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^)/

Dinner with Lions Club of Yame, Japan!

It's always nice to renew friendship and fellowship, especially so when it's with a visiting Lions Club all the way from Yame, Japan!

Welcome to Malaysia again, Lions Club of Yame! (八女 LC)

Yame, by the way, is a city located in the Fukuoka prefecture of Japan famed for its green tea.

More importantly, Yame was also the homestay location for several of our Leos, namely Leo Jesslyn, Leo Joanne and Leo Jason Ong!

For the rest of us who met them when they visited KL last 2006, it was quite an anticipation as we organized another small get-together dinner at Hakka Restaurant.

KLCC Omega Leos, Malaysian YE's who homestayed in Yame, and Yame YE's who homestayed in Malaysia at the 2006 Reunion Dinner!

The purpose of this dinner was for ex-Youth Exchangees who had their homestay in Yame to have another reunion with their hosting families, the Lions Club of Yame, before the Yame Lions depart for home.

Finally, 21 April arrived!

Due to heavy rain and massive traffic jams, several of the ex-YE's and their families were delayed. While waiting, we introduced ourselves formally to every Yame Lion member, especially important for those who will be winging their way down to Yame come December.

Dinner began shortly and pretty soon the ice was broken, with many of the Yame Lions making heartfelt speeches about the Malaysian YE's they had hosted, and how they were happy to finally meet the parents of their YE's who were almost like their own child.

Many following speeches ensued with many 'Kampai' toasts ringing merrily in the air. Gifts from the Yame Lions were presented, and several Yame Lions even gamely sang on karaoke!

Ex-YE Skantha & his girlfriend receiving a gift from District 337-A YE Chairman 2006-07, Lion Kunitake Teruhisa

The Lions Club of Yame then formally extended a very gracious invitation to the KLCC Omega Leo Club to attend their 50th Club Anniversary on 18 November 2007.

As Leo Zetuan and Leo Teck Liet would be unable to join the December visit to Yame, they were more than happy to accept the invite.

KLCC Omega President 2006-07, Leo Zetuan together with District 337-A YE Chairman 2006-07, Lion Kunitake Teruhisa

All in all, it was an enjoyable night of reunion and fellowship. Alas, all good things must come to and end and soon it was time to say "Sayonara!". Hugs were exchanged, promises to meet again were elicited, and pictures were quickly snapped before the final adieu.

Final group snap before Sayonara!

さよなら、また今度会いましょう！　(^_~)/

We hope you all had a good time! See you all again this end of year 2007!

Youth Exchange Programme Rules & Requirements

Heads up people!

Because we've been there and done that, we know exactly how confusing it may be when it comes to finding out more about the Lions Youth Exchange Programme.

So before you rush out to apply for the Youth Exchange Programme, here are some things you ought to know about...

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[Youth Exchange Rules & Requirements]

• Candidates must be aged between 16-21 years old, at the time of outbound.

• Candidates must host a foreign youth for about 2-3 weeks BEFORE outbound.

• Volunteering for hosting does not automatically guarantee candidate selection for the Youth Exchange Programme. We hope you will kindly take note of this.

• Candidates must successfully qualify on the Test & Interview session conducted by the Youth Exchange committee.

• Candidates must be sponsored by a Lions Club.

• Candidates must seek consent from Parents/Guardian.

• A registration fee of RM 100 (non-refundable for administration) is to be submitted along with the application form.

• All selection decisions made by the Youth Exchange committee are final and binding. No correspondences whatsoever will be entertained. All selected candidates for the Youth Exchange Programme will be notified by mail.

• More than one candidate can be selected from each family at one point in time for the Youth Exchange Programme, provided the candidates select different countries. Both candidates are not allowed to visit the same country together.

• All successful candidates are allowed to select Japan only ONCE for the Youth Exchange Programme.

• Host families for outbound will be assigned by the Lion’s Clubs of the respective countries*. (*The departing country of the selected candidate)

• Closing date: 30 April of every year. The Youth Exchange committee will not be held responsible and will not be liable for any late application submissions.

• By submission of the application form, each candidate agrees to be bound by these Rules & Requirements.

• Airfare and all miscellaneous expenses are to be borne by the candidates themselves. (E.g. YE Blazer, Tie, etc).

• All selected candidates will purchase airfares through the Youth Exchange’s assigned travel agent. Candidates are strictly disallowed to purchase airfare on their own.

• All selected candidates for the outbound must adhere to the Youth Exchange’s programme and arrangement at all times.

• All selected candidates for the Youth Exchange Programme will be covered by insurance, which must be purchased specifically via the Youth Exchange Programme.

• Please note that the Youth Exchange committee will not entertain any special requests whatsoever. All selected candidates will be treated with equal standards.

• All decisions of the Youth Exchange committee are final. The committee reserves the right to disqualify any candidates, should they fail to abide to the above Rules & Requirements.

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Having said that, if you need any more information, just holler here!

Alternatively, do contact the Lions Headquarters at (+603) 6272 5399 for more information.

Cheerios and best of luck with your application! (^_~)v

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.