White Manta - Special Needs children cruise (Dez)

31st August was a special day for me and my wife.

We were invited to go on a cruise. A specially booked cruise, by one of the special needs mum, Sam, for a afternoon outing for special needs children family.

As we indicated our interest late, we almost didn't make it for the cruise. I was also rushing out some work over the weekend, and was considering not to go.

Fortunately, I decided to make the effort. It was a very pleasant journey. Me and my wife agreed that it's probably once in a life-time experience, for us middle-income family, to be able to on a private cruise ship, White Manta.

If I remembered correctly, 10 families went for the gathering. This was my first time meeting many of those families. All (except us) brought their kids along for the event.

I volunteered to be the camera-man, and I went around snapping pictures with my wife's new camera phone HTC One and some mummy's compact camera. Thank God for my wife's new HTC one cos the pictures turn out very nice! The pictures in this blog were all taken by HTC one. Will need to download it and send to Sam...

The cruise ship was huge, with 3 decks. The top deck was like an open-top bus, but much bigger. You can see part of the top deck, on the photo on the left. There are many lounge chairs around, and benches at the side.

The middle deck was where we hang out, with a nice air-conditioned cabin. I don't have the pictures of the cabin on the HTC one, as those were taken by the compact camera.

One of the highlight of the day was the release of balloons. One family actually brought a helium tank so that we can fill up the balloons. All the families then wrote down the blessings and wishes on the balloons. We then released the balloons and see it rise into the air... Of course, as Christians, we believe our prayers are heard by Jesus anywhere. Nonetheless, the symbolic act of seeing the balloons rising up... was very therapeutic.

The kids have a fun time running around on the top deck, playing with the balloons and enjoying the sea breeze. The families also prepared some games, in which the children need to burst the balloons, perform some tasks and get some prizes. You can see the families generally enjoying themselves. The organiser was also thoughtful enough to get a nurse on board of the ship, so that the special needs family can have a peace of mind.

Dinner was served by the cruise crew. Apparently they have a kitchen on the lower deck, and they served delicious fried chicken wings, satay, bee hoon, apple pie among others. The families also brought food, with a chef father bringing delicious sandwiches (which I chomped down before dinner since i was sooo hungry).

We brought 2x bottles of moscato and went around pouring wine for others. Many of us also chit-chatted, though mostly we were just enjoying the scenery and the sea breeze. Or maybe it's just me, cos i was going around snapping pictures of everyone.

At the end of the day, the cruise ship director/ CEO/ boss made a short speech. He felt that God has planned for all this cruise to happen, as many coincidences happened. Normally the cruise was fully booked, but just the weekend, they were unable to get sufficient clients. Normally, he would be overseas, but somehow or rather, he was available locally. Normally, he do not need to be present on the ship, but the main coordinator went on leave, and he have to take over. He gave a prayer to all the families present, praying for God's healing and strength for all of us.

Tears were rolling down me and my wife's eyes when he prayed. Not specifically because of the prayer, but because we felt that the guy was really genuine in his speech, and that he felt blessed seeing the special needs family, and he saw strength and resilience in us. We sense the sincerity in his speech.


We thank God for the special day that we have as a community of special needs kids. I am reminded of Charlene when I see the kids. Their struggles, their progress, their smiles, their strength.... They remind me of Charlene.

Though I get teary eyed when I'm with this community, I would not want to be cut off from them. It is through Charlene that we know them. Me and my wife understand the difficulties they are going, the pain they are enduring, and the little triumphs in their daily lives... we recognise those things and we want to affirm them.

Thank you Lord Jesus... for giving each and everyone of us the strength, and the purpose-filled lives for us to keep on walking down this journey.

One of the balloon blessings - "All families have, despite challenges, can have strength, peace and joy! Rose & family"