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Nokia Technical
Assistance Center: ' Let me start by
telling how much we enjoyed ourselves in Loola. All the activities, food and
accommodation were great. On top of that, let me highlight the fact that your
staff has been the best I have seen so far in my five year stint in Asia
- Tomi Niskakoski, Manager
Parental feedback on our Holiday camps: ' Michelle and Daniella still
rave about our camp until today. They say it was one of their best experiences
and would join your camp any time again. Besides having some of their good
friends with them, it was mainly David who made this week so memorable for them.
He had his group under control and made everybody relax and have lots of fun. I
believe he was able to analyze each child's character by knowing what their
weaknesses and strength were. I gather this all from the stories that came back
home as both of my girls returned with lots of confidence. I also appreciate the
professional follow-up by providing a write up about each child's
accomplishments during camp. If we are here next summer I will surely send my
girls to your camp again. Again thank you for making my children so happy this
summer. '
- Gabriele van Eck
Pauline Chia's birthday party group:
'Just want to let you know that your resort was breathtaking and it was a real pleasure to have spent our weekend there. All my friends had
a great time and I had a great 30th BD celebration. '
- Pauline Chia
Admiralty Sec sent us this after their
Sec 3 mass camp (since then, in the first 3 months of 2010 alone, we ran 7 successful level camps!).
'In a nut shell, it was EXCELLENT! I have done numerous camps both locally and abroad for the full level (i.e. with over 300 pupils each time) and Loola ranks right there at the top. I dare say that I am already thinking of camp loola 2008!
In greater detail, here goes:
The camp site was close enough for everyone to be in close contact with each other yet spacious enough that we did not get into each other's way during the activities. The absence of mosquitoes was comforting.
The tents were ingeniously built and sturdy [ note that since Jan 2010
we have beautiful dormitories for over 350 students!, the LooLa team], and provided comfortable accommodations for the pupils.
The huts were adequate and the in-house shower and water closet was a great asset.
The new 'hall' was splendid and became the focal point for all activities, eg. Meals, meetings, rest, assembly, games.
The staff at loola were friendly and helpful, always seeing to our needs and making us feel right at home.
Food was plentiful and good and I even had to request that the portions be reduced to prevent wastage.
There was sufficient drinking water at all times.
As to the Singaporean facilitators you engaged, the instructors were friendly yet firm when required. They managed to connect with the pupils from the onset and built rapport easily.
They facilitated the various activities very well and constantly engaged the pupils throughout every free moment.
They showed care and concern for the pupils and really put in their best to ensure that my pupils enjoyed the camp.
A testimony to your operations: my pupils did not want to leave Loola and asked why they could not stay on longer.
Yes, you can ask Dul [LooLa's director] as he was there and even jokingly agreed to build a hut for them
if they stayed back!
- Mr Neville Teo, head of PE/CCA
And here you hear it from a student, Farhana, who was on the Tanjung Katong
level camp in March 2010!
'Hi there!
I am Farhana, representing Class 3B from Tanjong Katong Secondary School and we were at LooLa
from 2nd-5th March 2010. We just wish to thank you and the people of LooLa for the unforgetable
experience we had. It was the best camp ever and we couldn't stop thinking of LooLa back at
school! The boomnet and flying fox were amazing and is definitely what we would not have been
able to do back in Singapore. Memories in LooLa we would not forget - LooLa made us all
believe we could do anything and conquer great heights. It was so relaxing and was a great
break from studies with the great ocean breeze. The people in LooLa were so friendly and they
were so caring! They would calm us down when we were nervous and of all the camps we have been,
we never had trainers that were so friendly and homely. The food was great and the accommodation
was perfect! Most importantly, we all had a blast! The CIP with the orphans was awesome and
very, very meaningful. Some of us even cried when we had to leave cos' LooLa was just heavenly.
Our new-found family back in LooLa would always be part of us and we will be back--we want to!!
