YE Camp Recce Trip: Casa Rachado, Port Dickson

We're off to PD!

On 10 June 2007, a few of us from the YE Camp committee met up at The Curve at the ungodly hour of 9am (On a SUNDAY!!) to head off for our recce trip to the venue of our coming 2007 Summer YE Camp - Casa Rachado!

The sleep-sacrificing Leos who went on this road trip joyride mission included...

...Leo Francis & Leo Michelle a.k.a Kiwi, our OC (Organising Chairperson) for the Summer YE Camp...

...Leo Elaine, 2nd VP in charge of Youth Exchange activities, who together with Leo Francis were happily enjoying their breakfast in the car (long live Starbucks and O'Brien sandwiches!)...

...Leo Joanne, the AOC (Assistant OC) for the Summer YE camp, who also became our Master Navigator, with our precious map to Casa Rachado...

...while Leo Iong Sik was the designated driver for the trip!

Hilariously, eventhough we HAD printed a map that showed the way to Casa Rachado, we still got slightly lost on the way there. (-_-")

Now, upon reaching Casa Rachado, the first thing we took notice was the parking to ensure it would accommodate the buses we usually used to transport the YE Camp participants to our camp venue. And then, we saw this sign:

Aiks. What an ominous sign. Nevertheless, off we went to commence our recce trip mission!

We were a bit surprised upon seeing Casa Rachado, as it looked different from the pictures online.

Here's the lobby, which is next to the dining area. It looks really nice in the picture, but really, it's only average in reality. We blame the chandelier and the yellow lighting for making it look so romantic, lol!

The dining area was quite large, and opens up to a verandah, which was great for us as we all knew how hectic it would be when there is not enough tables and seats during meal times at the camp.

Samba 1, which is the 2nd largest hall in Casa Rachado is right next to the dining area. Unfortunately, it's quite small, which we suspect would be a tight fit when we hold our ice-breaking games and other activities in the hall! (>_<)

The highlight of Casa Rachado, has got to be its swimming pool! Psst...it has a jacuzzi! Bwahahahaha!

Another feature of Casa Rachado is its man-made beach. The sand isn't very pretty, but hey it's still a beach! There's also a beach volleyball area...

...and an area where rafting can be done, which depends on whichever package you're taking from Casa Rachado.

The apartment rooms were pretty okay, although their colour combinations are very...bright. It certainly takes a while for you to get used to it, especially when the sun is shining brightly in the afternoon and making everything in the room look the same colour as the walls. (-_-")

Here's a cool thing found in the apartments - A fold-out bed hidden in the hall closet!

Magic cupboard?!

The single-bed room was a tight fit, but we like how they hang the extra pillows above the beds. It looks very funky.

They also provide towels and toiletries, which is great because there would definitely be someone who would forget either one of these items!

The double-bed room was quite large and can accommodate a few extra beds, which makes up for the tight fit in the single-bed room.

Double-bed room has got adjoining bathroom, peeps!


Lol. Do, Re, Mi. Here's a candid shot Leo Elaine snapped when Leo Kiwi, Iong Sik and Francis were hiding away so she could snap a pic of the double bed.

Casa Rachado also has a mini store next to the main entrance to the lobby, which is great so the camp participants can buy snacks if they get hungry even after main meals.

Forgot to bring your cultural costume? You can buy Malay costumes here...hee!

After touring Casa Rachado, we had another mini discussion regarding several aspects of the camp that needed immediate consultation with the Casa Rachado representative, Mr. Kumar.

Finally, 2 hours later it was time for us to head back to good ol' KL! But before we left, we decided to take a memento snap at the front entrance!

Kiwi & Iong Sik, no need to act cute lah...ish!

Woots!

YE Camp Recce Trip Mission accomplished! \(^o^)/

Visit To Rumah Sayangan Orphanage

Perhaps some of you may recall in some of our previous posts a project called 'Sharing Hearts, Sharing Hopes'.

