RAOC Gazette - page 16
Image details
| Corps | RAOC |
|---|---|
| Material type | Journals |
| Book page | |
| Chapter head | |
| Chapter key | |
| Chapter number | |
| Full title | RAOC Gazette |
| Page number | |
| Publication date | 1980 |
| Real page | |
| Colour | Yes |
| Grey | No |
| Early date | 1980 |
| Late date | 1980 |
| Transcription |
MY TOUR OF EUROPE BY CORPORAL TANG KWOK-KAI Vast seas arc for fishes to live, Broad sky is for birds to fly, The out-side world is for a man with great thoughts to travel, It would be stupid to stay behind. I, who have been longing for a trip to Europe, have for- tunately been selected to attend a MHE Instructors Course in England, so as to fulfil my dreams. The start was a day to remember, ] was taken away from this busy and noisy town by a RAF VC10 aircraft at 11.00 am. The tiny Hong Kong Island disappeared from sight very quickly, sea and clouds only could be seen down below. The flight took me twenty two hours—non-stop—except the oil-refill in Ceylon and in Arabia. I was quite uncomfortable with the stiffness in my limbs after sitting still for such a long time. On arriving at Brize Norton at about mid-night, I found England was much colder than Hong Kong and was more foggy and wet. The course I attended was the MHE Instructors Course at the School of MHTU Bicester. I was the second member of HKOR sent for this course, I told myself, to try the best to achieve the best result so as to uphold the reputation of Hong Kong soldiers and the Composite Ordnance Depot. At play. At work. The lessons included: technology of handling 'Eager Beaver' running on rough and damp areas; containers of different sizes and Truck Industrial Fork Lift, (TIFL), carrying from two thousand to fifteen thousand pounds were used to practice; to load or unload the carrying and driving methods besides responsibilities of being an Eager Beaver trainer. I worked very hard because I wanted to become a trainer and examiner of TIFL if I passed the exam. And I could pass my knowledge to other members in Hong Kong when I was home. I had a week's holiday after I had passed the exam, this offered me a chance to travel all round London, Paris and Amsterdam which I have dreamed of for a long long time. I spent two hours and fifty Hong Kong dollars for the train to London. LONDON! Wild streets, old buildings, beautiful Palace, and huge museums had made this city solemn and peaceful. I received an excellent service in the underground railway stations. The staff there gave me a map of the whole underground system and timetables of trains and buses which led me to Buckingham Palace. The soldiers there were in their bright red uniforms, black helmet, black boots and marching with rifles in their hands very smart! Hyde Park was on the left, a place where anyone can speak freely of anything. On the right was St James' Park where swans and ducks were floating joyfully on the lake which was (the loveliest) that I had ever seen. Beyond the Park was the Horse Guards Square, handsome horses were marching tidily, going up and down as their orders told. It was marvellous! A little further up on the left was a three storey building guarded by some policemen, living in there was the most powerful woman in England—The Prime Minister —-10, Downing Street. Further again was the Trafalgar Square which was guarded by four huge brass lions. A gigantic stone statute was in the middle. People were feeding the pigeons gathered here. These hundreds of birds were enjoying their food happily as if they knew that no man would do them harm. Along the River Thames, we could see the London Tower, in which are kept the Royal jewelleries and various weapon exhibitions the very old Parliament House; and the Westminster Abbey where the former Kings and Queens were buried. The most impressive scene in the Madame Tussaud's was the show held in the basement of the former homicide murderers at their scenes. They were very frightening because lights and colours had made them look so real! After spending three days in London, I arrived at Paris after ten hours travelling. It was as nice, and as big as it is in the pictures. Bridges link the city together. Victor-Hugo standing upon the town. The street was so wide that twelve cars could go side by side at a time. Green trees, coffee shops. fancy shops, pretty ladies and well-dressed men made up a wonderful picture. Victor-Hugo was fifty six metres tall and forty five square metres in area, sculptures done by artists were carved on all sides of it.. French people were very proud of the building. After a long drive along the beautiful country side, we arrived in Amsterdam. Windmills were turning slowly in the fields among trees, colourful flowers and castles. However, these windmills had lost their practical use when electricity was widely used. The Dutch said " God created the seas, we created our land." This was said because most of Holland was under sea level. They extended their land by building dams and reclaiming land. These they really could be proud of! On the whole, this journey was one of the happiest events in my life. I have learned a lot by seeing and studying and I have benefited so much from my tour of Europe. From time to time Hong Kong Military Service Corps soldiers attend courses in the United Kingdom. Britain and Europe have the same mystic appeal to Hong Kong citizens as the East does for Europeans. I therefore printed the article as it was written—well almost!—Editor. — 243 — |
| Book number | R0403a |