For the second year in a row, the Singapore Alumni Chapter organized a Bintan getaway weekend from 5 to 7 May 2017 for recent, not-so-recent and soon-to-be Alumni. The 20 participants ranged from the earliest batches in 2004 to first-year students about to graduate from LKY School next year. Most left on the Friday evening ferry for the island’s Mutiara Beach Resort; a few stragglers arrived on Saturday morning to mingle, unwind and hang out together.
While Chapter President Johannes Loh (MPP 2010) made it clear no “official” program would take away time from relaxing, there were more than enough activities to participate in together. Long breakfasts turned into lunches, exchanging the most memorable (and embarrassing) student stories from the past; the beautiful beach was inviting to relax, swim, paddle-board, have a massage, and enjoy ice-cold Bintang beers in what transformed into an impromptu evening ocean party; and a BBQ dinner with bonfire led to communal games like “Mafia” – where a “town” is trying to identify “murderers” before it’s too late for them – and Cards Against Humanity, a satirical card game.
The next day, a board game called PowerGrid provided perfect entertainment – at least for a handful of enthusiastic energy policy nerds – for a rainy Sunday afternoon. But the sun came out just in time for a last swim before it was time to leave again. Not to worry though, next year’s (by now traditional?!) Bintan Alumni reunion 2018 awaits!
Martin Stavenhagen, Vice President Singapore Alumni Chapter, MPP 2010