Back From The Land Of The Long White Cloud

Back from New Zealand. Was there for 12 days reservist training. All in all was a very good trip.

We were based in Waiouru camp, about 400km south of Auckland in the North Island. Was very cold, daily temperature hovered between 1deg and 6degs. Everywhere we go could see our own breath.

The first few days of the exercise was quite xiong but then once the games began it got much better. We had pretty good bunks and amenities too. Think the New Zealanders really tried to take care of us as best they could. We had a nice bed, comforter, heater had no problems. Only issue was our room key which spoilt and there was no replacement, meaning we literally left our room unlocked for almost 8 days while in camp!

We even went to Lake Taupo for a Sunday day off even though there was hardly anything to do there.

We had alot of free time to do alot of things like reading books, writing a short journal, and catching up with each other's lives. I shared a bunk with Richard, Joshua and Ben, all great roommates (no snorers). Managed to cover The Outliers by Malcolm Gladwell and Paths of Glory by Jeffrey Archer.

Oh, and I spent my 31st birthday in camp as well. How sad right? But then also nice of the brigade to celebrate the birthdays of the July babies (there were only 3 of us) during on r&r dinner on the last day of the trip lah.

I think we were quite lucky to be given the opportunity to go in the first place given that we were reservists, but we made the most of it and made a very good impression with the Kiwis. So good on everyone. And that we spent alot of time in the resident pub of the camp, the Garrison Bar, for alot of nights meant that we made alot of friends there :) Beers were so cheap they were at $2.50 a bottle!

The one thing I really couldn't stand was the constant potato diet! Everyday I ate potatoes! I mean like it, but to have it every single day for every meal? And the sausages were a constant for every meal too aiyoh.

In Auckland we all had a nice dinner, then most of us crammed into a naughty strip bar followed by the casino (lost $200). How's that for a fun itinary.

Its funny that for 3 weeks a year we meet up and even though its sucha short period of interaction, still it feels as though some of us have known each other for ages. Maybe that is exactly what we want to defend in Singapore?

Ok getting ready to go back for work on Monday liaoz. There's golf tomorrow!