Life is a journey. Travel to experience, to grow, to explore, to see how many new things are around us. After each trip, there will be beautiful memories that will last forever. Leaving in us unforgettable impressions of our school days. Until now, I still remember the moments of the trip "Conquering Hai Van Quan - Experience to grow up" that the school organized in the summer of 2019.
On July 2, 2019, when the clock struck 5 am, Da Nang seemed to be still asleep, Duc Tri school students were ready to embark on their extremely interesting trip. The reason the trip had to start very early was because the teachers wanted us to see the sunrise over the sea and the clouds covering the majestic Hai Van pass. The car started rolling smoothly on the road leading us to Hai Van. A few days before, our teachers had given us very careful instructions and prepared us well for this trip. Hai Van pass gradually appeared in the magically beautiful morning mist. The remaining night dew was slowly rolling down the green leaves. The first rays of sunlight had begun to penetrate through each branch, illuminating the dangerous pass. Before my eyes now was a picture of the beautiful, magnificent nature of Hai Van. We stopped at the back of the pass, gathered into groups divided by color: red, yellow, white and blue. Our journey to explore Hai Van was also a competition between teams and a challenge to ourselves. The car did not take us to the top of the pass, but we had to climb on foot to explore on our own. If we had gone alone, or in separate groups, we probably would not have been able to do it. But with the spirit of the collective, we bravely overcame it. On this route, there were quite a lot of vehicles, requiring us to constantly observe during the trip to ensure safety. The first place to visit and explore on our journey was Hai Van Quan. Standing at this position, looking down at the city through the thin mist was so beautiful, in the distance was the blue beach. The natural scenery was incredibly beautiful! A beautiful scene right on our homeland that we had not had the opportunity to explore. How wonderful! Hai Van Quan relic is a pass located on the top of the pass, built during the Tran Dynasty and restored during the Nguyen Dynasty. From the pass looking out to Thua Thien Hue, it is called "Hai Van Quan", and looking out to Quang Nam - Da Nang, it is called "Thien ha de nhat hung quan". After listening to Ms. Le Thi Nga - the school principal introduce the geographical, natural, historical and cultural features, and directly observing the "Hai Van Quan" relic, the students officially began to explore and learn about the ruins left by the war, the ancient relics built by humans here, ... In an eager and excited mood, we students all competed to conquer the steep rocky pass. On both sides were rows of green forest trees, forming an arch like a small tunnel. The summer wind gently stopped here, playing with the students, the birds spreading their wings in the sky and the white clouds floating in the cool, fresh air. At that time, I felt like I was immersed in the nature of Hai Van mountains and hills. On that stretch of road, some students took beautiful pictures of Hai Van's nature with their teachers and friends, while others explored the flowers and fruits on the branches of the forest trees, etc. The atmosphere of the journey seemed to be filled with joy and excitement. The cheerful laughter covered the entire corner of the pass, making everyone forget the fatigue of a day of climbing the slopes.
It seemed that the steep rocky pass could not make the Duc Tri students hesitate, in just a moment they had reached the "bunker" of the American colonialists when they conquered Da Nang, located at the top of the high Hai Van pass. Up there, the clouds seemed to want to fall to the ground, the pass road at that time was a bit misty, creating a mysterious space that awakened the curiosity of many young people. Standing on the old bunker, the red flag with yellow star was raised high by us, fluttering. We surrounded them, admiring the grandeur and wonder of Hai Van nature. "Crack! Crack!..." From somewhere in the sky, tiny raindrops fell, the rain grew heavier, the students hurriedly put on convenient raincoats and held hands down the mountain in the coolness of the rain. I happily took off my raincoat and carried those raindrops down to the middle of the pass. What fun! Returning to the car and drying my hair. As the sun gradually rose to the top of the pole, it was time for us to say goodbye to Hai Van to prepare for the next exciting part of the trip. The convoy rolled again, heading towards the school's ecological garden. The rain stopped, the clouds revealed the sun. The weak rays of sunlight were now strong and dazzling. It seemed to open up a new excitement in my heart about the journey ahead. I can't wait!
Stepping off the bus, the fragrance of the flower garden and the fresh air of the ecological garden seemed to want to embrace us. The school garden is spacious, extremely airy, with a rich and diverse ecosystem. After a day of climbing a high pass, there is nothing better than a sumptuous lunch cooked by ourselves! Without needing to rest, we quickly rolled up our sleeves and started lighting the charcoal to grill the chicken. In no time, the sumptuous lunch was displayed on a tray lined with leaves with a large handful of sticky rice, fried shrimp, cucumber, fresh vegetables and a fragrant grilled chicken. Sitting around the tray and eating lunch was also a very special thing for us. Perhaps that was why everyone felt happy and excited. After finishing a full meal, we were able to participate in team games, big games, and extremely attractive and interesting learning activities. Such as the game "Who is the longest?" then cross the monkey bridge, "I say, I say" then pass the message, answer the quiz questions... Everyone actively participates in the games, challenges, stirring up the hustle and bustle, the joy of the garden. Through those useful activities, we have acquired a lot of knowledge about all areas of life, learned the necessary basic life skills, practiced independence, physical training, ... The friendship, the teacher-student relationship between everyone seems to be mended more tightly, more deeply. The harmony, friendliness between people and nature and plants. Immersed in so many happy and sad moments, my heart is filled with indescribable emotions, the excitement and boundless happiness are expressed through the smiles of the students.
True to the name of the trip – “Experience to grow up”, we have truly grown up after a long journey. We have conquered the pass, conquered the difficulties and conquered ourselves! Although after the trip, our limbs were exhausted, every moment, every minute of that journey will never fade in our memories. The school has truly created opportunities for us to explore life and improve ourselves more. And I understand, that is also the educational value that our beloved Duc Tri wants to bring to us – Experience to grow up!
Le Nguyen Nhat Minh 9/2