The brainchild of Leo Joanne Wong, Sharing Hearts + Hopes first kicked off in October 2006 where we had organized a 'Charity@Movie: Orphans' Day Out' project for 30 young friends from 3 different orphanages at Cineleisure.

Lion Thomas, Lion Wong, Lion Soh from Lions Club of KL Cheras & KLCC Omega Leos who showed up with full-on support!

Leo Jessie & Leo Joanne having fun invading McDonald's for lunch with the kids after the movie!

Buoyed by the high of that smashing success, we recently convened together again on 4 March 2007 to jump-start Round 2 with a visit to Rumah Sayangan, one of the 3 orphanages!

Located at Taman Billion, Cheras, it was quite a challenge searching for parking as we had quite a good turnout of Leos, friends, and Lions from the Lions Club of Cybercare who were keen to join in the fun and good deeds!

Given the fact that it was held on a Sunday, and the fact that we just know how much most of us love our weekend lie-in on a Sunday, we were pleasantly surprised and grateful for the great show of support.

Asides from donating useful goodies from Unilever like shampoo, liquid detergents, and foodstuffs like peanut butter to Rumah Gembira, we also wanted to enjoy some fellowship with the kids and treat them to some yummilicious lunch!

The donated goodies & the delicious lunch treat!

Lunch was packed all the way from New Paris restaurant in SS2. Thank you Leo Joanne for going the distance! Talk about 山長水遠! [Literally translated: 'Over high mountains and long rivers'. Hee.]

Leos transforming into waiters for the day, kids enjoying lunch!

Now the food we packed was a feast indeed! Cantonese fried noodles, Yong Chow fried rice, Xing Chow mee hoon! We even bought Kentucky Fried Chicken in case some of the kids had a yen for fast food instead!

So it was very gratifying to hear happy remarks on the food with "Thumbs up!", "Good!", and "Yummy!" coming from all corners of Rumah Sayangan. One thing is for sure though, and that is you can always count on New Paris to serve delicious food. Hehe! (^_~)b

Lunch over, while Leo Elaine Tham and Elaine Ang took the dirty dishes to task, it was time for some fun and games for the rest of us with the kids!

Both Elaine's washing up, Joanna having fun with the kids

Somewhere along the way, the kids took to calling Leo Joanne, Auntie Joanne! Lol! What's more, there was a sudden 'workshop' teaching the kids how to smile and pose like a Japanese according to the numbers 1, 2, 4, 5, 7 and 10. (O_o)

Just.Don't.Ask. *shakes head*

Monkeying around before we said our good-byes!

In spite of some minor hiccups plus changes in dates and lunch arrangements, we all had a great time with the kids. We're so glad many volunteers came, and would like thank you all once more for your support!

We would also like to thank the people of Unilever who helped us buy Unilever products so efficiently, together with a special thanks to Leo Joanne's friend, Kok Foong for being kind enough to bring additional stuffs from Ridsect, Ambipur and Kiwi!

Thankyouthankyouthankyou!

We hope to see you guys again in our next visit to the other 2 orphanages!

*BIG HUGS Y'ALL!*

Spotlighted! KLCC In The News!

Late last January 2007, a bunch of us bravely tripped down to Port Dickson to save the world do some goodness for Mother Earth by cleaning the oft-polluted beaches there.

Although we were already jam packed with plannings for Youth Exchange Programme, annual jumbo Jumble Sales and the fantastic 'Sharing Hearts, Sharing Hopes' project umbrella initiated by our very capable LeoSuperwomanJoanne, we wanted to do an environmental project.

So we sat down and cracked our heads.

Just what exactly can we commit ourselves to without compromising our existing projects? Ideas flew fast and furiously around during the few meetings when we broached this subject.

After much discussion, we finally settled onto doing a Beach Clean-up Project jointly with our sponsoring Lions, the Lions Club of KL Cheras, together with the Lions Club of Lukut 88.

Several ideas, changes and emergencies [OMG, no one brought the Coke?] later, we finally did it!

