so much easier to communicate, but we had always stayed in touch way before all these came about. Perhaps, to enable more to partake in a Reunion, we should have it organised locally. The ideal would be in Segamat itself and during the Chinese New Year holiday when quite likely, more will turn up. There, we could invite our old school teachers, many of whom are still around and appreciate their contribution to what we are today.

Till the next reunion, stay happy and stay in touch.