Virtual Tour to Chek Jawa

Date: 12 January 2009
Time: 11.30am


We had to select a perfect location that could help us with our project on animal and plant conservation. Indeed, we needed a place that provides us with a fascinating array of animals and plants from different habitat and of different adaptations.

We then viewed a virtual tour of Chek Jawa has provided magnificent sites of Chek Jawa. Chek Jawa is located at Pulau Ubin, Singapore. According to our expectations, Chek Jawa showcases rare creatures and plants that are worth knowing about. Some animals and plants have left different impact on us. Here is some information on the animals and plants that has amazed us.

Our first destination was mangrove swamp. We came across many different mangrove animals. One of the wondrous animals that we spotted was the Porcelain Fiddler Crab. This is an outstanding animal because of its vibrant colours, unlike common crabs. Its tiny body, which has a width of 1.5 – 2 cm, is coated with shiny black that has white dotted stripes. It also has a striking orange pincers that attracts our attention the most.

The next creature that amazed us was the sea slug. This creature was not very attractive or might we say it was spotless. But, one of us somehow came across this creature. What actually amazed us was the way its body system works. The sea slug’s gills are modified for breathing air. Infect, they are hermaphrodites with complicated reproductive organs to ensure cross- but not self-fertilisation. Sea slugs actually come in different colours and sizes. There are some which are so colourful that it might seem to you like a plasticy-looking toy. But the common ones that were found in the rocky shore of Chek Jawa was the blackish coloured slug. One reason this amazing creature is rarely seen is because of its colour.

Our final destination was the coastal forest of chek jawa. There, they had a canopy of trees, plants and a few wild creatures. Almost everything there was so vibrantly coloured. But, only one had caught our eye. This plant actually looked like a pinkish coloured dangling lamp. It was just unbelievable. We were so excited upon looking at the plant so intensively. We just wished we could have plucked the fruit of the plant. It was definitely very eyed catching.

From this trip to Chek Jawa, we both think that we have really learnt beyond our classrooms and daily lives. We think that this tour has not only provided us with information of different plants and animals but also an outdoor experience.

Confessions of an Acrophobia

It had always been a problem for me to do any form of high elements activities. In particular, I was afraid of doing activities like abseiling and flying fox. When all my friends are eagerly volunteering themselves to do these activities, I try my very best to escape these activities. Though I might be seen cheering for my friends, I would not dare to go up there to participate.

Although I tried my best to escape these activities for each camp, there was a particular time where I was spotted standing in a corner by a teacher. She approached me in a friendly way and was eager to know why I was away from my group of friends. After I had explained to her about my phobia, she insisted that I should experience it to see for myself if it was really scary.

My teacher then went to the place my friends were standing. She then asked the girl who was eagerly waiting to try the abseiling next to give me a chance. The girl gave up her chance to me. My teacher then explained to my friends about my phobia. Upon hearing it, my friends immediately started cheering for me. One by one came forward to tell about their experience. They also ensured me that there were no chances of me falling down as the instructor would be holding on to the other end of the rope.

Keeping their words of encouragement in mind, I climbed up the flight of stairs where the instructor was waiting for me. The instructor being a kind person, he slowly explained to me how to slowly go down. When I was going down, I could hear my friends down there cheering and screaming my name. Though I was feeling very nervous and trying to avoid looking down, I preserved throughout the journey down. When my foot finally touched the ground, I let out a sigh of relief. My friends were all crowded around me, one by one asking me how I felt.

I found this experience very unique. I thanked my friends for cheering for me and encouraging me to try. I also thanked my teacher who was waiting for me to share my experience. Though I was able to go up there because my teacher insisted I should try, I was unable to volunteer myself again. I then realized that my fear has restricted me from doing high elements activities and looking down from high-rise buildings. I have taken this weakness of mine more as a motivation rather than a discouragement. I try my best in most scenarios to do these activities to get out of my fear.

(446 words)

Reflective Journal 4

Date: 1st February 2009
Time: 7.34 pm

This article that I read about educated me on ways I can prevent the effects of climate change to take place. I have taken note of some ways I can help save our planet and I hope people out there will also do the same.

Some ways that I learnt was that to reuse, reduce and recycle. This is one of the simplest way to help as the cutting down of trees can increase the amount of carbon dioxide in the environment and that would lead to climate change as carbon dioxide traps the heat in the atmosphere.

Another way is to use energy saving bulbs. This would reduce the amount needed and can cut down on the amount of burning of fossil fuels which contribute to the climate change.

Finally, we can take part in the annually conducted global movement call Earth Hour. This requires us to switch off the lights for an hour which can save a lot of out earth’s resources and reduce the effects of climate change.

Thus, if we all cooperate, we can change the world for the better. After all, the earth is our home and its our duty to save it.