With the backdrop of the sea as part of the romantic setting, friends and family who were present along the breakwaters of SAFYC (Tanah Merah) witnessed the solemnisation of the happy couple, Beng & Xueling.

This is the 2nd solemnisation I have attended for this year and a rather atypical one too. 

Venue-wise, it is a first for me to attend an outdoor solemnisation and buffet reception.  The more common venues are ROM itself, restaurants and hotels. 

S’pore’s humid weather aside, the outdoor venue allows for a more casual feel to the whole event, with guests turning up in jeans (that’s me) and not being restricted to the formal dresscode.  I like!

Buffet-style reception also means eating at our usual pace (which is FAST) without being regulated by the speed of the dishes being served and hence dragging the whole dinner to almost 11pm on occasions. 

It was also a heat-warming sight to meet up with all the old friends from the club as seldom would we get the chance to gather in such large numbers, with everyone busy with their own lives/ work etc. 

Gone are the days where we would simply lounge around the trainer’s den after a course (as many of us I think have not been down at the club on such a frequent basis anymore).  Or spending months planning and preparing for an expedition.  Or going on expeditions, paddling to the southern islands of s’pore.

Frankly, the paddling part was really a test of one’s endurance and looking back, probaby that was a good way to train up one’s mental strength. 

However, what I took away from all the expeditions was not the fatigue but the fun and laughter that was shared amongst the group.

This group of friends which I made on the seas will be one special bunch of people whom I will definitely remember for life.