Thank You so much for the great time! LooLa will be our top camp spot forever!
Regards,
- Farhana of TK 3B'10 =)
Feedback from a small group of friends:
' We had the most relaxing weekend in Loola's! As usual,
the weather there was much better than in Singapore,
so we got a very good sun tan and some sun burns.
For the first time in my life I was not just
participating on a boat but sailing myself - I just
LOVED it! It's so easy! Well, ok, we capsized twice
and my friend slid in the water a couple more times
but it was soo much fun!
We did kayaking, enjoyed the stars, loved our
bungalow, its floor, the veranda - everything.
Your staff is very helpful and friendly as well. As
they heard we'ld prefer a water bungalow they even
changed our bungalow from No. 6 onshore to no 2 on the
water in the evening so they even had to clean it
again.
Different to many other places in this region all of
them feel very responsible for the guest's wellbeing
and we were amazed they even followed us - by kayaks
or sail boats - in a distance to ensure we would not
be in difficulties. Once I lost my snorkel mask when
cap sizing & immediately three of the boys helped me
searching it for over 30 min. on the ground until one
of them found it. I highly appreciated that and gave
them a tip later. Your staff Ronny even keeps two kinds of classic music
tapes for young and old couples in the car, and
explained us a lot.
We'll also come back for sure - I have to
improve my sailing! '
- Henning Focks
Another birthday party feedback:
' Once again I'd like to thank you & all your staff
for your kind hospitality. Thank you for letting us stay there over the weekend
and have the whole place to ourselves. My friend, Darren, said he had a most memorable birthday there.
We had such a great time and we'd love to come back sometime soon...
- Midori Tsuru (who did come back every year until she left Singapore!)
Singapore American
School, taken
from their website:
One mom sent this, ' I would like to thank you for letting my
son Andy go to Bintan on the weekend. I have never heard the word "awesome"
mentioned so many times describing this trip to us. I am sure this will be
his best memory of Singapore.' For references to SAS's trips, click
here and here (esp the 'partner' page).
' We will never forget the smiling
faces of hundreds of Indonesian children greeting my students and teachers
as we placed computers in 8 different schools in Bintan. The experiences
provided at Camp Loola and on the island of Bintan will always remain
with us. '
- Paul Combs, Deputy Principal, Middle School
Chatsworth International
School. Chatsworth runs their grade 5, 6, and 8
trips to LooLa, and this is what they have to say:
' 2 weeks after the trip and still my students are raving about Loola Resort. In all my years
of taking students on outdoor adventures Loola is by far the most exciting and
challenging adventure resort I have ever been to. The staff were fantastic and
quickly built a strong rapport with my students. All the activities were
challenging, exciting and at all times safe. The food is excellent, especially
the BBQ at the campfire! As my students say: Loola Rocks!'
- Dave
Hubbard, Head of Lower Secondary.
EtonHouse Primary school was one of the
first primary schools to visit us (in 2006, after which they came back three times in a row in 2007!),
and they taught us a lot about how to adapt the environment and activities to bring out the best for a school group of this age. Other than that, here is what they wrote: The kids had a wonderful time. Your staff were excellent. They were attentive to all our needs and made sure that everything went smoothly. The food was excellent; possibly the best I have ever seen in 35 years of attending school camps. Bravo! The rock wall was a big hit, and the boom netting was sensational: the kids are still talking about it!
- Les Fielder, Teacher of year 5
Hollandse School (Dutch
School). The Dutch school runs their `groep 7'
(grade 5) trips through LooLa. They sent us this quote in 2004:
'Another world so close by. Three days at Loola adventure
resort.....setting, activities and the dedicated staff are one of a kind. See
you all next year! '
- Andre Mevissen, in charge of 'groep 7'.
'Alles uitstekend verlopen. Complimenten aan de Loola staf, we zijn 100% tevreden!'
(In English: 'Our 2009 visit went very well. Our compliments to the LooLa staff - we're 100% satisfied!')
