Navy Open House 2010

Just a few weeks ago, my 5.5 years old told us he wanted to be the Captain of an aircraft carrier when he grew up.

The daddy informed him that there are no aircraft carriers in the Singapore Navy.

'How can I be a Captain of an aircraft carrier if there is not even ONE in the first place?' sulked the disappointed boy.

The daddy gently suggested that the boy take actions to make his dreams come true. At first, there was a little reluctance and uncertainties.

'Huh? How? What? etc' ... After lots of questions and a little research on the Internet, it was decided that the boy would write a letter to the Singapore Navy, addressed to the Chief of Singapore Navy.

And so he did.

The 5.5 years old sat down and wrote a very personal letter to the Rear Admiral Chew and even drew a cute little picture to accompany his letter.

We posted the letter in good faith and congratulated the little boy for his efforts and initiative. I remember joking that it would be so funny if we received a reply.

A few weeks later, we got this in our mailbox!! Totally unexpected!

With the letter came a big wall poster and tickets for the ship cruise and frigate tour at the Navy Open House 2010. We learnt later (at the event) that the public had to ballot for the privileged few tickets, so we were very delighted with ours.

On 23rd May, armed with hats, plenty of sunblock and ample energy, we headed to the Expo for the Navy Open House 2010. The mood for adventure was written all over my boys' faces, it was simply awesome!

Here are a few photos to remember the outing by...

All comfortably seated on board the minesweeper during the ship cruise.

Of course like EVERYONE else, we had to have a photo of them in front of a ship, whether they liked it or not! :P It seems silly now, but I am sure we will cherish such photos in future when my boys are grown up!

Pretending to shoot down some airplanes!

One of Marcus' favourite vessels that day. He kept hurrying us to go home so that he could draw it on paper. Once he reached home, he drew it from memory straightaway.

We had to coax them to pose for us. They were tired and hungry by then. So the reluctance showed on the faces.

The ship cruise was a fantastic experience for them - to have their cheeks caressed by the sea breeze and ears blasted by the howling of the wind while they admired ocean-liners and other marine vessels as far as their eyes could see.

The boys were totally knackered after the few hours in the torturous heat. So we decided to skip the Frigate tour and had a quick bite (of really crappy food at the Show) instead to refuel before heading for the exit.

Though there was still so much more that we could have checked out if we had stayed a little longer, I am glad that we made it to the event. A small adventure is better than none. After all, how often would little boys get to sail with a minesweeper and see a submarine up close!

It is indeed a nice addition to their childhood memory.