Final days - Melaka and Port Dixon

After a restful night sleep, up early at 7 for breakfast and then finish packing to leave the hotel and head to Melaka and Port Dixon. A we were on our own as far as transportation goes, we had to pack the busses to the rafters. We were even ready to go 5 minutes early! Unfortunately, the drivers felt the busses were overloaded so, we had to get a truck to take most of the instruments instead. At 10:45 we departed the Hotel Sentral and bid our kind hosts a fond farewell. 

At Melaka, we visited the local historical fort built in the early 1600's by the Dutch. The village was also settled previously by the Portugese and Indonesians. Interesting of note was the tombstones of the early settlers and Captains of ships who were there before. The Governors mansion walls were actually made out of ballast from the ships that came here in those days. 

A long day viewing local shops and a river cruise which included an audio of the history of Melaka. While on the river, the members were ale to see a 7 foot long Monitor Lizard swimming in the river.  Quite a site.

A bit of a bus ride back to Glory Beach resort at Port Dixon where we will spend our final nights here in an amazing country. A relaxing day by the beach and poolside where the tensions of the tour are forgotten. Everyone enjoyed the entire trip we are sure. It was fantastic to see the kids rise to the challenge of the competition, show pride in themselves and their country.  The kids all did fantastic and a remark heard quite often from staff has been how great the kids have been. Real troopers. 

See you all very soon this Saturday!

Richard Agnew & Graham Fast
P.s. A link will be provided to photos taken on tour at a later date.

Elephant Sanctuary

August 3rd

Wow! Quite an amazing day to say the least. Today was our visit to the Elephant Sanctuary. We had the main gentleman from the sanctuary at the hotel to give us a video presentation on the sanctuary and how they work and rescue Elephants. This got everyone excited about actually seeing and interacting with the Elephants.

We got an early start today as we had a long bus ride. About 2 1/2 bourse later, we arrived at the Sanctuary. Surprisingly well developed as everyone had remarked how our impression before we arrived was that the area was going to be pretty desolate and deep in the jungle. Deep in the jungle, desolate no. With secure structures for the elephants, and interactive viewing pens for the Elephants. This was a fantastic opportunity to get up close with these huge animals.

Our first encounter was with 4 young Elephants. They were quite cute and the kids loved feeding them peanuts from their hands. It was very interesting watching some of the expressions on the kids faces as the Elephants vacuumed up the nuts with their snouts. 

Next, they brought out 5 Adults. Explaining where they came from, they kids eyes were wide with amazement watching them. We were then given the opportunity to ride the huge animals. Almost everyone rode the big pachyderm around a penned enclosure, a highlight I am sure based on the smiles from each and everyone.

We were provided a nutritious lunch by the locals and after that, the boys were put to work. As it is the month of Ramadan, the locals really don't do too much heavy work during the day. With 92 strong bodies who rare well fed, there was a work force to be tapped. The sanctuary needed some sand bags filled and transferred to a ramp by the river to support the edge of the ramp from eroding. They went at it like Canadian beavers building a dam. At the end, everyone had a great sense of accomplishment in helping and giving back. After such hard work, it was time to cool off. They turned on a hose and sprayed everyone down with a cool shower. Extremely refreshing for all, but better still was the swim in the river. Everyone enjoyed the swim, probably more than Sunway Lagoon! 

After about 40 minutes, we were taken on a tour of the local jungle area. Down a pathway about 600 meters to view the local flora and fauna of the jungle. Of note was a particular type of tree that the locals use the sap of to dip their dart tips in to hunt. 

One of the highlights was the bathing with the baby elephants. This was and amazing fun, and very wet! Most were able to get onto the elephant and get a "bath". Finally, a snack before we left and the ride back to the hotel. After dinner, we sorted out our equipment and packed everything up for our trip to Melaka and Port Dixon. We will be in Port Dixon for the remainder of the trip and don't know what the Internet will be like so please bear with us. We will be home soon!

Aug 2nd

Batu Caves. A very interesting natural marvel of the area. A cave in the sides of the mountains that has been used for worship for many centuries. Of note was the climb of 276 steps to get to the very top. A challenging climb for some of us older folk but a short jaunt for the kids. 

At the top, a vast array of shrines, art and artifacts decorating the walls. At One particular shrine, you could pray with the local priest and get anointed with colored paste. One of the quirky thins inside was the abundance of monkeys. Probably 60 or so small monkeys around the area. They liked shiney things and food! Although wild, they seemed to be very calm around the general public and non aggressive. Once everything had been viewed, it was back DOWN the 276 steps to the ground.