- Joice Wassink, in charge of 'groep 7' in 2009.
ITE Bedok. After successful visits every year from 2001 onwards, the ITE Bedok is planning to
work together with the American School to develop LooLa's community programs
further, and help building up local schools.
' It's a place to be for those
who wanna be! The tranquillity brings out the best of an individual in you ! '
-
Mohamed Tahir Ali, Section Head/PE&CCA/BK
PSB Academy sent us this wonderful note after their Jan 2008 trip:
Hi Marc, thank you for all your help in arranging for the trip and for answering
the numerous questions that I flooded your email with - the trip was a
fruitful one through the incorporation of your activities and our own
consultant's programme. All my students have three word to describe the entire experience - LOOLA
was FUN!
I want to say a big THANK YOU on behalf of my students and colleagues to
Claudette [LooLa's sales manager] for her patience and helpfulness in answering all my
questions ... to Elyas for his help to coordinate things on the 2nd night & his patience
when we woke him up to handle a power trip (3 o'clock in the
morning!) ... to the guys that demo & helped us with the high ropes (especially the one
we nicknamed "BISHAN PARK 18" cos he could climb like spiderman!) ... to the guys who waited for one of our students who took almost an hour
before she had the courage to leap off the upper deck of the boat ... to Karno [LooLa's communications director] for meeting us at arrival and helping us with the boarding pass
for our return trip ... to the fantastic cook who whipped up sumptuous and delicious dishes...that
my students are still talking about even when back in singapore ...
to the faithful lady who make sure there's enough beverages for us all
every moment of the day ... and, last but not least, to ever-ready Dodi
[LooLa's customer service director] who helped us with the impromptu requests...for
bottled drinks, bread, biscuits, calling cards and sharing about
Indonesia...and entertaining my bunch of energetic students who got
along very well with him ...
I have attached a photo taken before we left LOOLA on the last day.
Have a wonderful day ahead!
-
Lydia Irene Yeo, Executive / Student affairs
The United World
College. The UWC has visited us well over 20 times by now.
Students went twice with telescopes for star-gazing
trips (since the night sky is so clear at LooLa), IB students English do
their oral exam at LooLa, and much more ... As a result, UWC has decided to
offer LooLa as one of their week-long grade 9 trips. Out of the more than
10 local options, parents voted overwhelmingly for 'LooLa'. Read it (under 'Bintan adventure programme', both in March and October)
at their website.
But lest one thinks it is only children who enjoy LooLa, read the report of the visit of UWC's admin staff to LooLa!
Lycee Francais (French School).
The French school runs their yearly grade 8 trips with us since 2001. Here's what
they have to say:
' Loola offers all the ingredients that make a school trip successful:
- Prior to departure, a good organization by Marc and Isabelle, the
owners. They have all the experience and flexibility to answer your
needs.
- a variety of sports and physical activities specially designed for
team building.
- an unusual location in Bintan, remote and authentic, making you
feel you are far away from Singapore, with real adventure in the
form of a nearby deserted paradise island.
In short, we all had a great time and look forward to going back again! '
- Yves Gosselin, Head of PE
And here's another comment from one of his colleagues, Helene Vernet, in French:
' Pendant notre sejour a Bintan, nous avons eu une experience formidable.
Au resort Loola, des activites possibles et realisables dans de bonnes conditions nous ont ete proposees
grace a un materiel bien entretenu. Les chambres des differents bungalows sont aerees et agreables.
Quant au petit-dejeuner, vous aurez une experience gastronomique assuree.
Le personnel du village est tres sympathique et ils seront toujours prets pour vous accueillir.
Allez a Loola et vous aurez des vacances de reve... '
Seng Kang Sec was the first Singapore Secondary school to visit us,
during the March 2002 holidays, with a group of 30 students (mostly from the TAF club) and 3 teachers. An extract of their quotes follows here:
'... a
pleasant ride towards Loola that brought back memories of Singapore
Kampongs of the late 70s. Upon arrival we were welcomed by the friendly yet
respectful staff of Loola. We were pleased with the cosy bungalows,
and happy to find there is no problem
with mosquitoes at all.
