I am sad to say that the last day of this history sabbatical.But the trip to Changi Museum was a undeniably both interesting and unforgettable experience. I reached Hwa Chong -our meeting place at the twilight of the morning.At 7.30 am,the flag raising ceremony commenced.After this,we went to LT2 to have a short briefing about today's trip to Changi Prison.We also watched a documentary that was dubbed in Chinese about the murals painted by Stanley Warren,a British Bombardier in the British Loyal Force.His masterpiece had helped his other fellow POWs to pass through the hardship and suffering during this period.After watching this documentaty,I felt deeply impressed by Stanley Warren as he completed the paintings in spite of his poor health and the lack of the necessary materials.He hoped that via the murals themselves would cease the hatred of the POWs towards the Japanese for their war atrocialtie.This is showed Warran's "big heart",as the Chinese called.The concept applies the same in Buddism as Buddha once quoted,"hatred can't be overcome by hatred,learn to forgive and love your enemy." When the show is over,the school bus took us to our final destination-Changi Museum.Led by the a experienced Sikh guide,we started to explore the history of the murals,the Changi Chapel and of course ,the living condition of the prisons. With the guide's eloquency and a strong sense of humor,we were much attracted to the topics he mentioned.Now, I know that the chapel we see outside the museum was a replica.The authentic one was displayed in Australia as the majority of it were done by the Australians.Only the golden cross that was glass-cased was so called the real thing.It was done by a british POW who later died on his way back to England.This great man was Sgt Harry Stogden.We later knew that the cross was actually fashioned out of a spent artillery shell,how amazing!Yet,this fact was somehow quite ironical as the killer weapon was made to become a significance to enlighten the hopes of thousand of Nevertheless,the chapel represents the undaunted courage of the POWs during the worst time.This reminded me of the Americans finished their Empire State Building during the Great Depression which showed great resilience and sheer determination as well. We later moved on to a place where we were told to sit down,infront of us was a map of the south-east Asia.The guide then explained in details to us how the Japanese moved down swiftly to capture lands in Asia and their strengths and weekness.The lecture was both exciting and amusing under the skilled guide.After that,we went to a place in the museum that represents St Luke church in Changi Prison.The murals were the replicas too.The authentic murals actually have gone through renovations before it reaches its final stage!How troublesome it is!But the nevertheless,the work is completed (only left with 1/2 out of 5) before Stanley actually died in 1992,we should thank him for leaving us a completed national heritage before his death.And each time he came to do renovations,the horror of the war will flooded back to his mind again.It actually took one a lot of courage to do it.Let us salute to him! The trip ended at about 11.00pm.During this two hours,I had indeed inquired a lot of knowlege,both mental and physical.Perhaps,the thing in the museum that left a everlasting impression was a simple drawing by a POWs.Its title was "two chlorea and one malaria".Although it was presented in a informal and entertaining way,I found that it was very touching picture.From this,I learnt that no matter what kind of storms we might face in our life,if we united to gather as one,like brothers,it will come a calm. In general,this sabbatical activity was an unforgettable event which will always etched in my mind.I would remember the day when 15 of us ,like a band of brothers,undigging the treasures of the humanity.
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