A bit of free time and you guessed it, shopping. A last chance to go out and get that Rolex, Coach purse, or Jimmy Chu shoes. Tonight we went to the Malaysian Cultural Center for dinner and a show. A fantastic buffet feast of food for every taste and palat. Everyone quite literally filled up on their favorite foods. After the dinner was the show. Displaying local dances and music, the entertainers worked hard to demonstrate a little bit of Malaysian history. After dinner,a monorail ride back to the hotel.

Aug 1st

Outstation tour

On the bus at 7:30 to a country tour. Visiting a clock tower that is similar to the leaning tower of Pisa. Built in the 1870's originally as a water tower but used as an outlook post during the second world war by the Japanese 

We learned about Palm oil and how is grows and then went to a fishing warf to see the fresh catch come in for the day. Amazing watching how the fish is processed.

We were treated to a lunch of local fare with delecasies such as fried rice, squid, deep fried fish, boch choi and fresh coconut. Returning home late after a view of the country side.

Sunday July 31

Sunway Lagoon. 

A resort area in Malaysia. A tourist destination formerly a mining town and an open mining pit. Built by the owner, a visionary for his time. Turning the mining pit into a huge recreational theme park and resport hotel. At the time, outside of the city, but now surrounded buy towers of apartment buildings. About 30 minutes from the hotel. 5 theme parks, water, amusement, extreme, and scream parks. Wonders of Africa, a surf pool, cannon slides, pedestrian walk way 428 meters long. There is a bungee jump as well. Lots of sun and fun for the kids and a chance to relax in an awesome environment. 

Finals!

Saturday. Finals day. As usual, breakfast then onto the busses for one final rehearsal. Although it started out gloomy and raining, the band pushed on to the practice field at the Victoria Institution. Final tuning, tweaking and tinkering all down to this last performance. Light but intense, the focus now, is upon the final, and perhaps BEST show of the year.

One more time, the members of the 2011 Stetson Showband gathered their collective minds and souls to perform what would be an amazing field show. Brass? Ready... Woodwinds? Tuned... Pit and Battery? Psyched... Colorguard? Primed... All in place for The Final Show.

The Stetson's would put everything they had on the field. Emotion, intensity, dynamics, tears of joy. Finishing 7th with an overall mark of 87.9.  At retreat, everyone danced and sang along with Hey Baby! as well as the monster! A mixmaster of bands and Colorgaurd, sounds and colors with flashes from many cameras going off like a huge lightening storm. All dancing to every band playing their favorite songs. 

The night ended with the time honored tradition of Age Out. A finale, for some, a graduation of sorts for others. Moving on to other priorities in their personal growth. Some, staying with the Stetson's band for another year while others move onto the Stampede Show Band or other interests. Either way, the 2011 World Championship Marching Show Bands tour will have given each member memories to reflect upon for a lifetime. We are all very proud of each and every one of you and you should be proud of yourself for the accomplishments you have achieved this year. Congratulations 2011 Stetson's.

Friday July 29th

DRUM BATTLE!
A very early start for the Drumline this morning. Competition started at 9;00 at the Pavilion shopping area. Fifteen bands participated in today's competition and after the first Battle pitting Stetsons against Royals, both bands made it into the top eight! Awesome work by both bands.  The Malaysian band and the Indonesians were also in the top eight, stiff competition.

Returning for the quarter finals, Stetson's Drumline brought their best and delivered. Despite an awesome performance and stare-down, Stetson's lost to Indonesia. But, a well fought battle and an amazing experience for them all. Next year's World's will be very, very interesting and exciting, if you have never experienced a Drum Battle, it is surely amazing to watch. Choreography, musicianship, timing, and precision are all parts of this competition.

Red Deer Royals also put on a great show which was great to see and was well supported by both Stetson members as well as Red Deer Royals and staff. Both bands, although competing against one another are cheering each other on in the spirit of the competition. Ultimately, the Drumline from Malaysia took home the hardware. Congratulations to them.

In the afternoon we returned to the hotel once again. No rehearsal but a more in depth intellectual look at the show. Andrea and staff had a chance to review the comments from the judges from our preliminary competition and are sharing them with the kids. A great way to review things and a chance for them to hear what others, specifically the judges are looking for. 

Returning to the Stadium, we watched another group of bands compete in the preliminary competition. All the bands from tonight were from Malaysia beginning with a Klang from Selangor, followed by King Edward VII School Marching Band from Perak, Lembah Bidong Marching Band from Terengganu, Saint Columba Military School Band from Sarawak, Seri Garing Marching Band from Sultan, Ibrahin Girls School Marching Band, from Johor, St. Joseph Miri Marching Band from Sarawak, SMK Jit Sin from Penang, Ave Maria Convent School Band from Perak, Victoria Institution Cadet Corps Bad from KL, Chung Hua Miri Brass Band from Sarawak, and culminating with the Sultanah Asma School Band from Kedah  All fantastic groups and great shows. Once again, a late night and off to bed. Rehearsal tomorrow for the big final show of 2011.