Our kids took an immediate liking to the telescope and
the stars. Thousands of them lit up the sky and
it is a real wonder. Our students even took the trouble
of waking up at 4am to watch the moon rise through the telescope, and then at 7 am again to see the sun rise out of the sea!
These are truly sights to behold.
The rock climbing was challenging, but there's something for every level:
easy, intermediate and difficult. We also did the flying fox to into the sea. It was fun and
the kids loved it. The canoeing, rafting and sailing was fun too.
We did activities coupled with low
rope elements which were superb for team work and
confidence building.
Everthing we did there was 100% safe.
We are already planning our next trip to Loola this year. LooLa is a place every youth
in Singapore should visit.'
- Varatha Rajan, Head Of PE/CCA
The students thoroughly enjoyed their 3 days at LooLa.
It opened their eyes to the wonders of nature which we so miss in Singapore.
They were fascinated by the beach, the sunset and all the wonderful sights that LooLa offered them.
The activities brought them out their shells as they were not conscious of their physical self,
and everyone was doing all that they could to ensure everyone succeeded in whatever task was set.
With the help of the wonderful staff at LooLa, the trip got even better. Thanks for a great job guys. We will be back !!
- K. "Raj" Thanaraj, Sports Secretary
The German European School
is a regular visitor to the Loola Adventure Resort.
"Our school has visited Loola for many years in a row now, and teachers and students
(including myself!) love the place, its activities and the ever-friendly, helpful and personable staff!
The experiential and outdoor learning programme at Loola is now a key component of our curriculum,
providing our students with an opportunity to łget out of school and learn about the world."
- Andreas Swoboda, VP and Director of European Section
Yishun Town Sec was the second Singaporean school who visited us in March 2002.
They offered us this quote:
My group had a wonderful time at the resort. My students especially
enjoyed the time when I brought them out during low tide to check out
the marine life. We found sea cucumbers, starfishes, shrimps, various
fishes (including a puffer fish), clams, crabs (hermit crabs too!)
and other amazing stuff! it was the first time that my students had
the opportunity to interact with authentic marine life up close.
Your staff was very helpful, we enjoyed the food and the activities,
and we felt very safe throughout our entire visit to Bintan. We hope
to return soon!
- David Yim, acting head IT, YTSS
A group of families sent us this:
We had a really good time at LooLa and really appreciated our 2006 Hari Raya holiday weekend. LooLa's staff is amazing: always there to help and take care of everyone, and very professional and nice with the kids! Thank you very much, we are sure to come back!
- Anne Ghanem
Springfield Sec put it very succinctly:
"The stay in LooLa was the best I ever had in terms of activities and programme ... LooLa is unique, the staff is wonderful, and mindful of safety at all times. The food is excellent. Some of my students actually cried when they had to leave!"
- Mr Siva, HOD Craft & Technology, Springfield Sec
Tanjong Katong Sec visited us in Nov 2002 for 4 days. Here's their comment:
Our trip was wonderful, thanks to your hospitable staff.
It was unfortunate that we did not manage to bring a larger group as
the experience was truly enriching. Thank you for the arrangements to visit
the orphanage which made our trip meaningful and heartwarming. Thank you for
also accommodating to the needs of our Muslim students who were fasting.
Meals were delicious and drinking water was plentiful.
We've fallen in love with your resort so we'll meet again next
year!
Since those early days over 50
local Singaporean schools
have followed suit, and their number is still mounting. See the growing list above!
Joo Chiat Community Centre was the
first community centre to visit us in July 2002. Here's their comment:
We will be back!!
Church groups have recently also discovered that Loola
is ideal for an isolated getaway. Come and join us with your church!
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SE-Asia's first sea-based swimming pool!
