trip to singapore

Last week, I had a trip to Singapore with my fellow IEC'ers for approximately 4 days.. We started the journey on August 28th. first, we went to Batam by using Airplane, and from Batam we used a jet boat to Front Harbour. Actually, this was my first dissapointment, because I wasn't told that we're going to Batam first. I thought that we're going directly to Changi Airport, but later I figured that sea cruise fiscal is a lot cheaper than a flight fiscal...
Tha trip was supposed to be an edufun journey, but strangely, I barely feel the sense of education in the trip. In my opinion, it was more like Shopping-fun journey... well, don't get cranky yet, let me explain why..
As soon as we arrived at Front Harbor, we were rushed to a building to ride a cable car that headed to Sentosa Island. at that moment, I was pretty much amused by the Singapore's city scene, and the gigantic cruise ship. this was fun part of the journey
After we landed at Sentosa Island, we went directly to beach station by using bullet train, and after that, I watched the most amazing, and relaxing show I've ever had, which was the song of the sea. the show was truly inspirational and definitely worth to watch. this was fun part of the journey.
we were completely stunned by the show, and the feeling still last until the present time. After watching the show, we had our dinner - steamboat style - we were supposed to boil all of the meal into a boiler which was provided to each of us. the meal wasn't that impressive. I still think that this was the fun part of the journey.
we went to the hotel for checking in, and to be frankly this was my second dissapointment, because our hotel was located at the redzone - prostitution area - of Singapore. Because of that matter, the comittee forbid us to go outside alone.
by the next morning, we went to the merlion park to see the mermaid-lion itself. Along the way, mr. Wang (the guide leader) explained about singapore's history.. how it was built, how singaporean government has preserved the park around Singapore, the tri-shaw, the historical sites, such as lau fan fa sa, raffles statue, the amphiteater, the microphone building (I forgot the name), the largest fountain in the world with five fingers building around it etc. this was the education part of the journey.
After few photo shoots and a brief explanation about how water can be defined as money, we went to a mall for some shoping time - the mall provide expensive items, so it's not important for me to remember it's name - . After that we went to china town to have another shopping time, and this time is way cheaper than before. this was the shopping part of the journey. After buying few things for families and friends, we went to the most prestigous mall in Singapore, which was Takashimaya mall.. we had a lunch at seoul garden restaurant. the lunch was splendid, it was a buffet, so basically all we can eat, and they provide everything.. from the appetizer, main course, desert and various kind of beverages. but we have to becarefull, because we're not allowed to left over foods (you'll get fined).. this was again the fun part of the trip.
after our stomach got stuffed because our gluttony, we went to little india (mustapha center) , again to have another shopping time by using MRT. this was the education part and also the shopping part of the trip. after another shopping time - well, actually it's a shopping time for those who got a lot of money, but for those who didn't have a lot of money, it's just another window shopping time - but it was interesting to know how the system works around little India.
We had an early dinner afterward, and this time was un-othentical Indonesian food. the next morning we headed back home, and while waiting the boarding time at Front Harbor, we're allowed to have - YES - another shopping time. this was again and again another shopping part of journey.
well, I didn't mean to adress complaints so hard,, but some people on the trip adressed similar complaints about this trip. I guess every person has different expectations. we - the ones who criticize - thought that the trip will be more educative, we thought that our main destination will be the museum, school or technology center. despite the fact that the trip was less educative, I'm proud to tell that I had a blast of fun during that trip...
well, that's all I guess,, I hope that my critics will bring good to the future planning..