Retreat at Hard Rock Hotel

Our department had our retreat at Hard Rock Hotel today. It would be work in the first half of the day, followed by lunch and end with a visit to the S.E.A. Aquarium in the afternoon.
The retreat started close to 9.45am and it was a flurry of ice-breaking activities, aimed at giving us the opportunities to bond together as well as providing us with learning opportunities. Kudos to the organising committee that they achieved both of those aims. :)
I particularly loved the activity whereby we, as a group had to put together a puzzle. Apparently there was different conditions for each of the four groups and we were all blind to them. Should have known! What do you expect when a group of researchers get together to come up with activities?! Haha. For our group, we were given the complete set of jigsaw puzzle pieces but with no picture of the jigsaw so that meant we had no overview or big picture to go on. We immediately organised ourselves and started division of labour, picking out different pieces and placing them together by colour and by the edge. Some of us started putting the pieces together as we recognised the characters in the puzzle. There was not much talking but when we did, it was trying to problem-solving. We were so focussed on solving the puzzle that we even forgo our break lol. Through our perseverance, we completed the puzzle! :)

Our completed puzzle! :)

At 11am, the more serious work started. There were some presentations and thought-provoking discussions. All too soon, we had to end our discussions as we ran out of time. We adjourned to Starz Restaurant for our buffet lunch at 1.30pm. We almost had the whole restaurant to ourselves as the lunch crowd had left. :) The food was pretty good. I particularly love the cold dishes and the desserts. :)
By the time we were done with lunch, it was 3pm. We slowly made our way to the S.E.A. Aquarium where we took more group photos. As I was feeling pretty tired after an eventful day and it was close to 4pm, I decided to call it a day. I decided to save my S.E.A. Aquarium ticket for another day as it is valid for 180 days. I can spend more quality time at the aquarium next time. 
I thought the retreat was well-organised and wonderful. I was a little apprehensive that it would be all work and no play. How wrong this Wong is lol. :P It turned out both fun and educational. I also got to know a few more colleagues better too. :)

A colleague took this photo. I can be a watch model if I am out of a job haha.