Good Food, Beautiful Scenery, and Bonding

By Nikita Sarhad

Bleary-eyed, exhausted, and famished after a long journey, when we first climbed out of the small ferry that took us to Telunas Beach Resorts on our first official day of Senior Sneak, we were all overjoyed to be met by the smell of delicious food. Stomachs rumbling at the sight of steaming trays of rice, sweet-and-sour chicken, fish soup, and vegetables, we hastily took our seats and sipped the sweet fizzy welcome drinks we received in anticipation. 

Throughout our time at Telunas, seniors made many fond memories at mealtimes, whether they be of discussing the activities for the day, enjoying the different dishes, or playing games with friends. Most of us enjoyed the food at Telunas and looked forward to meals each day. 

One student, Ryan Khaw (12), even commented that “the highlight was every morning waking up to the most perfect scrambled eggs,” going on to express his disappointment that breakfast “always ran out.”  

But good food wasn’t the only highlight of the trip. Sabrina Boyd (12) says that “The rustic huts on the gorgeous blue waves made Telunas a charming place to retreat to. There’s no feeling that can compare to swimming with your closest friends in the ocean with a beautiful mountain and sunset in the background. The beach, mountain, and hut lifestyle made our senior sneak truly feel like the ultimate getaway with our closest friends.” 

Every morning, when we stepped out of our over-water bungalows, we were met with the sight of a bright blue sky, gentle turquoise ocean, rich green trees, and fresh sea air. Early in the day, a peaceful quiet and stillness seemed to settle over the island, slowly broken by the chatter of students as the sun rose. In this time, small groups of friends would gather at the front deck to enjoy the surreal serenity together. 

While we spent our mornings looking out at the ocean, we spent our afternoons playing games, swimming, and chattering. Groups of friends gathered for a lively game of beach volleyball, a lighthearted competition of table tennis, a round of tetherball, or a fun frolic in the ocean. It was a cheerful time for good conversation and connection, old and new. 

By the end of the trip, the time away from school and the opportunity to bond with new people resonated with us as we departed the island. Throughout our time on Senior Sneak, many found new friends, created deeper bonds, and made joyful memories, making this trip a memorable start to our final year.