Us Leos went down to PD one day earlier with the mad idea of having some jolly fellowship before we got down to tackling the beach the day after, even though most of us were pretty skeptical if we would wake up in time the next morning! Lol.

Monkey bonding session at the balcony?

Although it was tiring, what with all the constant bending over (no puns intended) and the excruciating heat of the sun, we were quite happy and satisfied with our haul of the day - 3 huge bags of beach trash!

Nothing like water to quench our thirsts

Even Abby, Leo May and Leo Maybel's pet retriever was happy, dashing to and fro around the beach and even into the sea before returning to us to splash everyone with a huge dose of sea water treatment for our skin. Lol.

Success! Mission accomplished!

After the beach clean-up, the Lions sprung a surprise invitation to us, graciously inviting us to attend an Open House party of one of the Lukut 88 Lion members.

Several months later, we received an even nicer surprise~!

A short feature of us in Nan Yang Siang Pow newspapers! (^_~)v

Lukut 88 Lion, KL Cheras President Lion Thomas, KLCC Omega Leos, Abby the (almost) club mascot, and Lion Au Yong of Lukut 88

Once again, we would like to express our sincere thanks to the Lions Club of KL Cheras and the Lions Club of Lukut 88 for their help, support and warm hospitality!

It was a successful project from many angles, and who knows, we might be able to hold this project regularly again come future?

*Grins*

We'll keep you posted, guys!

KLCC Omega: What We Do

If one were to ask us to explain about our club, it is perhaps safe to say that to join the KLCC Omega Leo Club, is to stand well between both the local and international scene.

For while we actively organize activities like fund raisers and visiting the local needy homes, the International stage demands much more from our members.

This is because besides holding the conventional duties and objectives of an Omega Leo Club, KLCC Omega stands unique as we primarily focus onto the Lions International Youth Exchange Programme.

As most of our club members consists of ex-Youth Exchange students, our experiences gained stand in good stead as we strive to assist the Youth Exchange Chairman of District 308-B in ensuring the success of the Youth Exchange Programme for both inbound and outbound Youth Exchange students.

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[INBOUND YOUTH EXCHANGE DUTIES]

Because we understand how it's like being in a foreign country on your own, it is our desire to enhance the cultural exchange and experience for the visiting Youth Exchange students and make them feel comfortable quickly.

As such, every Summer and Winter, we are on hand to greet the Youth Exchange students as they arrive at the airport.

In addition, we also organize various activities such as Youth Camps and Farewell Dinners to promote easy & fun interaction among the Youth Exchange students from various countries and their host families.

What's more, as the majority of the Youth Exchange students visiting Malaysia are from Japan, we also realize and understand the need for good communication skills.

Hence several of our members are fluent in Japanese, while most of us are able to communicate reasonably well in simple Japanese and English.

This is to ensure there will be no communication breakdowns between the exchange student and his/her host family, and if need be, to assist in the capacity of a translator.

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[OUTBOUND YOUTH EXCHANGE DUTIES]

Together with the Youth Exchange Chairperson of MD308-B, we are also responsible for shaping up young Malaysian ambassadors for their visit to their country of choice.

Test & Interview Sessions are held to choose capable and suitable candidates as Young Ambassadors, a most important aspect as our ambassadors will reflect our future leaders to the world.

Subsequently, an Orientation Day would be held for successful applicants, whereby the experienced past exchange students (often from KLCC Omega) are invited to provide experience sharing, tips and advice.

This is also the time where the future ambassadors can ask questions about their interested countries during the Question & Answer Session held during the Orientation. These are very important events, as our future ambassadors should prepare themselves well with the knowledge of both their own countries and the countries they will be visiting.

Currently, the Malaysian Youth Exchange Programme offers Japan, New Zealand, South Africa, Australia, Belgium, Norway, Denmark, Italy as countries for exchange.

Come Summer 2007, Finland and France will also be available for exchange opportunities.